Chapter 573


    Jonas furrowed his brow and stood up from the antique armchair, descending the grand staircase only to find Madeline in tears


    at the bottom. “What''s wrong, Maddie?”


    Upon seeing Jonas, Madeline rushed into his arms, clutching his lean waist, “Jonas, why did you postpone the wedding? Do you


    dislike me? Don''t you want to marry me anymore?”


    Jonas led her to the plush sofa, soothing her as he patted her shoulder. “Maddie, listen, we’ve only pushed back the


    engagement, that''s all. | haven’t called off marrying you. Come on, don’t cry like a little kid.”


    Through her swollen, tearful eyes, Madeline looked up. “But Jonas, I’m always scared you''re putting off the wedding because


    you don''t like me.”


    “Oh, silly girl,” he said, gentlybing through Madeline’s soft hair, a look of helpless affection on his face. “I’ve just been feeling


    under the weathertely. I’m worried about not being able to throw you the dream engagement party you deserve. You''re


    overthinking things.”


    “Really? Jonas, is that really why?” Madeline’s mood instantly brightened as she gazed up at him, seeking reassurance.


    She had grown stronger with time, but ever since Jonas returned from Country C with a child in tow, she couldn’t hold back any


    longer. She had the child’s DNA tested, confirming it was indeed Jonas’ flesh and blood, and she was devastated.


    From that moment on, she was as fragile as a house of cards, resorting to threats of self-harm to manipte her parents.


    Jonas knew her too well; she was beyond help. For the sake of his mentor, Jonas reluctantly nodded. “Yes, I’ve promised to


    marry you and will give you the perfect wedding. Trust me, okay?”


    “Okay, | trust you!” Madeline eximed, grabbing Jonas’ pinky with childlike glee. “Pinky swear, a hundred years, never to


    change, breakers are rotten eggs!”


    Jonas couldn''t help butugh at her antics as they linked fingers.


    Once satisfied, Madeline stood up. “Alright, Jonas, you’ve made a pinky promise, no backsies! I’m on shift today, gotta rush to


    the clinic. Oh, and let me check on that pain of yourster.”


    “Sure, you head to work. I''ll swing by when | can.”


    Jonas intended to see Madeline off, his thoughts lingering on another silhouette. If Elisea hadn’t appeared, he might have been


    indifferent about whom to marry. But now that Elisea had re-entered his life, he wanted rity before blindlymitting to


    Madeline.


    Despite her petnce, Madeline was not only the cherished daughter of his mentor but also someone he didn''t wish to hurt,


    regardless of who she was.


    Engrossed in their discussion about the postponed engagement party, neither noticed a small figure lurking at the top of the


    stairs.


    Max had been eavesdropping from the staircase when Madeline arrived at the Andersen estate. Her loud sobs had startled him.


    Though young, Max was shrewd beyond his years. He had sensed something amiss from Madeline''s cries and cleverly hidden


    to listen in.


    Upon hearing about the dyed engagement, Max nearly leaped for joy, his eyes sparkling with glee as a smile yed on his


    lips. He swaggered down the stairs, where the family butler, Bentley, swiftly scooped him up to the dining table. “Mr. Max, are


    you hungry?” Bentley asked, setting him down with care.


    Madeline was about to leave when she saw Maxe down for a snack. She approached with a smile. “Max, are you hungry?


    Want me to help you eat?”


    Max instantly dropped his cheerful facade, casting a cool nce at Madeline. “No thanks, | can eat by myself.”


    Jonas noted Max’s sudden cold demeanor, saw the uncanny resemnce to his mother, and felt a pang of longing for Elisea.


    “Let''s go, Maddie. | have to run an errand, so I''ll drop you off at the clinic,” Jonas said. He instructed Bentley to take good care of


    Max, then left with Madeline.


    Once Madeline was gone, Max''s smile returned, and he chirped to Bentley, “I’m ready to eat now. Bentley, could you fix me


    something tasty?”


    After dropping Madeline at the clinic, Jonas drove to CT Technologies.


    Two years prior, Jonas had discreetly moved thepany''s headquarters to the States, leaving the operations in Hawaii and


    Melfort to his deputies.


    He parked his car and strolled into


    the building, taking his private


    elevator to the exequtiveguité O1"!


    Seated behind tis desk Jonas


    opened a long-sealed drawer filled


    with photographs. In them, a woman


    wasughing, her eyes brimming


    with tender love. Please read the


    original content at .


    These photos were all Jonas had left of Elisea. He had clung to her memory with these images for years.


    As he looked at her radiant smile, his heart tightened, wondering what she had endured all these years. What could turn her


    once joyful eyes so cold and distant? And why would shee to the States to target him?Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Tracing her visage in the air, Jonas murmured with a small smile. “Clever fox, since your mission isn''tplete, you''lle


    again. Better be quick; don’t make me wait too long.”


    With that, he dialed his assistant. “Spread the word. I’ll be staying at the Luxe Hotel tonight.” True to his instructions, his assistant


    leaked the information swiftly.


    Jonas was buzzing with anticipation for the night''s festivities. His mood was so buoyant that he even found himself whistling


    while he worked.


    When the evening rolled around, and


    the workday gave way to y, Jonas


    led his buddies to the Heal pata ll


    ley spatenseane Sight promised


    ne’shortage of camaraderie and cold


    brews. They clinked sses, trading


    stories andughs, the picture of


    brotherhood in its most boisterous


    form. Please read the original content


    at .


    After what felt like an eternity of


    revelry, Jonas was thoroughly


    pickled, slumping into the embrace.of


    the pub''s cushjest hootlshis‘senses


    swyinenirig iA a sea of inebriation.


    With the help of his ever-reliable


    assistant, he staggered out of the bar


    and into the opulent embrace of the


    nearby Luxe Hotel, which had been


    reserved well in advance. Please read


    the original content at


    .


    The assistant acted as a crutch for the wobbly Jonas, and maneuvered him into his room, ensuring he was tucked into bed, cozy


    and safe under the covers, before slipping out and closing the door gently behind him.


    The room was bathed in the soft, golden glow of a bedsidemp, casting a serene atmosphere. Jonas, now a symphony of


    snores, was lost to the world, deep in a drunken slumber.