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.

between a rock and a hard place, Lydia was at a loss

grew as he

have it all. You

feeling

seconds ticked by, and Chandler's patience was wearing

his legs and stood up, Lydia panicked. "Mr. Aniston, is there really no other

gaze was cold

think you can negotiate

Aniston, but I truly love

then the project will

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

what, she was choosing Dalton over the

as

for the project, but Dalton was someone she couldn't

with

chosen Dalton, you two still

he were setting a trap

bewildered. "You didn't say

say?" Chandler's eyes narrowed slightly. "I never promised that giving up the project would mean

"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,

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

was exactly

Aniston family was a top family, obsessed

family and being pampered, to the high society,

mother had never considered her

though Meryl was less capable, the engagement had to be

trying to force her to back

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

leaned back with a smirk, his legs crossed. "If you're so set on

taken