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.

and a hard place, Lydia was at a loss

smirk grew as he

can't have it all. You

her head, feeling the

seconds ticked by, and Chandler's patience was wearing

he uncrossed his legs and stood up, Lydia panicked. "Mr. Aniston,

gaze was

you can negotiate

voice wavered. "Mr. Aniston, but I truly

a sneer. "Fine, then the project

turned white from gripping tightly. It was clear she had accepted

matter what, she was choosing

as naive

project, but Dalton was someone she couldn't let

over her with a

though you've chosen Dalton, you two still

feeling as though he

at him, bewildered. "You

promised that giving up

continued, "You 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

on the sofa with a nonchalant air. "Tear you apart? If you want to be with Dalton so badly, why don't you just marry him? That way, it'll be one less problem for me." Lydia's eyes widened in

was exactly what

family was a top family,

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

mother had never

was less capable, the engagement had

trying to force her to back

Mr. Aniston, you know Dalton's mother would never approve of our marriage. How could I

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

taken aback.