Goodbye, Mr. Regret novel Chapter 479

He had once saved her, draping his suit jacket over her shoulders—leaving a beautiful memory etched in her heart.

Later, she learned that at eighteen, he was already the heir to the Lawson Group. Aloof and untouchable, he’d happened to pass by a small park, saw her being bullied, and stepped in to help. That moment only deepened her impression of him as a man full of compassion.

But now, he seemed utterly coldhearted.

Or maybe, she thought, she’d been too shallow—letting a single incident color the way she saw him.

Jessica didn’t need to ask Hollis about that anymore. Instead, she changed the subject: “Since I’m not your biological daughter, how did I end up in your home?”

Hollis answered cautiously, “Have you found your real family?”

“I have.”

This was bad.

His adopted daughter had grown up, married into wealth, and was now surrounded by people with money—yet he wouldn’t see a bit of that good fortune himself.

“I can’t say.”

“Why not? Did Timothy promise you something?”

Jessica couldn’t think of any other reason he’d keep silent.

Realizing he couldn’t hide it any longer, Hollis admitted, “He promised me a large sum of money. Once I got out, he said he’d help me move abroad.”

“You actually believe him?” Jessica scoffed. “He only wants to keep my background a secret. As long as you’re useful to him, he’ll play along. But now that you’re not, do you really think he’ll care about you? You’re dreaming.”

Hollis’s intentions were obvious—he’d talk for money, whoever was willing to pay.

Jessica didn’t bother with him any longer. As she left, she tossed over her shoulder, “Go ahead, wait for Timothy’s money.”

Outside the prison, Vince suggested, “Why don’t we just pay him ourselves and make him tell us what happened back then?”

“There’s no rush. If he won’t talk, so be it,” Jessica replied calmly. “Timothy’s finished with him. When Hollis comes looking for me again, the advantage will be ours. We don’t have to settle everything today. Let’s go home and see Grandpa first.”

The pain Hollis had caused Jessica in her childhood was far from minor. The fatherly love she’d once longed for had turned out to be nothing but an illusion.

All a lie.

Hollis had abandoned her the moment he discovered she wasn’t his own flesh and blood.

Maybe her adoptive mother’s suicide had something to do with Hollis, too.

Let him come to her again, she thought. She’d be ready.

Vince still wanted to confront Timothy, but for now, the most important thing was to bring Jessica home.

As soon as he found his balance, he grasped Jessica’s hands tightly, nearly frantic. “Let Grandpa see your birthmark,” he pleaded.

He had to be sure himself.

Jessica let go of his hand, unfastened the top button of her blouse, and pulled the fabric aside to reveal the birthmark every member of the Zimmerman family knew by heart.

Larkin’s eyes filled with tears. He raised a trembling hand, reaching for Jessica’s face.

Seeing the tears in his eyes, Jessica couldn’t hold back any longer. She sank to her knees and whispered, “Grandpa, I’m sorry I came home so late and made you worry.”

Larkin quickly took her hands, panic in his voice. “The floor’s too hard—don’t hurt your knees. Stand up, let Grandpa have a good look at you.”

He looked at her for a long time, tears finally spilling down his face. His voice was hoarse with emotion. “Lord above, we’ve searched for Salome for twenty years, and she’s been so close to us all along. None of us ever knew.”

He pulled Jessica into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

The sight brought tears to Vince’s eyes too. He joined them, wrapping his arms around both his grandfather and Jessica.

At last, the family was whole again.

It was a long time before they let go of each other. Then Larkin, thinking of all the grievances Jessica had suffered at Timothy’s hands, grew furious. “I’m going to settle this with Phelps right now! How could their family treat our Salome like that?”

Still seething, he ordered Vince, “The Bryants have been waiting for news of Salome all these years. Call them. I want Mr. and Mrs. Bryant to go with us to the Lawsons—we’ll demand an explanation!”