Jonathan’s hand paused midair, fork and knife hovering for a moment before he sliced off another piece of cold steak and popped it into his mouth.
Cold steak never tasted good.
But at least the ones he served Niamh were warm. She should have enjoyed them.
“Let’s just say I was acting on a whim,” he said, shrugging it off.
“You want to use your stake in The Thomas Group to keep me tied to you after the divorce,” Niamh replied flatly, her voice unwavering.
No matter what, she was determined to get a divorce. She wanted a clean break from Jonathan, to sever every tie–her career, her life–once and for all.
What she couldn’t understand was, if Jonathan didn’t love her, and if he’d already promised Marina a place by his side, why on earth was he transferring such a critical portion of The Thomas Group shares to her?
Ten percent wasn’t a small number.
Owning ten percent of The Thomas Group meant she’d have a say in every major decision and project. She could attend board meetings, cast votes, collect dividends, access confidential company files–the works.
Such enormous power and influence. It made no sense for Jonathan to hand it to her, instead of Marina.
Jonathan caught the shock and suspicion flickering in Niamh’s eyes. He spoke slowly, almost teasing, “Why would I use The Thomas Group to keep you around? Do you really think you’re so irresistible that I’d use a shareholder meeting as an -excuse just to see you?”
She hadn’t expected Jonathan to joke. But Niamh couldn’t bring herself to smile.
“Jonathan, whatever your motive is, I’m not taking those shares,” she said firmly.
No sooner had she spoken than Jonathan picked up the divorce papers.
“Fine. Then we’re not getting divorced,” he replied coolly.
“What?” Niamh snatched at the other end of the agreement.
They each held one side of the document, neither willing to let go, locked in a silent standoff.
1/3
14:56
Chapter zu
Niamh had absolutely no idea what Jonathan was trying to pull.
Last time their divorce negotiations fell through, it was because Jonathan demanded three billion dollars–far too much.
Now, negotiations were stalling again, but for the opposite reason: Jonathan was offering her too much. There was simply no logic behind giving her ten percent of The Thomas Group.
“Jonathan, do your parents know you’re transferring this much to me?” Niamh pressed.
Jonathan’s lips curled into an amused smile. “You can tell them if you want. I honestly don’t care.”
Niamh frowned.
“What about Marina? Does she know?”
“Does she need to?” Jonathan shot back, catching Niamh off guard.
Sometimes Niamh genuinely wondered whether Jonathan truly loved Marina at all.
Noticing the doubt in her eyes, Jonathan added quietly, “I’ve given her something far more important than shares.”
Niamh’s heart clenched.
Of course.
What Jonathan had given Marina… was his love.
That was worth more than any ten percent stake in The Thomas Group.
Once Jonathan divorced her, he’d marry Marina for sure. The whole company would belong to Marina eventually–what was ten percent in the grand scheme of things? Niamh thought it over.
Well… it still mattered, didn’t it?
Jonathan watched her face, silent, taking in every flicker of emotion before finally letting go of the divorce papers.
Niamh snatched them back.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll take that ten percent and sell it to one of your competitors?”
Jonathan shook his head, calm and certain. “You won’t.”
14:56 9
For a moment, Niamh felt a strange, anxious flutter in her chest.
She didn’t ask why Jonathan trusted her so much.
She felt like she was still lost in the maze of her own feelings–stuck, helpless,
unable to find her way out.
