Chapter 199
Marina’s design was also a seal–about the size of a sovereign’s signet. It could serve as a real stamp, but just as well be a decorative piece for a desk.
The only difference was in the ornamentation: she had chosen two dragons coiling around a pearl, while Niamh’s concept featured camels and motifs from the Silk Road, inspired by the ancient trade routes.
“Director Lawson, what do you think?” Marina handed over the finished product to Director Lawson. It was already completed and polished.
Like Niamh’s, it was sculpted from jade, but its quality was several grades below the top–tier, icy green stone Niamh had requested.
As a diplomatic gift, it wasn’t unacceptable–it just wasn’t perfect. Not in any way.
Director Lawson found himself in a bind. Niamh’s design was missing the right materials; without them, even the best idea was just words on paper.
“I’ll drive over there now,” Niamh suddenly announced, spinning on her heel.
“To where?” Jonathan had just walked into the conference room. He nearly collided with Niamh as she rushed past, looking utterly frantic.
“I can still make it to the factory in Silverhaven if I leave now,” she said.
“Have you seen how hard it’s raining out there?” Jonathan asked, raising an eyebrow.
Of course she had. “I’m going anyway,” Niamh replied without hesitation.
She met Jonathan’s gaze, her determination clear. Jonathan shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“You really don’t want to use Marina’s design, do you?” His tone made it sound as though Niamh was letting personal feelings get in the way, but when she opened her mouth to argue, she realized it would just be a waste of time.
She didn’t have a minute to spare.
“I was always planning to go in person. You need someone who knows jade to pick the right piece,” Niamh explained briefly. She tossed a quick, “Call me if you need anything,” to the others, then skirted around Jonathan and strode out of the room.
Jonathan followed her into the hallway. “Let Prescott drive you, at least!” he called after her.
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Chapter 199
Niamh turned at the sound of his voice, just as Jonathan held up his own car keys,
his face as unreadable as ever.
“The roads are slick. It’s safer if Prescott’s behind the wheel.”
She looked at him, unsure if this was genuine concern or just a lack of faith in her driving.
“I appreciate it,” Niamh said, shaking her head, “but I’m a better driver than Prescott.”
With that, she walked off without another glance.
Prescott happened to be coming down the hall just then. Jonathan turned. “You heard that, right?”
Prescott nodded, a wry smile on his face.
He actually thought he was a pretty good driver himself–he wouldn’t have been Jonathan’s chauffeur otherwise.
“Miss Rivers just wants to prove a point, I suppose,” he said quietly.
“You think so too?” Jonathan replied, then set off down the hall in the same direction as Niamh.
Prescott didn’t follow. He had no idea where Jonathan was actually going, but something told him Jonathan didn’t want company.
Meanwhile, Niamh had already started her car.
Rain lashed the windshield in sheets, growing heavier the closer she got to Silverhaven. She followed the GPS at a brisk pace, her focus entirely on the road–so much so that she didn’t notice another car tailing her at a distance.
Back at The Thomas Group, Marina searched the building for Jonathan but couldn’t find him.
“Prescott, do you know where Jonathan went?” she asked.
Prescott shook his head. He genuinely didn’t know.
Marina felt a creeping sense of unease. Niamh had gone to pick up the jade, but what about Jonathan? Surely he wasn’t with Niamh… was he?
She shook her head hard, dismissing the thought, and dialed Jonathan’s number.
“Jonathan, where are you? I couldn’t find you at the office.”
10.54 Rece
“I stepped out,” he replied.
“For what?” Marina rarely asked about his whereabouts, but this time she couldn’t help herself.
“Car wash,” Jonathan said, and hung up.
Marina stared at her phone in bewilderment. Car wash? Why not send Prescott? What kind of car needs Jonathan to wash it himself?
Out on the rain–soaked streets, Jonathan’s navy–blue Bentley tore through the downpour.
The rain was so heavy it practically washed the dust off the car by itself.
Jonathan kept his eyes on the white BMW ahead of him, but the harder he tried to catch up, the farther away it seemed to get.
