Jonathan’s question hung in the air, momentarily rendering Baker speechless. After a brief pause, Baker shook his head firmly. “No, there’s no other reason for my visit. I simply wanted to update you on the situation.”
Jonathan’s lips curved into a faint smile. He leaned toward Grace, whispering something in her ear.
Grace’s brows knitted together in concern as she listened. She glanced at Jonathan, hesitating. “Are you certain about this?” she asked softly.
Jonathan gave a decisive nod. “Yes. Go ahead.”
With a reluctant sigh, Grace stood and ascended the grand staircase. The room fell silent in her absence, the tension thick between Baker and Jonathan.
A few moments later, Grace returned to the living room. She walked straight to Baker, extending a small piece of paper toward him.
“Here, take this,” she said, her tone calm but firm.
Confused, Baker accepted the paper. His eyes widened in shock as he realized what it was—a check for five hundred thousand dollars.
His gaze darted between Jonathan and Grace, his bewilderment clear. “M-Mr. and Mrs. Clark, what… what is this for?” he stammered.
Jonathan chuckled lightly, the sound filling the room. “It’s for Kylee’s medical expenses. The extra is compensation for the incident. I trust this will be enough.”
Baker’s face flushed with embarrassment as he quickly shook his head. “Mr. Clark, there’s been a misunderstanding! We didn’t come here today to ask for any financial compensation!”
Kylee, who had remained silent until now, added quickly, “Please, Mr. Clark, we didn’t mean to give that impression.”
Baker nodded in agreement. “Exactly. This isn’t about money. We came here to address Jessica’s actions. We cannot accept this check.”
Jonathan’s expression didn’t change, but a glint of amusement flickered in his eyes. “And why, exactly, would I scold my daughter-in-law for you?” he asked, his tone calm but cutting. “I know her character well enough to say she isn’t capable of the actions you’ve described.”
Baker and Kylee exchanged uneasy glances.
“Mr. Clark, everything I’ve told you is true!” Baker insisted. “If you have any doubts, you can ask Ethan directly.”
Jonathan’s smile turned sharp, almost sardonic. “Even if everything you’ve said is true—so what?” he said evenly. “I have no doubt that Kylee must have caused trouble for Jessica first. If you believe this amount isn’t sufficient, feel free to tell me.”
The color drained from Baker’s face, and Kylee’s expression crumpled. Jonathan’s unwavering defense of Jessica had caught them completely off guard. They had never anticipated such blatant favoritism from him.
Jonathan’s eyes gleamed with a steely determination as he continued, his voice laced with finality. “Now, is there anything else you wish to say to me?”
The subtle dismissal in his words was impossible to ignore.
Kylee’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. Fighting back tears, she whispered to her father, “Dad, let’s go.”
Baker hesitated, glancing back at Jonathan and Grace. It was clear that further discussion would be pointless. With visible reluctance, he rose from his seat and said stiffly, “Mr. and Mrs. Clark, we’ll take our leave now. But we cannot accept this money. Please keep the check.”
Jonathan didn’t reply, merely watching as Baker and Kylee turned to leave.
________________________________________
At the Exit
As Baker and Kylee reached the front door, Jonathan signaled his butler, Hooper.
“Hooper,” Jonathan said smoothly.
The butler stepped forward immediately, his movements brisk and precise.
By the time Baker and Kylee were at the threshold, Hooper intercepted them, a polite smile on his face.
“Mr. Wright,” Hooper said, gently pressing the check into Baker’s hand. “Mr. Clark insists that you accept this. He hopes this gesture will resolve the matter completely.”
Baker’s mouth opened to protest, but Hooper continued in a calm yet firm tone, “Additionally, Mr. Clark has requested that this issue not be brought up again. He expects not to hear about it from anyone else in the future.”
Kylee’s face reddened with humiliation as her father reluctantly accepted the check, his pride battered.
Without another word, they stepped outside, their footsteps heavy with defeat.
