Chapter: 213

“I'll give you my decision tonight."

“Understood." Brody knew that Jonathan would not postpone his responsibilities unless absolutely necessary.

If Jonathan couldn't free himself, it meant he was facing a significant dilemma. No matter the urgency of the business matters, he needed to prioritize his immediate situation.

Brody refrained from pressing further on the urgency of the business issue, trusting Jonathan's judgment.

After Jonathan ended the call, Francine was wheeled out of the emergency room.

Shortly after being settled into a ward, she slowly opened her eyes, appearing disoriented as if her body had awakened but her mind had not yet caught up.

Jonathan stood beside her bed, gripping Francine's hand, and asked, "Mom, do you recognize me?"

It took a moment, but upon hearing his voice, Francine turned her head and eventually nodded. “Jonathan, marry Maddie."

Jonathan was left speechless.

As soon as she regained consciousness, she returned to the same insistence.

"Marry her." Francine's words were slurred but determined.

Jonathan's lips tightened. He wanted to object, but recalling the doctor's warning, he simply frowned and remained silent.

Francine seemed to understand his reluctance.

“Have you fallen for the cleaner?"

"Mom, you've just come from the emergency room. Please rest first. I'll call Dad and have him come to look after you."

“No, no."

“Then consider going back to Floria to recuperate. I'm currently overwhelmed with work here and won't be able to give you the care you need."

Francine's lips quivered slightly. She tightened her grip on Jonathan's hand and asked, “Do you want me to leave so that you can marry someone else?"

"The doctor said your health is fragile and you need rest and relaxation. Let me handle these matters."

"You can handle anything else on your own. I only want Maddie to be part of the Bates family." Francine fixed Jonathan with an unwavering gaze. "I will not accept the cleaner as my daughter-in-law."

To Francine, Bethany was merely “the cleaning lady," not even worthy of a name.

Francine expected her words to prompt agreement from her son, but Jonathan just looked at her, his lips pressed into a thin line, clearly resistant to the idea of marrying Maddie.

Silence fell between mother and son, their eyes locked, each absorbed in their own thoughts.

The tension in the room thickened.