Chapter 449

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Just as he finished speaking , the assistant knocked on the office door . “ Mr. Lynn , there’s a Ms. Shelton outside who says she’s your girlfriend , She waiting to see you . ”
Edward was baffled . ‘ Didn’t Jonathan just say his girlfriend was out of town ? So why was she here now ? ‘ he thought .
Jonathan let Winnie in . Winnie had thought she’d find Jonathan alone , but when she saw someone else in the room , her smile faded a little .
This was Edward’s first time meeting Jonathan’s girlfriend . He thought to himself , ‘ She’s not as pretty of as fit as Jonathan’s ex .
“ Jonathan , who’s this ? ” Winnie noticed Edward checking her out , so she gave him a once – over , too .
“ My cousin , Edward ,” Jonathan said politely .
Edward raised a hand . “ Hey , I’m Edward . ”
Winnie just nodded , looking a bit confused , “ How come you’re not the brother I saw at your place last time ? ”
“ That was my other cousin , ” Jonathan replied .
“ What’s the difference ? We’re the only little brothers he’s got , ” Edward said with a chuckle before dropping the pleasantries . Leaning closer to Jonathan , his voice turned conspiratorial . “ She’s meeting the family already ? So this is marriage serious ? ”
Jonathan shot him a look . “ Keep your distance . ”
“ I’m just asking . ” Edward shrugged .
Winnie smiled , “ Edward , could you give us a minute ? I want to talk to Jonathan alone . ”
Edward shivered dramatically , rubbing his arms . “ I’m not your cousin , you know . ”
Winnie’s face stiffened , but Edward was already out the door .
After finishing up his work , Jonathan finally sat down across from Winnie . He was dressed in a crisp suit , his features sharp and handsome . Winnie couldn’t help sneaking a few extra glances at him before taking a sip , of her coffee .
“ Jonathan , since we’re already together , when are you going to sign the deal with Chase Group ? ”
Jonathan took a sip of coffee and set his cup down . “ I’ll think about it for a few more years . ”
“ A few years ? You’ve got to be kidding me . ” Winnie blurted out , shocked .
Jonathan raised an eyebrow . “ Business is about profit . With the way Chase Group is doing right now , I really need to think it over .”
Winnie bristled a little . “ Chase Group’s been around forever . If Horizonlead Group works with us , you’re the one getting the better deal . ”
“ Your family’s business is already on the decline . Otherwise , you wouldn’t have rushed back from overseas , right ? ” Jonathan replied calmly .
A flash of anger flickered in Winnie’s eyes , but she kept her sweet smile . She stood up and walked over to him . “ Jonathar you help my family out ? We’re all on the same side , aren’t we ? ”
‘ re my boyfriend now . Can’t
Before Winnie’s shoulder massage , Jonathan stood up first . He remembered how , back in Shaville , Teresa used to massage his shoulders – he couldn’t get enough of it then . But when it came to Winnie , he just wanted to avoid it .
“ As for the partnership , I need to consider the board’s opinion . I hope you understand . ” He nodded , gestured for her to leave , and called his secretary to
show her out .
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Winnie stormed out , fuming with resentment .
That night , all the major financial news outlets scrambled to cover the story about Jonathan and Winnie, throwing around words like ( business afflance ] and [ wedding just around the corner . ]
Teresa was resting in her hotel room in Jade River City when she saw the news . She’d just noticed that Jonathan had called her earlier . She thought about calling him back to ask what was going on , but in the end , she let it go .
“ Mom , Mom ! ” Michael came running over , clutching the remote . “ I just saw Mr. Lime on the news ! Is Mr. Lime really getting married ? ”
Teresa shook her head . “ I don’t know .
hot really close to him . ”
Michael’s lips quivered . “ But on my birthday , he was still all alone .”
“ He probably gets tired being by himself , too . Having a gentle , caring woman to look after him isn’t such a bad thing , is it ? ” With that , Teresa headed into the bathroom .
Michael felt absolutely miserable . He sat alone on the sofa , wiping away his tears . This news hurt even more than a breakup – though honestly , he didn’t even know what a breakup felt like .
But on TV , whenever men and women broke up , they always cried . So maybe this was what heartbreak felt like . And then , thinking that Mr. Lime might have kids soon , Michael felt even worse , quietly dabbing at his eyes .
Teresa scanned the empty restroom for Michael before splashing water on her face . Her reflection showed slightly reddened eyes , though her bare face looked healthier than days ago . She dried off , the towel wiping away both water and lingering stress .
[ Horizonlead Group . Arranged marriage . Wedding approaching ] The words echoed in her mind . Teresa remembered someone once saying love only had two paths – marriage or death . With the first path closed , her love had already flatlined .
Winnie was in Nareigh when she got Jonathan’s call , pretending not to know a thing . “ What news ? I have no idea . Who leaked it ? ”
Jonathan’s voice was icy . “ I thought I’d made myself clear , Ms. Shelton . You left yourself a backup plan . You say you’re sincere , but being with me is all about your family’s business interests . ”
Winnie let out a derisive snort . “ Let’s be honest , Mr. Lynn – without your money and power , why would a pampered princess like me settle for a divorced man ? ” She twirled her hair , feigning innocence . “ Oh sure , you’re handsome . But looks don’t pay the bills , do they ? ”
Jonathan just replied indifferently , “ And then ? ”
Winnie bristled at his icy demeanor . “ The press release is already out ! ” she snapped . “ Is partnering with Chase Group really so difficult ? This just requires your approval – don’t pretend the board has final say when we both know you pull the strings . ”
Back when she was in Shaville , Winnie just wanted to help her family . She’d even thought about begging Jonathan to work with their company .
She’d purposely knocked over a glass of red wine , spilling it on his clothes , then chased after him , acting all sweet and delicate . She was gorgeous , so she didn’t believe Jonathan wouldn’t fall for her .
But he really didn’t care . It wasn’t until Winnie saw his ex – wife , Teresa , that she had to admit Teresa was even more beautiful No wonder Jonathan had such high standards ; his ex was a real knockout .
So , she set her sights on Jonathan’s mom , Irene / Irene liked girls like her . With a few sweet words and some gifts , Winnie easily won her over .
But she never expected that when she went to the Lynn family’s house for dinner , everyone there gave her the cold shoulder – especially his grandpa , who even said Jonathan’s taste had really gone downhill .
Winnie couldn’t swallow her pride . ‘ How dare that divorced man’s family talk down to me ! If only Jonathan had just finalized the Chase Group partnership already , I’d tolerate this humiliation for the company’s sake , ‘ she thought .
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But then he said she’d have to wait a few years . That was the last straw
Winnie