?<strong>Chapter 316:</strong>


    “Joelle, you’re quite something.” Jonathan couldn’t help but notice that the more Joelle kept her distance, the more he feltpelled to close that gap. “Why don’t we try being friends?”


    Joelle thought that nobody in their right mind would want to be friends with him, yet she chose her words carefully. “I don’t need anything from you right now, and I’m not in a position to offer you anything either. Maybe it’s best if we just go our separate ways.”


    Jonathan was quick to pick up on the underlying message in her words—outright rejection. He wasn’t one to force anyone, and he noted that Adrian seemed to have a soft spot for Joelle. This exined why he had tortured Lara.


    Initially, Jonathan wanted to deal with Adrian for Joelle’s sake, but it became clear that their lives were better off separate. His interference was only making things harder for her.


    “What a shame.” He sighed. “Sometimes, a man needs to feel a little threatened to truly value what he has. If you had someone like me as a backup n, you’d understand how to use that to your advantage.”


    Joelle retorted, “Stop creating drama for your own entertainment.”


    Jonathan raised his ss. “If you ever feel aggrieved, you’re always wee to visit me in Bristania.”


    “That will never happen.” Joelle was determined to have nothing more to do with Jonathan.


    As he took a sip of his drink, Jonathan had a sudden thought and set down his ss. “Joelle, I’ve just thought of another way I can make it up to you.”


    “What’s that?” Joelle asked.


    “If you find yourself still single at forty,e to Bristania. I’ll be there for you.”


    “Hearing you say that, I guess I better find someone before I turn forty.”


    Jonathan simply smiled, saying nothing further.


    In the night, the ss of the floor-to-ceiling window reflected two scantily d women walking out from inside. “Enough chatter. Until next time.”


    He ended the call, and the two women approached, yfully opening his robe.


    Joelle hoped this conversation with Jonathan might give her some respite, but unexpectedly, Lara approached her soon after.


    Lara was no longer arrogant but appeared quite distressed, her eyes red and swollen. “Why are you trying to take Jonathan away from me?”


    Joelle knew she was not a match, so she discreetly dialed the emergency number on her phone, prepared to call for help if needed.


    Lara, tears streaming down her face, asked, “Do you know how long I’ve loved him?”


    Joellepletely disregarded Lara’s words, having no interest in her romantic dilemmas. “Jonathan isn’t with me. We have no rtionship. What you saw was merely a performance to push you away. I’ve been married twice and have two kids. I don’t mean to sell myself short, but I don’t see someone as esteemed as Jonathan being so desperate.”


    Lara, who had been squatting down and crying, looked up with a skeptical expression. “Are you serious?”


    “Why would I lie to you?”


    Lara examined Joelle closely. Even though she had been through two marriages and had children, she still looked strikingly young and maintained her physique. As a musician, she possessed a naturally elegant aura that seemed to defy time.


    Lara was well aware that Jonathan had a penchant for more experienced women. The fact that Joelle was a mother might even heighten his interest. With this thought, Lara sank deeper into despair.


    Outside on the street, Lara’s loud sobs drew the stares of many pedestrians, leaving Joelle feeling somewhat helpless. “Please, stop crying.”


    But Lara continued, wailing as though her heart had just been broken. “Why? I’ve loved him for so many years. Why doesn’t he return my feelings?”


    Joelle massaged her temples, exasperated. “Why don’t we talk it over in the cafe just ahead?”


    “No!” Yet, despite her dismissal, Lara found herself sitting across from Joelle in that very cafe ten minutester.


    This cafe was one of Joelle’s business ventures, and the staff, recognizing her as the owner, left them undisturbed. Joelle sat poised, savoring the rich scent of the coffee beans.


    “I’ve loved Jonathan for years, but initially, I despised him. His background was questionable, and when his father introduced him to us, none of the other kids wanted to y with him. We even bullied him, but Jonathan bore it all in silence. Then, once I identally fell into the pool, and without a second thought, he jumped in to rescue me.”


    Joelle took it only as a story. “So, you fell for him after that?”


    “Yes! I never imagined he would save me without bearing any grudges. My father always taught us the importance of loyalty! Jonathan truly values loyalty!”


    Joelle only half-listened, seeing a reflection of her own long-held affection in Lara. She didn’t ponder on it. Casually taking a sip of her coffee, she simply said, “There’s nothing romantic going on between Jonathan and me.”


    “Why should I believe you?” Lara confronted her, presenting photos taken by a detective. “Jonathan was with you the whole day! I even caught you two in bed together! How can you im there’s nothing happening?”


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