Chapter 240

The screech of brakes pierced the air as Donald made a desperate, last-second turn. The car hit the guardrail with a thunderous crash, shattering the windshield into a jagged, concrete mass.

Jennifer's body lurched forward, only to be yanked back by her seatbelt. Instinctively, she shielded herself, taking the brunt of the collision to protect Donald.

"Donald! Wake up! Please, wake up!" Jennifer cried. He remained unresponsive, his head slumped against the wheel. Trembling, Jennifer touched the blood trickling from his forehead, her fingers reddening.

Taking a deep breath, she fought to maintain composure. Fumbling with the car door, she managed to open it and step out into the night.

The piercing headlights of a black Audi A8 cut through the fog, slowly coming to a stop, hazard lights blinking. Jonathan emerged.

Seeing him, Jennifer forgot past grievances. "Please, help me! It's all my fault. Donald can't be… he just can't!" she cried.

Jonathan glanced at the wrecked car. Seeing Donald slumped in the passenger seat, he seemed to understand. He pulled Donald out and carried him to his car.

Jennifer had already climbed in. Just as Jonathan was about to start the engine, he noticed an elderly man trembling by the roadside. "Grandpa, what are you doing here in Nareight?" he exclaimed.

Hearing Jonathan's voice, Gordon slowly turned. His sunken eyes locked onto Jonathan, and he clung tightly to his arm. "Fiona," he whispered. "Have you seen my Fiona? Where is she?"

"Grandpa, just get in the car first," Jonathan urged.

"You're trying to take me back, aren't you? I'm not going back! I need to find Fiona!" Gordon cried, pounding on Jonathan's arm.

Worried about Donald, Jonathan snapped, "Grandpa, I'll help you find Fiona, but you need to get in the car first. Please!"

Finally, Gordon climbed into the car. Jonathan drove toward the hospital with all three passengers.

Donald, still unconscious, was placed on a stretcher. Jennifer followed closely, almost running, until he was wheeled into the operating room. As the doors closed, a wave of helplessness washed over her. Jonathan leaned against the window, talking on the phone. Meanwhile, Gordon angrily struck Jonathan, calling him a liar and demanding Fiona's whereabouts.

Jonathan endured the blows without resistance. He noticed Gordon's shoes were on the wrong feet. After finishing his call, he crouched down and carefully corrected them.

He silently bore another round of blows. Jennifer watched the entire scene. For a moment, she thought, Jonathan seems like a good man. In a world of pretense, it's rare to see such genuine filial devotion. Then, she countered, No. If he were a good man, Teresa's marriage wouldn't have fallen apart.

Heidi arrived shortly after and informed Jonathan that Irene was on her way. He handed Gordon over to Heidi, finally able to breathe.

Jennifer approached Jonathan. "Thank you for saving Donald."

He frowned. "Today is the anniversary of Teresa's grandparents' passing. I thought she'd come back."

Jennifer stated firmly, "She's not coming back. Stop bothering Teresa. It's time for both of you to move on."

Jonathan's expression darkened. "Maybe the men in the Lynn family are just too stubborn. Donald's like that, and so am I."