Once the lawsuit truly began, Flynn’s expertise meant that–even facing the formidable legal team of The Thomas Group–Niamh still stood an excellent chance of winning.
That was exactly what Marina wanted.
She wanted Niamh to win the case, to force a divorce with Jonathan, stripping Niamh of the title of Mrs. Thomas once and for all.
Up until now, everything had been unfolding according to Marina’s plan.
But then, through Joker, she learned that the judge presiding over today’s hearing-Judge Sullivan–was an old friend of Jonathan’s.
Years ago, Judge Sullivan’s only son got himself into serious trouble overseas, crossing the wrong people. It was Jonathan who’d intervened personally, rescuing the boy and bringing him home unharmed. Judge Sullivan had never forgotten that. His gratitude toward Jonathan ran deep.
Originally, Judge Sullivan hadn’t been assigned to today’s case. Someone had deliberately switched the judge. The motive was obvious.
Marina realized that, no matter how brilliant Flynn’s arguments were, Judge Sullivan would never grant the divorce. Not against Jonathan.
So she decided to take a risk.
She instructed Joker to leak the situation to a few social media outlets, then paid for online trolls and streamers to blow up the story.
Only when the scandal became public enough would Jonathan be cornered, forced to go through with the divorce just to save face.
Now, The Thomas Group was in utter chaos, trending everywhere for all the wrong reasons. For the Thomas family, it was a devastating blow. But Marina believed Jonathan would find a way to turn the tide.
And if all went as planned, Jonathan would blame the Group’s losses on Niamh. So would Sprague and Marigold.
And with everyone aware that Jonathan was married, yet still seen everywhere with Marina at his side, public opinion would leave her with only two possible roles: the wife, or the other woman.
Jonathan cared about her, that much she knew.
1/3
17.30
She didn’t believe for a second that if she let herself cry In front of him–hurt by being mistaken for the mistress–Jonathan would remain unmoved.
Deep down, Marina understood that Jonathan still resented her for leaving him and going abroad all those years ago. Even though he’d never stopped treating her well, he just wouldn’t marry her.
But Marina wanted Jonathan’s love.
And she wanted the title of Mrs. Thomas, too.
Night had settled over the city, thick and impenetrable as a velvet curtain.
Late summer was giving way to early fall, and a cool breeze swept the rooftop.
Niamh wrapped her coat tighter around her shoulders.
It was her first time up here, on the rooftop of The Thomas Group’s headquarters.
The space was vast, empty, and silent.
Except for her…
And Jonathan, standing by her side.
The Thomas Group’s building rose eighty stories high. The rooftop, styled as the Skygarden Terrace with beds of carefully arranged flowers, was designed for the
view.
Under normal circumstances, it was the perfect spot to take in the city’s glittering skyline. But with their divorce case spiraling out of control, it felt strangely out of place.
Niamh had no idea why Jonathan had asked her here at this late hour.
But she’d come anyway.
They’d ridden the elevator up together in silence. Not a word from Jonathan, even as they took the stairs to the very top.
He was so quiet, but Niamh could feel his anger–a cold, simmering tension that
filled the air between them.
When eight billion dollars vanished from the company’s value overnight, anyone would be on edge.
Jonathan didn’t slow down when they reached the rooftop. One hand was tucked into the pocket of his suit pants, the other hung loosely at his side as he strode forward, eyes straight ahead.
212
17:20
Bewildered, Niamh trailed after him, waiting for him to speak,
It wasn’t until they reached the edge that Jonathan finally stopped.
From up here, the city of Aldenville stretched out below them, ablaze with lights–a breathtaking, dizzying view.
Niamh watched Jonathan. His expression was unreadable, carved in stone.
“Did you know,” he said quietly, “that Jared jumped from here?”
Niamh froze, startled–just as Jonathan, without warning, gave her a hard shove.
