Prescott parted his thin lips, hesitating.
He was here today with Marina to visit Niamh only because Jonathan had instructed him to.
Prescott had been Jonathan’s assistant for several years, but he didn’t know much about Marina, except that she was Jonathan’s first love. The two of them had bonded in their teenage years at a juvenile rehabilitation center, surviving hardship together, their lives intertwined. For Jonathan, she was the one that got away, the kind of memory that never fades.
But Prescott couldn’t bring himself to like Marina.
Back then, Jonathan and Marina had been the perfect couple–famous and unashamedly public about their relationship throughout high school.
Even now, many of Jonathan’s old classmates still assumed he and Marina were together.
To outsiders, Jonathan was head over heels for Marina.
In looks, family background, and talent, Jonathan was a catch by anyone’s
standards.
Prescott never thought Jonathan was unworthy of her.
Yet it was Marina who ended things.
Prescott didn’t know all the details–it was something to do with Jonathan’s grandfather, or so he’d heard.
Jonathan’s first and most serious relationship had ended in heartbreak.
And the worst part? Marina hadn’t ended it cleanly.
Even after she moved abroad, she kept posting online, little reminders meant to provoke Jonathan, as if hoping he’d chase her across the ocean to win her back.
Instead, Jonathan decided to get married.
Prescott knew full well that Niamh wasn’t Jonathan’s choice–she was handpicked by Clifford.
Jonathan didn’t love Niamh.
But now that they were married, Niamh was Jonathan’s only wife.
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Prescott wasn’t in any position to comment on other people’s
marriages–especially not his boss’s. Still, in his eyes, Niamh was the only truly innocent party in this tangled mess.
“Prescott? Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Prescott snapped back to attention. Marina’s wide, apparently innocent eyes were fixed on him, but her gaze was relentless.
“Miss Rivers wouldn’t accept the gift, because-”
Before he could finish, Marina snatched her phone back.
“Jonathan, do you think I shouldn’t have come to see Niamh myself? Would it have been better if you’d come with me? If you were here, even if Niamh didn’t like my gift, she wouldn’t have made it so obvious…”
Her voice grew softer and more aggrieved with each word.
“Did she say something rude to you?” Jonathan’s voice came through the phone,
cool and distant.
Marina paused, then nodded.
“Mm…”
“Forget about her.”
Jonathan’s reply was cutting, sending a thrill of satisfaction through Marina.
“So what should I do with the gift…?”
“Keep it for yourself.”
“Well, I guess I have no choice.”
Marina put on an air of helplessness.
She never told Jonathan that the gift she’d brought for Niamh was a bouquet of pink roses. Not that Jonathan asked.
A few days later, after wrapping up business matters, Jonathan finally made his way to Niamh’s hospital room.
There were a few people gathered inside: Lana, Peter, and Preston Winslow.
All eyes turned to Jonathan as he entered.
The first person Jonathan looked at was Preston Winslow.
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Chapter 225
With Jonathan’s icy gaze fixed on him, Preston felt a chill creep up his spine, as if he’d been bitten by a viper.
“Jonathan…”
“Your father’s been asking after you all week,” Jonathan said flatly. “He wants to know why you haven’t been to the office. Where have you been hiding?”
“I told him! I said a friend got into a car accident and was in the hospital, so I came to visit. Why doesn’t he believe me?”
“A friend…” Jonathan repeated, emphasizing the word as he glanced at Niamh.
Preston flushed with embarrassment.
Right now, he felt like he couldn’t win, no matter whose side he was on.
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