Chapter 76
Before Filip’s plan could take shape, Jonathan exposed his intentions.
In Filip’s eyes were embarrassment, guilt, and shame that disappeared in a flash. “Mr. Bennett, Cynthia and I are childhood sweethearts. We’ve known each other for over 20 years, You, an insider, wouldn’t understand. Please stay out of our affairs, Mr. Bennett,”
Jonathan didn’t hesitate hooking his arm around Cynthia’s shoulders. “I don’t think I’m an outsider.
With Filip and Jonathan’s mutual hostility, the air smelled of gunpowder, and their guns were hair–triggered.
Their gazes met. Filip’s icy expression was full of tension and malice like he was ready to pounce. Conversely, Jonathan was relaxed and even disdainful.
Although Jonathan appeared indifferent, a sparkling glint was in his eyes. It was as if he was smiling condescendingly while looking down on Filip, which only angered the latter further.
Right then, Cynthia got up. “Hey, Henry, Pamela, Matthew, it’s getting late. Jon and I will be going back.”
Pamela suddenly said, “Cynthia, come. I have something for you
Cynthia nodded. She stood to leave while Jonathan sat.
Right then, she put one hand on Jonathan’s shoulder, then leaned down and whispered into his ear, “Go to the car and wait for me. I’ll be right out.”
Smiling warmly, Jonathan looked up and patted her curvy waist “Okay”
“Both their movements seem casual and languid yet intimate and natural. They don’t seem to be pretending. They even seem like they’ve been together for many years and developed natural sense of synergy. How is that possible? wondered Filip.
Cynthia followed Pamela out of the dining room
Then, Jonathan bade goodbye while Henry and Matthew left for bed
Filip sat for a while before chasing after Jonathan. “Mr. Bennett, please wait.”
When Filip caught up with Jonathan, they were already in the mansion’s yard. Upon hearing Filip call him, Jonathan, who stood under a magnolia tree, turned.
That year, the magnolias bloomed particularly late. Usually, they were fully bloomed at the end of August, and around that time, they’d already be filled with fruits.
Illuminated under the floor lamp, the huge pristine white flowers were beautiful. Yet, like Jonathan, they seemed detached from the world. Even if he just stood there, he alone was a sight worth admiring.
Filip had to admit that Jonathan had an indifferent yet noble air
Although Filip and Jonathan were born wealthy, even at the top of the pyramid, people were divided into different levels. Jonathan was the first–class man who stood above the clouds and looked down on everyone..
Jonathan glanced at Filip coldly. With ssive aura, he asked uncaringly, “Mr. Yates, what can I do for you?
Filip summoned enough courage to look Jonathan in the eyes. “Mr. Bennett, Cynthia and I have grown up together since we were babies. We’re childhood sweethearts, and we love each other. Three years ago, when we had our wedding, everyone saw how attached we were
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“It’s true. Because of some misunderstandings, I stood Cynthia up the day we were supposed to get a marriage certificate, Filip confessed.
Jonathan’smirked. “Then, I must thank the heavens for helping he
Filip’s expression darkened. However, Mr. Bennett, our divorce certificate means nothing. To me, Cynthia and I are still husband and wife, and we were lawfully wedded before, too. I believe Cynthia thinks that, too”
Jonathan frowned slightly. Cynthia had mentioned that she and Filip were childhood sweethearts, but others, like Jonathan, couldn’t understand her and Filip’s relationship. After all, she was still waiting for Filip to return to her.
Malice flashed across Jonathan’s eyes, but he remained indifferent. “So what? You know well that you and Cynthia were only husband and wife in the past, Mr. Yates.”
Filip declared, “I won’t give up on Cynthia. Before, Lilian tricked me and pried us apart. Now that the truth is out, I won’t let her go again. I’ll spend the rest of my life making up for what 1 we her.
“Mr. Bennett, you’re from a distinguished family. The best and most beautiful women in the world are at your disposal. You don’t have to choose her, but it’s different for me, We’ve lived together for 20 years. We’re already like a family. I hope you won’t interfere with our relationship,” said Filip.
Jonathan smiled. “Wow! Mr. Yates, you’re both stupid and confident. What idiot is so daft that his 20–year relationship can become estranged from a few words from outsiders? Pift. You even have the cheek to say you love her.
“Bah! Your audacious confidence irks me. What made you think she had to wait for you as you decided whether to return to her or not? Sometimes, mistakes are permanent and lead us farther and farther away from our loved ones, chided Jonathan.
Something profound was in Jonathan’s eyes. They were like the calm sea at night. Yet, when one looked closely, there was a surging undercurrent within them as if they could set off huge waves at any time.
Jonathan paused and stared into Filip’s eyes. Then, he said firmly, “Also if you must know, she’s the only one for me
There was a hot humidity to the suffocating summer night breeze. It was as if it had grabbed Filip’s neck and strangled him,
Meanwhile, Cynthia followed Pamela to a room.
Before Cynthia, Pamela unlocked a safety deposit box. She took put a small black velvet box, then walked to Cynthia and opened it. Inside was a sphene lucky charm pendant. Surprisingly, it had an extremely rare pink sphene.
Pink sphenes weren’t common in the market. Even if they were available, most weren’t of high quality. However, the light pink sphene in the lucky charm pendant was crystal clear and of the best quality, Carved into a lucky charm shape, it appeared magnificent and elegant.
Cynthia knew little about gemstones but knew it was invaluable at a glance. She had guessed what Pamela meant. Before she could speak, Cynthia refused, “Pamela, I can’t take this.”
I’m not gifting you this. It was yours to begin with, explained Pamela.
Cynthia was surprised.
“This gemstone was exchanged between the Jones and Yates families when we set up the arranged marriage for you and Filip when you were babies. The Jones family gave us this pink sphene lucky charm pendant, and we gave them an emerald gemstone, Pamela explained.
“However, this pendant is special. The Jones family didn’t customize it. The day you were born, a big shot gave it to you. It all happened by chance, but Justin didn’t give any specifics. He only said that with this gemstone, you could be rich for a lifetime,” added Pamela.
“Justin treated this gemstone as a family heirloom and wanted to pass it down from generation to generation, so he made it
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an engagement token between you and Filip. He planned to have you pass it down to your kids after you had them” Pamela
elaborated
“Filip has lost his chance of being with you. Since you’ve brokerup with him. I’ll leave this pendant to you, continued Pamela
Cynthia frowned. “I have cut ties with the Jones family. If you want to return it, you should give it to them.”
Since Shirley was the Jones family’s biological daughter, that looky charm pendant should belong to Shirley anyway. Cynthia wasn’t a greedy person.
Pamela said. “Silly girl, if I wanted to return it to the Jones family, I would have long ago. I want to give you this. Justin one
be sand that the man had given this presious pendant to you when he saw you because he felt lucky meeting you by chance
If you and Shirley hadn’t been exchanged then, he might not have given them the pendant. Don’t be silly. It’s not your fimult you were exchanged. I have treasured this necklace for over 20 years, so you need to take it. Don’t give it to Shirley, or I’ll be mad‘ insisted Pamela.
Cynthia smiled while taking the box. “Okay, I’ll take it. I won’t give it to Shirley even if the wants it later on”
Upon hearing Cynthia’s words, Pamela was satisfied. “That’s my good daughter–in–law. We should save the good things for ourselves. You’re too high and mighty. In this world, don’t be a saint. Do anything you want, but make sure you don’t get shortchanged.”
Cynthia grinned. Tll remember that, Pamela
When Cynthia left the mansion, she saw Jonathan and Filip standing under a magnolia tree in the yard. “Jon, what are you and Filip talking about?” she qu
