Chapter: 685

Before Jonathan could respond, Godfrey interjected, "Go ahead. I'll have someone drive you there."

"Okay." Bethany nodded and left the ward.

The moment the door shut behind her, the warmth on Jonathan's face vanished, replaced by his usual stoic expression.

"Why do you keep her at a distance?" he questioned, his tone icy.

“Because she is not one of us!" Godfrey stated bluntly, wanting to make it crystal clear that the Bates family had not accepted Bethany as one of their own.

Jonathan's eyes narrowed as he looked at his father. "What deal did you make with Bethany?"

"Nothing," Godfrey replied tersely.

"That's not possible," Jonathan countered. He knew both Bethany and his parents too well; his parents were not the type to compromise easily. "You allowed Bethany to stay close to me. She must have given up something significant."

Godfrey's expression remained impassive as he warned with gravity, "Don't forget whose son you are. You were raised in the Bates family, enriched by our century-old business legacy. And now you question your own father over a woman?"

“I am a Bates, but I am also committed to Bethany," Jonathan declared firmly.

"What does she mean to you?" Godfrey challenged, his voice stern.

"It's obvious you've invested more in this relationship than she has. She's always holding something back."

Their past divorce was a testament to that tension.

"I don't want to debate who's contributed more to the relationship. I just need to know what you negotiated with her." Jonathan's patience was wearing thin.

He was fully aware of the situation. Despite everything, he remained determined to give Bethany his all.

“I've already told you; nothing!" Godfrey insisted.

Jonathan met his father's gaze unflinchingly. “Is it about the kids? You wanted to bring Nola and Rowan back into the Bates family, didn't you?"

Jonathan could tell his father wanted Bethany's children.

"Since the children are of our lineage, it's my duty to bring them home. They shouldn't be suffering with Bethany!"

Godfrey had no plans to keep this from Jonathan; he was unable to keep it secret. However, he wasn't ready to discuss it with his son just yet.

“Whether they suffer or not should be determined by the children themselves, not you."

"They are too young to discern right from wrong. Naturally, they want to stay with their mother, but we cannot accept Bethany, nor can we allow our lineage to suffer!"

Jonathan pressed his dry lips into a tight line and said, "As long as I'm here, they're not suffering.”

He never considered the children living with Bethany as them suffering! They were well taken care of by Bethany, healthy, and well-mannered!