Chapter 450
449
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 ? ”
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 ? ”
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 ! ”
Jonathan couldn’t help but smile and replied , “ What is your gift , Mike ? ”
“ So much money ! I’m really generous , you know . ”
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 . ”
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 ! ”
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 ! ”
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 ? ”
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 .”
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 ? ”
“ 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
1/3
449
Michael poked her arm , looking all cute . “ Mom , did you cry because Mr. Lime was getting married? ”
“ 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 ! ”
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 ! ”
“ 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 . ”
“ 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 . ”
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 ? ‘
“ 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 ? ”
“ 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 . ”
Irene noticed Jonathan’s deep frown . “ What’s going on ? Did something happen at the company ? ”
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 . ”
“ 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 . ”
“ No , that’s impossible . ” Irene still refused to believe she’d misjudged Winnie . “ Winnie won’t do that . ”
“ 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 . ”
As soon as Jonathan left , frene collapsed onto the sofa ; her whole body shaking uncontrollably .
2/3