Chapter 236
Marina opened the jewelry box with a flourish, her eyes sparkling as she presented it to Jonathan.
Inside was a ring.
The main stone was her favorite–a blush–pink diamond.
It had been cut into a delicate heart shape and nestled among a cluster of smaller diamonds on the band.
The ring’s band was crafted in the shape of a four–leaf clover: three of the petals. were set with colorless, heart–shaped diamonds, but the fourth and most striking petal was adorned with that flawless, heart–shaped pink diamond.
This was the design Marina had poured her heart and soul into.
She knew Jonathan admired her talent, and she prided herself on her skill and
creativity.
Even relying on pure ability, she was confident she could hold her own against Niamh.
She’d thought that once Michael returned to the country, Jonathan would get jealous and come running to her, unwilling to let her out of his sight–just like he had back in high school.
But she’d waited days, and Jonathan/hadn’t so much as messaged her.
Marina was at a loss.
After all, she now had Michael openly pursuing her, and with Jonathan about to divorce Niamh–this time, there was no way he’d give Niamh shares of The Thomas Group in the settlement.
Everything should have been unfolding exactly as she’d hoped, but lately Jonathan seemed distant, almost cold.
Marina couldn’t figure out if it was because she’d gone behind his back to attend that reunion–a reunion that just so happened to be Michael’s welcome party–or if
there was some other reason.
Coincidentally, today she’d just finished the showpiece of her “First Love” collection,
so she used it as an excuse to seek Jonathan out.
Partly, she wanted to gauge his mood.
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But mostly, she wanted to show off her brilliance.
Marina was certain of her design this time. There was no way she’d lose to Niamh again, like at the Nova Jewelry Design Awards where Niamh had stolen the
spotlight.
And just as she’d expected, Jonathan was effusive in his praise for her design.
But that was it. He said nothing else.
He didn’t mention her parents‘ proposal about him investing in the Northriver property either, which they’d brought up last time.
“Jonathan…” Marina’s patience was wearing thin; she couldn’t stand guessing anymore. “Can you tell me, why…”
Seeing tears pool in her eyes, Jonathan’s brow creased in concern as he asked, “Tell you what?”
“I mean…” Marina’s eyes had turned red in an instant, and paired with her innocent makeup, she looked heartbreakingly vulnerable–like someone who’d just been wronged.
“I mean, why have you been so distant with me lately? It’s like you’re deliberately keeping me at arm’s length… Jonathan, did I do something wrong? Or… have you stopped loving me?”
Her voice trembled as she gazed at him, her expression enough to soften even the
coldest heart.
Jonathan was silent for a moment, then finally sighed and came straight to the point. “Did you know Michael tried to get Niamh to give up the ten percent of The Thomas Group shares she got in the divorce?”
Marina’s eyes snapped up, panic flaring inside her, though outwardly she managed only a look of surprise, shaking her head.
“I didn’t know. Ten percent? Was that what you agreed to give Niamh after the
divorce?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“I really had no idea. This is the first I’ve heard of it…”
“But Niamh says you put Michael up to threatening her–using her friend’s job as leverage to make her hand over the shares.”
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Marina’s eyes flew wide in shock.
