Chapter 78

Teresa was worried. Jonathan had promised to visit yesterday, but he never arrived. He also wasn't answering calls, fueling her concern that he might be in trouble. Meanwhile, at the end of the road, Jonathan sat in a car, watching Teresa search for him. A faint smile played on his lips. Seeing her anxiety, he reveled in the illusion that her search indicated reciprocated feelings.

"Mr. Lynn, the opening ceremony is over," Christian said helplessly. "Are you still not getting out of the car?"

"Never mind," Jonathan replied.

Christian nodded, starting the car as he glanced at the bandaged man in the rearview mirror.

Sherry remained at home with Michael at Rosary Estates. Michael's eyes were red from his unsuccessful attempt to meet Jonathan and obtain a strand of his hair.

"If we can't meet Mr. Lynn, let's visit his secretary instead!" Sherry suggested.

Michael gave her a knowing look. "Sherry, I think you just want to see Mr. Dunn, right?"

Sherry coughed, silently musing, 'Oh, come on. Don't call me out!'

Christian had just dropped Jonathan off after picking him up from the hospital following his earlier road accident. Sherry had brought Michael along to meet Christian, and they all went for a walk in the park.

Michael began, "Mr. Dunn, what's your name?"

"My name is Christian Dunn," Christian replied.

"Kris…" The boy couldn't finish before biting his tongue.

Christian was exasperated. Is my name really that hard to pronounce? he wondered. Sherry nodded vigorously, understanding Michael's struggle. "Mike, you can just call him Mr. Dunn," she suggested.

Just then, Sherry's phone rang. Teresa needed her at the office immediately to ship some goods. Sherry readily agreed.

"I need to go to the office for a bit. Could you watch Mike for me?" she asked.

"Sure, I'll send him home later. You go ahead," Christian agreed. It was his first time caring for a child. He bought Michael a vanilla ice cream, and the boy thanked him politely.

Christian asked, "Hey, kid, why do you like Mr. Lynn?"

The little guy, eyes sparkling, replied, "Because Mr. Lynn is a handsome man! He's so, so handsome."

Christian almost laughed. "Who are your parents? Are they not locals?" he asked, noticing Michael's accent.

Michael showed Christian his social media account, revealing he followed accounts like "SpicyGirl," "MisterWanderer," and "TravelerBoy."

"What's a young boy like you doing on your phone all day? Watch out, or you'll end up with bad eyesight," Christian advised.

Michael explained, "Mommy is busy and doesn't have time to accompany me, so I just watch videos on my phone."

Christian sighed, sensing a child with absentee parents. He became curious about Michael's parents' identities.

"Your mom seems like an irresponsible person," he remarked.

"No, she's not!" Michael disliked others speaking badly about Teresa.

He continued, "Mommy works really hard to earn money for me. If Mr. Lynn were my dad, Mommy wouldn't have to work so hard. We could use Mr. Lynn's money!"

Christian laughed heartily. "That's a nice wish, but too bad it can't come true! You do look a bit like Mr. Lynn! But kid, I hate to break it to you, being Mr. Lynn's son is really not…"

He noticed tears welling up in Michael's bright eyes before he could finish. Christian paused, thinking, Was I too harsh? Why am I being so serious with a three-year-old?

Michael wiped away his tears. "Give me a strand of Mr. Lynn's hair and bring me for a DNA test!"

Christian licked his lips. "Okay, Mike. Make sure you speak clearly. If you do, I'll get you a strand of Mr. Lynn's hair."

"Really?" Michael sniffed and stopped crying.

"Really, I promise you," Christian said, hooking his pinky with Mike's. Christian had slurred as a child, becoming the target of class laughter for a semester. He didn't want Michael to experience the same.

"Thank you, Mr. Dunn. You're so nice to me. When I grow up, I'll make you my secretary," Michael thanked him.

"I'll be too old by then! Maybe my son can be your secretary instead," Christian suggested.

"Sure," Michael said, continuing to eat his ice cream.

Sherry finished her work and picked up Michael, who was already sleepy.

"Thank you, Christian. I'll treat you to dinner next time," Sherry said, bringing Michael over.

Christian insisted on walking Sherry back. Teresa arrived home and saw Sherry holding the sleeping Michael with a man opening the car door.

Teresa parked and approached. This guy seems somewhat familiar, she thought.

"I'm Sherry's roommate. It's nice to meet you," Teresa said.

"Hello, Mrs. Lynn," Christian said. "I'm Mr. Lynn's secretary and assistant, Christian."

Teresa was taken aback. Jonathan's secretary? Who introduced him to Sherry? she wondered. She quickly took Michael, feeling wary.

Sherry shook her head at Teresa, swearing she'd never revealed Teresa was Michael's mother.

"I'll take Mike upstairs now," Sherry said, making a quick exit. "Mike, don't catch a cold."

Teresa didn't go upstairs immediately. "Is Jonathan okay? Why isn't he answering the phone?" she asked Christian.

"Actually, Mr. Lynn got into a car accident today," Christian replied.

"What?" Teresa's voice was urgent. "How is he? Was he badly hurt?"

Christian shook his head. "Mr. Lynn was rushing to your opening ceremony, but the traffic was terrible, so he got out to walk and was hit by a speeding motorcycle! His arm is dislocated, and his shoulder is injured too. By the time we arrived at Teresouth Group, the ceremony was over, so Mr. Lynn didn't get out of the car," he explained earnestly.

Chapter 79