It would not be long before her dear friend would find herself at odds with the Lopez Corporation.
The very thought of working there was awkward enough to churn her stomach.
Right on cue, Dorothy's call came through, breaking the tension. They quickly set a lunch date.
After hanging up, Karen faced Jeffrey, who was still wearing a look of utter confusion.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"I just want some time to find myself, not to get a job at the Lopez Corporation by batting my eyelashes," Karen stated firmly.
"Excuses, all excuses!" Jeffrey retorted.
"Then why even ask?" She shot back.
Jeffrey was taken aback, speechless for a moment.
Karen tossed him his car keys and said, "Let's go. Dorothy and the others are heading to the diner." After their meal, Everett and Dorothy planned to head back to Swevia Country.
First, Everett needed rest to heal, and a check-up from Dr. Quincy was in order. Second, Dorothy had decided that when it was time to leave, she would depart directly from Swevia Country.
She could not bear the thought of another goodbye with Everett in Eldorria City.
Unbeknownst to Everett, their friend Kevin had already booked their flights, including Abigail and Langston's.
The night before their departure, Everett received a call from Jonathan.
"I've seen the children's names—Abigail Sanchez, Langston Sanchez? What a mess! Change their names immediately! They carry the Lopez blood. How can they have the Sanchez surname?” "Why can't Dorothy's children have her surname?" Everett countered calmly.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"You! Are you trying to drive me to an early grave?" Jonathan's voice was steeped in displeasure. "You used to be such a good kid, obedient and sensible. What's gotten into you now?" Everett glanced upstairs, where Dorothy was laughing and playing with the kids, frowning slightly.
"If you want the children to change their surname, fine. But | have a condition.” "They're Lopez children by birth, and you dare set conditions to change their surnames to the rightful one?" Jonathan scoffed.
"It's that Dorothy putting words in your mouth!" "She didn’t say anything. This is my decision." Jonathan paused, then said, "Let's hear it then. What condition do you have for your father?" Everett sat back on the sofa, legs crossed, his voice steady and deep. "Hand over Heather to me, and let me deal with her however | see fit." There was a silence on the other end.
"If you don’t agree, my son and daughter will forever bear the surname Sanchez, and without this father's consent, not even your most influential connections can change that." Jonathan had not expected such a demand.
He thought his son would ask for something along the lines of a lifetime with Dorothy or for the Lopez family's blessing to marry her.
"This matter is for your mother to decide, not me." "My mother protects Heather simply because she once saved her life. I've repaid Heather; we're even.” "So why go after her?" "Heather and the Lopez family may be square, but she's not done with what she did to Dorothy's mother." At the mention of Dorothy's mother, Jonathan's voice noticeably dropped.
Still, he feigned calm. "I've looked into it. Dorothy's mother died of a heart attack. How can you blame Heather for that? At most, she said something that upset her. Even if you go to court with her, she won't get the death sentence.” "Whether Heather's crime is punishable by death is for Dorothy to decide."