Since things had already been laid bare, there were some things that Jessica had to say. She straightened her posture slightly. She was still wearing a white suit, and the unapproachable look on her face had softened a little.
It wasn't just Michael; it would be normal for any man to fall for a woman like Jessica. Otherwise, years ago, Chris would not have compromised just because of a single tear from Jessica.
“Since we’ve come this far, I have to remind you about my younger sister.” Jessica paused briefly before turning her gaze directly to Michael’s eyes. “I hope you can also stay away from Sophie.”
Michael’s hands, resting on his knees, clenched slightly. Had Jessica noticed something?
That wasn’t possible. Sophie was abroad. According to what Sophie herself had said, she had rarely communicated with Jessica since leaving the country and had not even returned for the New Year. From that perspective, there was already a significant rift between Sophie and the Wilder family.
How could Sophie still listen to Jessica? It was even less likely that she would reveal she was working for Michael’s livestream platform.
“My relationship with Sophie is not what you think,” Michael quickly explained. “She’s your sister. I just care for her because I care for you.”
“How coincidental.” Jessica smiled faintly. “Since childhood, Sophie liked to follow me around. She was a complete little tag-along. I’ve long known that Sophie liked you. But her feelings for you were only because of my relationship with you, Michael. Don’t think too highly of yourself. That is your fatal weakness.”
Having said that, Jessica could not bring herself to say anything harsher. Between them stood the hatred between their fathers. Anything closer was clearly impossible. So remaining strangers, never seeing each other again, would be the best outcome.
Jessica said, “Michael, if you understood what I just said, you can cancel the cooperation we have with Jason. The Wilder Group won’t demand a penalty from you. But if you want to finish this contract, I don’t mind either. Everything will be handled according to the rules.”
“Fine.” Michael agreed quickly this time, his voice colder now. “It seems I really overestimated things. Is this how you’ve seen me ever since we started dating? A petty, self-serving man? I actually thought you once loved me.”
Michael looked genuinely hurt. He stood up, placed both hands on the table, and stared intensely at Jessica. “Even if you never loved me, I truly had feelings for you. Jessica, do you think the Hall Group is my only way out?”
Hearing this, Jessica frowned slightly. She didn’t understand what Michael meant.
“After returning to the country, I acted pitiful in front of you; you might be used to it. But after being sent abroad for five years, if I had done nothing but act pitiful, I might not have even survived long enough to see you again. Jessica, I really didn’t want you to see the real me.”
But now there was no other choice. If showing weakness didn’t work, then he would have to use force.
Before leaving, Michael turned his head and asked Jessica, “Was it because of Chris? Did you stop loving me because Chris appeared?”
Even now, Michael was still calling their broken relationship a change of heart. It seemed he was somewhat obsessed.
“Michael, I’ve told you many times—Chris was never the reason between us. Even without Chris, we still wouldn’t have made it to the end.”
Shannon and Maggie had been standing outside for a long time. Sensing the right moment, Shannon knocked on the door.
“Ms. Wilder, Mr. Holister from Frontier Constructions is already waiting for you in the conference room.” Shannon pushed the door open but didn’t come in, standing only at the doorway.