Chapter 148

I saw Frederick standing alone by the roadside, his figure distant and out of place, a chill in the air around him. I frowned and started walking toward him when he turned and approached me.

“It’s fine. He’s gone,” he said.

I didn’t reply; my expression was stiff. I already pictured what had happened. Frederick probably tried to speak with Jonathan, who ignored him, instructing Bob to close the door and the driver to leave.

That was typical of Jonathan—always cold and distant.

Frederick seemed accustomed to it. He joined me, and seeing my distress, he smiled and tried to comfort me.

“We’ve known each other for a few years. I know what kind of person he is. Don’t take it personally.”

I couldn’t help asking, “Why would you be friends with someone like him?”

I didn’t understand. Jonathan didn’t seem capable of having friends. He was willful, arrogant, and aloof. Certainly, he was successful and talented, and many admired his strength, even worshipping him and excusing his behavior.

Someone like him, who’d never experienced failure, was bound to be somewhat arrogant. That made sense. But what I couldn’t comprehend was his coldness and harshness toward those closest to him. Besides Alicia, no one else seemed to matter.

It wasn't surprising he treated strangers with indifference, but his treatment of those who gave him their whole hearts was equally cold.

I couldn’t reconcile it, and honestly, I didn’t want to. Seeing his true colors made it impossible to love someone so cold and unfeeling. I couldn’t understand my former self, giving everything to someone like that.

“It’s a long story…”

Frederick sighed, then patted my shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t overthink it. We’ve got plenty of time. I’ll explain everything slowly, eventually.”

“But,” he added, lowering his voice and leaning close, “only after you get divorced.” He then pulled away, creating distance between us. He was clearly trying to maintain some space.

Chapter 148

And I understood. After all, I was a married woman. It wouldn’t be appropriate to be too close to him.

At Alicia’s birthday party, he’d publicly announced his intention to “adopt” me as his younger sister. This was partly to provoke Jonathan and partly to create a socially acceptable reason to be near me. We had many projects requiring collaboration. Gossip could affect business.

There was at least a label now. Even if no one believed it, it gave us something to deflect with.

I nodded, and we walked the investors back to their hotel, reviewing initial terms. They were pleased with our proposal, but one concern remained.

“If we invest in your project, will it put us at odds with Mr. Ford?”

It was late, and we were reviewing collaboration details in a private hotel room. They agreed to most terms—over 80%—but one person delicately raised the issue.

“We just want to do business and make money instead of getting dragged into personal drama.”

They were being polite. “Mr. Ford isn’t someone we can afford to offend.”

I reassured them, “I understand your concern. But business is business, personal matters are separate. Don’t worry; I believe Jonathan is capable of professional judgment.

“If he couldn’t even draw that line between personal and professional, he wouldn’t be the youngest self-made billionaire in the country.”

Chapter 149