Chapter 87: Am I That Talented?

What’s wrong with a father disciplining his son? Zachary knew Vivian was playing hard to get, hoping he would accept Jonathan.

“You’ve gone to great lengths to get close to me,” he accused. “You were behind what he did before, weren’t you?”

Vivian and Jonathan were completely flabbergasted. Zachary leaned toward them, a cold glint in his eyes. “No matter what you’re planning, I’ll take care of the child, but I won’t take responsibility for a woman like you.”

Vivian had heard Zachary was a jerk; seeing him proved it undeniably true. Her temper flared, and she slapped him.

Zachary was stunned. “Who needs you to take responsibility? Even if I were to marry a pig or a dog, I wouldn’t marry you!”

Zachary had intended to discipline Jonathan privately, but Vivian’s interruption changed his plans. The commotion attracted attention.

George, watching from the second floor, was astounded. “Whose daughter is that girl?”

His secretary replied, “She seems to be Vivian Kennedy.”

“My future granddaughter-in-law,” George declared. She was the first to strike Zachary.

Cecilia had also noticed the trio, and was surprised to see Jonathan seemingly entangled with Zachary. Subconsciously, she glanced at Nathaniel, who had also noticed.

Cecilia quickly called Vivian, urging her to leave and take Jonathan home immediately.

Over an hour later, it began to drizzle. In a private mansion, Cecilia and Vivian sat with Jonathan.

“Jon, how did you end up at Rainsworth Manor?” Cecilia asked.

Jonathan had prepared his explanation. “I went to see a friend who took me there.” Cecilia assumed his friend was another guest's child and didn't inquire further.

Vivian asked, “How did you get caught?”

Jonathan feigned innocence. “I accidentally bumped into that man, and he seized me, even threatening to hit me.”

“Damn it!” Vivian cursed. “I didn’t expect Zachary to argue with a child. He’s such a jerk.”

“Brat, keep your distance from people like that next time,” Vivian said, wanting to hug him.

Jonathan dodged. “Ms. Kennedy, that’s your eighth nickname for me.”

“Really? Am I that talented?” Vivian asked, eating a potato chip.

Jonathan looked exasperated. He successfully allayed Cecilia and Vivian’s doubts and returned to his room with a book.

Secretly, he sold photos of Stella’s expulsion from Rainsworth Manor online for a high price. He’d pulled a prank on Zachary and nearly got caught; he needed to be more cautious.

Cecilia watched Jonathan return to his room with sorrow. His words filled her with shame. She'd been bullied before, but knew she needed to become stronger to protect her children.

Vivian then shared shocking news. “When I searched for evidence of Stella plagiarizing your work, I found interesting things.”

Cecilia asked, “What?”