Meanwhile, Jonathan sensed a raging noise in his ears. The next moment, a fistful punchnded on his face. He couldn''t help but finally wake up.


    When he opened his eyes, he examined his surroundings and saw arge crowd of people with either anger or disappointment on their faces. As the memories fromst night resurfaced, he knew he had fallen into a schemeful trap. "Don''t hit him, Paxie!" eximed Yara.


    Even at that moment, she protected Jonathan. He looked at the woman beside him and frowned at the sight of her bruised body.


    "Yara, why are you still defending him after what he''s done?" The son of the family, Paxton Maize, pretended to hit Jonathan again, but his father''s roar halted him. "Enough!" Yara''s father, Rupert Maize, looked solemn. But underneath the facade, he was secretly suppressing his fear.


    Being in the business world, he was aware of Jonathan''s tactics. Initially, he objected to Yara''s idea of scheming Jonathan. After all, if thetter found out the truth, the consequences would be unbearable for the entire Maize family. However, Be and Cindy both persuaded him to take the risk. After some contemtion, he decided to bet on it. If the oue of the bet was favorable, he would be the father-inw of Finch Group''s ruler! Rupert interrogated Jonathan, "What''s going on here?"


    Jonathan was extremely irritated by the event before him. His icy gazended on Yara, who had used Rose''s earring to lure him overst night.


    "Where is she?" He ignored Rupert''s question.


    Yara''s eyes flickered, her heart growing increasingly envious toward Rose. Even under such circumstances, all Jonathan could think about was Rose! She shrunk a little.


    "Who are you talking about? Did you walk into my room by ident after getting drunk and mistaking me for someone else?"


    Jonathan was furious by her usation. What did she mean by "mistaking her for someone else"? Knowing that he wouldn''t get an answer from her, he became fierce.


    "Scram!"


    The crowd was taken aback by his intensity. The Maizes were supposed to have the upper hand in this conversation by confronting him. Yet, a single word from him was enough to spook them.


    Rupert stood his ground and chided Yara, "For Pete''s sake, get dressed!" Then, he left the room.


    Be was baffled by it. Why did he leave just because Jonathan said so? As much as she wanted to stop him, she couldn''t be too obvious about it.


    Hence, she and Cindy could only cover Yara with a towel and assist her out of the room. The group didn''t leave and waited in the suite''s living room instead.


    When Jonathan got dressed, he used the hotel''s telephone to dial Rose''s number after realizing his phone was missing. However, her phone was still switched off. As his worry intensified, he suddenly thought of calling Miles. "Where''s Rose? Is she home?" he quickly asked as soon as the call connected.


    On the other end, Miles seemed exhausted. "She''s not..."


    He could sense how anxious Jonathan was over the phone. Just as thetter was about to end the call, Miles decided to be nice this time.


    "She''s with me." He ended the call after that saying that.


    It took Jonathan a while before he heaved a long breath of relief. If she was with Miles, it meant she was safe. Jonathan''s expression darkened when he recalled how he had been schemedst night.


    Outside the room, Yara continued sobbing while her mother cried, "Yara, how could you... let him do that do you? Rupert, say something! How is Yara going to face the world if this gets out?"


    "That''s right. I don''t care who he is. I''ll make him take ountability with my fists if ites to that!" Paxton sounded aggressive.


    While saying that, he was ready to head into the room but was stopped by Yara. "Paxie, don''t... I''m sure he walked into the wrong room b-by mistake... Plus, he was drunk. That''s why... I don''t me him, really..."


    If Yara was set on marrying Jonathan, she had to present herself as extremely forgiving despite being "humiliated" by Jonathan.


    After all, Eleanor was watching. She thought Eleanor would adore her, but from the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a faint, mocking smile from her.


    She thought she was mistaken, but Eleanor finally spoke, "Why did you bring such arge crowd over if you don''t me him?"


    Her simple question rendered everyone, especially Be, in a panic. Yara was even more anxious to be exposed.


    Be took the lead and exined,


    "Yara must''ve been terrified. That''s


    why she called Cindy. You''ve seen it yourself, Eleanor. Jonathan just did that to Yara..." She implied that the Finches needed to take ountability for Jonathan''s actions.


    SOV


    Be thought that was enough for Eleanor to understand her meaning and prompt a reply from her. Yet, thetter stayed silent. Rupert became anxious. "Jonathan must... marry Yara to fulfill his responsibility as a man and as a sign of respect to us Maizes." Regardless, Eleanor remained quiet as though she didn''t hear a thing. At that instance, Cindy and Be locked eyes.


    Despite knowing that this was Yara''s trap, they were rather pissed off at Eleanor''s silence, which signified the Finch family''s stance.


    Seeing theck of response, Be continued, "Jonathan is a kind man andes from a prestigious family. I''m sure he won''t desert Yara. Not to mention, they make a good couple..." She spoke as if they were nning the wedding already.


    Just then, Jonathan came out of the room. He leaned against the wall and folded his arms across his chest. Then, his gaze swept across the people in the suite, followed by the messy bedroom. Yet, his eyes revealed no emotion. "Aunt Be..." he spoke suddenly. Her heart trembled, and she subsequently heard hisposed voice. "I''m nowhere near kind. Never have, never will," he said with a faint smile.


    His words sent a chill down


    everyone''s spine because it sounded like a warning. Still, Rupert and Cindy remained calm. After all, it was true that Jonathan and Yara had an intimate exchange. For that reason, they had nothing to be afraid of.


    Jonathan had no intention of ying this game with them. He simply nced at Eleanor and strode out of the suite.


    The people watched his retreating figure but dared not stop him. It wasn''t until Jonathan left that they realized he was gone.


    Luckily, Eleanor was still present. Yara''s suppressed sobs rang even louder. By then, Cindy had be impatient.


    "Mrs. Finch Senior, I hope your family can take ountability for what he''s done to Yara!"


    "Exactly. You''re known for your integrity, Mrs. Finch Senior, so you must help my daughter out..." Rupert urged. Be echoed, "You see, Eleanor..."