Built His Empire Then Watched It Burn When He Cheated novel Chapter 637

He paused for a moment. "I never found out how it started. But the investigation back then ruled it an accident."

He'd been just a teenager at the time. After surviving something that terrifying, digging into it hadn't even crossed his mind.

Later, he never revisited it, but he vaguely remembered his grandfather saying it was an accidental fire.

Now, hearing Anneliese bring it up, Jonathan's brows drew together.

"Why? Is there something wrong with that?"

Anneliese nodded. "The report said the fire started because of faulty wiring in the kitchen. But Grandma never believed it. She looked into it herself. The villa was fairly new and had routine maintenance.

The chance of wiring failure was extremely low. I also asked one of my father's old colleagues—a man who later became a police chief. He was evasive. So I'm sure the fire wasn't that simple. If…"

Her voice trailed off as she bit her lip, unsure how to continue.

Jonathan seemed to understand what she was afraid to say. He reached out his hand.

She gave him hers and walked closer.

He held both her hands and looked up at her.

"If the fire really was caused by someone, you don't have to worry. No matter who's responsible, I'll find out. I'll never hide the truth or protect anyone."

His voice was steady and low, every word certain.

It wasn't just a promise to her. It was a vow to the dead.

"Do you trust me, babe?"

Anneliese lowered her eyes and nodded firmly.

"Of course I do."

She wrapped her arms around him tightly. "Thank you."

Jonathan pulled her back onto his lap and said softly, "Don't thank me. Your father gave his life to save mine. If I can't even do this much, I'd be no better than a monster. I'd have no right to face you, let alone marry into your family."

He said it like it was nothing, like it didn't weigh a thing.

But Anneliese knew it wasn't that simple. People were selfish. They always protected their own blood first.

Plenty could talk about honor and justice. Very few could actually live it when it came to their own family.

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