Chapter: 976

Jonathan felt his breath tightening, as if his heart was being constricted.

Yes, the USB flash drive.

The one Bethany had asked B7 to be restored.

It contained the evidence that his mother had orchestrated the murder of Bethany's mother.

"Maddie Hinchcliffe, you'd better not be lying to me." Jonathan articulated each word through gritted teeth.

"I'm already in this state. Why would I lie? Go ask Bethany if what I'm saying is true! Ask her if she can spend her life with you! Can she accept your mother as her mother-in-law? Can she marry the son of the woman who killed her mother?"

Jonathan's legs faltered, and his tall frame staggered back several steps.

Suddenly, a fishy, sweet taste surged in his throat.

He raised his hand to cover his mouth, but it was too late. A stark red flood burst forth, streaming through his fingers...

His hand was instantly marred by blood, forming a gruesome and eerie sight.

Maddie, witnessing this, panicked. “Jonathan! Don't scare me! Jonathan! Help! Somebody help!"

Guards quickly converged on the scene, shocked at the sight.

"Mr. Bates..."

“Leave me alone."

Jonathan gestured for them to keep their distance, then slowly turned and walked away.

His black coat concealed the blood stains but couldn't mask the scent of blood that followed him.

Behind him, Maddie's emotions swung from laughter to inconsolable crying. Her body slid down against the wall, lacking the strength to stand.

"Jonathan, I truly love you. I'd even die for you! Bethany might not give you all of her heart, but I will! I'd even do the unthinkable for you, something Bethany could never do!"

The door to the detention center shut, muffling the sounds of the outside world, returning the space to silence.

The only trace left was the slowly drying blood that Jonathan had coughed up on the floor...

"Jonathan, please, turn around and look at me. I beg you, I love you more than Bethany ever could, and I always will. She doesn't deserve you! Please... I beg you..."

Bethany woke up to find the bed beside her empty.

The clock on the wall read 7 a.m., and she knew Jonathan usually spent his mornings at the desk, immersed in business affairs.

But today, the desk was vacant, and Jonathan was nowhere to be found.