Chapter 31: The Heartbreaker
Chapter 31: The Heartbreaker
John was in a foul mood; he’d seen someone he despised. NoDi was at the auction! This was his first appearance at the auction this year, a spontaneous decision for the auction house owner. And he immediately spotted John.
Their eyes met. John’s face darkened; he saw NoDi heading towards them.
“Andy said he’s almost here. Let’s go greet our son,” Lily said, heading for the entrance. John shot NoDi a glare and followed.
NoDi stopped. That guy was still so unpleasant! He glanced at the woman’s back, vaguely familiar, but didn’t pay much attention. He hadn’t heard the rumors about John’s “new girlfriend,” assuming she was an employee or secretary. Then he saw John put his arm around her waist.
NoDi:!!
He’d moved on! He hadn’t kept his promise to love Lily forever!
John, assuming NoDi had seen Lily, was subconsciously asserting his dominance. He had no idea NoDi hadn’t even seen Lily’s face properly and was mentally calling him a scoundrel. John realized this when NoDi didn’t follow them inside. If NoDi knew Lily’s identity, he’d be all over her!
At that moment, John considered knocking NoDi unconscious. Lily hadn’t come to see him
anyway…
Lily was watching for her son, oblivious to John’s simmering anger.
Andy, over here!”
Spotting her son getting out of the car, Lily waved. He wasn’t alone; two other boys, roughly the same age, were with him. Andy spoke to them briefly before they headed to the trunk. Andy approached Lily.
“It’s so hot, and you’re dressed so warmly,” Lily said, taking a tissue from her bag to wipe his sweat. It was scorching hot, and Andy was in a black long–sleeved, long–legged tracksuit; sweat beaded on his forehead and nose.
John glanced enviously at his own formal attire. He was also hot! For once, he regretted his low perspiration rate.
“They’re from my school, here for student council work,” Andy explained, noticing her gaze on his classmates. His expression was still impassive, but his eyes lit up when he saw Lily; he was clearly happy to see his mother.
“That painting is lovely. Thank you for picking it out, Andy. Your father will bid on it. You’re still in school; wait until you graduate and start earning before you buy me things, okay?” Lily said, worried that he might spend all his money. She had only learned yesterday that her son had stopped taking money from John at eighteen! He even paid his own tuition! John explained that he hadn’t stopped giving money, but Andy hadn’t touched it, leaving it in his account. He couldn’t force him.
“I’ll buy it.”
“But I want to buy it for you,” father and son said simultaneously. Lily only heard her son’s words, and his tone was softer and more affectionate than usual.
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Chapter 31 The Heartbreaker
Okay, okay. Andy will buy it.” Lily decided to compensate him later. He couldn’t be short of cash!
Andy’s lips curled into a barely perceptible smile. He held out his pinky finger. Promise.” It was a childhood ritual pinky swear.
Lily hooked her finger with his.“Okay!”
John felt ignored.
Luckily,
Andy soon left with his
classmates
through a
different
entrance.
Seeing him go, John tugged at his collar.“Lily, I’m a little hot,” he remarked, feigning nonchalance.
Lily knew what he was thinking. He hadn’t changed a bit. As a child, whenever she kissed her son, John would always want a kiss too. A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. “Yes, it is hot. Let’s go inside; it’s air–conditioned,” she said, fanning herself.
John caught her sly smile and grinned, his eyes full of affection, hurrying to follow. They didn’t notice Bella and Lindsey lurking near the emergency exit. They were together. Thirty minutes remained until the auction. Most people were already seated. The main hall was for regular attendees, mostly those who’d been asked to bid on behalf of others or lacked sufficient funds.
Andy and his classmates were on the first floor, their mission to secure funding for upcoming school events. Encountering a potential investor here was more efficient than endless appointments at companies.
The second floor offered more private seating with leather sofas and partitions, reserved for VIPs. John had a prime spot.
He poured Lily some tea, peeled an orange, and arranged her favorite snacks on the table.
“Lily, I’ll be right back. I need to use the restroom.”
Lily agreed, browsing the auction catalog.
Less than a minute later, Bella arrived.
“Ms. Lynch, is it?” she asked, her dismissive tone laced with disdain. Sitting where John had been, she studied Lily’s face.
Internally, Bella was astonished. Even this close, she couldn’t detect any flaws! She hadn’t expected to find any signs of plastic surgery. They were identical, no wonder John was so obsessed.
“Do you really think you’ve captured John’s heart? Do you know why Vivian reacted that way? Aren’t you afraid that everything you have will disappear like a mirage?” Bella asked, a confident smile spreading across her face. She slipped her business card into Lily’s bag.“I can answer your questions. I can help you.”
Bella’s anger flared; Lily remained remarkably calm.
“I’ve known John for almost twenty years. I know everything about his family. I’m sure you have questions. Feel free to contact me,” Bella said, before rising and leaving with a smug smile. Lily:…
Ben years apart, and Bella had become so oily.
Lily had intended to interrupt Bella’s arrogance. If–Bella realized she was facing the real Lily, her reaction would be priceless.
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Chapter 31 The Heartbreaker
But Bella’s words changed her mind. Over the years, Bella had closely followed the Janson family. maintaining contact with Amy. She might know about the conflicts between the children…
Lily formulated a plan.
Meanwhile, John encountered his own problem.
“You’re flaunting your new girlfriend in my territory?! Do you know what I’ll do to her?!”
