Chapter: 201

Cleaner?

Jonathan narrowed his eyes, his brow furrowing. “Just to be clear, when you arrived, was there a lady here?"

“Yes, I met a girl. She appears to be rather young. Wasn't she the one who came to clean your house?" The change of expression on his face didn't go unnoticed by her.

Jonathan took a moment to gather his thoughts before he asked, "Is that what she said to you?"

"Yes, really. What's the matter? Isn't she your cleaner?"

Deep within, Jonathan knew Bethany was capable of such. He was to blame for it, though. He had no idea his mother would come. Bethany must have panicked.

"Please let me know beforehand whenever you're coming, okay?"

"I thought you were busy with work, so I didn't want to disturb you. I remembered since middle school, you have consistently used the password BHO825. I tested it, and I was lucky you're still using it. That was how I was able to get into the house." Francine's Lips curled into a smile as she reached out to take the briefcase from Jonathan's hand. "Speaking of which, the number represents Maddie's birthday, right?"

Jonathan stood still, pressed his lips together, and drew in a long calming breath. “Mom, there is nothing romantic between Maddie and me."

"Nothing?" Francine's face darkened almost instantly.

Seeing that, Jonathan didn't say another word and simply walked inside.

Francine walked behind him and yelled, “Are you going to disobey me and your father? You made a promise to me, remember?"

Jonathan didn't say a single word.

“Have you forgotten your own words? You said you would consider marrying Maddie as long as I don't think of ending my life."

Jonathan's expression grew serious as he heard her words. "Mom, I've got a lot of things to deal with lately. I'll ask my assistant to take you back home."

“I don't care if you're busy or not. You just have to marry Maddie! No one else deserves to be my daughter-in-law."

Francine had always been stubborn. If not for Maddie's plea for patience, she'd have announced Jonathan and Maddie's marriage publicly.

Seeing Jonathan's persistent silence, Francine delivered an ultimatum.

“You'll marry Maddie before the year's out. If work's keeping you too busy, I'll handle the wedding for you."

Meanwhile, in her hotel room, Bethany ended the call after a fleeting chat with Aimee.

Years of relentless toil had left her little time for leisure like this.

As she stared at the ceiling, Maddie's accusatory words and resentful expression flashed through her mind. It was as if Bethany had somehow robbed Maddie of her father in childhood.

Maddie and her mother were masters at playing the victim.

Bethany sneered. Her phone buzzed with a voice message from Jayson.