Chapter 836

"Are you telling me you dropped everything at the office for Dorothy?"

In a gazebo nestled within the resort, Jonathan sat with a ramrod-straight posture, hoping for a

candid conversation with his son. However, as he began to speak, an accusatory tone slipped

through despite his efforts.

Although Jonathan had stepped back from the day-to-day operations of Lopez Corporation, he was

acutely aware of the demands of a CEO's schedule. And yet, his son had abandoned pressing

business matters to chase after some woman, returning stateside from Liberty City ahead of

schedule, only to traipse around the countryside on some silly hiking expedition!

"You didn't come all this way just for this, did you?" Everett didn't respond to his father's question,

standing aloof at the gazebo entrance, clad in a black coat, not even bothering to sit. It was clear he

had no intention of staying long.

"You're too smart not to have seen this coming," Jonathan sighed deeply. "Everett, are you really

willing to turn your back on your own parents for Dorothy? I know you love her, I can see that, but

the people who raised you aren't her!"

With that, Jonathan picked up a thick stack of photo albums he had brought along and flipped it

open.

"Here you are, just three days old, wailing nonstop because of jaundice, and your mom stayed up

all night by your side. She wouldn't let the maids or even the doctors touch you!

And this, when you were a month old, your mom captured you smiling in your sleep. She used to

say her son was the most beautiful child in the whole world!

Look at this one. When you turned one, your mom was so protective of you, you wouldn't go to

anyone else. She had to hold you and soothe you before you'd calm down!"

Everett simply frowned, his body rigid, refusing to look at the photographs. He remained tight-

lipped.

"Alas," Jonathan exhaled a weary sigh. "These photos don't just show your mother's love for you;

they also reveal how she's aged over the years. She's changed so much in appearance and

personality. I'm well aware that she's truly messed up this time, Everett. She crossed a line, and it's

right for you to be angry. But she'll always be your mother."

That was an undeniable truth.

"Just as she's my wife. Do you think I'm not angry about what happened? I'm furious at her

foolishness, her shortsightedness! But I have to step in and help her navigate this mess because

she's married to me, and it's my duty to take responsibility for her. I can't stand by and watch her die

in jail."

"The person she hurt is Dorothy's mother. I have no right to forgive on her behalf." Everett

maintained his stance, though his voice had lost the edge it held when they first met.

"You don't need her forgiveness. If Dorothy wants to sue, if she wants a verdict to comfort her

mother's spirit, I understand. The lawsuit can proceed. I'm just hoping you can step back and not

get involved any further," said Jonathan.

Everett regarded him, "What are you suggesting now?"

"Don't get worked up! Look, Dorothy's mother is dead, an eye for an eye, right? If Heather takes on

all the blame and pays for her crime, isn't that enough?"

Why should two lives be ruined over this?

Jonathan couldn't believe his son didn't understand that if his mother went to prison, she wouldn't

last until her execution date—she would die behind bars.

"You want Heather to take all the blame."

"It was her mess from the start. She should face the consequences! Everett, please, give your

mother a chance at life."