Chapter: 580

"I don't want to know what your plan is. I paid you to fix this mess properly! Just fix it," Maddie snapped before abruptly ending the call.

Even so, her nerves were on edge, a sinking feeling settling in.

“Nikolas, don't put this on me! I warned you to stay out of it. This is on you."

Nikolas knew her heart belonged to Jonathan, yet he always stood in her way. She couldn't believe Nikolas’ stubbornness.

Despite the tragic warning from Bethany's mother's death, Nikolas still insisted on interfering. He would simply have to disappear.

Standing in front of the familiar building, Bethany paused hesitantly.

It never occurred to her that she would step foot inside Bates Group again.

Despite her position as the project director for Goldwald Company, her office had been relocated to Bates Group.

Fortunately, Colt had also been assigned to Bates Group, providing a familiar face.

In stark contrast to Bethany's reluctance, Colt was buzzing with excitement. The moment he entered the Bates Group's waiting room and spotted Bethany, he launched into an animated monologue.

“Last month, the fortune-teller said I'd get Lucky and make a ton of money. Damn, her prediction came true! I never imagined I'd get to work at the Bates Group!" Colt beamed, his enthusiasm radiating from him like a beacon.

Bethany forced a smile and nodded, trying hard to match his energy.

"You've heard of Jonathan Bates, right? He's the CEO of Bates Group, a total legend in the business world. I wonder if I'll get to see him today!" Colt's eyes sparkled with a fan-like adoration, his phone clutched tightly in his hand as if ready to snap a photo at any moment.

To a stranger, he looked like a fanboy about to meet his idol rather than an employee here to work.

Bethany understood his excitement. When she had worked at one of the branches of Bates Group, the mere mention of Jonathan's name would send waves of anticipation through the office.

Back then, she had been eager to catch a glimpse of the business tycoon herself. But now, she couldn't bear the thought. Seeing Jonathan again was the last thing she wanted.

Colt, oblivious to the history between Bethany and Jonathan, continued to chatter like an excited child. "I heard Bates Group invested in the Westsilver project. Do you think it was a step towards an acquisition? Why else would they suddenly spend so much money on it?"

Seeing Colt's enthusiasm, Bethany knew she would come across as cold and unfeeling if she just sat there silently.

So, she pretended to think about it and nodded. "Yes, you could be right about that."

“Do you think Jonathan thinks highly of employees at Goldwald Company? After all, none of our employees were let go; we were all incorporated into Bates Group!"

"Yeah, maybe..."

"Forget it. It doesn't matter. Anyway, now that we'll be working for Bates Group, I have to work hard and strive to become a permanent member. Can you imagine working under Mr. Bates? The dream!" Colt turned to look at Bethany expectantly, only to see the blank look on her face. Smiling mischievously, he took out his phone, and started typing something. Then he shoved the screen in her face and gushed, "You don't know how handsome Jonathan is, huh? That's the only reason you could be so calm!"

"Uh..."

"Look! Handsome, right? Even as a straight guy, I can objectively say he's incredibly good-looking! His jawline's even more refined than Ryan's!"