Chapter 312

Chapter 312

Maya's eyes flickered, and her lips moved slightly.

She looked at me with rather complicated emotions, sighed helplessly, and said with a bitter smile:

"You're right. Hearing you say that, I suddenly understand a bit why Jason fell in love with you."

I looked at her in confusion, not understanding why she would suddenly say something like that.

Maya continued: "I really envy you, being able to marry the person you love."

I knew she had feelings for Jason too.

Whether she accepted it because of family arrangements or not, it was impossible for her to suddenly let go of feelings that had lasted over twenty years.

But why was she telling me this now? What did she want me to say?

I had no interest in acting like some superior winner mocking her.

I didn't say anything, just quietly watched Maya, waiting for her to continue.

But Maya didn't say anything more.

Her knuckles turned white from gripping the wine glass, and her face showed restrained sadness.

Maya's eyes reddened slightly as she looked up at the sky, a barely audible sigh escaping her red lips.

It's hard to describe what Maya's expression was like.

Sadness? Despair?

None of these words seemed quite right for her.

After thinking for a moment, I softly asked:

"What do you want most - the inheritance rights to Coleman Corporation, or a man you love?"

Maya froze, clearly not expecting me to ask her that.

She pressed her lips together slightly and lowered her eyes in serious thought.

"Actually, at first I thought I could have both."

Maya answered.

She shrugged: "But you can see how that turned out. In matters of the heart, I'm a complete loser. Now if I had to choose, of course the inheritance rights are more important. After all, I'm not about to let my dad's messy bunch of illegitimate kids take what belongs to me."

"See, you understand perfectly."

I smiled:

"Look on the bright side - at least you're marrying someone familiar. Things haven't gotten worse."

Just as I finished speaking, we both saw Richard walking through the crowd.

I'd been thinking these two were fairly familiar with each other, but I'd forgotten Richard was a total playboy.

Though right now Richard wasn't flirting around - he seemed to be looking for something in the crowd.

When his gaze passed over the crowd and landed on Maya on the balcony, it clearly brightened, and he quickened his pace toward us.

Looks like our conversation was coming to an end.

"Maya."

I called out to her: "I know that no matter what I say now, it'll seem fake, but I still want to say - pay more attention to yourself."

Setting aside all this messy drama, I genuinely thought Maya was an excellent woman.

I truly hoped she could move forward for her own sake.

Maya nodded at me without saying more and went back to find Richard.

She was the star of this engagement party, so naturally she couldn't spend the whole time hiding out on the balcony with me.

After those two left, I stayed alone on the balcony for a while longer.

After Jason finished his business, he came to find me.

"Honey."

Jason naturally walked over and put his arm around my waist.

I looked up at him.

Jason's profile was handsome. Even though I saw him every day, it still made my heart flutter.

My heartbeat quickened.

I blinked very slowly.

So handsome!

Although this was Maya and Richard's engagement party, the event was full of people mingling and networking, with plenty of business deals being made.

I held onto Jason's arm as we walked into the crowd together.

Having Jason by my side was like having the best advertisement possible.

Once people learned I'd started a media company, they all handed me their business cards.

After all, compared to Glacier Corp, working with my small startup was obviously simpler.

Plus, it might even earn them a favor from Jason.

In just half an hour, I'd received at least twenty business cards.

I rubbed my face, which had gone stiff from smiling, and during a break in the crowd, I sighed next to Jason:

"Honey, your work is really tough."

Jason looked surprised: "Why are you suddenly saying that?"

I made a pitiful face and answered:

"My face is completely frozen from smiling. This is exhausting."

After saying that, I was stunned for a moment myself.

When I was Brian's secretary, I'd been to plenty of events like this.

Back then, people saw me as just a secretary and didn't treat me well at all.

Now with Jason backing me up, everyone was respectful to me.

But I still found it tiring.

Things were so much better now than before!

Someone gently pinched my cheek. I snapped back to reality and looked up to meet Jason's smiling eyes.

"You've worked hard, honey. If you're tired, we can go home."

My heart stirred, and I suddenly understood what was happening.

Jason had spoiled me.

Just like Lily had said before.

During my time with Jason, I had gradually relaxed from being constantly tense.

Warmth flowed through my heart.

I looked up and gave Jason a bright smile: "I'm not tired! These are all quality connections! I need to network more and pave the way for my company!"

"Whatever you say."

The engagement party ended, and I waited by the roadside for Jason to bring the car around when a familiar person approached.

"Sue, long time no see."

At the sound, I froze for a moment and looked up to meet Brian's slightly smiling eyes.

Beside him was Elizabeth, tightly holding his arm.

Elizabeth looked at me warily, her meaning clear.

I couldn't help feeling helpless.

How long had I been married? And Elizabeth had been with Brian for over six months, right?

Why did she still look at me like this?

"Mr. Ethan, Miss Perez, long time no see."

I withdrew my gaze and greeted them calmly.

Brian's eyes swept over me:

"I saw you at the party earlier, but I could hardly believe it. You're doing much better than before."

I didn't know what Brian meant by "much better."

But Elizabeth beside him was clearly looking at me with even more hostility.

These two really...

I sighed inwardly. Just then, Jason drove up.

He stopped by the roadside and rolled down the window: "Honey, let's go home. You're exhausted today, no need to waste time out here with these shady people."

Shady people?

My mouth twitched.

"Sorry."

I apologized to Brian, then turned and got in the car.

Better get in quickly, or who knows what other weird things Jason might say.

"No problem, we were just heading home anyway."

Brian waved goodbye to me and left with Elizabeth.

Sitting in the passenger seat, I saw through the rearview mirror that Elizabeth was pulling on Brian's arm, tilting her head and asking him something.

Brian lowered his head, responding with a gentle expression.

Looks like these two are getting along well now!

I felt relieved, but the next moment, a cold, resentful aura came from beside me.

Jason's voice drifted over:

"Honey, have you looked enough?"