Chapter 671: A life with content

[Present Time]

"It’s perfect!" Jonathan mused, looking up at Nina across from him. "It’s amazing, Miss Reed."

Nina bit her lips as she smiled, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. "Thank you," she expressed, pleased to hear that he liked her presentation.

"You’re amazing, Miss Reed." He glanced at the designs she created, nodding in satisfaction. "Very... much."

"Thank you, Mr. Russel. I really appreciate it."

Jonathan nodded as he gazed at her again. "Send me the contract. I’m signing."

"Really?!" Nina bit her tongue, her face now turning red with embarrassment. "Uh, sorry."

"Haha. It’s alright, Miss Reed." Jonathan laughed, leaning closer to look at her face. "You don’t have to be embarrassed. Though I think it’s cute."

Nina pursed her lips, drawing away slightly. She smiled awkwardly, trying her best to appear natural.

"Thank you," she repeated for the third time. "Then I’ll send the contract. Once it’s signed and notarized, we can start the project right away."

"Sure."

"It was a pleasure, Mr. Russel." Nina slowly stood up, extending her hand to him.

Seeing her action, Jonathan also rose to his feet and clasped her hand. "The pleasure is mine. I’m glad I didn’t choose the wrong firm for this."

"Thank you. I’m looking forward to working with you, Mr. Russel."

"The feeling is mutual."

The two of them smiled at each other before Nina tried to retrieve her hand from him. However, when she did, he held her hand a little tighter. Deep lines appeared between her brows as she glanced at their hands before looking up at him.

"Mr. Russel?" she called awkwardly. "My... hand."

"Oh, sorry." Jonathan chuckled and let her go, earning a soft "it’s alright" from her before he said, "Miss Reed, you seem a little happy."

"Yes?" Her brows rose as she noticed him smiling amicably.

"You seem... happy."

"Oh, of course, I am, because this is a good project."

"Not that," he pointed out, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I’m saying you seem happy... with your life."

Nina furrowed her brows, confused by his remark and finding it odd. But then again, thinking about her life, Nina was content. Even so, she only smiled at him in reply. He was a client, but that didn’t mean she had to disclose her personal life to him.

"It must be nice to live such a good life," he commented casually. "Shall we walk out together?"

"Oh, that’s not necessary—"

"Please, I insist."

"Uh..." She bit her inner bottom lip, forcing a smile before she nodded. "Thank you."

With that, Nina picked up the papers on the table and tidied up a bit. While doing so, Jonathan studied her actions and the slight smile on her face.

’Hah. How interesting,’ he thought. ’This isn’t how I remember my wife.’

The wife he married was a greedy woman with no room for contentment. She wouldn’t settle for a career without using her family’s influence. Her greed had been so strong that even he had found it amusing. Yet here she was, picking up papers and cleaning the table swiftly so as not to burden the staff.

’Though I’m glad she has a happy life now.’The corner of his mouth stretched while his eyelids drooped. ’That only means... there’s a life I can ruin.’

"Shall we?" he asked as soon as she gathered her things and faced him.

Nina smiled at him and nodded. Just like that, the two of them walked out of the establishment together.

"Do you have a ride?" he asked, taking a large step to open the door for her.

Again, Nina expressed her gratitude politely before answering, "It’s alright. The bus stop is close."

"Oh... then shall I drop you off at the bus stop?"

"Uh..." Nina hesitated but maintained her smile. Her mouth opened, ready to politely refuse him or agree to avoid displeasing him and jeopardizing the contract. But before she could speak, she noticed a car from the corner of her eye.

Slowly, Nina turned her head and caught sight of Finn inside the backseat of a sedan. The window was rolled down completely, revealing his side profile. When Finn glanced in her direction, Nina found herself gulping.

’What is he doing here?’ she wondered, holding Finn’s gaze.

"Do you know him?" Jonathan’s question snapped her back from her thoughts. He raised his brows, watching her look back at him.

Nina pressed her lips into a thin line and offered him a big smile. "He’s a... a friend," she said, making him arch a brow. "Thank you for the offer, Mr. Russel, but I have to respectfully decline."

"That’s alright," he reassured her. "You don’t have to be so polite."

"Very well." Nina faced him and lowered her head slightly. "I’ll send the contract at the end of the day. If you have any questions, please feel free to message me."

"I will." Jonathan nodded and then jerked his chin mildly. With that, Nina’s smile turned meek as she started walking away from him toward the sedan where Finn was waiting.

Meanwhile, Jonathan remained in the same spot, staring at Nina’s back and then at the person inside the car. The corner of his mouth hooked up, his eyes glinting playfully and meaningfully the moment Finn shifted his gaze to him.

’I see...’he thought, almost laughing to himself. ’So this is your way of telling me you’re not going to back down, huh?’

An amused look spread across Jonathan’s face as he turned and walked away from the restaurant while the car Nina got into sped off.

"Oh, Finn... my dearest friend," he murmured. "I never saw you so scared in the past, but what a surprise, huh? How interesting, indeed."

Jonathan laughed silently. Although the look on Finn’s face was fierce, he could see through him. After all, they had been friends in the past. They had shared many experiences together, and he was aware that behind that fierce look, Finn was alarmed—scared, even—which was intriguing.

"My wife, my best friend... I wonder how else would Zoren and Dean make this life more interesting than it already is?"