Chapter 339

Cynthia was surprised by his words. She turned her head slightly and said, "Jonathan, there's a five-year age gap between us."

Jonathan nodded slightly. "And?"

"So, you were a virgin until you were twenty-five?" Cynthia teased, looking Jonathan straight in the eye with a playful glint.

Jonathan's face turned red, and annoyance flickered in his eyes. He gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "Absolutely true."

Cynthia burst out laughing as she lay on the bed, her hair splayed around her. She laughed so hard she shook.

"Don't laugh at me," Jonathan said, playfully nibbling at Cynthia's neck.

Cynthia sobered, holding Jonathan's face, but sadness lingered in her eyes. She said, "I'm sorry, I couldn't give you my first time."

Lilian was gone. Cynthia would never know the secret; Jonathan knew Lilian had orchestrated Cynthia's first time. It was a lifelong pain for her.

Jonathan felt regret. He'd intended to cheer her up, but had instead reminded her of the past. He rolled over and pulled her tightly into his arms.

"It's not important," Jonathan said. "What matters is that you're here with me—that's the greatest gift."

The next day, Cynthia woke to find Jonathan already up. In the dining room, he was having breakfast while reading the news on his tablet. A financial update was being broadcast.

The news reported, "Ms. Bennett of the Bennett Group is caught in a media storm. Betrico Multimedia's stock hit the limit down at opening, losing billions in market value."

Cynthia walked over. Jonathan heard her footsteps and closed the tablet. He turned and asked, "Why aren't you sleeping a bit more?"

Cynthia had gone to bed late and considered three hours of sleep a luxury. She rested one hand on Jonathan's shoulder, taking the tablet with the other.

She glanced at the headline and said, "‘If the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked.’ Ms. Bennett is dancing with wolves—nice headline. This journalist deserves a bonus."

Cynthia was in a good mood. Ignoring the nearby empty chairs, she sat on Jonathan's lap. Scrolling through news articles about Whitney, an amused glint shone in her eyes. "Your sister's going to stumble this time," she said. "She thought Shirley would be her powerful backing, but Shirley can't even protect herself, and now she's dragged her into the mud."

Cynthia laughed. "I want to see her expression. It must be priceless."

Jonathan realized this was a trap Cynthia had set for Whitney. The Bennett Group's annual meeting approached; Clifford would announce the successor. Every move Jonathan and Whitney made would affect Clifford's decision. Public opinion was crucial.

Betrico Multimedia was Whitney's most impressive achievement, but now its stock was plummeting. She was also involved in a murder case, a crushing blow.

Jonathan wrapped his arms around Cynthia's waist, a faint smile on his face. "You brought the Queen's Tears yesterday, wasn't that your plan?" He gently rubbed her waist. "You little fox."

After breakfast, Cynthia went to Betrico Tower, Betrico Multimedia's headquarters. The Bennett Group headquarters stood opposite, the tallest landmark.

Jonathan accompanied her, though Cynthia felt it unnecessary. It was rare for him to visit Betrico. As General Manager of Bennett Group, she thought he should focus on his own company. Nevertheless, he insisted.

With Jonathan, Cynthia faced no obstacles. The secretary quickly relayed the message. They were asked to wait in the meeting room.

After a while, Whitney's secretary arrived. "Ms. Bennett is in her office; Ms. Jones, please go ahead."

Cynthia and Jonathan stood, but the secretary said, "Only Ms. Jones is invited."

Jonathan frowned. "Doesn't Whitney want to see me?"

The secretary, long accustomed to managing the siblings' fraught relationship, said carefully, "Ms. Bennett had a huge outburst. I've never seen her so angry. It might be best not to provoke her further."

Everyone knew Jonathan and Whitney were natural enemies. Cynthia said, "Don't worry, she can't do anything to me. Besides, I have something to discuss with Ms. Bennett."

Jonathan checked his watch. "It's 10:10. I'll wait until 10:30. If you aren't out by then, I'll come in. If you feel any danger, get out safely."

He remained concerned Whitney might act recklessly. She could be unpredictable, but Jonathan knew she was not foolish; she wouldn't act outrageously in public. To others, she was a decisive businesswoman, but her behind-the-scenes actions were chilling.

Given Betrico Multimedia's state, Whitney likely wanted a press conference to showcase a good relationship with Cynthia—perhaps the only way to recover the stock price.

Soon, Cynthia reached the CEO's office door. Before she could knock, the door swung open. Alex stood in the doorway, wearing a shirt and suit, but with visible scars on his neck, face, and wrists. Surprised to see Cynthia, he silently left.

Cynthia entered. Whitney, dignified and elegant, sat on the couch. Cynthia noticed the scars on Alex—burn marks, perhaps?—and then saw Whitney boiling water, making coffee with graceful movements.

Cynthia remarked leisurely, "Ms. Bennett has a wide range of interests."

Whitney heard the sarcasm. Her expression didn't change. "Men are just toys to me," she said calmly. She poured coffee for Cynthia. "I think we see eye to eye on this. You might be the only one bold enough to keep Jonathan as a 'Pretty Boy' for three years."