Teresa’s heart skipped a beat. She had no idea why Jonathan was suddenly so fixated on her pregnancy—perhaps he was just getting older. Keeping her cool, she said, “I’m really not pregnant.”

Jonathan didn’t even look up from his magazine, his words dripping with meaning. “After all the work I’ve put into this company, I guess I’ll just have to pass it down to Donald’s son, or maybe Edward’s.”

Teresa asked, “So you’re not planning to get remarried?”

Jonathan raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t I tell you last time? You get married, my mom gets married, and maybe then I’ll think about it.”

“Let your mom go first. I haven’t found anyone suitable yet,” Teresa replied.

“Keep looking,” Jonathan snapped the magazine shut, his tone sour. “Take your time, and make sure you find someone better than me in every way, someone you’ll fall for so hard you can’t get back up.”

Teresa was speechless.

When they arrived in Shaville, a black Bentley pulled up to pick up Jonathan.

Teresa asked, “Where are we staying?”

“I’ve got a villa in Quietia. Had someone clean it up already,” Jonathan replied.

“How many villas do you even own?”

“Just investments,” Jonathan said, still focused on his paperwork.

Teresa asked again, “What time are we going to the business event?”

“Six thirty.”

As he was busy, Teresa didn’t press further. Her phone buzzed twice; it was a message from Jennifer: [Sanford’s back in Shaville. Want me to have him help you with your accommodation?]

Teresa replied: [Hannah, if you keep meddling in my business, I’ll just block you again.]

[I’m just worried about you. You’re so heartless,] Jennifer shot back.

‘Heartless? Whatever.’ Teresa couldn’t even be bothered to get mad. If she did, she’d only hurt herself—and the baby inside her.

Before Jonathan and Teresa went in for the evening party, he offered her his arm. “You don’t have an invitation. You can’t get in without me.”

Teresa figured he was right, so she took his arm. His assistant stepped up and showed the invitation. The staff at the door made a gesture. “Mr. and Mrs. Lynn, please come in.”

Teresa looked back, confused. “Why did he call me Mrs. Lynn? Does he think I’m your wife or something?”

Jonathan didn’t bother to explain, and Teresa didn’t press the issue.

Doing business was an art. Jonathan told Teresa to stick with him and not wander off.

After a quick trip to the restroom, Teresa spotted a female CEO she’d been wanting to work with. Without telling Jonathan, she went over and chatted. By the time Jonathan walked over, they were already talking contract details.

Jonathan’s face darkened slightly, but he didn’t call her out in front of others. Even after they left, he remained quiet and simply asked, “Tired?”

Teresa shook her head and leaned back in the car, sighing. “Doing business is so hard. You told me to stick with you. But if I just stand there, no one talks to me. I have to take the initiative if I want to get anything done.”

Jonathan looked at her more seriously. “Do you know why you can’t land the big deals?”

“Why?”

“Because you’re too impatient. It’s written all over your face—‘Come talk business with me!’ Everyone can tell you’re a rookie, including that female CEO. So, how much did you give up to close the deal?”

Teresa clenched her fist.

“Five percent?”

“Ten percent.”

Jonathan couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. “What are you, running a charity? With the little money you have, you’re giving away ten percent? What’s left for you?”

“I just wanted to make a good impression so we can work together again in the future. Plus, we’re both women.”

“In business, it doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman. It’s all about profit. Looks like you save all your toughness just for me.”

When they arrived at the villa, Jonathan got out of the car without waiting for Teresa.

Teresa followed behind him, frowning. “So you’re saying I didn’t do well today?”

“I told you to stick with me, but you just disappeared. You always think you can handle things on your own. You just don’t trust me,” Jonathan said. That was what really got to him.

Teresa pressed her lips together and looked down. “It’s not that I don’t trust you.”

She added, a little pointedly, “I just didn’t want to make things hard for you.”

Jonathan snorted. “Hard for me? You’re with me—who would dare mess with you?”

“Alright, I was wrong today. I’m not familiar with this place, and I should’ve listened to you,” Teresa admitted. “Guess I need to learn from a big boss like you and make some real money.”

“So you just want to pay me back as soon as possible, and then never see me again, huh?”

Honestly, Teresa really did want to pay Jonathan back quickly. After that, she planned to take a few months off for her prenatal checkups—once she hit the last trimester, she knew she wouldn’t have the energy or mood to keep working.

Jonathan seemed to see right through her thoughts. His eyes narrowed slightly. “I’ll book you a flight. Head back to Nareigh.”

Teresa stiffened, standing there watching Jonathan walk into the study. She’d planned to close a few more deals before heading back to Nareigh, and she still needed to ask him about Michael’s birthday. In the end, she didn’t get either thing done.

After a while, she wandered into the kitchen and fiddled with the coffee machine. She brewed a cup of coffee for Jonathan and brought it over as a peace offering.

Seeing him focused on his computer, she walked around behind him and softened her tone. “Are you mad? Did I embarrass you?”

Jonathan still ignored her.

Teresa placed both hands on his shoulders and started to massage them. “Come on, you’re a grown man. Can’t you just let it go?”

Jonathan felt her hands on his shoulders, frowned, and glanced at her. “What, trying to murder your husband?”

Teresa was at a loss for words. She’d just meant to give him a shoulder rub. “Me? How could I possibly take you out?”

Jonathan snorted. “You never know.”

Teresa was about to snap back when a cautious voice came from the computer. “Mr. Lynn, maybe you should finish up first. We can continue the meeting tomorrow.”

Only then did Teresa notice the group of executives on the video call. Embarrassed, she coughed and quickly backed out of the room.

Jonathan watched her leave and shook his head helplessly.

The next morning, Teresa was woken up by Jonathan. She’d stayed up late the night before, poring over books on economics and business, so seven a.m. felt way too early.

“If you were pregnant with my kid, maybe I’d feel bad for you,” Jonathan teased. “But you’re not, and to you, I’m just your loan shark. Guess I have to do whatever you say and help you make money to pay me back faster.”

Teresa couldn’t come up with a comeback, so she just got up silently.

They went out for breakfast. As they were leaving the restaurant, a tired-looking woman brushed past them. The next second, she suddenly grabbed Jonathan’s wrist, staring at his face in shock, like she’d just seen a ghost.

Before the woman, Liora, could respond, a familiar voice called out from behind, “Mom, let’s go.”