Chapter: 612

"Mom, what exactly happened when you were kidnapped?"

After the incident, his mother guarded the details closely, and whenever Jonathan inquired, she would suddenly fall ill.

Francine stayed quiet for a considerable time before letting out a deep sigh.

“To save me, Maddie was dragged into a dark room by a group of men. She was raped by them."

Jonathan was engulfed in silence, the revelation hitting him like a tidal wave crashing against the rocks.

"I've kept this under wraps because it's a stain on our honor and to shield Maddie's dignity as a young woman. Even your father is unaware of all the details. Do you see why?" Francine asked.

Jonathan had never imagined such a murky secret lay beneath it all.

At that time, he had just taken on part of Bates Group's responsibilities, his days so consumed that even a moment for a sip of water was a luxury. His parents had shielded him from this sordid affair. All he knew was that a kidnapping incident had plunged his mother into severe depression, leading to recurring heart problems.

“There are countless ways to make amends. She doesn't have to marry into the Bates family."

"Only someone loyal to us deserves to marry my son!" Francine's voice cracked with emotion. "You've been in the cutthroat world of business for years; surely you realize that if videos or photos of me being violated were to surface, the Bates family would be forever tainted. Your father might never truly accept me again. No man can accept such a wife. Then Maddie's tragedy would become the Bates family's disgrace. Even though you hold power now, it wouldn't prevent people from privately ridiculing you with intimate photos of your own mother!"

Jonathan grasped the gravity of the situation.

In the dog-eat-dog business arena, if rivals sniffed out a chink in the armor, they'd pounce on it relentlessly.

“But you've protected her numerous times over the years. That should be enough! I can find her a good husband, ensuring no one ever learns about the past."

“So you're just going to refuse to marry her?"

“That's right. I never entertained the thought of marrying her from the get-go."

"Fine! I can't believe I raised such an ungrateful and cold-hearted son! Since you're being so blunt today, let me be equally forthright. I'm hell-bent on protecting Maddie, and if you have a problem with that, you'll have to face me-the woman who gave you life and raised you!"

With that, Francine abruptly hung up, leaving a busy signal echoing in Jonathan's ear.

The events from those years had woven themselves into such a tangled web.

Jonathan stood rooted by the window for what seemed Like an eternity before lighting a cigarette.

It wasn't until the ash fell and the burn seared his palm that he snapped back to reality.

He made up his mind.

As the sole heir to the Bates family, he felt duty-bound to repay this debt.

But this had nothing to do with Bethany. He was resolute in making Maddie face the music for her actions towards Bethany.

There were only a few computers in Rowan's room; it wasn't decorated like a typical child's room.