Chapter 12 Cut Ties with Them
Right outside the conference room. Zack stared down at his phone. The flood of messages made his stomach sink.
Clarissa was here?
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Then, the elevator chimed behind him. He looked up just in time to see her step out, causing his expression to darken.
“Mr. Zack. Clarissa greeted him with a soft smile. “Is Jonathan in his office? I need to see him.”
“Miss Chandler…” Zack answered, his voice clipped and cold. “Mr. Jefferson already gave back the engagement pendant. Why are you here again?”
“I need to talk to him.”
“But he doesn’t want to see you, he shot back. “He’s in the middle of a business meeting. You should leave.”
However, Clarissa didn’t even flinch. She had made up her mind. If she backed off now, she might never get another chance.
“I’ll wait for him right here, came her answer.
Zack clenched his jaw. She wasn’t budging, and there was nothing he could do to make her leave. The clients inside were already enough of a headache.
Just then, the door to the conference room opened, and the secretary came out with a jug.
“Well?” Zack asked.
She shook her head. “He’s still inside. Mr. Lawson won’t stop talking about yesterday’s no–show. The deal’s basically dead.”
Zack’s jaw tightened.
That contract was critical. If it fell apart. Ethan’s side of the family would jump at the chance to get Jonathan kicked out of the company.
Jonathan had fought his way to the top without a single favor. He had no parents to bail him out or any cushion to slow his fall. He got through on pure grit. And now, because of Clarissa, everything he built was slipping through his hands.
Clarissa froze when she heard the name.
Mr. Lawson?
Seamus Lawson?
Everything came flooding back.
That man had money, power, and even more pull in the right circles. His wife came from a top–ranking military family, and his own family had spent three generations in politics before he moved into business.
The Lawson Group wasn’t as massive as the Jefferson Group, but with that kind of backing, nobody dared to mess with him.
In her last life, there had been a major land release in Imperia. The military opened it up, and every major firm scrambled to win the bid. Whoever landed that deal stood to make billions. Jonathan had almost closed it. He was one step away.
Then, it all fell apart. The Jefferson Group lost billions, causing Jonathan’s grandfather to go ballistic on him. He nearly lost his title as heir.
And now, she finally knew why. Jonathan had skipped the meeting with Seamus because he was chasing after her. She had run off with Gregory, and he had come looking for her.
Even after all that, he still wired her money. He didn’t want her stuck, struggling with Gregory.
Her chest tightened. The guilt burned in her throat. It was her fault–all of it. She had to make it right.
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Chapter 12 Cut Ties with Them
“I’ll get Mr. Lawson to sign that contract. Leave it to me.”
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Before anyone could stop her, Clarissa grabbed the jug from the secretary and pushed open the conference room door.
The whole move was so quick, the secretary and Zack stood frozen.
By the time they snapped out of it, Zack’s back broke into cold sweat. What was Clarissa doing now? Was she going to stir up another scene and humiliate Jonathan in front of Seamus and the whole board?
A junior staffer nearby caught the moment and quietly pulled out his phone.
“Mr. Ethan, you can relax now. The deal’s gone. Miss Chandler just barged into the meeting. With her there, that contract’s as good as dead.”
The scene shifted to the conference room, where Seamus and Jonathan were.
“Mr. Jefferson, I don’t tolerate people who waste my time,” Seamus said, voice cutting. His eyes locked on Jonathan. “I waited all day yesterday. You didn’t show up. Then, I get some half–baked excuse about that. That sound fair to you?”
He slammed the contract down on the table.
> Jonathan didn’t defend himself, nor did he explain. “I missed the meeting. You may name any terms for compensation.”
Seamus Lawson’s expression darkened. Compensation? He didn’t need the Jeffersons‘ money.
He had skipped his wife’s OBGYN appointment just to meet Jonathan. And the man hadn’t even shown up.
“Mr. Lawson, please don’t be upset,” one executive jumped in. “Mr. Jefferson had an urgent matter yesterday. It wasn’t personal.”
“Then, explain what could be more urgent,” Seamus queried calmly, but his tone cut through the room like a knife.
No one answered. They stared at each other, silent.
Jonathan had told no one where he had gone.
“Incredible,” Seamus muttered. “Your company clearly doesn’t value this partnership. Forget the deal. After today, my company shall cut all ties with you.”
The land wasn’t the problem. The Jefferson Group could eat the financial hit, but if the Lawson Group walked away, the political blow would be brutal.
If Ethan’s side found out, Jonathan would be finished.
Just then, the doors burst open.
