Chapter: 484

"What did you say?" Brody didn't catch Jonathan's words clearly.

"Just forget it. Go get some rest."

Afterward, Jonathan found himself restless, thoughts swirling in his mind, preventing sleep.

He resolved to return to Odonset the next day, uncertain if it was merely a coincidence or if it was something more.

Nikolas proved to be a good friend. At Jonathan's request to take his son out of the bar, he did as he was told.

As they walked, Nikolas glanced at the boy beside him and touched his forehead. "Is your dad Jonathan Bates?"

Rowan looked up. "I'm not sure, but I've been told I look a lot Like him!"

“And your mom? What's her name?"

Rowan paused, then shook his head. “I don't know."

"Okay. How about her last name?"

Still, Rowan had no answer.

Nikolas had hoped to learn something from the boy, but it was clear he knew very little.

“Surely you know what your mom looks like?" Nikolas asked, driven by curiosity about who else Jonathan might have been involved with beyond Bethany.

It dawned on him that he didn't know Jonathan as well as he thought.

He sympathized with Jonathan, who had been alone for years. It seemed natural that he might seek companionship.

"She's very beautiful," Rowan said proudly.

"I have no doubt," Nikolas replied, convinced that any woman Jonathan chose must be striking.

Given Jonathan's high social status and selective taste, he certainly had his pick of partners, much Like Nikolas himself.

"Do you know her?" Rowan asked.

Nikolas shook his head. “I don't. If I did, you'd probably have reunited with your dad sooner."

“I don't want to reunite with him; I just want to know who my jerk father is."

"Jerk?" Nikolas was taken aback by the label. "Did he leave your mom?"

"Yes!" Rowan affirmed, his expression clouded with anger. "Why else would he never visit us? I've never even seen him!"

Nikolas paused, considering Rowan's words, and then nodded slowly.