Chapter: 227

Bethany lowered her head. She didn't want to discuss Jonathan with her mother. After all, there were many things she hadn't figured out.

Of course, Marie noticed her daughter's reluctance.

“Bethany, don't tell me you've fallen for that man?"

Caught off guard, Bethany denied, "No, I haven't!"

“Really?” Marie scrutinized her daughter's face as if trying to see through her.

"Mom, we come from different worlds. You know that. The Bates family is way out of my league. I know my place, so there's no way I'll have any hopes for him," Bethany assured her mother and, at the same time, herself.

Everyone could see the gap between her and Jonathan. They were worlds apart.

“It better be that way." Marie finally calmed down and nodded.

Meanwhile, upon returning to her ward, Francine called Maddie.

“Don't worry, dear. I went to see Bethany's mother earlier. Judging by her reaction, she had no idea what her daughter was up to. I made it clear that her daughter would never be accepted into our family. Never!"

“Francine, you shouldn't have gone there without telling me," Maddie replied. "Bethany will most probably tell Jonathan. It could strain your relationship with him, and I don't want that... Oh my. I shouldn't have told you anything."

Her words were cleverly chosen. By expressing regret, she made sure Francine wouldn't feel manipulated. Instead, Francine would see her as considerate and genuinely concerned about their mother-son relationship.

“If you hadn't told me, how could I have found a way to deal with Bethany? Maddie, be honest with me, do you love my son and want to be my daughter-in-law?"

“Of course I do," Maddie replied softly and with a hint of resignation. “I always want to be part of the Bates family, but I don't want Jonathan to give up on the woman he loves."

"You're still thinking about him even now. My foolish son has been blinded by that woman!" Francine exclaimed. At the same time, the door to her room burst open. She looked up and saw Jonathan entering.

Instinctively, she moved to hang up the call, but Jonathan snatched the phone from her hand before she could end it.

His movements were lightning-fast, catching her off guard.

Jonathan's expression was stern. His dark eyes quickly scanned the number on the screen and then set the phone aside. Then, in a deep and firm voice, he asserted, "I will never marry Maddie. The only person I'll ever want is Bethany."

These words not only silenced Maddie on the other end of the phone but also left Francine stunned.

Francine's greatest influence over Jonathan was his duty as a son.

She had thought he was merely making a final attempt to assert his independence, but ultimately, he would bow to her demands.

"You don't need to scheme in private anymore. It's pointless,"

Jonathan said while ending the call with Maddie.

The atmosphere in the ward turned icy and tense.