Chapter 449

“Mr. Lynn, working with our Chase Group can’t be that hard, right?” Winnie asked.

“Ms. Shelton, it’s not that I disrespect you, but as the CEO, I have to put the company’s interests first. Besides, last time I had dinner with one of his friends, Sanford, he started mouthing off at me. Does he look like someone you can just walk all over?”

Winnie wasn’t clueless; it was obvious Jonathan wasn’t going to give her any leeway. She said, “Then I’ll just talk to your mother. She really likes me, and I doubt you’d go against your own mother, right?”

A cold, mocking look flashed in Jonathan’s eyes. “Be my guest.” With that, he hung up.

Night had fallen, and the evening air was no longer stifling. Jonathan drove alone to the Horizonlead Plaza construction site, adjacent to Rosary Estates. He parked at the entrance.

From where he sat, he could see Teresa’s building. The lights were off. She wasn’t home yet. At work, he always wished he could split every minute in two, but now, time seemed to drag on forever.

While lost in thought, Jonathan received a voice message. Recognizing the number, he tapped to listen. A child’s choppy voice filled the speaker.

“Mr. Lime, are you getting married? Then you have to be super happy, okay? When I grow up and make money, I’ll give you a gift! I’ll wish you happiness!”

Jonathan smiled and replied, “What is your gift, Mike?”

“So much money! I’m really generous, you know.”

Jonathan chuckled. “Thank you, Mike. You’re so sweet. But you don’t have to give me a gift, because I’m not getting married.”

After sending the message, a long silence followed. Jonathan assumed the little guy wouldn’t reply, but then Mike sent another lengthy voice message.

Jonathan instantly understood. Michael had been watching TV alone and caught some news segments. “So you’re saying TV lied about you not getting married?” Michael pouted, crossing his arms. “Don’t think you can trick me just because I’m a kid!”

After hearing Mike out, Jonathan sent a message. Mike listened several times, grinning from ear to ear, then dashed to Teresa’s room and shook her as she lay on her side.

“Mom, Mom, I have a secret to tell you. Mr. Lime said he’s not getting married!”

Hearing that, Teresa, who’d been hiding under the covers, threw off her blanket. Her eyes were red as she stared at Mike. “Who told you that?”

Mike waved his phone, beaming. “Mr. Lime told me himself! He even sent me a voice message. He said the person he likes won’t marry him, so he’s not getting married.”

The little guy played the voice message, and Teresa heard, “If the one I like won’t marry me, and I can’t wait for her, then I’ll just stay single for now.”

Teresa wiped away her tears. She’d been secretly crying because of the stupid news. Only then did Mike notice her red eyes. “Mom, were you crying?”

“I wasn’t,” Teresa insisted, though she felt much calmer now. She’d been really upset earlier. If Jonathan really was getting married, and she felt…

Michael poked her arm, looking cute. “Mom, did you cry because Mr. Lime was getting married?”

“I wouldn’t cry for him. We’re not even close,” Teresa huffed.

“But you like Mr. Lime! You told me you liked him, remember? I remember everything. I’m not forgetful!”

Teresa was speechless, caught under her son’s bright, innocent gaze. She turned away and flopped back onto the bed. “I don’t like him anymore.”

The next day, Winnie invited Jonathan out again, supposedly to apologize for her behavior. Jonathan knew it was a setup, but he still went. When Winnie showed up, she brought her brother, Chase, along.

The siblings plied Jonathan with drinks until he was pleasantly buzzed—three glasses deep and compliant enough. Then Chase smoothly slid a contract from his briefcase and guided Jonathan’s hand to sign it, all masked as friendly persuasion.

Winnie shot Chase a victorious look. Their plan worked without a word needing to be said. Jonathan pretended nothing had happened and went home.

He woke the next morning to frantic knocking. When he opened the door, Irene rushed in, her face flushed with panic. “What’s this news about you getting married? I swear I didn’t leak it!”

“So it wasn’t that ‘perfect wife and loving mother’ you picked out for me who went public with it?”

Irene’s lips pressed into a thin line as realization struck. Winnie orchestrated the media leak. “She told me straight,” she admitted. “This was her play to force your hand with Chase Group.”

“I just don’t get it. Isn’t this a good thing? Chase Group has a great reputation. Working with them wouldn’t do you any harm.”

Jonathan didn’t say a word. He’d never liked Irene meddling in his work. He turned away to wash up, mentioning that he’d gotten drunk yesterday and had already met with Winnie and Chase.

“Go wash up first. I’ll make you some hangover remedy,” Irene said, already marching toward the kitchen. She thought, ‘Why did Jonathan insist on living alone without even hiring a housekeeper?’

“Mr. Lynn, something’s wrong!” Jonathan’s assistant rushed in while he was eating, having come in person since he couldn’t reach him.

Irene slammed her fork down. “Can’t you see we’re having dinner? It’s only seven o’clock. Can’t you let Mr. Lynn eat in peace?”

“It’s really serious, Mr. Lynn.” The assistant leaned in and whispered in Jonathan’s ear. Jonathan’s expression changed instantly.

Jonathan nodded. “Got it. Head back to the office first.”

Irene noticed Jonathan’s deep frown. “What’s going on? Did something happen at the company?”

Jonathan collapsed onto the couch, rubbing his temples in exhaustion. “I got played. Winnie and her brother got me drunk last night and tricked me into signing a contract. This damn project’s gonna cost me—we’re talking 18 billion down the drain.”

“18 billion?” Irene’s face went white. “Jonathan, you’re kidding, right? How could we lose that much? Isn’t the company going bankrupt?”

“Pretty much on the verge of bankruptcy. All because you said Winnie was sincere. Now I’ve been played by her.”

“No, that’s impossible.” Irene still refused to believe she’d misjudged Winnie. “Winnie won’t do that.”

“I’m heading back to the office. You’d better prepare for the worst,” Jonathan pressed a hand on Irene’s shoulder. “The person you vouched for—yeah, great job.”

As soon as Jonathan left, Irene collapsed onto the sofa; her whole body shaking uncontrollably.