Chapter 438

“Are you done?” Jonathan shot back calmly, though a clear edge of irritation and coldness was in his eyes. Edward’s big grin vanished. “What, you think my guess is wrong?”

Benny shook his head. “Honestly, your theory is even crazier than mine. There’s no way Jonathan would do that.”

Edward looked utterly confused, while Benny forced a smile and turned to Michael. “Hey Mike, let me ask you something else. Does Teresa usually take care of you? Do you stay with her a lot?”

Michael had been eating, but suddenly, tears streamed down his cheeks. Jonathan bent down, picked Michael up, and gently ruffled his hair. “Hey, don’t listen to these two weird guys. I’ll take you outside for a bit.” Michael clung tightly to Jonathan’s neck.

Edward glared at Benny. “This is all your fault. Who asks a kid such weird questions?”

“Weird? You’re the weird one. Didn’t you see Jonathan’s face? He looked like he wanted to kill you. Seriously, what goes on in your head?”

“Why not? You see it all the time in TV dramas—rich people are always worried they’ll be too old to have kids, so they freeze their…you know…stuff.”

“That doesn’t work on Jonathan,” Benny said seriously. “He’d never do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because all he thinks about is getting back together with Teresa.”

That finally clicked for Edward. He hurried after them, just as Jonathan was about to leave with Michael in his arms. “Wait up, bro! Sorry, I totally put my foot in my mouth today. Don’t be mad; just pretend I was talking nonsense.”

Jonathan frowned. “You’re not a kid anymore. Think before you speak. Some things just shouldn’t be said.”

“I was just guessing. I mean, he really does look a bit like you…” Edward’s voice trailed off.

Jonathan handed Michael to the driver. Once the boy was in the car, he finally turned to Edward. “So, what did you want to tell me about Teresa today?”

“Teresa went to see Irene. I think she wants to get back together with you.”

“What?” Jonathan’s usually somber eyes suddenly lit up.

Edward continued. “I actually heard it from my mom. Irene was venting to her. She said Teresa came by with gifts, and from the way she talked, it sounded like she wanted to get back together with you.”

“Irene was really upset and didn’t want Teresa and you to make the same mistakes again, so she complained to Heidi about it.”

“My mom thinks Teresa’s only interested now because you’ve got money and power, but I told her Teresa isn’t like that.”

Jonathan pressed his lips together, thinking that maybe this was what Miriam had wanted to tell him. “Alright, I get it,” he said, then got into the car.

Inside the car, Michael sprawled across Jonathan’s lap. “Mr. Lime, what’s wrong? Are you upset?”

Jonathan let Michael hold his hand, but his mind kept replaying what Edward had said. His eyes flickered with mixed emotions.

“Mr. Lime? Mr. Lime?” Michael called out a few times before Jonathan finally responded with a quiet, “Yeah?” Michael asked, “Edward said we look alike. Is that true?”

Jonathan gave a faint smile. No matter how gentle he tried to be, there was still a bit of distance in his eyes when he looked at Michael.

“Mike, happy birthday again.” He stuffed a gift into Michael’s arms. “Wishing you a happy life. I’ve got something to take care of, so I’ll drive you home now.”

“Mr. Lime, can you give me a hug and let me sit on your shoulders?”

Jonathan granted his wish. All the way to Miriam’s place, he let Michael ride on his shoulders, holding his small hands. Michael wished the ride could last a little longer.

Across the street, Jennifer sat in her Mercedes, gripping the steering wheel as she caught sight of the sweet scene. She pretended not to notice, trusting Teresa hadn’t confronted Jonathan yet.

Jonathan dropped Michael off at Miriam’s and headed out.

“Where’s Edward?” Miriam asked Jonathan.

“He’s out having drinks with Benny,” Jonathan replied.

Miriam’s eyelid twitched. After Jonathan left, she quickly turned to Michael. “Who did you have lunch with today?”

After getting the answer, Miriam thought for a moment and decided to let Teresa know.

Teresa came to pick up Michael. Miriam said, “Benny didn’t cause any trouble, did he? I had no idea he’d be there; otherwise, I wouldn’t have let Mike go out.”

“It’s fine; don’t worry about it,” Teresa said. “If Benny wanted to stir things up, he’d come test me first.” She took Michael and left.

“Mom, Mr. Lime gave me a gift,” Michael waved the gift in his hands.

Teresa’s eyes dimmed a little. “Sweetie, Mommy bought you toys, new clothes, and new shoes. Let’s have a proper celebration tonight, okay?”

Michael nodded, letting Teresa hold his hand, and then started showing off again in his childish voice. “Mom, Mr. Lime even let me ride on his shoulders.”

At the Lynn residence, Jonathan sat across from Irene. After hearing what he said, Irene finally understood. “So you’re here to question me?”

“I haven’t even asked you yet. Why did you take your ex-wife with you on a business trip to Shaville? Do you really think that’s appropriate?”

“We’re both single. Why wouldn’t it be appropriate?” Jonathan shot back.

“How is that appropriate? Didn’t you promise me you’d move on?”

“Why can’t I move on, with her?”

Jonathan’s offhand reply sent waves through Irene’s heart. She stared at him in disbelief. “You’re going to drive me crazy. You finally got out of that mess, and now you want to jump right back in? What could she possibly give you?”

“Happiness. Fulfillment. Just being with her makes me happy. She gives me motivation and something to look forward to. Isn’t that what being together is all about?”

Irene wanted to argue back, but couldn’t find the words.

Jonathan tapped his long fingers on the table. “Don’t change the subject. I’m asking you. Did Teresa come to see you? What did she say? Did you give her a hard time?”

Irene let out a cold laugh. “She said she owed you money, that she went to Shaville with you just to pay you back. But from the way she talked, it was obvious she wanted to get back together. Do you really think I’d be okay with that?”

“Forget about whether she wants to get back together. I’m asking if you said something harsh to her.”

“I was just being honest. I told her to give up, to stop shamelessly clinging to you, and to quit showing up wherever you are.”

At that, Jonathan’s face turned stormy. “Call her. Apologize.”

“What did you say?” Irene stared at him, thinking she’d misheard.

“You heard me; apologize to her. Or I’ll go myself and do it for you. Your choice.”