Chapter 214

I looked up at Jared, stunned. How did Jared know about Nathan’s interview? Did he actually go out of his way to watch it? Seriously, did he have nothing better to do?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, playing dumb.

Jared thought I really hadn’t seen Nathan’s interview, so he pulled out his phone and played the video for me.

He said, “Don’t you think you owe me an explanation? You must’ve promised him something, or he wouldn’t have had the guts to say all that in front of everyone. His company’s about to go public, and every move he makes is under a microscope. He wouldn’t risk it unless he was sure.” His expression looked sullen, like I’d already cheated on him.

I couldn’t help but find it funny–how the tables had turned. Now he was the one getting all jealous over me.

“I’ve only met him a handful of times, and you probably don’t know this, but Melissa is dating his right-hand man. We’ve never met alone,” I said, still keeping a lot to myself, but honestly, my conscience was clear.

Jared looked genuinely surprised. “Melissa’s boyfriend is Nathan’s right-hand man?”

I nodded. “Yeah, he’s a really great guy.”

Jared’s face flushed with jealousy. “This has got to be Nathan’s way of getting close to you. He’s so scheming, even dragging his own crew into it!”

I just let it slide. Melissa and Zachary were together because they genuinely admired each other’s talent, nothing more.

“Victoria, don’t just go trusting any guy, okay?” Jared said, sounding desperate. He was out of moves–he couldn’t stop me, let alone change how I felt.

“Thanks, but I stopped trusting men a long time ago,” I said coldly.

“Nathan’s not serious about you. He probably just thinks you’re pretty and wants a fling,” Jared warned me.

I raised an eyebrow with a mischievous glint in my eyes. “How do you know I’m not just playing around with him? If he wants a label, I’m not giving it to him–who knows what he’d go bragging about.”

“Victoria, you…” Jared looked like he was about to explode. Even though he’d had his thing with Tracy, deep down he was still pretty old-fashioned. These rebellious thoughts were way over his line.

“What’s so wrong with that? Who says I can’t date after a divorce?” I looked at him calmly. “I’m no saint, I’ve got feelings and desires like anyone else. If someone deserves my love, I’ll go for it–same goes for you.”

With that, I brushed past his shoulder and walked out the door.

I was chipping away at the walls Jared had built around his heart, and at the same time, tearing down that perfect wife-and-mother image everyone expected from me.

I didn’t need anyone shackling me with expectations or sticking labels on me. I just wanted to be a free spirit.

When I got to the temporary office, I saw Ryan in a hard hat, helping the construction crew move stuff at the hotel entrance.

He was moving fast and sure, sweat dripping down his face, but his eyes sparkled with youth–there wasn’t a hint of worry anywhere.

“Ms. Murphy!” Ryan called out when he saw me, flashing a smile that felt like a spring breeze brushing past my heart. Honestly, such a young and handsome guy just lit up the place.

“Be careful,” I told him before heading into the office. As soon as I walked in, I noticed a heart-shaped chocolate on Ryan’s desk.

A few young clerks were whispering and gossiping, and next to them was my assistant, Yolanda Shaw, hiding her face on the desk like she was trying to avoid something.

“Ms. Murphy!” Yolanda jumped up as soon as she saw me.

I nodded and headed into my office. Not long after, Yolanda came in with some papers for me to sign.