Chapter 345: Coding Competition

During this period, Nathaniel’s memory was gradually returning. He remembered coding as a child.

After Jonathan wrote a portion of the code, Nathaniel reviewed it and was surprised to find no errors. After all, Jonathan was still a child, not yet adept at concealing his brilliance.

“By the time I reach your age, I’m certain I’ll surpass you.”

Nathaniel remained unfazed. “We’ll discuss it once you have.”

An idea struck Jonathan. “Let’s have a contest. If you lose, you’ll willingly leave my mother. Deal?”

Nathaniel paused, his handsome brows slightly raised.

“And what if I win?”

“Then, I’ll allow you to stay.”

Nathaniel chuckled. “This wager is far too unfair. Even without competing, I can remain here.”

Jonathan hadn’t expected his father to be so quick-witted.

“What do you want?”

“If I win, you’ll call me ‘Daddy.’”

Jonathan was taken aback. How could he call his father “Daddy”?

As he hesitated, Nathaniel mocked, “What’s stopping you? It’s just ‘Daddy.’ Are you afraid of losing?”

“Who says I’m afraid? Let’s do it,” Jonathan said, his face determined.

Cecilia, having finished tidying his room, entered the living room to find Jonathan and Nathaniel engrossed in their computers. How had they become so friendly?

“E-Eli, it’s bath time,” Cecilia almost called out the wrong name.

She agreed with Jonathan’s earlier suggestion. If Nathaniel misunderstood, so be it; she planned to leave as soon as he regained his memory.

“Mommy, wait a bit, rest first,” Jonathan said, his eyes fixed on the screen.

“All right.” Jonathan had bathed himself since he was three.

An hour later, Nathaniel had breached Jonathan’s computer. Jonathan sat on the sofa, looking empty and vacant.

“I won,” Nathaniel stated. His memory hadn’t fully returned; once it did, he would realize he’d just competed against the boy who’d swindled him out of billions.

Jonathan hung his head. “…Daddy.”

“I didn’t hear you; your voice is too soft,” Nathaniel said.

Jonathan had no choice but to raise his voice. “Daddy!”

Nathaniel stood, ruffling his hair. “Good boy.”

The next day, Cecilia found Jonathan listless. When she asked what was wrong, he remained silent.

“Mom, let’s not talk about it. Just take me to school.”

“All right.”

Cecilia drove Jonathan to kindergarten, a few hours away from Tudela Preschool. Jonathan yawned incessantly, as if sleep-deprived.

“Jon, are you still thinking about what happened with Daddy?” Cecilia had meant to ask if he was pondering Nathaniel’s paternity, but Jonathan misunderstood.

That man is a devil!

Seeing they were nearing the school, Jonathan said, “Mommy, I’m going to be late! I can’t talk anymore.”

Cecilia didn’t press further, watching him disappear.

Inside, Felix and Dante immediately surrounded Jonathan.

“Jon, why are you just arriving? Didn’t we agree to meet the handsome guys today?” Jonathan had promised to play Vivian’s son and find her a man even more handsome than Ernest, to make Ernest jealous at the wedding banquet.