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

have it all. You need

head, feeling the weight of

ticked by, and Chandler's patience was wearing

up, Lydia panicked. "Mr. Aniston, is there really

was cold and

really think you can negotiate with

but I truly love Dalton!

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

tightly. It

was choosing Dalton over the

wasn't as

would be other chances for the project, but Dalton was someone she couldn't

with a mix of amusement and

you two

though he were setting a trap for

at him, bewildered. "You

"I never promised that giving up the project would mean I'd overlook your

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 Dalton. Please, don't tear

a nonchalant air. "Tear you apart? If you want to be with Dalton so badly, why don't you just marry him?

exactly what

was a top family,

and being pampered, to the

had never considered her

even though Meryl was less capable, the engagement had to be with

quickly realized that Chandler was trying

this difficult. Mr. Aniston, you know Dalton's mother would never approve of our marriage.

so set on this, shouldn't you be the one to find

was taken aback.