Chapter 579
Griffin had already done his homework. Jennifer was the closest person to Celia, which meant one thing: get to Jennifer, and the formula was as good as his. Once they had that, he and Director Smith would finally make it big.
Thinking of this, Griffin continued, “Director, I can handle Jennifer. But you have to promise me one thing p>
“You’re sure you can handle her?” Smith narrowed his eyes.
Jennifer was no ordinary woman. She was Valerium’s top female bodyguard, and her combat skills were off the charts. For Griffin to get anything out of her would be difficult-next to impossible, really.
Griffin sidestepped the question. “First, answer my other question p>
“And what is it you want me to promise?” Smith asked.
Griffin smiled, articulating each word with deliberate care. “Once I have the formula, you have to add my name to the research paper on the epilepsy cure p>
Anyone in the medical field wanted to climb higher, to go further. Ambition was only human.
Smith ran a hand through his hair, hesitating for a few seconds before nodding. “Fine. You bring me the formula, and I’ll agree to your condition p>
It wasn’t a bad deal for him.
Griffin pulled a small notepad from his pocket. “Director, a verbal agreement isn’t enough. Let’s get it in writing p>
Smith took the pen and paper and quickly scribbled a sentence. Then, both men signed the note.
After signing, Smith looked at Griffin. “So, how long do you think it will take to get the formula p>
Griffin just smiled. “Director, you know what they say in Eldermere: good things come to those who wait. Don’t worry, I’ll have it in no time p>
“Good p>
“Oh, right,” Griffin said as if suddenly remembering something. “Jennifer went to The Capital with Miss Palmer recently, so I’ll probably have to make a trip out there as well p>
“Go ahead,” Smith nodded. “I’ll approve your expense report when you get back p>
An approved expense report meant everything-lodging, food, travel would be fully reimbursed.
Griffin gave a slight bow. “Then I’ll be on my way, Director p>
“I’ll be waiting for your good news,” the director said, his eyes fixed on Griffin.
Elsewhere, Gavin Templeton was having a drink with a friend.
“Have you made a decision yet?” Jett asked, glancing at him.
Gavin shook his head. “I don’t know p>
He was completely torn. While he’d always been the one with less power in the marriage, he hadn’t married Amanda Gonzales for her family’s status. He’d married her because he genuinely loved her. It was practically love at first sight. He’d pursued her for a long time before she finally said yes on graduation day.
Gavin had been ecstatic. They got married not long after, and even when their daughter was born, he still couldn’t quite believe he’d managed to marry Amanda.
Ret
All these years, he’d swallowed his pride and put up with the humiliation from the Gonzales family for two reasons. First, he felt he wasn’t good enough for Amanda; for a woman like her, marrying him was a classic case of marrying down Second he truly loved her. Love he thought, could conquer all.
But now, Gavin just felt exhausted. He had poured every last drop of his love into
this marriage, and it felt like there was nothing left.
Jett clapped him on the shoulder. “Let me ask you one thing. Are you miserable
right now? Does your life feel like a living hell p>
Gavin nodded slowly. “I guess you could say that p>
“There’s no ‘I guess’ about it,” Jett insisted. “The moment you hesitate on a
question like that, it means you already know the answer. You just don’t want to admit it to yourself p>
He continued, “Man, I honestly don’t
know what you’re holding on for. You say you can’t bear to leave your daughter, but have you ever stopped to think about where you stand with her For all you know, she’s been embarrassed by you for years p>
Jett wasn’t just pulling that out of thin air; he had Ann Templeton pegged. “To be
blunt, your daughter is her mother’s spitting image, nothing like you at all p>
Her personality, her looks-none of it came from Gavin.
Gavin remained silent.
Jett patted his back again. “Just divorce her already! Leave her, and come down
south with me to expand the factories. We’ll get rich together p>
Jett owned a dozen clothing
factories and was a bona fide
success story. Gavin had wanted go into business with him, but
Amanda had always been ant
him associating with Jett. Incher eyes Je
Jett was nothing more than a classless nouveau riche upstart Befriending someone like that was tantamount to debasing himself. As a result, Gavin had to sneak around just to have a beer with Jett, let alone start a business with him.
Gavin took a deep breath. “Let me think it over p>
The truth was, he had already printed out the divorce papers. He just couldn’t summon the courage to hand them to Amanda, because he knew that the moment he did, there would be no going back.
“Fine, fine. You think it over,” Jett relented with a nod.
Gavin lifted his glass and took a long, hard swallow.
*Buzz p>
A text message lit up his phone screen. Gavin snatched the phone, but the
glimmer of hope in his eyes faded just as quickly.
It wasn’t from Amanda.
He had hoped she would at least send a message, throw him an olive branch. But
there was nothing.
Jett saw right through him. “Waiting for a text from Amanda p>
A bitter smile touched Gavin’s lips. “Yeah p>
Jett rolled his eyes. “You really think she’s going to text you first p>
Gavin sighed.
Jett stood up abruptly. “Forget it. If you can’t let her go, then just go back to her
and apologize! Stop torturing yourself like this p>
He could see it clearly.