Chapter 804
“Thanks for the concern, but trust me, I know how to handle it,” I said.
“Don’t let yourself get dragged down by messy relationships, Victoria. Now that you’re running your own business, you’ve got to put your romantic relationship second to your career. No need to wade into that muddy water again,” Jared said, genuinely worried I wouldn’t know what’s really important.
Honestly, I should thank him for that—it was probably the most real thing he’d ever said to me.
I nodded, meaning it. “Relax, I’ve already been doing that.”
“So… did you end things with them?” Jared’s eyes suddenly brightened.
I held his gaze and nodded. “More or less. I cut off contact—guess that’s closure enough, isn’t it?”
“What about those Jennings family connections and resources—do you still have access? I mean strictly business, not whatever kind of thing you had with them,” Jared asked, sounding every bit the shrewd businessman. For guys like him, it’s all about the numbers—if there’s profit on the table, enemies turn into partners in a heartbeat.
I let out a chuckle. “I’m no fool. If there’s money to be made, why wouldn’t I stay connected? Not everyone can cozy up to the Jennings family, you know—I’d never ditch that advantage.”
Jared shot me a look I couldn’t quite read, then laughed at himself. “Look at me, preaching about chasing profits when deep down, I just wish you’d value feelings instead.”
“Enough of the contradictions. Just keep your head down and make money—the romance and drama can wait till you’ve padded your bank account first,” I said, swinging the door open. “I’ve gotta head to the office soon. You should head out for now.”
Jared paused, caught off guard for a second. Then, quietly, he asked, “Would it be alright if I dropped by your office for a bit?”
“Drop by my office around noon. Lunch is on me—we can see if there’s any room for collaboration,” I said, arching my brow with a playful smile.
Jared paused, then a faint, teasing smile appeared at his lips. “All about the money, aren’t you?”
He said it with a grin, then strode right out the door.
I changed into a luxury outfit, swept my hair up into a stylish bun, and just like that, my whole aura felt upgraded.
Little by little, I was leaving the housewife persona behind, trading it for real confidence and a clear, unmistakable edge.
By noon, Jared had already arrived downstairs—way ahead of schedule. I was still stuck in a meeting, so I asked him to wait patiently.
Turns out, he actually waited for a full hour. When I finally came down, he’d finished off three whole cups of coffee.
“If you’d taken any longer, I’d be swimming in coffee by now,” Jared said, making a face at me.
I just chuckled. “Well, you showed up at ten-thirty on the dot—got too much free time or something?”
He just shrugged. “Hey, I came here to see you, not to clock in for work.”
I took him out to one of my most exclusive restaurants—a fusion spot, spotlighting the finest ingredients imported from every corner of the globe. In Shaville, if you cater to the whims of the wealthy, they’ll spend without blinking.
This city? It’s absolutely crawling with rich folks.
That was all Edward’s idea, actually. He always said, sure, build some mid-range places for regular crowds, but you’ve got to have a flagship, something that stands out and brings in anyone with taste—no matter their background.
Jared and I were chilling in a private booth, and when he walked in, he instantly started eyeing the decor. “Did you put your own touch on these designs?” he asked, curious.
“So you caught that, huh?” I grinned.
He glanced all around, soaking it in. “Anyone can tell you poured your heart into this. Where’d you stash all those wild ideas?”
I rested my chin in my hand, gazing out at the city lights nearby, and said quietly, “Actually, I owe that to you. Remember when you sent me all over the world just to chase after Tracy back then? During those trips, I locked away every shade and style I liked in my mind.”