Niamh had no intention of taking the blame for everything.
“I’m a businesswoman. Chasing profit, calculating every move–that’s just who I am.”
She couldn’t be bothered to argue with Jonathan. He always believed he was right, always had what he considered foolproof reasons for everything he did.
“Honestly, I think it’s better to rip the Band–Aid off. Make this mess big enough and just get the divorce over with. I’m sure your parents are thinking the same thing.”
After everything blew up, Sprague had, in fact, pulled Jonathan aside. He’d said the Thomas family couldn’t afford a daughter–in–law who threatened divorce at the drop of a hat, sending the company’s market value plummeting by billions.
Now, Niamh and Jonathan stood together on the rooftop, a chilly wind tangling their hair.
Niamh prided herself on staying rational through all this.
As for Jonathan–well, she couldn’t say whether he was calm or not.
“Jonathan, I can withdraw the lawsuit, but you’ll need to draft a new divorce agreement. I don’t want your money, but don’t expect me to pay you anything, either.”
“Fine.”
He agreed faster than she expected.
“Once the Thomas Group’s stock stabilizes, we’ll go to city hall.”
This time, she caught a brief hesitation before he answered–not as quick as before.
“Fine.”
With his agreement, Niamh finally let herself exhale.
She didn’t have anything left to say to him. Turning away, she started for the rooftop door.
“Niamh…”
Jonathan’s even, unreadable voice carried from behind her.
1/3
17.30
“Is divorce really the only thing you want? Besides Marina and the baby is there
any other reason?”
Niamh’s steps faltered.
She drew a long breath.
“Because you don’t love me.”
Her voice wavered on the last word, and her heart trembled with it.
She was the one asking for the divorce, that was true.
But in the game of love, she’d lost–completely.
“I understand.”
That was all Jonathan said to her.
The scandal lit up social media as quickly as it faded.
But the damage was done. Even with the Thomas Group’s frantic PR efforts, the stock price couldn’t bounce back overnight.
It was lucky, really, that no one else had been driven to such extremes.
Marina never got the news she’d hoped for–Jonathan and Niamh splitting up–but she did get a message from Joker.
He said he needed to lay low for a while.
Jonathan had already sent people digging, and now it was clear: a foreign company had been pulling strings behind the scenes.
Thomas Group.
CEO’s office.
Marina walked in, carrying two insulated containers.
“Jonathan, I’m here…”
At the sight of her, the cold mask Jonathan wore seemed to thaw a little.
He knew what she’d brought–food and medicine.
Ever since the Thomas Group had come under fire, Marina had delivered every meal- to him–breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
She always brought homemade dishes and hand–brewed herbal tonics.
17:29
Chapter 192
“You’ve been running yourself ragged these days. Eating takeout isn’t healthy, and you’ll just make your stomach worse. Food from home is always better.”
As she spoke, Marina unpacked the meal, setting each dish on the table.
“You’re the one who’s had it the hardest.”
Jonathan said, noticing Marina’s eyes turning red.
“It’s nothing, really–not compared to what people have been saying…”
Her voice trailed off, barely above a whisper. She lowered her head.
Jonathan knew exactly what she was getting at.
The scandal hadn’t exploded, but there’d been plenty of gossip online–insinuations that Marina was the other woman, the reason for his marital troubles.
“Marina…”
At the sound of his calm voice, she looked up. Their eyes met.
“If I divorce Niamh, I can give you a proper place in my life…”
