Chapter: 405
His phone's shrill ring cut through the tension.
Jonathan's frown deepened as he saw his father's name on the screen.
"Are you giving Maddie a hard time again? Don't push your luck, Jonathan. Or should I start digging into Bethany's current whereabouts?"
"Leave her out of this." Jonathan's voice turned steely.
"I don't want to."
Jonathan's knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists. After a long, tension-filled pause, he told his assistant, “Tell Brody to arrange an office for Maddie."
Maddie's Lips tightened, a mix of triumph and frustration in her eyes.
She knew Jonathan's compromise stemmed from Bethany, not any desire to work with her again.
As Jonathan turned to leave, Maddie blurted out, "Have you reconciled with Bethany? Are you going to marry her?"
"This has nothing to do with you," Jonathan replied with an icy detachment.
Maddie often wondered what Jonathan saw lacking in her. In terms of her feelings for him and her contributions to Bates Group, wasn't she far more devoted than Bethany could ever be?
Jonathan should have been hers.
In his office, Jonathan had just settled into his chair when Brody sent a message, confirming that everything was arranged.
Opening his computer, Jonathan checked the report about the Westsilver resort project submitted by the branch office.
The project had progressed to its second phase.
He wondered how Bethan's recovery was going? Had Jayson been visiting her at the hospital?
Jonathan's lips twisted into a self-mocking smile as he felt a wave of self-contempt wash over him. Never before, even in his most fervent pursuit of Bethany, had he felt this low. What stung even more was finding himself dialing Nikolas’ number.
After a few rings, Nikolas answered. "Hey, what's up? Having trouble at the company?"
Rubbing his forehead, Jonathan struggled to find the right words.
Airport announcements came from Nikolas' end.
"Heading back from Westsilver?" Jonathan asked.
"Yeah, not much is happening here. I should be back soon to lend a hand."
Jonathan tapped his fingers on the desk, a heavy silence stretching between them. Finally, he asked, “How's Bethany? Is she recovering from her injury?"
“Ah, so that's what's on your mind!" Nikolas said, understanding Jonathan's concern. "She's doing great! Flourishing at work, with her male boss pursuing her relentlessly. He's just like you, giving his all for her."