Chapter 622

“Not true at all. All the young women in the office have their eyes on you. Mr. Holcomb, maybe you should pay attention to them instead,” I said with a teasing grin.

Jared’s face soured a bit. “Don’t mess around. You know what’s really on my mind.”

“So, your mom’s not hounding you to have a son anymore?” I teased, grinning mischievously.

Jared’s expression turned a shade darker. “Yvonne is all I need.”

“Oh, but your mom’s running around like crazy. Word is, she’s been making you take all sorts of tonics every day, just hoping you’ll hurry up and give her a grandson,” I said, bursting out laughing.

Quinn had deliberately let this slip to me the last time we bumped into each other.

Jared gave me a helpless look. “Yeah, I’ve had nosebleeds from all that. I’ve taken more cold showers than I can count. Satisfied now?”

I instantly stopped messing around and put on a serious face. “When am I flying to the United Kingdom? Am I going by myself?”

“No, the company’s sending someone else with you,” Jared said.

“Who?” I asked, a little surprised.

Jared replied, “Elaine.”

I blinked. ‘Wait, isn’t she the manager at Jared’s other investment firm?’ I thought.

“Oh, so it’s her,” I said, the name ringing a bell.

Jared caught the glint in my eyes and said with a smirk, “Don’t go stirring up any drama. She’ll be my eyes on you.”

I shot back, a little annoyed, “I’m just going there to study. What trouble could I even get into?”

Jared looked at me, clearly unconvinced. “With all those tall, handsome British guys around, I’m afraid you might not be able to hold yourself back.”

“Jared, I’m not that easy,” I retorted, genuinely irritated.

Jared suddenly chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief as he looked at me. “Is that so? I wouldn’t bet on it.”

I was left speechless by his teasing. Jared, seeing he’d gotten to me, wisely slipped out the door.

I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair, making up my mind to put myself on sexual hibernation from now on.

Men only slow me down, and honestly, even without them, my life is never boring.

Every win at work gives me real fulfillment and confidence. This kind of solid, steady growth keeps me centered.

Fearless and unshaken, riding out every wave until the storm passes–that’s the life I’m aiming for.

Hayes Corp had its quarterly dividend in April, and the payout I got was honestly jaw-dropping. With the salary from Jared’s side and the hotel’s profit share, my wealth was growing at a pace that genuinely made my heart sing.

I decided to buy a cozy little villa downtown and get back into some of my old hobbies.

I’ve always loved tending to a garden and soaking in the full bloom of spring. If I had a peaceful courtyard all to myself, I could turn it into my dream sanctuary.

For this villa hunt, I asked Jared to scout out some options for me. Once I got back from my studies, I’d be ready to make a move.

Jared looked genuinely surprised when he heard I was planning to buy a villa.

“Want me to sign over the old place we used to live in?” Jared offered.

“Nope, not interested,” I replied, shaking my head.

“Still got bad memories from it?” Jared asked quietly.

I nodded. “That’s a scar I’ll carry for life. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Jared let out a soft sigh. “In that case, I’ll sell the villa and just get a new place. I’ll check with Yvonne first–if she’s okay with it, I’ll put it on the market.”

“You two can make the call,” I said. “I’m not the owner of that place anymore, so I’ll stay out of it.”

“Why not get a bigger place instead of a small one? Prices haven’t gone crazy yet,” Jared said, idly playing with a trinket on my desk.

“No need. It’ll just be me and Yvonne living there, so a big place would be a waste,” I replied earnestly.

Jared looked a bit taken aback, but he nodded anyway. “Alright, I’ll keep an eye out.”

When Nathan found out I was going to the UK, he came rushing to my office.

He was standing outside just as Jared was walking out.

“Mr. Holcomb, why is this arranged so suddenly?” Nathan asked, his irritation showing.

Jared glanced back at me. “Does he really have to stick his nose into every decision?”

I was taken aback. “I never said anything about that.”

Nathan said in a calm voice, “Don’t be surprised. I’ve got an informant inside your company.”

Jared shot him a cold look and strode away.