Chapter 462 Farewell

Chapter 462 Farewell

Michael and Isabella had just gotten home when Michael's phone rang. It was Leroy.

"He's dead."

Michael picked up, but before he could say anything, Leroy started talking a mile a minute. "I knew he was gonna die. His illness was terminal. Even with aggressive treatment, he might not have lasted long. And he refused treatment, so it was just a matter of time. I was ready for this, but I didn't think it would happen so soon, so suddenly..."

Leroy's voice cracked, and he couldn't go on. It sounded less like he was informing Michael and more like he was venting.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Michael said softly.

"Thanks. Hearing that from you is kinda surprising. I thought you'd be happy," Leroy said with a bitter smile.

Michael clarified, "I'm saying it for you, not for him."

"I've got a lot to deal with. I'll talk to you later," Leroy said, calming down before hanging up.

Isabella, who had been listening, asked worriedly, "Is he okay?"

Michael sighed and shook his head. "Milan was his father, after all. It's natural for him to feel upset. But we have to trust that he'll get through it."

"Should we go see your mom?" Isabella suggested.

Michael shook his head again. "She wouldn't want to see us. We've been away long enough. It's time to go back to Silvercrest City."

"Alright, let's go home," Isabella agreed, leaning gently against him.

Somehow, Donald had heard that Michael was heading back to Silvercrest City and insisted on a farewell meeting. Michael arranged to meet him at a club.

As soon as they met, Donald asked, "Why the sudden decision to go back to Silvercrest City? What about our plans?"

"We've been away for a while. It's time to visit home. I'll leave Aaron here to handle the acquisition talks. Once things are settled, I'll come back. We'll stay in touch, and our collaboration won't stop," Michael assured him.

Donald relaxed and then brought up Freya. "Freya found out it was you who did it. She knows we're close, so she's been complaining to my dad. He even called me in today to chew me out. If I hadn't apologized sincerely, he might have sent me off to Valshia. I don't know what Freya did, but my once-wise dad is now easily manipulated by her."

Michael patted his shoulder. "Don't let it get to you. Just hang in there for now. In our positions, there's nothing we can't handle."

"Michael, sometimes I envy you. You're the sole heir in your family. Even though you have a sister, she doesn't compete with you. My family is full of people with their own agendas," Donald said bitterly, downing a drink.

Michael, having never experienced such family conflicts, didn't know how to comfort him. He simply raised his glass and drank with him.

Michael had his own worries. Returning to Silvercrest City, he was anxious about how to explain to Wesley and Qiana that the child was gone. He had kept this secret tightly, fearing their reaction. But the truth couldn't be hidden forever. It was better to tell them sooner rather than later, yet he had no idea how to start.

Both men, burdened with their troubles, ended up drinking more than they should have.

Kerena called, asking where Donald was. Donald, already drunk and muddled, gave her the address.

Soon, Kerena arrived.

"Uncle Donald, you can't drink like this. Aunt Sandra will be furious. I'll call your bodyguard to take you home," Kerena said, spotting Donald's bodyguard downstairs and summoning him to help.

"Why are you here?" Donald asked, opening his eyes groggily and looking at Kerena.

Kerena, however, was fixated on the already drunk Michael, practically drooling. She quickly waved the bodyguard to take Donald away.

Once Donald was gone, she locked the door to keep Michael's bodyguard out.

"Mr. Johnson, Michael, I've finally got a chance to be with you. You have no idea how much I like you," she said, her excitement palpable as she unzipped her dress, revealing her ample chest. She knelt beside Michael, reaching out to touch his face.

Sensing something, Michael opened his eyes, looking at her through a drunken haze.

Kerena, feeling both scared and shy under his gaze, had already stripped down to her underwear.

"Michael, don't look at me like that. I'm shy," she said, covering her chest demurely.

"Who are you?" Michael asked.

Kerena thought, He must be really drunk not to recognize me.

"Michael, I'm Kerena Castillo."

"Kerena? I don't know you. Go away, don't touch me," Michael said irritably, waving her off and closing his eyes again.

Kerena, pushed to the floor, remembered Freya's advice. Unwilling to give up, she crawled back to Michael and started undressing him.

"Isabella? You're not my Isabella. Don't touch me," Michael mumbled, his eyes barely open, pushing her away again.

This time, Kerena was smarter. She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Honey, it's Isabella. You're drunk. I came to find you."

She hoped to deceive Michael into sleeping with her. Freya had told her that once a man slept with a woman, he would see her value. Determined to achieve her goal, she was willing to do anything.

Hearing "Isabella," Michael opened his eyes again. Their faces were close, and he looked deeply into her eyes.

Kerena's heart raced, her cheeks flushing.

"Honey, I love you," she confessed, closing her eyes and leaning in to kiss Michael.