Chapter: 377

Jonathan said, "I don't even want to know anything about Bethany, let alone her friend."

"I see, Mr. Bates," Brody replied.

After ending the call, Jonathan sank back into his chair, his gaze fixed on the phone.

Nikolas had a point-if he truly wanted to break up, he had to cut all ties. He shouldn't concern himself with Bethany's life or inquire about her.

Meanwhile, Bethany, despite being in the hospital, couldn't afford to stop working. The workload had piled up in her absence, and she felt the weight of it pressing down on her.

She didn't ask Aimee and Nola to stay with her, thinking it best if Nola visited less often.

After sending them away, Bethany turned on her laptop and Logged into her company's account.

A wry smile played on her lips as she noted the simple "Holt" that she used for her work account in order to avoid Jonathan from prying.

There were many people with that last name, making it unlikely Jonathan would find her. Or perhaps, she mused, he had never bothered to look at all.

She still vividly remembered Jonathan saying, "I hate you." Those words haunted her dreams.

She knew the wounds she'd left on Jonathan's heart ran deep.

As she was lost in thought, a message popped up on her screen from Colt.

Bethany clicked it open.

“Ms. Holt, why aren't you resting? I can't believe you're still working! If the superiors find out, they'll blame me for not taking better care of you!"

She smiled and replied, "If you don't tell Ryan, he'll never know! The legal department is swamped with other projects right now. I can't trust the resort's work to be outsourced, so I have to handle it myself. Plus, I'm saving the company money, so you better put in a good word for me at the annual meeting.”

“Absolutely! Even if I don't speak for you, Ryan will! After he left the hospital today, he mentioned that if you weren't married, he'd pursue you in a heartbeat. It's rare to find someone as dedicated and positive as you!"

Bethany chuckled and sent a smile emoji.

She always declared that she was married, which saved a lot of trouble.

Ryan had always gone out of his way to support her—beyond the bounds of mere colleagues. Yet, Bethany had never reciprocated his feelings; her focus was solely on making money until she uncovered the truth about her mother's death.

“I'm serious. Ryan's mentioned more than once that you tick all his boxes for the perfect wife." Sensing an opening, Colt pressed on.

Bethany paused, fingers hovering over the keyboard, before typing, "Oh, please don't say that. If my husband finds out, he will be jealous."

She saw through Colt's game-he was testing the waters for Ryan. If she showed any openness to Ryan's interest, he might make a move.

In the corporate jungle, many men in leadership viewed marriage as a mere obstacle to be overcome in their pursuit of conquest and excitement.

But Bethany had no time for such games. Her message was clear: she was married and had no intentions of to cheat on her husband.