Chapter 464
She didn’t regret going through all the trouble to anonymously order that crate of river crabs and making sure Susy was the one to deliver them.
After Michael’s welcome dinner, Niamh found herself with yet another
task-
designing a pair of matching rings for him.
Crafting the rings wasn’t difficult in itself, but coming up with a design that truly stood out? That took some inspiration.
Niamh set aside her pen, rubbing her tired wrist, when someone knocked
at her office door.
“Come in,” she called.
She expected one of her studio staff, but to her surprise, it was Elmer.
“Amy was just complaining to me,” he said, arching an eyebrow, “that you gave her a pretty tough assignment.”
Niamh propped her chin on her hand and offered a rueful smile. “Did I? All I did was ask her to pick out a birthday present for Mr. Thomas at The Thomas Group.”
Mr. Thomas, of course, was Jonathan. Elmer’s easy smile faded.
“He’s having a birthday, and you’re getting him a present?”
Niamh briefly explained the background to Elmer.
“No matter what, Susy wouldn’t be in this situation if it weren’t at least partly Jonathan’s doing… If he wants a birthday gift, I’ll send him one.”
She spoke calmly.
She wasn’t exactly swimming in cash, but buying a couple of luxury items was hardly a challenge for her these days.
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Chapter 464
Suddenly, she remembered the past.
Back then, when Jonathan’s birthday rolled around, she would rack her brains and pour her heart into it. She couldn’t afford expensive gifts, so she made them herself: scarves she knitted, socks she sewed, mugs she painted.
She always believed that handmade things showed the most care. That way, Jonathan would feel her love, and she wouldn’t be frivolously spending their money-a win-win.
Looking back, Niamh couldn’t help but find her younger self laughably
naive.
The scarf she knitted for Jonathan, the socks, the hand-painted mug…
He’d never used any of them.
Really, with his status, how could he be seen with cheap, unbranded things she made? Far easier to have his assistant deliver some designer trinket-the same way he’d always handled her birthdays.
Noticing the self-mocking smile on Niamh’s lips, Elmer realized she must be lost in some unpleasant memory.
He stepped around the desk and gently patted her head.
Niamh froze, meeting Elmer’s gaze.
“Stop thinking about Jonathan… Let that man fade out of your life, once and for all.”
Elmer’s voice was as clear and gentle as ever, but now there was a hint of impatience in his tone.
Niamh nodded. “I intend to.”
Elmer had work to do and didn’t linger in her office.
After he left, Amy walked in.
Amy was Niamh’s new assistant.
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“Boss… This job you gave me is impossible! Picking out a birthday present for the CEO of The Thomas Group? What if I choose wrong and Mr. Thomas takes it out on me?”
Niamh thought Amy was being a little dramatic, but knowing Jonathan’s unpredictable moods, she couldn’t say for sure he wouldn’t take offense.
“Fine. I’ll choose the gift. You just deliver it.”
Relief flooded Amy’s face.
Everyone knew Jonathan was Niamh’s ex-husband. Choosing a birthday present for your boss’s ex? Not exactly a job anyone wanted.
As the sun set and the workday ended, people trickled out of the creative complex-Niamh among them.
Her white BMW 3 Series rolled out of the underground garage and
headed toward Vertex Plaza.
The Lumina Club.
It was a private club. Susy, tugging uncomfortably at her tight, barely-there leather skirt, was herded inside by Marina.
