Chapter 495
The deep, midnight darkness in his eyes reflected the figures of Niamh and Elmer.
Niamh exuded competence and confidence-a model entrepreneur, poised and assured in every movement.
In just a few days under her leadership, this rehabilitation center had attracted more clients than ever before. The results spoke for themselves.
Jonathan watched her working alongside Elmer, an ache lodged in his throat like a splinter he couldn’t swallow.
“Niamh…”
He broke the silence, his voice low and tinged with bitterness.
Niamh glanced over, momentarily drawn by the sound.
But only for an instant.
When Jonathan didn’t continue, she turned away, refocusing on her conversation with Elmer about work.
Just as she and Elmer were about to leave the lobby, Jonathan called out again.
“I need to talk to you.”
He quickly added, “It’s important.”
As Niamh turned, Elmer gently caught her wrist.
Jonathan’s expression darkened.
Niamh smiled at Elmer, then addressed Jonathan. “Sorry, I’m in the
middle of something. If you need to talk, you can schedule a time with my assistant.”
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“I want to talk now.”
There was urgency in Jonathan’s voice, a pressuring edge beneath the
calm.
Niamh looked at him, her exasperated gaze hitting Jonathan like a punch
to the chest.
“Then you’ll have to wait until I’m done.”
“Fine.”
He agreed instantly.
But “wait” turned out to mean three hours.
Jonathan stood there, as motionless as a lamppost, waiting for Niamh the entire time without complaint.
Three hours later, Niamh finally finished her urgent tasks. She emerged with Elmer, the two sharing an easy laugh on their way out.
“Niamh…”
Jonathan’s voice stopped her in her tracks.
It was in that moment Jonathan realized—Niamh had completely forgotten he was still there.
He clenched his fists, and telling himself he wasn’t hurt would have been
a lie.
“Can you spare me a few minutes now?”
Niamh could hear the anger simmering in his voice, but what surprised her was how hard he was working to hold it back.
“All right…”
Beside her, Elmer lowered his eyes.
He didn’t want Niamb alone with lonathan They were divorced-what
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was left to discuss?
Still, since Niamh agreed, he couldn’t object.
“Nia, just be careful,” Elmer said, patting her shoulder.
“Don’t worry, he wouldn’t dare try anything,” Niamh replied, flashing a bright smile.
In truth, she felt much the same as Elmer.
Back at The Thomas Group, she’d already said everything she’d wanted to say to Jonathan. She couldn’t imagine what business he had left with her. And if this was about Marina, then it was even less necessary.
Jonathan was a smart man. He knew exactly where she stood when it
came to Marina.
“Let’s talk in my office,” Niamh said, leading Jonathan to the general manager’s office.
She took her seat behind the desk; Jonathan sat opposite her, the desk a formal barrier between them.
When had it come to this? Meeting, talking, being alone
together-everything felt like an official transaction now, confined to the
sterile boundaries of an office.
Niamh noticed the deepening lines on Jonathan’s brow, his irritation growing more visible. She couldn’t help but point it out.
“You’re the one who insisted on waiting.”
Jonathan’s frown only deepened.
She didn’t even understand why he was upset.
“Niamh…”
He fixed her with a gaze as fathomless as the ocean.
“I’m not helping Marina anymore. That last payout-fifteen million-was
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the final compensation I’ll ever give her.”
He spoke with a finality that left no room for doubt.
Niamh, however, looked utterly baffled.
“So… that’s what you wanted to talk to me about?”
“Yes.”
When Jonathan nodded, Niamh couldn’t help but laugh.
“Whether or not you help Marina is between the two of you. It has nothing to do with me. Besides, after signing that financial oversight agreement, I doubt you’d even be able to help her get back on her feet.”
