Chapter: 104

Jonathan's headache intensified.

It seemed Francine's return was inevitable. All he could do now was try to manage the situation to avoid any distress for her and figure out how to send her back later.

Jonathan set his phone down on the passenger seat and drove back to East Shade Bay.

Upon entering, he found Bethany seemingly asleep in the living room, utterly motionless.

Jonathan quietly approached and gently placed a blanket over her.

This action stirred Bethany awake.

"You're back already?" she murmured in surprise.

Looking at Jonathan, Bethany thought she was in a dream.

Shouldn't he be up all night, looking after Maddie, who had just undergone surgery?

"A friend is with her. My presence isn't needed there," Jonathan said casually as he removed his suit jacket and put it away.

Bethany blinked in surprise. "Is this friend a man?"

“What ?"

"Is your friend a man?"

Jonathan nodded in confirmation. "Yes, he's better suited to care for Maddie than I am."

Now, Bethany felt she understood nearly everything.

Despite their apparent deep affection for each other, she had often pondered the peculiar distance between Jonathan and Maddie. Now, she realized there was someone else involved.

She knew that Jonathan, typically reserved and quiet, lacked the charm of his love rival, making it hard for Maddie to choose between the two men.

No wonder Jonathan was keen on pretending to be a couple with her to spark Maddie's jealousy.

“Have you had anything to eat?" Unaware of Bethany's detailed thoughts, Jonathan's first concern was whether she had eaten.

"No, I'm trying to cut back." Bethany really wasn't feeling hungry.

"You shouldn't do that. It's better to eat lighter in the evening. I'll have my assistant bring us some food." Jonathan's tone left no room for argument.

He seemed naturally inclined to lead, expecting others to follow.

Bethany stood and watched as Jonathan fetched fruits from the refrigerator, washed them, and placed them before her. He selected the largest, ripest strawberry and offered it to her. “I had these specially delivered."

Bethany took the strawberry and asked in confusion, “How did you know I like strawberries?"