Chapter 5

Jonas changed into a cleaner's uniform and cleaned all the hospital toilets.

Then Tim led his men to inspect his work. He used a disposable cup and scooped water from the toilet, then held it out to Jonas with a fake smile.

"Drink it to prove that you did a thorough job."

Jonas frowned. "Have you been reading too many novels? If you want to drink it, go ahead!"

Tim's expression darkened, and he gave his men a look. The male workers immediately stepped forward and pinned Jonas down.

One of them asked hesitantly, "Mr. Hutton, i-is this really necessary? What if Ms. Quinn finds out?"

Tim snapped, "If you don't want this job anymore, then leave! Can't you see that Dr. Lane will be the future owner of this hospital? Offend him, and you won't know what hit you!"

With that, he forced Jonas' mouth open and poured the toilet water in.

Jonas pushed them away and started coughing violently. Then he collapsed to the floor, retching repeatedly.

Tim tossed the cup aside, looking disgusted, and shook his hands. "Clean this place up. If not, I'll have Dr. Lane tell Ms. Quinn that you can't even do a single thing right."

Over the following days, Tim kept coming over with his men to bully Jonas. They deliberately left their toilets unflushed, made a mess everywhere, and even poured food all over the restroom floor.

Jonas endured it all, fighting back his disgust with George in his mind.

After finally making it through the week, Matt delivered a designer suit to him. "Mr. Black, it's Ms. Black's birthday today. Ms. Quinn organized a birthday party for her, and she wants you to go over now. She said after the party is over, she will return Mr. George's ashes to you."

…

A look of scorn appeared on Erica's face when she saw Jonas at the banquet hall.

"Even if you come to celebrate my birthday, I won't go back to you. All you do is make me practice piano and this and that. Mr. Lane lets me do whatever I want. You suck!"

Jonas just glanced at her indifferently. From the moment Erica looked at him expectantly, hoping he would jump into the sea, he had stopped seeing her as his daughter. Hence, in the year since he'd returned, he hadn't involved himself in her life at all.

Just as he was about to walk around her, he saw Serena and Henry enter together, arm in arm. Erica immediately ran over and called out sweetly, "Mommy, Daddy!"

Everyone stepped forward to greet Serena. Some of them took Henry for her husband, but she didn't correct them. Erica also happily basked in it.

A few people in the know heaped praise on Henry to please Serena, pushing Jonas into the corner.

Serena looked around, trying to find Jonas. Even though she knew they'd mistaken Henry for her husband, she wanted to see Jonas get jealous and give in to her.

But all she saw was him sitting in the corner, drinking his wine as if nothing had happened. He didn't seem the least bit concerned.

Jonas' nonchalance sparked a surge of anger in her, and she leaned into Henry's embrace out of spite.

The party officially began, and the guests took turns handing Erica their gifts.

When it was Jonas' turn, Erica's face twisted in disgust. "Even though I'm Henry's daughter now, you're still my biological father. I guess I'll accept your gift."

Jonas set down his wine glass. "You're not my daughter anymore. Why should I buy you a gift?"

Erica's expression stiffened. Displeased with how cold Jonas was toward her, she retorted, "I don't want your gift anyway!"

Serena frowned. She was even angrier that Jonas was still acting up at a time like this.

Just then, Henry took out the latest, limited-edition Barbie doll. "Erica, I wonder if you'll like my gift?"

"Yes! This is the best gift ever!" Erica let out an excited shriek and yanked the agarwood bracelet off her wrist, hurling it to the floor.

With a sharp crack, the beads scattered across the floor.

It was made of century-old agarwood that Jonas had gone to great lengths to obtain from a reclusive priest when Erica was five. It was said to calm the mind and ease anxiety.

Erica even sneered at Jonas provocatively. "Daddy's gift is way better than your lousy bracelet!"

Jonas ignored her. Erica had clearly inherited Serena's ungrateful tendencies.

Henry glanced at him, then leaned close to Serena. "What perfume are you wearing today, Serena? It smells so good, just like the scent on your bed. I heard Jonas is a great perfumer. Did he make this for you?"

Serena looked at Jonas and nodded.

She had trouble sleeping in the past, so Jonas had specially created this one-of-a-kind perfume for her.

Henry smiled happily. "Serena, people at the hospital have been complaining about the smell in the restrooms. Jonas cleaned the toilets himself, so why not have him create a perfume for the restrooms? It would get rid of the odor and commemorate his time cleaning the toilets, serving as an inspiration to all the staff."