Chapter 953


    The hospital ward was packed to the brim with visitors and the sterile tang of antiseptics.


    Jonathan had barely slept a wink in the overcrowded room, too distracted by the pulsing pain in his


    palm to find any rest. He slumped against the headboard of the hospital bed, his eyelids heavy.


    Mrs. Metzger arrived to find her son in this state. Her heart sank at the sight of him in his crumpled


    uniform, looking gaunter than ever with dark circles under his eyes. His right hand was wrapped in


    gauze, a spot of blood seeping through. His usual well-groomed hair was disheveled, the air of


    aristocracy reced by a sense of disarray and weariness. Taking a shaky breath, she approached


    slowly.


    Jonathan, half-awake, heard her footsteps, looked up, and muttered, “Mom.”


    Mrs. Metzger, her voice rough with emotion, said, “All this for Saskia? Was she worth falling out with


    me, with our family, ending up here?”


    Jonathan, wincing from the pain and exhaustion, simply said, “Yes.”


    He loved Saskia, didn’t want to marry Ophelia, and refused to be controlled by his mother for the rest of


    his life.


    Mrs. Metzger’s heart ached a little more. “And where is this beloved Saskia of yours? Why isn’t she


    here?”


    Having suffered such serious injuries, Saskia didn’t even show up. Was this the person he loved?


    “Saskia is frail, and it’ste; I didn’t tell her,” Jonathan instinctively spoke up for Saskia.


    He couldn’t bear to see Saskia suffer.


    Mrs. Metzger regretted having raised Jonathan to be so naive. To her, Saskia was a woman who


    valued power over love, a yer in the game of influence, not a keeper of heartfelt promises.


    “Jonathan, I’ve raised you for thirty years, and you choose to betray me over a girl? You’re stabbing me


    in the heart!”


    Jonathan’s eyes reddened. “Mom, just agree to let me marry Saskia, and I’ll do whatever you say after


    that.”


    He just wanted to be with the one he loved.


    Mrs. Metzger’s gaze was unwavering. “I can agree to anything but that.”


    “Then there’s nothing left to discuss.” Jonathan was just as stubborn.


    After half an hour of a silent standoff, Mrs. Metzger left the hospital. She called Ophelia, “Thank you for


    supporting Jonathan through this, Ophelia.”


    “Mrs. Metzger, he still wants to call off the engagement with me…”


    “I genuinely like you, Ophelia. Trust me, you and Jonathan are a good match.”


    Mrs. Metzger knew Ophelia wanted to break things off, but she wasn’t ready to let go of such a suitable


    daughter-inw.


    “Jonathan has been sheltered by me. He’s being deceived now. Give him time, and he’ll see Saskia for


    who she really is. He wille to love you.”


    Ophelia didn’t want to meddle in their mother-son affairs, so after a brief chat, she hung up the phone.


    The next morning, Ophelia received a call from her secretary.


    “Ms. Joyner, Mr. Metzger has been discharged from the hospital and intends to return to work.”


    “Okay.” Ophelia sighed, pressing her fingers against her forehead. “Ensure those people from


    yesterday are dealt with. I don’t want any repeats ofst night’s event.”


    After hanging up, Ophelia immersed herself in a new round of work. With Brittany back in the


    workforce, Ophelia seized the opportunity to engage in a deep coboration with her.


    As autumn transitioned into winter, the town of Craneville seemed to be covered in a nket of frost


    overnight.


    Daniel started at Star Elementary School and quickly became popr, much to the pride of Yuri.


    Watching Yuri’s growing fondness for Daniel, Le felt a stir of unease. She had to secure her ce in


    the family with a grandson, or she’ll lose everything!


    “Saskia, what’s the word from the Metzger family?”


    Saskia looked troubled. “They still won’t budge and Jonathan’s been having a rough time.” Although


    nobody openly harassed Jonathan after the recent bacsh, videos of him working a regr job had


    gone viral, dragging Saskia into the mockery as well. Embarrassed yet unable to distance herself from


    Jonathan, Saskia felt stuck.


    “If he can’t bring you into the family, you should cut ties sooner rather thanter,” Le advised,


    mentioning a potential suitor who could match Jonathan’s status.


    Saskia felt tempted but couldn’t hide her reluctance. “Let me wait a bit longer, Mom. I don’t want to


    leave him now, not after everything.”


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    “You’re being foolish; he can’t make promises,” Le said bluntly. “I’ll take care of it for you.”


    Ignoring Saskia’s apparent heartache, Le added, “Get ready, we’re meeting someone tonight.”