Lance dared not sit as he fished out his smartphone and played the recording for Jonathan to hear.
In the hushed room, Manley's voice soon filled the silence.
"Hold me just a little longer!"
"Been ages since I've seen ya. Don't you miss me?"
"I missed you so much I'm practically skin and bones!"
"I'm here to stay this time!"
"Dad said all I gotta do is find a decent girlfriend, and he'll let me come back!"
"That's easy. I'll introduce you to him in a jiffy!"
It was all Manley, his excitement laced with a suggestive undertone, flippant yet seemingly sincere. His voice trailed off with an affectionate lilt that, even without seeing his face, conveyed his deep love for the girl.
Jonathan's eyes were half-closed, his lips pressed into a thin line, his whole being radiated a chilling aura, even a whiff of deadly intent.
Watching the man's expression, Lance spoke cautiously, "After that, Manley hit me, and I passed out. Whatever happened between them next, I have no idea. But I saw that Manley was holding on to that girl the whole time."
As he finished speaking, Jonathan's presence grew even more formidable. He got up, his piercing gaze fixed on Lance, and without another word, kicked him square in the chest.
Lance went flying backward, crashing to the ground with a thud.
Pain exploded in his chest, his ribs felt broken, and two teeth were chipped. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he writhed in agony on the floor.
Jonathan shed his overcoat, now in just a black shirt, looking stunning yet deadly. His approach was so oppressive that Lance couldn't help but scramble back.
But Jonathan's sharp and meticulous mind turned the tables on him.
Lance's chest throbbed with pain, his legs trembled, and if not for the wall's support, he would have collapsed.
"Let me guess!" Jonathan's eyes narrowed menacingly, "You've got a crush on Manley, coveting his good looks, and you followed him secretly, right?"
Lance was taken aback but then nodded, "Yes, yes!"
His instinct to survive told him that, in front of Jonathan, admitting his attraction to men was far safer than admitting any designs on Estelle.
Jonathan spoke up, "Then I'll give you a chance. After the ceremony, you go to Manley and confess your feelings in front of everyone. Let him know how much you like him!"
Lance looked at Jonathan, his face blank, a sense of dread creeping up inside him.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Things are looking up for Xavier and Norah. Thank you for the updates....
Woohoo! This was sooooo good. Thank you for the updates....
This was classic updates. Thank you so much...
May we please have updates. Thank you...
I sincerely hope that Gonzalez finds the taped meeting of Hannah and Trevor to throw them under the bus....
How will Gonzalez get back at Hannah, Yvonne and Trevor for the setup and fall from grace....
Adrian needs to safe face and not do this. It will embarrass he and Norah and his family. Thank you for the updates....
This a HOT MESS for them both....
WOW! I didn't see that coming at all for Norah nor Gonzalez, the plot thickens. Thank you for the updates....
Xavier wants to get caught kissing Norah at this point. When will he ask her to call him Xavier and not Gonzalez. Maybe that would bring back her memories. Thank you for the updates....