Chapter 209 Refusal
Finished
Jace looked at me with a hurt expression. “I know I’m young, but dismissing me without giving me a shot? That’s not fair” His voice held a hint of defensiveness. “Isn’t being a little younger a good thing? I can give you emotional support. I won’t be like. Hartwell and make you angry. I’ll make you happy.”
I stared at him, surprised. It seemed like Jace’s innocence was all an act. Beneath his good looks, there might be a sly little fox hiding.
Jace met my gaze, his eyes steady and serious. His voice dropped to a softer tone as he said, “I know you’re divorced.”
My eyes narrowed. Just as I was about to respond, my phone rang.
I glanced at the screen. It was Shawn.
1 walked over to the floor–to–ceiling windows and answered the call. “What’s up?”
Shawn’s voice came through, laced with jealousy. “I found out why those state–owned companies signed the deal with the hotel
“Oh? Who’s behind it?” I asked, intrigued.
on from Zleson. Tiffany,
Shawn’s voice dripped with frustration. They said it’s someone from the Rayners, some connection when were you making such deep connections behind my back!”
I turned to look at Jace, who was leaning by the door,
He looked like a puppy caught in trouble, his long fingers nervously twisting together.
“Are you
“Yeah. my suspicion
sure it’s a
a Rayner?” I asked, a sudden thought flashing in my
mind.
info’s solid. Who is this person? What kind of deal did you make with them?” Shawn’s tone was thick with
Just then, Jace walked up behind me, his voice cutting through the tension. “Tiff, do you want some late–night snacks?”
I hadn’t expected him to ask that, and before I could stop him, Shawn had already heard.
Shawn inmediately questioned me, his voice sharp, “You’ve got a guy around?”
I shot Jace a glare, and he blinked at me innocently.
“Alright, we’ll talk about this when I get back to Hanzora. I’ve got stuff to do here,” I said, trying to end the conversation. Without waiting for a response, I hung up and turned to face Jace.
He gave me a look like a mischievous child, his voice sweet. “Tiff, do you think Hartwell assumed you man after your divorce?”
wouldn’t find a better
Jace,” I said, my voice firm. “Did you have a hand in those state–owned companies suddenly signing a deal with the hotel?” My tone dropped lower, and I fixed him with a sharp look.
Jace’s face twisted in feigned confusion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I wasn’t buying it. My voice cut through the air, sharp and cold, “If you don’t start being honest with me now, I’ll not only fire you, but we won’t even be friends anymore” The words were final, no room for games.
Jace’s gaze dared for a second, before his eyes dropped to the floor. He muttered, almost too softly to hear, “Okay, I used with connections Tiff I didn’t want people looking down on you. I overheard them talking behind your back. They think you only became a manager because you were Shawn’s wife They’re saying the hotel will go under in a year with you running things, so I made sure they signed a three–year deal with you
117PM ·
Chapter 209 Refusal
solicited my position in a way I never could’ve done alone
Jace looked at me, carefully studying my expression. He let out a small, almost guilty laugh. “I just wanted to help, without you feeling like you owed nie anything”
I do owe a big favor, I said, keeping my voice steady, not wanting to play games.
This favor? It’s yours, no repayment necessary,” Jace replied with a dry chuckle. Consider it a gift?
1 shook my head. “No way, I it’s a favor, it has to be repaid” My mind clicked into gear. This wasn’t about emotions anymore, Business was a game of strategy, and Jace’s connections were a powerful asset. II lum tait, it would
“Tiff, if you really want to repay me, let me say until the end of the month. Just one more month.” His voice was sincere, like he meant every word.
“Mr. Jace, you’re actually puiting up with hardship? Now that’s rare. I raised an eyebrow, half–armused.
His eyes locked with mine, steady and intense. How do you know it’s not hardship to me, but pleasure instead?” His gaze didn’t waver, his sincerity unmistakable. “Till, don’t worry. I don’t have any bad intentions. I just want to spend more time with you
I took a step back, my voice steady but distant. “There are a lot of people who like me. You’re just one of them. But remember, liking someone is just an emotion. If you expect me to return it, you might be disappointed. I had learned to guard my heart, especially now. If I let myself get close. I had to be prepareil to get Joint. But I wasn’t ready to let that happen.
Jace let out a small, rueful smile. “I get it. You just came out of a bad marriage. It’s going to take time before you’re ready to let anyone else in.”
Send Gifts
