Chapter: 524

She needed to ensure her actions remained hidden.

"That's Jonathan's son! You're asking me to kill him? Why don't you do it yourself? You're just setting me up to take the fall if things backfire!" The man was clever; he wanted to make money without risking his life.

Maddie massaged her forehead and said, "I don't have time to debate this now. Keep looking, and I'll figure out something else!"

After ending the call, she waited a long while before finally deciding to inform Francine.

The only person who could help her manage the situation was Francine.

Francine asked, "How did the child disappear?"

Maddie explained, "I didn't intend to imprison him. After all, he's Jonathan's child. I couldn't bear to have him monitored all the time, and I never thought he would escape!"

"You are too soft-hearted. A child of unknown origin? We won't accept him as family."

Feigning concern, Maddie sighed and tried to comfort Francine. “It is Jonathan's child after all. You can't break Jonathan's heart just to protect me. I don't want to cause any unhappiness for you and your son because of me."

"You were so considerate, yet he didn't appreciate. He first married Bethany. Now, I'm unaware who he's married to because he never told me. Now things have taken a turn for the worse. Out of nowhere, a child appeared, claiming Jonathan as his father!" As Francine spoke more, her anger intensified. The doctor quickly tried to calm her.

"Francine, please think of your health. I'm fine with everything, just as long as I can be with Jonathan. Even if he won't marry me, I still want to stay by his side."

"I'm determined to make him marry you. I will secure that title for you. And don't worry about the child. If Jonathan ever blames you for anything, just say I made you do it!"

That was precisely the reassurance Maddie was hoping for. She didn't want any harm to come to Francine.

With Jonathan's parents’ support, she had a chance of marrying into the Bates family. Without their support, everything would change completely.

With Francine's support, Maddie could pretend she hadn't done anything wrong.

Even if Jonathan discovered her actions, she could always say his mother had instructed her to do so. Francine would confirm her story.

Yet, she continued to pretend concern.

“Francine, I'm genuinely worried he might be upset with you. Perhaps I should just tell him the truth."

"Don't! He's been mad at me ever since I stopped him from being with Bethany. I don't mind it anymore. After all, I'm his mother. What can he really do to me? But if you reveal the truth, he'll have a valid reason against you."

Francine still believed her son was too immature to recognize what a wonderful girl Maddie was. She was convinced that time would show her son Maddie's true worth.

"I'm with you. I'll support you and clear those bitches out of our path! None of them will never be my daughter-in-law.”

“Then. thank you!"

That night, Jonathan ended up drinking more than usual.

If Brody hadn't arrived, Jonathan and Nikolas would have ended up spending the night at the bar.