Chapter: 341

“You're just trying to drive me to an early grave!" Francine clutched her chest, her breaths coming heavily. "You were never Like this before. It's Bethany who led you astray. I knew I was right to send her away, or else she would have corrupted you even more!"

Jonathan's eyes narrowed with suspicion. He sensed something unsettling in her words.

"You made her leave?"

Realizing her mistake, Francine shifted the conversation, lamenting her discomfort and struggling for breath.

The servants and the butler rushed to her aid. “Madam, are you alright?"

Ignoring them, Jonathan stepped forward, blocking their path.

“Explain it to me. Did you force Bethany to leave?"

His eyes bore into Francine's, dark and turbulent, tinged with a flicker of hope.

If Bethany had been forced to leave...

Francine knew exactly how which nerve to hit. She had to make him move on from Bethany completely.

“If she truly loved you, would she have left just because I insisted?"

Jonathan was rendered speechless.

Her words pierced him like a dagger, leaving him unable to respond.

"Jon, Maddie is the perfect match for you! Listen to me and marry Maddie. You've announced your engagement without revealing the bride's identity. Just say it's Maddie! Then I can die in peace."

Francine had been the brink of death multiple times because of Bethany. She couldn't bear another woman like Bethany in her son's life.

Besides, if Maddie hadn't perfectly assessed Bethany's character, Francine might not have won.

“Mom, I hope Bethany left because she no longer loved me and not because of you."

Jonathan didn't respond to her plea. With those words hanging in the air, he returned to his car and drove away from the estate.

During the drive, he called Brody. "No updates since the wedding announcement?"

"Mr. Bates, perhaps we should end the search."

It was the first time Brody had voiced this thought aloud.

He hadn't dared to say it before. But now, he couldn't hold it in any Longer.

“Bethany is hiding from us. We'll never find her! It's been three years, Mr. Bates. She might even have a child with Jayson by now.”

Brody braced himself for a reprimand from his boss. Yet, after years of working closely with him, he couldn't bear to see his boss consumed by this any longer.