Chapter 57
Thirty minutes later, a glossy black Rolls-Royce glided to a stop at the police station's steps. Out stepped Jonathan, his face looking a bit drained and tired, with an IV mark visible on the back of his hand. The chauffeur moved to assist him, but Jonathan waved him off with a stubborn flick of his hand. Two lawyers, sharp in their suits, were on Jonathan’s heels as they entered. Every head in the place turned their way.
Jonathan, the CEO of Honzonlead Group, was the talk of Narcigh—good-looking, young, and a bit distant. Murmurs spread as people wondered what brought him here.
Soon, Jonathan made his way to Teresa, gently touched her cheek to reassure her, and then announced to the officers, "I'm Teresa's husband. Here to bail her out."
A collective gasp filled the room. Everyone was shocked to learn Jonathan was Teresa’s husband. Her coworkers gaped, with a mix of disbelief, envy, and resentment etched on their faces. Teresa itched to set the record straight and say “ex-husband,” but faced with Jonathan’s pale, worn-out expression, she kept her mouth shut, letting the gossips see what they wanted to see—that she was still tied to him.
After a few minutes of negotiation with the police, Jonathan left the lawyers behind and took Teresa with him. As soon as they stepped outside, he nearly collapsed. Teresa asked, “Are you okay?” He sagged against her, his tall frame leaning in as she guided him into the car.
The driver said, “Ma’am, Mr. Lynn’s acute gastroenteritis hasn’t improved. When he heard you were at the police station, he yanked out his IV and rushed over.”
Jonathan, who had his eyes closed, opened them and said, “Why tell her that?” At that, the driver went quiet.
With a hint of irritation, Teresa grilled him. “Can’t you cut back on the drinking? You managed to chug yourself right into the ER.”
With his hand pressed against his abdomen, Jonathan looked at her directly and explained, “It wasn’t alcohol. It was the ravioli you sent over that gave me acute gastroenteritis.”
Hearing this, Teresa was momentarily stunned.
Jonathan, out of energy, leaned back into the seat. “If you want my life, just take it. No need to torment me like this every day.”
Puzzled, Teresa asked, “Was there something wrong with the ravioli? My family ate the same batch, and we’re all fine.”
“They had been left out all night and gone bad,” Jonathan said.
“Why did you eat them then? Didn’t you know to throw them away?” Teresa asked.
Yeah, why didn’t I just toss them? Why eat something spoiled? Jonathan thought, but he didn’t feel like explaining.
Seeing him in such discomfort, Teresa was both angry and worried. “What about Simona! Isn’t she taking care of you?”
“Can you not upset me?” Jonathan slowly opened his deep-set eyes. “I don’t even know who told her I was hospitalized.”
Seeing him speak in such a strained manner, Teresa let it go.
Finally, they arrived at the hospital. Teresa helped Jonathan lie down. The doctor told Jonathan, “No more running around. Just rest.”
Teresa said, “I’ll take good care of him. Thank you.”
The doctor sighed and said, “Then it’s up to you to look after your husband.”
Teresa hummed in agreement, not correcting him.
Jonathan started his IV again, and Teresa sat beside him. Once he felt a bit better, he lifted his thin eyelids and asked, “What happened…lay? Did Jason…cause…yes…trouble?”
“Yes, he tried to… and then accused me of attacking him,” Teresa said.
At that, Jonathan’s gaze darkened. Miriam hadn’t explained in such detail over the phone. Now, Jonathan had already figured out how to deal with Jason. “Don’t stay at NewEdge Medis anymore. None of your colleagues seem decent,” he said.
“I was already planning to quit,” Teresa replied.
A moment later, Teresa’s phone rang. She turned to answer it, and it was Sherry. Her scream pierced Teresa’s calm.
“My God. Mike’s dad as Jonathan! Do you know how shocked I am!” Sherry said.
“Shh…” Even though Teresa had stepped away to take the call, she still covered the mouthpiece.