Today, Niamh ran into Jonathan at the hospital.
Jonathan was there to handle Clifford’s discharge paperwork.
Clifford had recovered faster than anyone expected; the doctor suggested he could leave the hospital tomorrow, so Jonathan came by to get the administrative work out of the way.
“Thank you…”
Standing together in the hallway outside the hospital room, Jonathan suddenly turned to Niamh and offered his gratitude.
Niamh lifted her eyes and studied him.
It had only been two weeks since she’d last seen Jonathan, but he looked thinner–almost gaunt.
His stomach had always been sensitive, and it was obvious that the pressure from the stalled Celesti Med project was weighing heavily on him. Niamh guessed he hadn’t been eating well lately; otherwise, he wouldn’t look so worn out.
“You don’t have to thank me. No matter what’s going on between us, Clifford is family to me. He always will be.”
She didn’t want Jonathan to get the wrong idea.
She had stayed at the hospital these past days, cooking meals and looking after Clifford–not for Jonathan’s sake.
And certainly not because their divorce wasn’t finalized yet.
Clifford was her grandfather in every way that mattered.
She’d had a biological grandfather once. But honestly, she would have been better
off without him.
It was Clifford who had shown her what it felt like to have a gentle, loving grandfather–someone kind, someone who cared.
No matter what happened between her and Jonathan, if Clifford was in the hospital, she would come and take care of him willingly. Especially since it was her words that had upset Clifford and landed him here in the first place.
Jonathan only nodded in response, keeping his thoughts to himself.
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13:30
Chapter 309
Later, as Jonathan was finalizing the paperwork, Niamh noticed him from across the lobby, pressing a hand to his stomach.
Is his ulcer acting up again? she wondered, letting out a soft sigh.
After Clifford’s discharge, Sprague hosted a dinner party at Verdant Lake Estates to celebrate his recovery.
Of course, the “celebration” was just a pretext. The real reason was to expand his network in the business district, swap information, and strengthen alliances.
This time, Sprague didn’t invite Niamh.
He’d been optimistic about her once. Lately, The Thomas Group’s stock had soared several times, all thanks to the buzz she generated.
He’d used Niamh’s popularity to leak favorable news, sabotaging rival companies‘ efforts to short The Thomas Group stocks.
But ever since he heard that Niamh would never be able to have children, he immediately agreed to Jonathan and Niamh’s divorce.
Sprague figured, if luck was on his side, he might even find a new wife for Jonathan at tonight’s party.
“Did you hear? The Quinn family just adopted a daughter.”
“The Quinn family? Which Quinn family?”
“You know, the ones who started out in Aldonia, then moved into Coralis. Now
they’re the biggest private investors in Coralis… that Quinn family.”
Among the guests, talk of the Quinns caught Sprague’s attention.
The Thomas Group.
During his lunch break, Prescott left the business park and drove toward downtown. Soon, the Pinnacle Youth Tower came into view.
He parked nearby, then strolled down the block to a street lined with cozy cafés and restaurants.
little
Niamh was already inside, waiting for him.
When she spotted Prescott through the window, she waved.
Prescott made his way over and slid into the seat across from her.
“You said you liked spicy hotpot; and this place is the most popular spot near, my
13:39
Chapter 309
office. I’m not sure if it’s your style, but you should give it a try,” Niamh said, handing him a menu.
“…Alright…”
He nodded, a little surprised by her invitation. Niamh had reached out to him first and insisted on treating him to lunch.
Prescott couldn’t help but feel a little flattered by the gesture.
