Chapter: 303
“Wie ultimately walk different paths." Bethany sighed.
“Bethany, I think you take things too seriously! He loves you deeply. With that love, he can surely protect you well." Though Aimee hadn't interacted much with Jonathan privately, she understood everything that had transpired over the years.
If Jonathan wasn't completely devoted to Bethany, she wouldn't have been able to clear her name.
His willingness to dismiss the chief lawyer for Bethany and to fire employees who had contributed greatly to Bates Group showed how important Bethany was to him.
“But we'll always be connected," Bethany said, looking at her mother's photo, where Marie, despite her stern expression, had eyes full of kindness for her daughter. “My mother wouldn't want us to be together."
"She feared you'd suffer, not knowing how deeply Jonathan loves you."
"For Jonathan to stand against the entire Bates family for me, I don't feel worthy of that, nor do I want to fight for it." She was weary and didn't want to entangle anyone else in her troubles.
Her mother's death had been a wake-up call for her.
It showed her she couldn't live sheltered from harsh realities of the world.
She could seek Jonathan's protection, but what about Aimee? And Jayson? Who was going to protect all those that cared for her?
Maddie and the Bates family were not going to stop targeting her.
Aimee was on the verge of speaking when Bethany's phone rang abruptly.
They all assumed it was Jonathan calling. Bethany was even poised to dismiss the call, but a glance at the display showed an unfamiliar number.
After a brief hesitation, she pressed the answer button.
A voice she hadn't heard in a long time, yet couldn't forget, filled her ears.
“Your mom's dead?"
It was Andrew, her father.
“How did you find out?" Bethany asked instinctively, then realized Maddie must have informed him. “Are you pleased now?"
“What are you talking about? We were married, after all. Where are you? I need to see your mom."
"No need!" Bethany snapped, her voice cutting through the cemetery's mournful wind, adding to the chill. "I'm warning you, stay away from her, or else-"
Andrew laughed dismissively. "Or else what? You think you can intimidate me just because you're with a wealthy man? Remember, I'm your father. You can't change that.”
“If I could, I would," Bethany responded coldly. Did she value any connection to him?
She would have preferred him to be a penniless wanderer rather than the ruthless man he was.
Now that her mother was gone, he was free to marry Maddie's mother, his mistress. And yet, he had the audacity to call and torment her further.