Chapter 204

Benny doubted a child could withstand an adult's interrogation. Before leaving, he stopped at the supermarket for lollipops, chocolates, and other kid-friendly snacks. He planned to use them to win the child over and obtain the information he needed.

He called Jonathan in Chicoham. Immediately, Benny stated, "You're with Teresa, aren't you? I need to talk to you alone."

Jonathan glanced at Teresa, who was dining across from him. He signaled it was a work call and stepped aside.

"Just say it. Why can't you talk in front of Teresa?" Jonathan asked.

"Guess what I've been up to today," Benny teased.

"I'm not playing games, Benny. Spit it out," Jonathan replied, unimpressed.

Benny finally dropped the pretense. "I went to the Lynn residence. Irene and Cheryl were there, so I made an excuse to go to your room. I grabbed your toothbrush and gave it to a friend for a DNA test. The results will be out tonight."

Jonathan sighed, exasperated. "I've told you a hundred times, the kid isn't mine. Was it really necessary to go through all that for a toothbrush?"

"You just don't believe me, do you? You'll know when the results are in. Let's make a bet. Thirty thousand. Sound good?" Benny sneered.

Jonathan raised the stakes instantly. "Make it three hundred thousand dollars."

Benny's eyes lit up, having hooked Jonathan. "Three hundred thousand dollars? Now you're talking. I've been eyeing a new car anyway. Deal. I bet the kid is related to you. If not, I'll pay you three hundred thousand dollars."

Jonathan asked, "That's it? This is what you're freaking out over?"

Benny said, "What? You've got some nerve. I've been running around cleaning up your mess, and your mom even chewed me out, telling me to convince you to stop seeing Teresa."

"And now, here I am at Forlisle Rose Estates, but the security guard won't let me in. Tell them to let me through so I can see the kid and ask him a few questions."

Jonathan warned, "Don't be reckless. The kid is shy. You'll scare him."

"Relax. I'll be all smiles when I talk to him. Just a few questions. Nothing scary," Benny assured him. But Jonathan still refused access.

Frustrated, Benny snapped, "You're unbelievable, Jonathan. Fine, I won't go in today. But when the DNA test results come out, you better have three hundred thousand dollars ready for me."

Jonathan replied coolly, "Don't get ahead of yourself."

Benny hung up and went straight to the dealership, practically bouncing with excitement, imagining his new car. He was already counting on that three hundred thousand dollars hitting his account.

"Who was that on the phone?" Teresa asked casually as Jonathan returned.

"Benny," Jonathan replied.

Teresa choked on her water, coughing a few times. Regaining her composure, she asked nonchalantly, "What's Benny up to now?"

Jonathan shrugged. "He was just bored and looking for someone to argue with."

Teresa pressed her lips together, thinking, 'Jonathan is way too calm. Benny probably hasn't done the DNA test yet. Jonathan would be acting differently if he knew the results.'

Her mind was a mess. Michael's situation already weighed heavily on her, and the doctor's words about signs of pregnancy had thrown her into deeper confusion.

'Am I pregnant or not?' she thought. The question lingered.

After dinner, Teresa stood up and said, "I think I'll head back now."

"I thought you wanted to see the ocean," Jonathan said. "I've got nothing else on my schedule today. I'll go with you wherever you want, and once you've had enough fun, we'll head back to Nareigh."

"That's not necessary," Teresa replied flatly.