The CEO's Hidden Love: Midnight Temptations and Deep Desires novel 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.

"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."