Chapter 245

Ollie asked, "Mrs. Hendrix, if you don't get along with Mr. Hendrix, why don't you divorce him and be with me?"

Thea's face was serious and tense. She felt too distant from Ollie to discuss her marriage. His breath on her neck made her uncomfortable. "Mr. Windrow, watch it," she said.

Under the moonlight, Ollie laughed teasingly, as if his earlier seriousness had been a delusion. "It's just a joke," he said. "I'm not bold enough to steal a woman from Mr. Hendrix. Congratulations, Mrs. Hendrix. You got what you wanted tonight. Do you want me to send you home?"

He opened the car door. Ollie was popular in Silvercreek. He was handsome, but his upturned eyes reminded Thea of Duncan, her nightmare.

She stepped back. "That's okay," she said. "My friend is already here to pick me up."

Joyce's car was behind Ollie's. She honked incessantly, but Ollie ignored her. After Thea escaped Ollie, she jumped into Joyce's passenger seat.

Joyce was furious. "I knew Ollie wasn't a good person," she said. "I can't believe he actually tried that! Is he crazy? I almost got out to beat him up!"

Thankfully, she remembered Thea's warning about Ollie being Sparkle Rocks' only client. Thea calmed her down. "I can't guess what he's thinking, but I'll try to distance myself. Joyce, I won the Langstaff Group! Let's celebrate!"

Her joy was unusual. Joyce refused. "No. Remember last time? If something happened to you in a bar, Mr. Hendrix would kill me. He was so domineering tonight. Thea, do you think he still has feelings for you?"

Thea believed he did. Nicolas wouldn't pretend if he didn't. She was powerless against him. However, things had changed since her miscarriage.

A bitter smile touched Thea's lips. "Don't guess what men are thinking," she said. "Let's go home and have a barbecue. This dress is suffocating me."

Only with Joyce could Thea relax. She kicked off her heels and recounted the evening's events. Joyce listened happily. Thea felt a true friendship with Joyce, unlike her relationship with Emmalie.

Chapter 245 (Continued)

The next morning, Thea arrived at Sparkle Rocks with heavy eye bags, only to be greeted by fireworks.

"Who did this?" she asked, disliking the ostentation.

Madelyn appeared. "Me," she said. "Mrs. Hendrix, the Langstaff Group sent someone to wait for you to sign the collaboration contract. Congratulations! Don't worry, I'll clean this up later."

Thea was suspicious. Is Madelyn up to something again? she thought, becoming vigilant. Employees surrounded her, escorting her to the conference room.

Aiden was waiting. He stared at Thea, astonished. "Mrs. Hendrix, I've heard so much about you. I didn't expect this entrance."

After pleasantries, Thea noticed his lingering gaze, realizing his intentions and frowning. Even Ollie knew to distance himself after learning about her relationship with Nicolas. Aiden is audacious, she thought. Is this really going to be a pleasant collaboration?

Aiden presented the contract. "Mrs. Hendrix, this is the Langstaff Group's collaboration contract The terms are identical to those with Ms. Wade."

After Thea reviewed the contract, she slammed it shut. "Mr. Langstaff, don't you read the news? Sparkle Rocks doesn't engage in shady business." The contract contained questionable clauses. Previously, Sparkle Rocks offered benefits; now, it was the opposite.

Aiden, aiming to curry favor, had instead angered Thea. "Mr. Rowland, I'm showing sincerity," he said. "It's not illegal. I'll withdraw the money from my private account. Even if the Commerce Bureau checks, there'll be no trouble. I just hope you'll put in a good word for me with Mr. Hendrix."

His flattery was grating. Thea had previously kept her marriage secret to avoid this. She hadn't expected this situation.

Chapter 243 (Continued)

Thea's expression was cold. "I can't do that, nor can I accept your sincerity. I'll tell Mr. Langstaff about this. The cooperation is a win-win. I hope this doesn't happen again."

Aiden's offer was tempting: a 20% market price bonus for every two pounds of raw stone purchased. But Thea wasn't short of money. His offer was insignificant.

Aiden, cursing her internally, maintained a fawning smile. "Mrs. Hendrix, my subordinates made a mistake," he said, shifting blame. He tore the document. "I'll have them draft a new one. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Thea remained unmoved. A knock interrupted the tense atmosphere.

Madelyn entered. "Mrs. Hendrix, I made coffee for you and Mr. Langstaff."

Thea's beauty was sharp, intimidating. Madelyn's exposed neck caught Aiden's attention. Madelyn, having stolen Jake from Thea, maneuvered herself expertly in front of Aiden. "I hope I didn't interrupt," she said. What does she want? Thea wondered.

This cleaned-up version corrects grammar, punctuation, and improves the flow of the narrative. It also divides the text logically into chapters and sections for better readability. The excessive use of ellipses () has been reduced for better clarity.