Chapter 81 For Donovan
Harrison could tell that Jax’s aversion to Iris came from the bottom of his heart and wasn't merely a result of his personality.
As soon as they stepped outside, Harrison lowered his voice and said, "Jax, who our boss likes is his own business. Our duty is to follow orders. Why are you so resistant?”
Jax snorted. "It's one thing for the boss to find a woman, but bringing her to a military base—what does that say?"
Without hesitating, Harrison replied, “It means he cares about her.”
Jax nearly choked on his own spit. "A woman like her is nothing but trouble. It just goes to show that she's completely swept the boss off his feet!”
“Don’t talk nonsense.” Harrison couldn’t agree with that assessment. "The plane landed at the base, and she was taken away by us in less than ten minutes after getting off—she barely even stayed on the base."
Jax knelt on one knee, sitting on the edge of the patio outside the door and looking down at the babbling stream at his feet.
“Did you see how she looked when she went inside just now?” Jax’s voice carried a hint of disdain. “She’s thrilled by a farm like this! If she ever sees the boss’ estate, she’ll cling to him day and night, won’t she?”
Clinging?
Harrison’s usually expressionless face twitched imperceptibly several times.
Based on his observations over the past few days, it was hard to say who was more like a dog.
As for her being clingy, it seemed to him that Donovan had always tried every trick to get close to Iris while she had never made the first move. In fact, she had even seemed to want to avoid him.
Harrison’s mind was in turmoil, but his expression remained impassive as he said flatly, “You’re overthinking it.”
"You've all been fooled by her!"
At that moment, Jax was utterly convinced of his judgment, his gaze growing even colder.
"This woman is deliberately putting on an act of innocence and vulnerability, specifically to deceive a man like the boss—someone with limited romantic experience and top-tier credentials."
Harrison looked at Jax with a complex expression for a moment, thinking that Jax had probably encountered a similar woman in the past, only to get burned. That was probably why he harbored hostility toward any woman who appeared innocent now.
He simply couldn’t stand it anymore, so he shoved the grilled fish back into Jax’s hands and turned to walk into the house.
“I’m not going to analyze this with you anymore. I’m going to eat.”
“Hey! Harrison!” Jax felt angry.
But then he thought better of it. Neither the boss nor Harrison had ever been in a relationship or had much experience with women. He simply couldn’t see eye to eye with either of them.
Wright, on the other hand, was much better. Once he reached the Republic of Vibia and met up with him, he would definitely have Wright teach this woman a lesson.
When Harrison entered the room, Iris had already started eating.
She sat petite at the dining table, eating quietly and seemingly unfazed by Jax’s obvious distaste.
Her eyes crinkled with a smile, and her cheeks puffed out as she chewed. It was clear that she had a good appetite and was enjoying her meal.
Harrison helped himself to a heaping plate of food, sat down across from Iris, and began to eat heartily.
Iris was indeed a talented cook. Harrison had noticed that when they barbecued together at Sari’s.
Despite the table being laden with food, Harrison felt he could finish it all by himself.
Actually, Iris did have many good qualities.
“Harrison.”
Iris put down her chopsticks. He looked up, waiting for her to continue.
She was silent for a few seconds, seeming to hesitate, before continuing.
"Do you know what kind of deal Donovan has with my father? And when will it end?”
Harrison made a rough estimate in his mind.
"Once Maxwell and Kevin's business is stable, we'll set the stage to bring Maxwell down. At least three months, or half a year. It might even take longer.”
Iris lowered her head uneasily.
Given Donovan’s recent behavior, she could probably guess what he was thinking about her. Who knows? Maybe one day Donovan would…
“Iris,” Harrison said, putting down his cutlery and looking at her. “Why don’t you like Donovan?”
Harrison could tell she was asking to give her an excuse to leave.
Donovan had money and good looks, and there were plenty of women throwing themselves at him. Yet Iris actually didn't fancy him?
“He…” Iris pursed her lips, her voice tinged with indignation. "No one would like a frivolous and domineering guy."
Harrison didn’t quite agree.
"If he keeps his distance from everyone else but acts domineering only toward you," he chose his words carefully, "then I'd say that's a form of extreme devotion and possessiveness, not frivolity."
"Only toward me?" Iris' heartbeat suddenly skipped a beat.
"Mm-hmm." Harrison nodded, finished the last bit of food in his bowl, stood up, and began clearing the table.
"You don't know Donovan. He certainly never lacks attention, but he’s never truly cared about any woman. You are...the only exception.”
Iris fell silent again.
Jax polished off both pieces of grilled fish on the patio before clapping his hands together, standing up, and pushing open the door to go inside.
Inside the softly lit cabin, Harrison was wearing an apron and washing dishes by the sink.
Iris was wiping down the table and putting away nearby dishes.
This scene inexplicably brought a single word to Jax’s mind: cozy.
So, this Iris really was a menace! It wasn't enough to have the boss; she wasn't sparing even Harrison.
If he was right, then this woman’s next target was him!
To win him over, Iris would surely set aside an extra portion of food for him, using this gesture of forgiveness to reveal her good intent.
Jax’s icy gaze swept around the room, and then he spotted the silver insulated lunchbox on the table.
Hah! Just as I expected.
Without a second thought, he strode forward, bent down, and yanked the lid off the container.
Sure enough, it was filled with food!
“Jax?”
Just as Jax was about to dump the contents of the container, Iris' sweet voice rang out from behind him.
He didn't turn around, merely replying in a cold, detached tone. "There's no need for you to go to all that trouble. I won’t eat what you left.”
"I..."
Iris seemed to want to say something but paused.
She quickened her pace and stopped right in front of Jax.
Jax lowered his gaze and looked indifferently at the woman in front of him, who didn't even reach his chest. He waited patiently for her to try to win him over, to say something sweet, to act innocent and kind, and to persuade him to eat at least a little.
Then, Iris took a deep breath as if summoning her courage. She suddenly reached out and swiftly snatched the lunchbox from Jax’s hands, replacing the lid carefully.
She kept her head down, her cheeks slightly flushed. Her voice was so soft it was barely audible. "This is for Donovan."