Chapter: 503

“Understood.”

Jonathan ended the call and gazed out the window.

He was nearing the hospital, and his emotions were mixed.

He was scared that the outcome was not what he wanted.

He hoped the child was Bethany's and his. This way, even if Bethany loved someone else, having a child would give him a reason to continue through life.

Nikolas was deeply concerned for the child.

He had reached out to every contact he could think of to help in the search.

His worry wasn't driven by fear of Jonathan's potential blame but rather because the child was so adorable.

Although Nikolas typically wasn't fond of children, he believed he would deeply love this child if it were his.

Nikolas' search was so frantic that he missed a call from Maddie.

Almost an hour had passed before he noticed Maddie had tried to contact him.

"What's going on? I'm busy now."

"What are you so busy with? Searching for that child? Haven't you located him yet?" Maddie asked, pretending to be surprised.

"No." He was utterly clueless.

"I mentioned earlier that the child's family has taken him back. In such a vast world, where do you even start looking? You've informed Jonathan about the child, and now with the child missing, how will Jonathan manage his responsibilities? The entire Bates Group relies on him!"

“Enough, okay? I'm already stressed!" Nikolas sounded harsh.

"Jonathan just mentioned that the child might actually be his and Bethany's son. I was stunned to hear that. I'm not sure if it's true."

After a brief pause, Maddie's voice grew louder. "What did you just say? Bethany?"

"Yes!"

"Hadn't you mentioned that she was unable to have children? You heard it yourself in the hospital!”

“It's exactly because I heard it at the hospital that I took it for granted and didn't give it much thought." If he had considered it more deeply, he might have realized it sooner.

"Where is Jonathan now?" Maddie asked.

“He's gone to the hospital to verify the records to find out if Bethany was pregnant when she divorced him."

As Nikolas finished his explanation, Maddie abruptly ended the call.