Chapter 325: CHAPTER 325

Chapter 325

Every reckless thing he did came with a price. The Myers clan was notoriously tough to deal with, and I had no intention of dragging him into muddy waters alongside me.

He fell silent for a moment before replying, “That’s good to hear.” His voice was as soft and soothing as ever, yet it seemed to carry a hint of disappointment.

Before we could hang up, a composed and mature woman suddenly appeared at my office door. Feeling a bit on edge, I nodded at her to acknowledge her presence, while listening to Mark continue speaking on the phone.

“Jane, one day, I’m going to be able to protect you really well.”

It sounded like a promise, a vow. If it weren’t for the woman standing before me, I might have felt my heart flutter at that moment. But life is devoid of ‘ifs‘.

After a brief silence, I softly replied, “I’ll grow stronger, Mark. One day, no one will be able to bully me anymore.”

He seemed to detect the unspoken message in my words, “Jane…”

The woman outside, however, grew impatient and pushed the door open. I had to cut Mark off, trying to keep the mood light, “A client just walked in, gotta hang up now.”

Unwilling to hear the disappointment in his voice, I hung up first.

Then, I turned to Kathy and got straight to the point, “Ms. Larson, what can I do for you?”

Her gaze was steady, cutting straight to the chase, “You were on the phone with Mark just now, weren’t you?”

I couldn’t hide it from her.

“What’s Violet done to him now?” I asked, directly addressing the issue.

Kathy’s demeanor was impeccable, her tone calm, “It’s not my mother this time; it’s my grandmother. My mother wouldn’t dare to touch him now. From your incident yesterday to the minute before he called you, he’s been locked in the chapel for a full day and night.”

I frowned deeply, “In the middle of winter!”

The Larson family’s chapel had an old–school design, complete with wood–carved windows that were drafty.

No wonder his voice was trembling just now.

“This is the price he pays for his affection for you.”

Kathy’s rationality was chilling, as if discussing someone of no consequence, “If you can’t make him give up soon, he’ll pay even steeper prices.”

During my silent pause, she spoke evenly, “Ms. Webster, woman to woman, I don’t want to say anything unpleasant, but you can’t enter the Larson family. His feelings for you are futile.”

“Unless you’re willing to be a secret lover,” she added.

I lowered my gaze, chuckled, then looked up at her, “You’ve liked him for many years, haven’t you?”

I had felt it during my last visit to the Larson family. She harbored a cautious, hidden affection for Mark.

A rare moment of surprise flashed across her composed face. Eventually, she didn’t deny it, only offering a bitter smile, “Yes, but like you, I can only be his friend; I can only be his sister.”

Mark’s marriage was destined to be a trade for benefits. It could not involve her or me.

“Ms. Webster, there’s no other choice. So, you should make him give up, the sooner the better.”

Kathy didn’t stay long, not even waiting for my response before grabbing her bag and leaving. She was certain of the choice I would

make

Whether it was Mark, her, or myself, none of us had a say in our fates.

In the evening, Molly hitched a ride home with me. The snow from yesterday was piled on both sides of the road, mixed with dirty water, far from its pristine white state.

“Bye, Jane!” Molly waved as she exited the elevator.

I smiled and headed to my apartment when a familiar, upright figure caught my eye. He was facing away from me, a cigarette between his fingers, its ember glowing intermittently.

Beyond the window in front of him were the lights of countless homes. Hearing my approach, he turned around, his handsome features relaxed yet cautious, “You’re back?”