Chapter 72

Teresa broke the silence. “You’re joking, right? Don’t scare me. We’ve been apart for over two years, and we don’t have a child together. What’s the point of a remarriage?”

Jonathan pursed his lips. “You’re saying we’d get back together if we have kids?”

Stunned, Teresa replied, “I’ll never marry you again. I like my life as it is now.” She no longer had the confidence to rebuild that marriage. Their divorce had been clear: no repeating the same mistakes. The boldness of their flash wedding had long vanished, replaced by her careful consideration of all she had to protect.

Jonathan had anticipated Teresa’s answer. His hand, resting on the steering wheel, tightened unconsciously before he slowly relaxed his grip.

The sudden ringing of Jonathan’s phone shattered the silence. He answered, “Got it. I’ll be there.” He turned to Teresa. “They’ve found Philip at the Viagra Club.” After informing Teresa, he drove her there.

Roc Group had fallen into bankruptcy. Philip had been betrayed—Henry, the man he trusted, had reclaimed the $1.5 million loan, leaving Philip ruined. Desperation and regret consumed him.

However, Teresa would never forgive Philip. She thought, ‘What kind of father would betray his daughter for $1.5 million? Is he even considered a parent? Why forgive someone like that?’

Philip, penniless and despised throughout the city, lived in constant fear of public humiliation. He wouldn't step outside without a mask and hat, terrified of being targeted.

When the car stopped outside the club, Philip had already emerged from a private room, waiting anxiously. His eyes found Teresa as she approached. “Teresa,” he called. Then, his gaze shifted to Jonathan behind her.

Jonathan stood tall, his broad shoulders draped in a dark coat that framed his impeccably sculpted figure. His commanding presence exuded security and unshakable strength.

Philip’s lips parted; he didn’t dare look at Jonathan. “Ah… Jonathan, you’re here, too.”

“I asked him to come with me,” Teresa said. “Philip, you’re such a beast.” A beast who sold out his daughter for money.

Philip dropped to his knees with a resounding thud. “Teresa, I was wrong. I must’ve lost my mind. I know I’ve made a terrible mistake.” Still on his knees, he reached for Teresa’s hands. “Please, give me another chance. I know I was wrong. I’ll listen to you from now on.”

Teresa shook off his hand. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she would never forgive him. Never again.

“I’ve already given you a chance! I told you to trust me, that three to five years would be enough to clear the debts. I’d help you pay them off, step by step. But you didn’t believe me!” Teresa exclaimed. “You believed an outsider could save you, but you didn’t trust me. Instead, you sold me out.” Her lips quivered as Jonathan put an arm around her shoulder, gently wiping away her tears.

Seeing Teresa’s disregard, Philip turned to Jonathan. “Jonathan, I’m sorry. Back when you married Teresa, I looked down on you. I must’ve been blind. Please, don’t hold a grudge. Help me this time—just $1.5 million. It’s nothing to you.” He pleaded with the man he once despised. “For Teresa’s sake, you won’t let me end up in jail, right?”

“It’s only because of Teresa,” Jonathan said, grabbing Philip by the collar and pulling him up. His gaze was intense. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have even come today.” He fumed inwardly. ‘$1.5 million? Dream on.’

Philip gritted his teeth. “No matter what, I raised Teresa for over a decade. I provided for her and paid for her education. I’ve made mistakes, yes, but isn’t it fair that I ask for $1.5 million now?”

“And then what?” Jonathan frowned. “What will this $1.5 million solve? Are you planning to sell her off again when you lose another $3 million? What makes you think I’ll give you another chance to hurt her?”

With a loud bang, Jonathan’s fist crashed into Philip’s face. Teresa didn’t hit Philip; she was his daughter, bound by blood. Jonathan, however, was her ex-son-in-law.

The blow saddened Teresa, but she didn’t intervene; he was the only one who would fight so fiercely for her. It was laughable that a father would treat his daughter worse than her ex-husband—he wasn’t even exponentially good to her.

Philip, feeble and weathered, was no match for the youthful and strong Jonathan. After three heavy blows, he begged for mercy, and only then did Jonathan release his grip.

“There’s a way for you to escape unscathed,” Jonathan said coldly.

“What’s that?” Philip, bruised and beaten, dared not retaliate. He could only look at Jonathan. “As long as you help me avoid prison, I promise I’ll listen to whatever you say.” If he couldn’t repay the $1.5 million, creditors would sue him, and that would be the end of him.

Jonathan said, “You will sell off all your shares and transfer them to Teresa. Change Roc Group’s name to ‘Teresouth Group.’ From now on, Roc Group will cease to exist, and you’ll leave Nareigh. You’ll never set foot in this city again.”