Before Niamh could even take a sip, Jonathan snatched the wine glass from her hand.
“She’s just a junior employee. Isn’t it beneath Mr. Kingsley to even associate with her?” Jonathan tossed back the drink in one gulp.
“Ah, you’re right, you’re right, Mr. Thomas,” Daniel chimed in, raising his own glass. “I’ll take a penalty drink then.” He downed it quickly.
The two men continued their back–and–forth, taking turns with their glasses, while Niamh sat beside them, bored out of her mind.
Every time Daniel tried to coax more alcohol into her, Jonathan would intercept, blocking the attempt. Niamh never thought she’d see the day Jonathan would actually shield her from drinking. Then again, maybe he just wanted to avoid the hassle of dealing with her if she got drunk…
Just then, a waiter knocked on their private room door and brought in another dish. “This one’s just for you, Miss Rivers,” Daniel announced with a flourish. “It’s a special recipe–papaya simmered with a nourishing jelly. Great for your skin. Go on, give it a try.”
When he saw Niamh hesitate, Daniel pressed, “What’s wrong, Miss Rivers? Don’t like my choice? Or is it too plain for your tastes?“.
“That’s not it at all,” Niamh replied, picking up a spoon and taking a sip.
The soup was sweet and delicate, but the association with Daniel made her stomach turn.
Suddenly, Jonathan’s phone rang. Niamh could clearly hear Preston Winslow’s booming voice on the other end.
“Jonathan, it’s bad–Marina’s been in a car accident!”
Jonathan’s expression changed instantly, worry flashing across his face–an emotion too raw to be faked. Niamh watched silently, the sweetness of the soup turning to ashes in her mouth.
Jonathan turned to Daniel. “Something urgent’s come up. I’ll have to end dinner here.”
But Daniel was clearly annoyed. “Mr. Thomas, you’re a busy man–go do what you
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Chapter 107
must! I’ll be just fine here with Miss Rivers and Assistant Prescott for company.”
Jonathan hesitated, but finally nodded.
Then Prescott chimed in, “But, Mr. Thomas, you’ve been drinking. You shouldn’t drive. Let me take you.”
“No need,” Jonathan cut him off sharply. “Your job is to stay here and keep Mr. Kingsley company…” His gaze flickered briefly and meaningfully to Niamh, then back again. “And then make sure Niamh gets home safely.”
Prescott instantly understood..
Niamh couldn’t believe Jonathan would risk a DUI for Marina’s sake. If he got caught, even if he could cover it up, word would get out eventually–competitors of the Thomas Group would pounce at the opportunity. Public opinion mattered now more than ever, and the fallout wouldn’t just hit Jonathan–it would threaten the whole company. She doubted Jonathan was oblivious to the risk, but in the face of the woman he loved, nothing else seemed to matter.
If it weren’t for Daniel’s presence at the table, Niamh might have drowned her own frustrations in a few bottles herself.
But after Jonathan left, it was Prescott who took the brunt of Daniel’s drinking games. Niamh couldn’t figure out what grudge Daniel had against him, but he kept insisting Prescott drink, and it didn’t take long for the poor assistant to pass out
cold.
“Mr. Kingsley, isn’t that enough?” Niamh protested. “Prescott is one of Mr. Thomas’s most trusted assistants. If he can’t work tomorrow, Mr. Thomas won’t be pleased.”
She moved to help Prescott up.
“Don’t worry, Miss Rivers,” Daniel replied, setting down his phone. “I’ll make sure Assistant Prescott gets home safely.” Two men appeared almost immediately, hauling Prescott away between them.
Niamh started to follow, but Daniel stepped in front, blocking her path.
“What’s the meaning of this, Mr. Kingsley?” Alarm bells rang in her mind.
Daniel’s face was flushed from drink, his eyes roaming over her with an unmistakable leer. “It’s late, Miss Rivers. There’s a bed right here–why not stay the night?”
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