Chapter 450
Chapter 449
Chapter 449
“Mr. Lynn, working with our Chase Group can’t be that hard, right?” Winnie asked.
“Ms. Shelton, it’s not that I don’t respect
wiyou, but as the CEO, I have to put the company’s interests first.
Besides, last time I had dinner
of his friends, Sanford, started mouthing off at me, Dol look like someone you can just walk all over p>
Winnie wasn’t clueless; it was obvious Jonathan wasn’t going to give her any face. She said, “Then I’ll just talk to your mom. She really likes me, and I doubt you’d go against your own mother, right p>
A cold, mocking look flashed in Jonath
eyes. “Be my guest.” With that, he hung up.
Night had fallen, and the evening air wasn’t so stifling anymore. Jonathan drove by himself to the Horizonlead Plaza construction site, which was right next to Rosary Estates. He parked his car at the entrance.
From where he sat, he could see the building where Teresa lived. The lights were off. She wasn’t home yet. At work, he always wished he could split every
minute in two, but now, time just seemed to drag on forever.
While he was lost in thought, Jonathan got a voice message. Seeing the number, he tapped to listen. A choppy little kid’s voice came through the speaker.
“Mr. Lime, are you getting married? Then you have to be super happy, okay? When I grow up and make money, I’ll give you a gift! I’ll wish you happiness p>
Jonathan couldn’t help but smile and replied, “What is your gift, Mike p>
“So much money! I’m really generous, you know p>
Jonathan chuckled. “Thank you, Mike. You’re so sweet. But you don’t have to give me a gift, because I’m not getting married p>
After he sent the message, there was a long silence. Jonathan figured the little guy wasn’t going to reply, but then Mike sent him another super long voice
message.
Jonathan instantly grasped the gist. Michael had been watching TV alone and caught some news segments. “So you’re saying TV lied about you not getting married?” Michael pouted, crossing his arms. “Don’t think you can trick me just cause I’m a kid p>
After hearing Mike out, Jonathan sent him a message. Mike listened to it several times, grinning from ear to ear, then dashed off to Teresa’s room and shook her as she lay on her side.
“Mom, Mom, I have a secret to tell you. Mr. Lime said he’s not getting married p>
Hearing that, Teresa, who’d been hiding under the covers, suddenly threw off her blanket. Her eyes were red as she stared hard at Mike. “Who told you
that p>
Mike waved his kiddie phone, beaming. “Mr. Lime told me himself! He even sent me a voice message. He said the person he likes won’t marry him, so he’s not getting married p>
The little guy played the voice message, and Teresa heard “If the one I like won’t marry me, and I can’t wait for her, then I’ll just stay single for now. ”
Teresa wiped away her tears. She’d been secretly crying just now, all because of that stupid news. Only then did Mike notice her red eyes. “ Mom, were you crying p>
“I wasn’t,” Teresa insisted, though she actually felt much calmer now. She’d nothing, that would be a lie.
I been really upset earlier. If Jonathan really was getting married and she felt
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Chapter 449
Michael poked her arm, looking all cute. “Mom, did you cry because Mr. Lime was getting married p>
“I wouldn’t cry for him. We’re not even close.” Teresa huffed.
“But you like Mr. Lime! You told me that you liked him, remember? I remember everything. I’m not forgetful p>
Teresa was at a loss for words, caught under her: son’s bright, innocent gaze. She turned away and flopped back onto the bed. “I don’t like him anymore
The next day, Winnie invited Jonathan out again, supposedly to apologize for her behavior the day before. Jonathan knew it was a setup, but he still went. When Winnie showed up, she brought her brother Chase along.
The siblings kept plying Jonathan with drinks until he was pleasantly buzzed–three glasses deep and just compliant enough. That’s when Chase smoothly slid a contract from his briefcase and guided Jonathan’s hand to sign it, all masked as friendly persuasion.
Winnie shot Chase a victorious look. Their plan worked without a word needing to be said. Jonathan pretended nothing had happened and went home.
He woke the next morning to frantic knocking. When he opened the door, Irene rushed in, her face flushed with panic. “What’s this news about you getting married? I swear I didn’t leak it p>
“So it wasn’t that ‘perfect wife and loving mother‘ you picked out for me who went public with it? ”
Irene’s lips pressed into a thin line as realization struck. Winnie orchestrated the media leak. “She told me straight, ” she admitted. “This was her play to force your hand with Chase Group p>
“I just don’t get it. Isn’t this a good thing? Chase Group has a great reputation. Working with them wouldn’t do you any harm p>
Jonathan didn’t say a word. He’d never liked Irene meddling in his work. He turned away to wash up, mentioning that he’d gotten drunk yesterday and had already met with Winnie and Chase.
“Go wash up first. I’ll make you some hangover remedy,” Irene said, already marching toward the kitchen. She thought, ‘Why did Jonathan insist on living alone without even hiring a housekeeper p>
“Mr. Lynn, something’s wrong!” Jonathan’s assistant rushed in while he was eating, having come in person since he couldn’t reach him.
Irene slammed her fork down. “Can’t you see we’re having dinner? It’s only seven o’clock. Can’t you let Mr. Lynn eat in peace p>
“It’s really serious, Mr. Lynn.” The assistant leaned in and whispered in Jonathan’s ear. Jonathan’s expression changed instantly.
Jonathan nodded. “Got it. Head back to the office first p>
Irene noticed Jonathan’s deep frown. “What’s going on? Did something happen at the company p>
Jonathan collapsed onto the couch, rubbing his temples in exhaustion. “I got played. Winnie and her brother got me drunk last night and tricked me into signing a contract. This damn project’s gonna cost me–we’re talking 18 billion down the drain p>
“18 billion?” Irene’s face went white. “Jonathan, you’re kidding, right? How could we lose that much? Isn’t the company going bankrupt? ”
“Pretty much on the verge of bankruptcy. All because you said Winnie was sincere. Now I’ve been played by her p>
“No, that’s impossible.” Irene still refused to believe she’d misjudged Winnie. “Winnie won’t do that p>
“I’m heading back to the office. You’d better prepare for the worst.” Jonathan pressed a hand on Irene’s shoulder. “The person you vouched for–yeah, great job p>
As soon as Jonathan left, frene collapsed onto the sofa; her whole body shaking uncontrollably.
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