Chapter 547
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door. Sanford wiped away his tears and turned toward the door. He frowned slightly at the sight of the visitor. Liora hesitated, the truth on the tip of her tongue, but she forced herself to swallow back the words she’d almost blurted out. Werner motioned for Sanford to step outside. Sanford frowned, puzzled. “What do you want?” he asked. “Sanford, step outside with me for a moment,” Werner said. Sanford pursed his lips, then finally stood up. Liora grabbed Sanford’s hand firmly and said to Werner, “Sanford has nothing to do with your Lynn family anymore. If Hayden sent you here, you should just leave.”
Werner looked helplessly at Liora. Liora pressed her lips together. Werner insisted, “Kid, just come out for a minute.” With that, he walked out first. Sanford reassured Liora, “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll be fine. I’ll just see what he wants.” Outside, Werner handed Sanford a bank card. Sanford stared at the bank card, bewildered. He asked, “What’s this supposed to mean?” Werner explained, “I was the first to get your mother to the hospital when she fainted. I’ve been briefed on her condition. Here’s 100 thousand. Take this for now; it’s for your mother’s treatment.” Sanford sneered, “Thanks, Werner, but my mom and I don’t need this money.” Werner’s eyes widened in shock. He asked, “How did you know my name?” Sanford said, “Grandpa pulled me aside and told me that. He even said I look like you.” Werner’s eyelid twitched violently. He asked, “What else did Hayden tell you?” Sanford fixed Werner with a piercing stare and asked, “Why are you being so defensive?” Werner forced a smile and said, “I’m just worried Hayden might’ve told you some nonsense he shouldn’t have. You know how it is. Hayden’s getting on in years, not all there mentally these days.” Werner’s expression turned subtly conflicted, which made Sanford think to himself, ‘Something’s off here.’
Sanford pressed, “What exactly do you mean by ‘things he shouldn’t have said’? Be honest with me, is there something between my parents I don’t know about?” Werner grew increasingly uncomfortable as he listened. He said, “I do not know what happened between the two of them.” Sanford said flatly, “Okay.” Then he pulled out a pen from his pocket and wrote down his phone number for Werner. He said, “If anything comes to your mind, feel free to give me a call. Anytime.” “Hey!” Werner called out as Sanford was about to leave. He said, “How about we grab a bite before I head back to Nareigh? My treat. What would you like to have?” Sanford thought, ‘Whether you go back to Nareigh or not is none of my business. You are just a distant uncle I barely know.’ Werner added, his tone deliberately casual, “Have dinner with me. Maybe that’ll jog my memory.” Hearing this, Sanford studied him for a long moment before finally conceding, “Fine.” They went to a nearby restaurant, but Sanford had no appetite. All he wanted was to finish the meal quickly, hurry back to take care of Liora, and–most importantly–uncover the truth about what had happened all those years ago. Werner added some food to Sanford’s plate with his fork and said, “You look pretty skinny. What do you weigh?” Sanford answered distractedly, “About 154 pounds.” Werner said, “You’re about the same build as Donald, similar height and all. You should eat more; you’re way too skinny.” Sanford cut him off bluntly, “Thanks for your concern. Didn’t know you cared so much about your elder brother’s bastard child.” Werner choked on his words, his face darkening as he fell silent. Sanford set down his fork and said, “I’m done. Can I ask you something?” Werner’s expression turned grave. He asked, “What is it you want to know?”