Chapter 418: I Cannot Bear to Throw You Out

Cecilia felt a sudden rush of concern. She faintly heard Vivian’s father, Roland, shouting, “Who’s the father of that child? I’ll kill him!” The sounds of shattering vases and overturned furniture followed.

Jonathan also heard the commotion. He quickly said, “Mommy, I can’t talk now. I need to check on Ms. Kennedy. I’ll make sure Grandpa doesn’t hurt her.” Cecilia barely managed an “Okay” before the line went dead.

Back at Vivian’s home, Jonathan found the living room in chaos. Vivian lay nonchalantly on the couch, seemingly unmoved by her father’s rage. Roland stormed about, knocking over objects, but carefully avoiding his daughter.

“Dad, please stop,” Vivian yawned, unfazed. “I don’t even know who the father is. It was a fleeting encounter. Please stop pushing me toward Zachary, and don’t arrange more blind dates. No rich heir will accept a woman with a child.”

Roland was stunned. He hadn’t expected her genuine uncertainty, feeling humiliated and utterly embarrassed. “You never learn! You’ve embarrassed me completely! I swear, I’m going to beat you!” he shouted, raising his hand. “Do you truly not know? If you don’t, I’ll throw that kid out!”

Just as he was about to strike, Jonathan stepped forward, grabbing Roland’s coat. “Grandpa, please don’t hit Mommy. If you’re angry, hit me instead,” he pleaded, puffing out his chest.

Roland looked down at the small child, whose sense of responsibility belied his size. The sight softened him.

“Sweetie,” Roland said gently, “go back to your room. I’m not hitting your mom; I’m just… patting her shoulder.” He gave Vivian a firm pat.

Vivian rolled her eyes. She never imagined her stern father showing such tenderness toward Jonathan. It was almost sickeningly sweet.

“Grandpa, are you still going to send me away?” Jonathan asked, his eyes fixed on Roland.

Roland couldn’t bear the thought of losing the well-behaved child. “Silly boy,” he said affectionately, “you misunderstood. I wasn’t talking about you—I was talking about that stray cat. You’re my treasure. Even if I threw your mom out, I couldn’t bear to do the same to you.”

Jonathan, experiencing this affection for the first time, felt warmth fill his heart. “Grandpa, I’ll definitely take good care of you when I grow up,” he promised.

“All right, I’ll wait. Let’s go inside—it’s cold. In a few days, I’ll buy you a big room. I’ll take care of you, sweetie,” Roland said, leading Jonathan inside. “Tomorrow, let’s go shopping for clothes, shoes, and toys, okay?”

Vivian watched them go, feeling a wave of fear. What if her father discovered Jonathan wasn’t his grandson? Would he still be kind? She decided to worry about that later.

She called Cecilia back, assuring her everything was fine. Relieved, Cecilia called Elliot.

Elliot, having just lain down but not yet asleep, saw Cecilia’s call and his eyes lit up. “Mommy, why didn’t you come see me today? Are you still mad at me?” he asked, his voice worried. His secret visit to the Rainsworth Manor had genuinely frightened him with Cecilia's anger.