Chapter 856

“Ms. Johnston, are you okay?” the nanny asked, her voice laced with concern.

Teresa steadied herself and pushed the nanny away. “I’m fine. I’m going to get Mike back now,” she said.

“But Ms. Johnston,” the nanny hesitated, wanting to say more, “you’re still pregnant.”

The nanny wanted to call out to Teresa, but she was already gone, anxiety written all over her face.

The nanny was flustered, her mind racing. ‘What should I do now?’ she panicked. Snapping back to her senses, she quickly pulled out her phone and called Jonathan.

“Sorry, the user you are trying to reach is currently on another call.”

Meanwhile, Jonathan was over at the Vinta Port, picking up a call from Benny.

Benny joked with Jonathan, “So you kept Teresa’s pregnancy under wraps? What, planning to give everyone a real shock when the baby’s born?”

Jonathan shot back, “Shock? Come on, can’t I give you all a nice surprise instead?”

“Sure, you’re loaded. Whatever you say goes. Guess I’d better start getting a big gift ready for your second kid,” Benny laughed.

“If it’s less than 300 thousand dollars, don’t even bother,” Jonathan replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“Damn,” Benny chuckled. “You make a hundred times what I do in a minute, and you still want to squeeze me for cash? You’re such a capitalist.”

“Alright, I’m done chatting with you. Teresa’s brother is calling me,” Jonathan said, glancing at the incoming call.

Benny laughed again. “Lucas, huh? Why not ask your dear brother–in–law to help you win Teresa back?”

After hanging up, Jonathan answered Lucas’s call.

“Jonathan, I need to talk to you about something,” Lucas said, his voice serious.

Jonathan’s tone, which had been lighthearted, turned serious as soon as he heard Lucas’s grave voice.

He listened quietly as Lucas told him about Teresa, and for a moment, a dull pain stabbed at his heart.

“Did Teresa tell you this?” Jonathan asked.

“Yeah, I don’t think Teresa’s scare was just stress. She told me in tears that your mom tried to buy her off and take Mike. She’s terrified of her,” Lucas said.

Jonathan went silent. Teresa had never told him any of this, but she had confided in Lucas.

He remembered how, back at the hospital, Irene had grabbed his hand and swore up and down that Teresa’s fainting had nothing to do with her, insisting she never did anything to hurt Teresa.

It was Irene who took Teresa to the hospital. Jonathan had only overheard part of their phone call, so he never suspected Irene.

“I had no idea,” Jonathan told Lucas. “I’ll talk to my mom once I’m back. I’m in Eleneburg on business, but I’ll be in Nareigh in a couple of days and will get to the bottom of it.”

He still couldn’t believe that Irene had threatened Teresa while he was away. He had specifically told Irene to leave Teresa alone, but she didn’t listen.

As soon as he hung up with Lucas, Jonathan called Irene, but she didn’t pick up.

Jonathan frowned. There was a deal he needed to discuss, so he had no choice but to head over to Yanamen for now.

Back in Nareigh, Michael, who had been brought to the Lynn residence, was crying and asking for his mom.

“Mike, be good. I will have your dad take you to mom, okay?” Irene said, trying to soothe him.

Michael stopped crying and then he asked, “Grandma, is Mr. Daddy Lime coming to pick me up?”

Michael’s face was streaked with tears as he sobbed, and Irene, feeling sorry for him, took out a handkerchief to gently wipe his cheeks.

“Yes, my good little boy,” Irene replied, wiping away his tears with a handkerchief.

He had the cutest little face, with glowing skin, bright eyes, and an adorable expression that made him stand out. Irene adored him.

Not to mention, he was the Lynn family’s eldest grandson, and Irene was very pleased with him. She told the nanny at the Lynn residence to bring over some fun toys for Michael.

Seeing Michael’s attention caught by the new toys, Irene gently patted his head and tentatively said, “Mike, why don’t you stay with me from now on? I will take good care of you, okay?”

Michael shook his head firmly, his little face scrunched up in protest. “No, I want to stay with Mommy,” he said, clinging tightly to her.

“But why, sweetie? I have everything here. With Daddy and me, you’ll have a big house, great food, and anything you want. Mommy can’t give you that,” Irene coaxed gently.

“That’s not true. Mommy gives me tons of love,” Michael said, puffing his cheeks and making a big circle with his arms.

Irene froze, then snapped, “Silly boy, you’re too young to know what love is. Love means money. Your dad is rich and loves you more. Stop asking for your mom.”

Michael’s eyes reddened. “I want Mommy right now. Grandma, you’re lying. Mr. Lime gave me to you, didn’t he? He’s not coming back for me, is he?”

This time, Michael cried his heart out, and no one could calm him down.

Irene gave up on the topic and hugged the little guy, rocking and soothing him for a long, long time.

Michael pushed Irene away, not wanting her to hold him, “Grandma, I didn’t bring my little phone. Can I use your phone, please? I want to call Mommy,” Michael said.

‘I want to go home,’ Michael thought. ‘Grandma smells weird, too strong, and not nice. But Mommy always smells sweet and warm. I love her scent.’

Irene was never going to give the child back. The moment she took him today, she’d already decided there was no way she’d let Teresa have him again.

Just looking at the kid now, she could tell he’d already been led astray.

‘Teresa must’ve been badmouthing me behind my back,’ Irene thought. ‘No wonder Mike avoids me. Maybe she’s turned him against Jonathan, too.”

Michael kept crying until his little stomach started to growl. He finally ran out of energy to cry anymore.

Irene hurried over and said, “Mike, are you hungry? What yummy food do you want? I will make you anything you like.”

Michael rubbed his empty little tummy and looked up at her. “Can I have anything I want?” he asked.

“Of course you can, silly boy,” Irene said with a gentle smile.

“Then I want bread. Can I have it?” Michael asked, his eyes lighting up.

Irene froze. She suddenly remembered Teresa loved bread, too.

Back when Jonathan and Teresa were still married, Irene would sometimes visit him at Luviston Estates, asking what he felt like eating and cooking his favorite dishes to bring along.

Jonathan often asked her to bake bread because Teresa loved it. The more she thought about those days, the angrier she grew.