?<strong>Chapter 488:</strong>


    “Ms. Watson, Mr. Stephen Finch wants to meet you.”


    Joelle wasn’t surprised; however, she couldn’tprehend why M was so fixated on Adrian.


    In the private room, Stephen savored his coffee, taking his time to pour her a cup with leisurely elegance.


    “You’re a good girl, so I’ll be candid. As long as you part ways with Adrian, I’ll agree to whatever you desire.”


    Joelle responded calmly, “Mr. Finch, as a parent myself, I recognize that raising children involves not indulging their every desire.”


    Stephen’s expression turned steely as he said, “Don’t you want to know the whereabouts of your son?”


    Joelle had conjured up an infinite array of conceivable responses. Yet, never in her wildest imaginings did she foresee Stephen pulling this particr card from his deck.


    Stephen proimed, “I’ve maintained a deep-rooted connection with the Potter family for years. I happen to know where Chris and Wade’s biological mother is. While Wade might be beyond our reach, that doesn’t mean this woman can’t get to him. If we find her, won’t we find Wade too?”


    Joelle suppressed the surge of exhration coursing through her, attempting to maintain an air ofposed serenity.


    “Chris and Wade’s biological mother? I was under the impression she had died. And the current Mrs. Potter is their stepmother.”


    Stephen gestured dismissively, taking a leisurely sip of coffee.


    “She’s not deceased; rather, she’s simply a person the Potter family chooses to overlook. They’ve concealed her from public view. Even after bearing two sons, she remained utterly ostracized from the Potter family.”


    It was no surprise that Wade contemted fabricating Chris’s death; such a notion was undoubtedly inspired by the machinations of his family. Since Rnd’s disappearance, this was the first time Joelle felt an inexplicable sense of closeness to him. Any tidbit of news regarding Wade seemed to forge a deeper connection between her and Rnd.


    “Mr. Finch, Rnd is my son. Please help me find him!” she implored.


    Stephen remained unppable, his eyes gleaming with the astuteness characteristic of a seasoned entrepreneur.


    “Joelle, I empathize with your emotions. However, I must implore you to assist me as well. M is my sole granddaughter, and she harbors feelings for Adrian. So, might you consider leaving Adrian?”


    Joelle’s fingers clenched around the engagement ring Adrian had given her the previous night, and now she found herselfpelled to confront an agonizing decision.


    “Even if I leave Adrian, he won’t be with M.”


    “That’s not your concern.”


    Joelle slowly sat up straight, realizing that Stephen was using Rnd as a bargaining chip, negotiating with her like a shrewd businessman.


    “Do you really think you’re doing this for M’s good?”


    Stephen, having weathered countless storms, could easily discern Joelle’s attempt to sway him with appeals to both reason and emotion. “At my age, I no longer concern myself with the future. As long as I draw breath, I will procure whatever my granddaughter desires.”


    “Even if it’s a person?”


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