He was still young, his cherubic face making him look barely past twenty, but there was something about the depth in his eyes–far too knowing, too calculating–that suggested he’d seen much more than his age would allow.
He wore the same hotel robe as Marina, and while Marina was busy seducing Quentin, he’d hidden himself away in the bathroom, practically invisible.
“Joker…” Marina folded her arms, her voice dripping with impatience. “Staying silent won’t make you mute, you know.”
Joker offered a faint smile.
“What’s wrong? Don’t want to talk about how we met? Afraid Jonathan might find out what you got up to back at Blackspire?”
Before Joker had even finished, Marina’s hand shot out, aiming to slap him–but he caught her wrist midair.
Marina pulled her hand back, reminding herself that she still needed Joker; whatever happened, she couldn’t afford to fall out with him just yet.
“So, how long are you staying in the country this time?”
“As long as your darling Mr. Thomas keeps hounding me.”
Joker’s expression soured.
If he hadn’t helped Marina blow up Jonathan and Niamh’s divorce case, Jonathan never would have traced him to his data firm overseas.
“The courts came knocking, you know. What was I supposed to do–stick around and wait for a cell?*
“You didn’t have to come running to me, though.”
Marina’s indifference only made Joker more annoyed.
“Marina, I did this for you, remember?”
“And I paid you, didn’t I?”
“That chump change? Please, I couldn’t even buy lunch with it.”
Joker reached over to the coffee table, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and took
a slow sip.
Chapter 255
“Don’t forget what you promised me. Once you’re safely Mrs. Thomas, I get twenty–five percent of The Thomas Group. That makes me the second–largest shareholder, remember?”
Marina glanced at him, unable to read the true extent of his ambition behind that baby face.
“Relax, I haven’t forgotten.” She shot him a cold, sidelong look, her lips curling into a sly smile. “But you’ll have to help me become lady of The Thomas Group first.”
Joker paused, then burst out laughing. “Didn’t you swear up and down before you came back that as soon as you arrived, Jonathan would dump that old hag Niamh and marry you without a second thought? So, what happened…”
He suddenly grabbed Marina by the collar of her robe, pulling her close. His breath brushed her ear as he whispered, “Did he figure out your ‘innocence‘ wasn’t exactly the real deal?”
Marina shoved him away, her face burning red.
Joker doubled over with laughter.
The Thomas Group.
Executive Office.
Jonathan sat at his desk, staring at Terence’s resignation letter.
“You think this’ll make me give up?” he asked, shooting Terence a sidelong glance.
“No, sir.” Terence shook his head.
He didn’t have the nerve–or the leverage–to use his resignation to force Jonathan to stop tinkering with the divorce settlement.
“You really want to quit?”
“I do.” Terence nodded.
After endless rounds of senseless edits to the divorce agreement, he’d had enough; the work felt pointless.
Jonathan glanced at the latest draft–version one hundred and two–and couldn’t quite say what still dissatisfied him about it.
“Fine. Your resignation’s approved.”
20:19
Chapter 255
As soon as Jonathan said it, he noticed the relief flood Terence’s face.
Jonathan smiled faintly. “Looks like you’ve already lined up your next job, huh?”
Terence didn’t bother hiding it. He told Jonathan directly where he’d be going.
“Good for you.”
Terence had been with him for years and was sharp–Jonathan was genuinely pleased the man had found a good landing.
Terence was about to leave, but at the door, he hesitated–he couldn’t help but say, “Mr. Thomas, now that I’m no longer your employee, may I offer you a word of advice?”
“Then don’t,” Jonathan replied, not even looking up.
20:19
