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Chapter 127
Niamh watched Jonathan in silence.
She couldn’t help but wonder–did he really see her as nothing more than a self–serving woman with no real talent?
Jonathan’s face was unreadable, calm as a still lake. There was no hint of anger, not even when she’d asked to resign.
“So, after you quit, are you planning to run back to your sugar daddy?”
Niamh blinked in surprise and shot back, “And who exactly is my sugar daddy supposed to be?”
Jonathan gave a silent, knowing smile, as if to say, “You know perfectly well.”
With that, even if Niamh wanted to explain, she had nowhere to start.
The room they were in had a wide glass sliding door; beyond it, a private hot spring shimmered, its edges shielded by neat wooden screens for privacy.
Jonathan loosened his tie and slid open the door. Instantly, the chirping of crickets outside grew sharper and clearer.
“I’m going for a soak. Want to join me?”
“No, thanks.”
Her refusal was swift and definite. Jonathan only gave a nonchalant smirk and didn’t press. He didn’t invite her again, nor did he insist she join.
Just then, Jonathan’s phone–left on the entryway table–started to ring.
Niamh was closer, so she picked it up out of habit, ready to hand it to him.
She glanced at the screen: a video call from Marina.
Jonathan took his time, changing into swim trunks before accepting the call. He settled into the steaming water, chatting with Marina as if Niamh wasn’t there.
Niamh changed into her swimsuit, but she had no intention of joining Jonathan in his pool.
Staying in the room would only mean being forced to listen to Jonathan and Marina’s long, intimate conversation. She’d rather have some peace to herself–maybe even find a spark of inspiration for her next design.
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Chapter 127
She slipped outside.
It was late. The world was quiet.
She found her way through a small grove of trees to a larger, secluded pool. The water shimmered under the moonlight, half–hidden by the shadows.
The pool was technically a public hot spring, but the entire Eastborough estate had been reserved by the Thomas family for the weekend. There was no one else around.
Niamh sank into the water. The heat seeped into her bones, easing the exhaustion she’d been carrying for weeks.
But her mind wouldn’t settle.
Quitting was a done deal. Time to plan her next move.
She picked up her phone, scrolling through a private angel investor group that Lana had recommended. With no alumni network–she’d dropped out of college–Lana was the only connection she could count on.
After a while, her head started to spin. She set the phone aside, meaning to rest her eyes for just a moment.
She wasn’t sure when she’d passed out.
When Niamh drifted back to consciousness, it was to the sensation of something heavy pressing down on her chest.
A hand.
And her lips… there was a strange, warm pressure–skin on skin, as if someone was kissing her.
It hit her in a rush: someone was taking advantage of her.
Someone’s hand on her chest, their lips pressed to hers.
Without thinking, Niamh lashed out, delivering a stinging slap to the intruder. She sat up, breathless, and found Jonathan right in front of her–one side of his face red from her blow.
Jonathan glared at her, annoyance flickering in his eyes.
“You passed out.”
He didn’t bother to elaborate further.
Chapter 127
Only then did it dawn on Niamh–Jonathan had been giving her CPR.
She’d mistaken his attempt to save her for something else entirely.
Her cheeks burned. She mumbled, “Sorry…”
Jonathan’s voice was flat, unreadable. “If you wanted a soak, why did you wander all the way out here? If I hadn’t come by, no one would have found you. This place is too secluded.”
Niamh couldn’t tell if he was scolding her or actually worried.
She hesitated. “You were on the phone…”
But she trailed off, not wanting him to think she was jealous of Marina.
Sure enough, Jonathan let out a short, dry laugh.
Niamh opened her mouth to explain, but realized anything she said would only make things worse.
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