She was Rina-
And that was the one thing Jonathan could never, under any circumstances, suspect.
Around noon, Jonathan took Marina out for lunch at one of the city’s trendier restaurants. A few employees from The Thomas Group happened to spot them there.
In the past, Marina had relished these moments–being seen out with Jonathan, arm in arm, was a thrill. The more public their outings, the more attention they drew, the more she craved it.
But now, though she still appeared just as close to Jonathan as ever, the stares of others no longer filled her with pride or satisfaction. Now, everyone knew:
Jonathan was married.
And his wife was not her.
No matter how much Marina looked the part of Jonathan’s partner, to everyone at The Thomas Group, there was only one recognized Mrs. Thomas–Niamh.
Which meant that the more she appeared at Jonathan’s side, the more intimate she acted, the clearer it became: she was the other woman.
Still, Marina couldn’t bring herself to turn down Jonathan’s invitation to lunch.
“What’s wrong?” Jonathan asked, breaking the silence.
Marina smiled, but said nothing.
Before she’d spiked his drink, she would have seized this chance to pour out her grievances, fishing for hints about when he’d finally leave Niamh and make her his
wife.
But now, even though Jonathan’s suspicions about her had faded, she could tell he wasn’t as devoted as before.
She knew Jonathan well enough. If she started complaining now, pressing him about divorcing Niamh and giving her a proper place in his life, she’d only drive him further away.
After lunch, Jonathan headed back to the office–he had work to do.
Marina drove herself to her studio. Once she was well away from The Thomas
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Group’s headquarters, she pulled her car over to the side of the road.
She was making a call.
“How’s that thing I asked you to handle?” she asked.
“We’re right on schedule…” came the reply, the voice on the other end light and casual. It was Joker.
Marina’s expression turned cold at Joker’s nonchalance.
“Jonathan doesn’t care about me the way he used to. If you want your share of The Thomas Group, you’d better start taking this seriously. This is the perfect opportunity–if it works, Jonathan will be mine completely. And as for Niamh…”
Something icy and vicious flashed in Marina’s eyes.
“I want her out of the picture. For good.”
Marina’s words were sharp as broken glass, her anger barely contained.
Joker couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” Marina snapped.
“Oh, nothing,” Joker replied, voice tinged with a childlike innocence that never quite fit his face. “It’s just funny that Jonathan’s first love, his precious darling, still can’t outmaneuver a frumpy housewife without my help.”
No matter when she heard it, Joker’s voice always sounded strangely innocent, almost boyish–like his face, which made it impossible to guess his real age.
But Marina knew better. She’d seen firsthand, back at Blackspire, just how ruthless
Joker could be.
“You’re quiet. Did I hit a nerve?” Joker teased.
Marina said nothing.
A few seconds of silence passed. Then Joker spoke again.
“Alright, I should be starting at CelestiMed next week. Just wait for my good news.”
Joker hung up. Marina exhaled slowly, the words finally giving her a sliver of
reassurance.
These past few days, Niamh had barely left Clifford’s recovery room, working tirelessly. She was nearly finished with the bridal jewelry set for Susy’s wedding. Jonathan, meanwhile, had stayed away from the hospital–something he’d never
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Chapter 3061
done before.
