Niamh looked straight into Julian’s eyes.
His were nothing like Jonathan’s–clear and open, like a mountain stream where you could see right to the bottom.
That’s how she knew Julian wasn’t lying, wasn’t just making excuses.
“Don’t worry,” she said quietly. “Jonathan won’t be coming to find me tonight.”
“How can you be so sure?”
Julian still sounded anxious, so Niamh forced a small smile.
“Because he’s gone to see Marina.”
Seabreeze Villa.
When Jonathan arrived, the villa’s windows glowed with warm light.
He’d barely turned the handle when Marina appeared at the door, waiting for him.
She’d changed into a silky blush–pink nightdress that hugged every curve. She rose up on tiptoe, reaching to loosen Jonathan’s tie.
At the same moment, Jonathan slipped off his suit jacket, letting it fall to the floor.
The next morning, Niamh arrived at the office early. She waited outside the CEO’s door, sitting there until almost noon.
Finally, Jonathan showed up. He glanced at her, his expression unreadable.
“You need something?”
Niamh followed him into his office and handed him her letter of resignation.
Jonathan took it, ripped it into quarters, and tossed the pieces into the
“Jonathan-”
“What did you just call me?”
He settled into his chair, watching her.
trash.
Niamh changed course “Mr.Thomas… I’m not resigning because you w… to see Marina last night. It’s not some impulsive decision.”
She just wanted to get away from him, to put some distance between them.
Chapter 841
Jonathan’s.smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“I don’t care why. The only thing I remember is that I agreed not to press charges against Lana, as long as you came to work for The Thomas Group. So now you. want to go back on your word? Or did Mr. Neville offer you a better deal?”
Niamh knew that Jonathan was using “Mr. Neville” on purpose, mocking her.
“This has nothing to do with Julian.”
“Oh? Then who does it have to do with?”
Niamh had no answer. She left Jonathan’s office feeling defeated.
At lunch, she went to the cafeteria and spotted Jayne and a few colleagues surrounding Marina, peppering her with questions.
Turned out, Marina had arrived at the office in Jonathan’s car that morning.
They’d shown up together–late, no less.
“What? Seabreeze Villa? Oh my God, that’s so romantic…”
Marina quickly covered Jayne’s mouth, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment.
“Don’t start rumors here, please!”
But by that afternoon, everyone at The Thomas Group had heard about Marina spending the night at Jonathan’s villa.
“Think Mr. Thomas has finally sealed the deal?”
“I bet they’re basically living together already.”
“I heard they’ve been cohabiting for months!”
All day, the gossip circled Niamh’s desk, refusing to let her focus on her work no matter how hard she tried.
“Where’s my coffee?”
A sharp knock on her desk jolted her from her thoughts. Jonathan was suddenly standing at her side.
“I’m sorry, I’ll get it right away-”
Niamh jumped to her feet, suddenly remembering he’d already asked her three times for coffee, and she’d forgotten every single time.
“No need, Niamh.”
51-0
Marina approached, carrying a steaming mug.
“I made your favorite–Jamaican Blue Mountain.”
“But making coffee for Mr. Thomas is my job,” Niamh protested.
Jonathan glanced at her, disappointment flickering in his eyes.
“Well… I suppose this cup will just go to waste then…” Marina lowered her head, crestfallen.
“Who says I’m not going to drink it?” Jonathan took the cup from Marina and gave her a faint smile.
Instantly, Marina’s spirits lifted. She followed Jonathan into his office, the two of them disappearing behind the closed blinds.
Niamh watched as the slats were drawn shut, cutting her off from the world inside.
21 09
