Given Niamh’s family background, marrying into the Thomas family was a definite step up for her.
If Niamh had stayed the way she used to be quietly managing the household as a full–time wife–Sprague wouldn’t have had much to complain about.
But Niamh had changed. She’d become restless, like a rabbit constantly getting into trouble, stirring things up wherever she went.
These days, Sprague’s opinion was a lot like Marigold’s, both had started to favor Marina.
Marina, though, wasn’t exactly cut out to be a homemaker, and they all knew it. Still, she was a far better option than Niamh, who had already caused several public scandals.
For the sake of the company’s reputation and stock price–and to save face for the Thomas family–Sprague was determined to see Jonathan and Niamh divorce.
Jonathan agreed.
But somehow, word got to Clifford, and the news infuriated him so much that he suffered a heart attack on the spot.
The Thomas Group was Clifford’s life’s work. While Jonathan managed the new ventures, the traditional side of the business was still in Clifford’s hands, and their oldest, most valuable clients were relationships Clifford had built over decades.
In their social circle, it wasn’t really the Thomas Group that commanded respect–it was Clifford himself.
He made his position absolutely clear: if Jonathan and Niamh divorced because of him, Clifford would take back every part of the business and strip Jonathan of his position as CEO.
“Niamh, you need to think carefully,” Sprague began. “For a woman to go out and fight her way in the world, it’s tough and–honestly–completely unnecessary for-”
“I support Nia.”
Clifford cut him off before he could finish.
“Jonathan, since Nia doesn’t want to work at Thomas Group anymore, help her with the resignation paperwork.”
Chap 125
“Understood, Grandpa. I’ll have HR handle everything for her tomorrow, Jonathan replied.
When Niamh heard those words, it was as if a weight finally slid off her shoulders.
At least now she had a way out–leaving Thomas Group meant she wouldn’t have to see Marina’s smug face every day, listen to all those nasty rumors, or witness Marina and Jonathan flaunt their relationship in front of her.
“There’s no need to rush things,” Clifford interjected, waving Jonathan off. “Nia’s been through a lot recently; she should take some time to relax. Jonathan, why don’t you stay here with her at the spa resort for a couple of days? What do you think, Nia?”
Niamh wanted to refuse.
Spending time alone with Jonathan was the opposite of relaxing for her–her nerves would be more tightly wound than when she was working on her most complicated designs.
But she saw the hope in her grandfather’s eyes and couldn’t bring herself to say no.
She’d just treat it as a little vacation.
“All right,” she agreed, watching Clifford visibly relax.
It was clear Clifford still hoped to reconcile her and Jonathan, wishing she’d remember what was good about him and reconsider the divorce.
Truth was, Jonathan did have his good side.
Back when they were both at the Juvenile Rehabilitation Center, he’d been nothing but kind to her–so much so that she couldn’t help falling for him, falling so hard she couldn’t climb back out.
But now, all of Jonathan’s kindness was reserved for Marina.
Niamh’s heart grew heavy.
She could never follow Lana’s advice: to treat Jonathan like a pretty
plaything–sleep with him, toss a couple hundred dollars on the nightstand, and walk away without a second thought.
She just wasn’t built like that.
The spa resort was massive, divided into four main wings: North, South, East, and West.
14:00
Chapter 120
Clifford stayed in the Eastborough suite, having booked out the entire district. Apart from the staff, only Clifford–recuperating from his illness–Jonathan, and Niamh
were there.
Sprague and Marigold had already left.
Niamh followed Jonathan into a room fit for royalty–spacious, ornate, and intimidatingly grand.
The moment the door shut behind them, Jonathan turned to her and said coldly, “So, besides using Grandpa to get what you want, what else are you even good at?”
