Chapter: 224

Facing Francine's plea, Maddie remained silent, her gaze lowered, casting an air of being caught in a moral quandary.

“Francine, if we proceed with this, Jonathan will resent me. He might then refuse to marry me, perhaps not even wanting to maintain a friendship."

"I understand your concerns fully. Since I have declared that you will marry into the Bates family, you need not take any action. I will lay the groundwork for you," Francine reassured her, aware of Maddie's hesitations.

If Maddie were too involved in breaking up Jonathan and Bethany, Jonathan would never truly fall in love with her. He would view her as someone malicious, intent on breaking up relationships, and suspect her of scheming and harboring ulterior motives.

This would not be beneficial for the future development of their relationship as a couple.

But it would be different if Francine were perceived as own antagonist. Jonathan couldn't harbor resentment towards his mother indefinitely.

In fact, securing Francine's promise was Maddie's primary reason for visiting today, and now that she had achieved her goal, she needed to maintain her act of concern.

She looked at Francine anxiously. “Please don't jeopardize your relationship with Jonathan for my sake. It's not worth it."

“I believe it is worth it. Am I supposed to stand by and watch my son be misled by Bethany? To think she might actually marry into the Bates family?" Francine scoffed. "She is delusional!"

“Francine, I appreciate your unwavering support! Regardless of what happens between me and Jonathan, our relationship will never change."

Pleased, Francine stroked Maddie's hand, but then her expression changed as a thought struck her. "By the way, you mentioned Bethany's mother is seriously ill?"

"Yes."

Francine said nothing more, she made a but after Maddie departed, call.

“Investigate Bethany's mother thoroughly."

Francine understood her son well. Forcing him to break up with Bethany would certainly damage their relationship. However, if she could subtly influence Bethany to leave of her own accord, ensuring she never contacted him again or perhaps even disappeared from his life, everything would be easy.

In the restaurant, Jonathan sat across from Bethany.

Despite his fatigue from the day, he had thoughtfully ordered all of Bethany's favorite dishes.

Bethany realized that Jonathan knew her preferences far better than she had expected.

Yet, his attentiveness only reinforced her belief that their untenable situation needed to end. If Jonathan suddenly pressured her to sacrifice her principles for the sake of Bates Group and their relationship, what would she do?

Would she really be willing to compromise her future and accept being financially dependent on Jonathan?

"What about the project in Canbidge?" Feeling the atmosphere between them grow awkward, Bethany attempted to steer the conversation elsewhere.

Jonathan looked up, his expression unreadable. “The project is progressing well, and your name hasn't been removed."

Surprised, Bethany responded, “My name hasn't been withdrawn? But Bates Group has already announced my dismissal."

"I never said you were fired. The words of others don't hold weight here."