Chapter 377
Running into Jonathan at Coralis took Niamh completely by surprise.
Then again, it was Valentine’s Day. Seeing Jonathan at the world–famous Nimbus Summit Restaurant wasn’t all that shocking. After all, Jonathan adored Marina–it made perfect sense for him to fly across borders to celebrate the holiday together.
But Marina was nowhere in sight.
Jonathan sat alone at a candlelit table for two, the only solitary figure in a room filled with couples. His presence was striking–commanding, yet oddly out of place in the romantic glow that filled the restaurant.
Elmer caught Niamh’s gaze lingering on Jonathan and followed it. He spotted Jonathan too. Instead of steering Niamh away, Elmer took the lead, guiding her right over to Jonathan’s table.
“What a coincidence, Mr. Thomas. Here to celebrate Valentine’s Day as well?”
Upon seeing Elmer, Jonathan’s already frosty expression grew even colder, like a sudden chill sweeping through the room.
Elmer, on the other hand, wore his usual polite, urbane smile.
“Are we really that close?” Jonathan shot back, ignoring Elmer’s question altogether.
Unbothered, Elmer replied evenly, “Well, you’re Nia’s ex–husband. Since we
happened to run into you, I thought it only polite to say
say hello. If we’re intruding on your evening, Mr. Thomas, my apologies…”
Elmer’s words were perfectly measured, every angle covered. Jonathan said nothing, his gaze shifting to Niamh.
In his memory, he had rarely seen Niamh in such a bold, vivid red dress.
During their three years of marriage, her wardrobe had been nothing but shades of pale pink.
He’d never asked what color she actually liked.
But now he knew–Niamh didn’t care for pink. If anything, she preferred cooler tones over warm ones.
Jonathan’s intense, penetrating stare made Niamh uneasy. She tugged gently at Elmer’s sleeve.
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“Let’s go,” she whispered.
“Alright.”
As soon as Niamh turned to leave, Jonathan’s deep, magnetic voice called out from behind.
“You look beautiful in red.”
Niamh instinctively glanced back.
Jonathan’s expression hadn’t changed, but something in his voice told her the compliment was genuine.
“Mr. Thomas, that’s a remark you should save for your own date,” Elmer retorted, then led Niamh away from Jonathan’s table.
Jonathan watched their retreating backs, then called over the waiter to order.
The truth was, he hadn’t wanted to dine here at all.
He didn’t even have a date.
Meeting at this restaurant, on Valentine’s Day of all days, had been his father Sprague Thomas’s idea.
Tonight, he was supposed to meet Ramona Quinn–the newly adopted daughter of the city’s most powerful family and the real force behind Coralis’s government.
But Ramona hadn’t shown up. She’d stood him up.
For the first time in his life, Jonathan had been left waiting.
He supposed it was payback for his own rudeness the last time.
Previously, Sprague had called, insisting Jonathan set up a meeting with Ramona Quinn to discuss an international partnership for a new high–speed rail project.
Coralis and Aldonia weren’t far apart; business between the two countries was only natural.
But Jonathan saw through Sprague’s real motivations–business was just pretense. What his father really wanted was to set him up with Ramona.
Jonathan wasn’t interested, yet Sprague had gone behind his back and arranged the dinner in Jonathan’s name anyway.
Jonathan skipped the meeting, leaving Ramona waiting.
Now, she’d returned the favor.
Chapter
On Valentine’s Day, at Nimbus Summit Restaurant–a place packed with couples–Jonathan found himself alone at a table for two.
Since his supposed date had bailed, he figured he might as well leave.
Chapter 378
