Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison

Chapter 19 A Deal

Dalton's face was grim, but he knew better than to let his temper flare up.

"Lydia, don't worry. I'll just stay here and drink. Once you're done, come find me."

Lydia nodded, relieved to have some time to handle the situation.

The project had been stalled with Chandler for over two weeks, and she was desperate for his signature.

Since he brought it up, she didn't want to miss this chance.

Fresh out of college, Lydia was placed into the company by Malcolm as a project manager.

Despite his backing, she struggled to earn respect among the older employees.

To make her mark, she had to prove herself with results.

Lydia took a step closer to Chandler, trying to figure out how to broach the subject. "Chandler, about the project..."

Chandler's eyebrow arched coldly. "What did you call me?"

Lydia hesitated, realizing her mistake. "I mean, Mr. Aniston."

"The project can go to Celestial Ventures Group," Chandler said, tapping a cigarette from his pack.

"But there's a condition. You have to leave Dalton."

Lydia's face went pale.

If she gave up Dalton for the project, he would surely hate her.

But if she lost the project, explaining it to her company and her father would be just as hard.

rock and a hard place, Lydia was at

smirk grew as he observed

can't have it all. You need

lowered her head, feeling the

seconds ticked by, and Chandler's

up, Lydia panicked. "Mr. Aniston, is there really no

gaze was cold

really think you can negotiate

wavered. "Mr. Aniston, but I truly love

lip curled in a sneer. "Fine, then the project will

tightly. It was

matter what, she was choosing Dalton over

wasn't as naive as

project, but Dalton was someone she couldn't

her with a mix of amusement and

though you've chosen Dalton, you two still can't be

he were

bewildered. "You didn't say that

that giving up the project

heard about last night, right? The fuss was quite a spectacle. As the head of the Aniston family, it's my responsibility to handle this properly, or it'll reflect badly on us." Lydia's jaw tightened as she bit her lip. "But I truly love

the sofa with a nonchalant air. "Tear you apart? If you want to be with Dalton so badly,

exactly what she

family was a

upbringing in the Stone family and being pampered, to the high society, she was

had never

Meryl was less capable, the engagement had

was trying to force

know Dalton's mother would never approve of our

with a smirk, his legs crossed. "If you're so set on this, shouldn't you be

was taken aback.