Chapter 296
At first, Marina had told herself she wasn’t going to be the one to give in.
But now she realized she didn’t have a choice.
Jonathan hadn’t reached out to her once in days.
To make things worse, her parents had just broken the news: the Northriver property, which had been all but signed over for development by the Thomas Group and her family, had suddenly been handed to Michael–no strings attached.
For Marina, it felt like the sky had just collapsed.
She couldn’t make sense of it. Jonathan and Michael were rivals. The Northriver deal had been as good as done. How had everything unraveled so quickly?
The only explanation she could think of was that Jonathan had somehow learned it was her who drugged his drink that night.
It was the thing Marina had feared most from the very beginning.
“Jonathan, why have you been so cold to me these days?”
She lowered her gaze, her voice trembling on the edge of tears.
Jonathan took a slow sip of coffee, sitting in silence for what felt like forever before he finally answered.
“There was something in our drinks that night. Did you put it there?”
“What? Of course not!”
Marina’s eyes widened in shock.
“So it was Zachary, then?”
“I… I have no idea…”
She blinked up at him, feigning utter innocence.
“So you’re upset because you think I drugged you? But you know me, Jonathan. I’d never do something like that!”
She spoke with earnest conviction, reaching out to hold his hand.
His fingers were icy cold.
“You once told me I was the person you cherished most, and you promised that
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after your divorce from Niamh, you’d give me a real place in your life… But honestly, none of that matters to me. All I want is your love…”
Her voice wavered uncontrollably.
Jonathan looked at her, studying her face.
Her tear–filled eyes were as clear as spring water.
He could see right through them–to the raw, unfiltered longing she had for him. No pretense. No lies.
“Jonathan… Please, don’t shut me out anymore, okay?”
He gave a soft “mm,” but there was little warmth in his answer.
They shared a simple meal–just a quick bite–briefly discussing the Northriver property.
“I owed Michael a favor, so I gave it to him,” Jonathan said, his tone clipped. Marina didn’t dare press for details.
On the surface, things between them seemed to return to normal, but Marina could feel the invisible wall that now stood between them.
After lunch, Jonathan left first, heading back to the office.
Marina stayed behind in the café, anxiety gnawing at her.
This can’t go on…
She pulled out her phone and sent a message to Joker on WhatsApp.
A while later, Joker replied, but it was a question:
Are you guys coming to Blackspire soon for the Neville family heir’s wedding?
The message left Marina completely baffled.
Almost immediately, another message popped up:
By the way, someone’s been desperately trying to pull strings to get a bail release from jail.
Meanwhile, on her way back to the office, Niamh’s phone rang. It was Sprague. “Nia, tonight I need you to dress up–we have an important dinner for a major project the Thomas family is working on… And about what you mentioned before, I’ve given it some thought. I still think you and Jonathan shouldn’t get divorced… Look, your uncle’s issue has been sorted out, and Jonathan even risked his life to
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protect you. After everything he’s done, don’t you think you’re being a little ungrateful?”
Niamh could barely keep from laughing at his words.
The one who’d actually shielded her from danger was Julian.
Jonathan had only ever used her as a pawn.
Swallowing her anger, Niamh kept her voice cool and even. “Mr. Thomas, where are you right now?”
“I’m at Verdant Lake Estates. Why?”
“No reason.”
Niamh hung up, pulled over to the curb, and texted Jonathan:
I’m heading to Verdant Lake Estates to see your dad. You should come too. We need to talk.
