Chapter 85
Of course, I agreed right away.
When I saw John, I found he looked even more haggard than a few days ago.
He no longer had that rich Playboy look. Standing in front of me, he tilted his head up slightly, trying hard to make himself appear younger.
Unfortunately, he wasn't young anymore.
Besides, if I really liked younger guys, wouldn't I just go find a boyfriend at university?
Seeing no change in my expression, John seemed to finally accept reality.
"Nancy, last time you told me that Michael has information about the Brown family that's very damaging to them. Can you tell me what it is?"
I shrugged.
"I'm not really sure. I only glanced at it briefly."
"You know, someone like Michael would never trust me completely... I've always been controlled by him, too."
After saying this, I picked up a tissue from the table and gently dabbed at the corners of my eyes, as if these words had truly touched a painful spot in my heart.
John now thought I might come back to him, so naturally, he had to be nice to me.
"Nancy, I won't ask anymore, I won't ask."
He wanted to hold my hand, but I was clutching the tissue, constantly dabbing at my eyes. Finally, John pulled his hand back and said to me with a smile.
"Nancy, wait for me. I've found another way to solve the Brown Group's urgent crisis. I'll come marry you. Just don't marry Michael yet, okay?"
I lowered my head without speaking, looking conflicted to please John.
He probably thought I had taken his words to heart, but was just unable to act due to family pressure.
"Wait for me, Nancy. Now there's no one else between us."
He pretended to be affectionate, but such affection seemed ridiculous to me.
I hadn't even been sitting there for ten minutes before I couldn't take it anymore.
I really didn't want to hear those sweet nothings from John's mouth.
After all, I was someone who had been killed by John before.
I glanced at the time. "Michael is still waiting for me at the Johnson Group, I..."
I hesitated, looking embarrassed. All sorts of emotions appeared on my face. John wanted to show his magnanimity, so naturally, he didn't stop me.
As soon as I entered Michael's office, he pulled me into his arms.
"He didn't do anything to you, did he?"
Aggressive, with a hint of jealousy. If I said one word, Michael would probably have John killed right away.
"He's just a coward. What could he do to me?"
I raised my eyebrows.
Though I said this, Michael probably wasn't too happy. Leaning against me, he said, "He's no good!"
I nodded. "Exactly! So next time I see him, I should keep my distance, otherwise Mr. Johnson here will get even more jealous."
Being called out so directly, Michael didn't feel embarrassed at all.
"Mr. Johnson." Michael's assistant knocked on the door and walked in with documents. He immediately noticed Michael and me sitting together.
He quickly placed the documents on the desk. "Please review these documents. I'll leave now."
I quickly stood up beside Michael and heard him say ominously, "This assistant has no sense at all. I should send him to work at the grassroots level."
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Stop it! Everyone outside is already saying I pick on regular employees for no reason. Are you trying to confirm the accusations against me?"
I had indeed fired some people before, and with Jane fanning the flames, the matter had naturally spread far and wide.
Those idle socialites who only gossip had probably talked my name to death by now.
"That's not true!" Michael disagreed.
"I did all that."
I looked at him sideways.
He could say that, but would other people believe it?
In the end, I'd be the one bearing the consequences anyway.
Michael ultimately didn't transfer his assistant. The next morning, his assistant brought coffee from the CEO's office to my desk.
"Nancy, thank you so much for speaking up for me. Otherwise, even if Mr. Johnson didn't fire me, he would definitely have demoted me!"
I had to admit, this assistant really understood Michael well and was quite capable. If Michael really demoted him, that would be outrageous!
After Michael's assistant left, I received another phone call.
"Nancy, John's money has arrived in my account. I've arranged for him to get in, but he doesn't really trust me yet. Our plan might need to continue for a while longer."
What I lacked least was time.
Besides, dealing with someone like John required patience!
"Keep me updated on the progress. You handle everything else!"
I had great confidence in this friend's abilities. After all, the whole Susan affair was entirely handled by him.
After hanging up, John's message came through.
"Nancy, can we have dinner together tonight?"
"Sorry, I have to have dinner with Michael tonight. We made plans a while ago." I replied directly.
I hadn't actually made plans with Michael for tonight, but Jane had asked Michael out.
I happened to be with Michael at the time and saw Jane's invitation text.
Jane's invitation wasn't unreasonable - she had just joined the group and wanted to treat Michael to dinner, and have him introduce her to the company.
While I said nothing, Michael was replying to Jane.
[I'm the CEO. My job doesn't include giving company tours. If you come to me with such trivial matters, you don't need to work in the group anymore.]
I grabbed Michael's hand.
Michael looked at me.
"Jane has caused me so much trouble. Those photos are still in my drawer. This isn't over."
So.
At the candlelit dinner Jane had specially prepared for Michael, when Michael and I appeared together, Jane's hand holding the wine glass froze, and she almost dropped it.
I stepped forward to steady her hand.
"Ms. Ross should be careful. What if you accidentally spill the wine?"
Jane had a smile on her face, clearly forced and not well disguised.
"How could that happen? I'm just a bit surprised. After all, I only invited Michael tonight, yet Ms. Smith came too."
"I didn't want to come originally, but Nancy hadn't eaten yet."
The smile on Jane's face nearly cracked.
The candlelit dinner had an excellent atmosphere, with violinists playing around us. In the restaurant, there were mostly young couples sitting face to face.
She had come to seduce Michael, but Michael had brought me to dinner.
When I sat down, Jane wanted to sit next to Michael, but Michael pointed to the seat across from him.
"Sorry, Nancy doesn't like me sitting too close to other women, so..."
"Michael, we're friends. Ms. Smith won't mind. And if I were your fiancée, I definitely wouldn't..."
"You're not my fiancée." Michael interrupted directly. "If you say things like that, Nancy will be unhappy again."
Michael constantly mentioning my name like this, Jane finally lost control of her expression. The wine glass that had barely survived being dropped earlier finally crashed to the floor.