Chapter 37

Jonny froze, staring at Eleanor in disbelief.

He had laid out such enticing terms, yet she still turned him down?

What more could she possibly want? The title of his wife?

Absurd.

That spot was reserved for Lainey, and Lainey alone.

He swiped the blood from the corner of his lips, fury flashing in his eyes. "Eleanor, don't push your luck!"

He lunged toward her,trying to claim her lips by force.

Revulsion surged through Eleanor. She shoved him back with all her strength."JOnny, where do you get the guts for this? Do you think you're some kind-of sultan with a harem?"

She regained her composure and continued, "Let me spell it out one last time. I'm not pretending to play hard to get. I just don't love you anymore. That's it. So drop the narcissistic act and go be with your darling Lainey."

Her gaze swept him from head to toe before she flashed him a cold smile. "Frankly, a manipulative man and a shameless woman make a perfect pair."

The words hit Jonny like knives.

Today, he had humbled himself, come down from his lofty perch, and even waited here, just to give her a chance.

If she had only admitted fault, he might have allowed her back into Todd Group.

Instead, she spat in his face with stubborn defiance.

Stubborn. Insolent. Who gave her that right? His jaw clenched, voice low with venom. "Don't forget, Eleanor! You only grew up with the support of Todd Group!"

She laughed coldly. "Wrong. That credit belongs to Sallie, who supported me and the orphanage.I owe her everything.And you?"

Her eyes hardened. "If you keep showing up in front of me, I won't hesitate to let those photos see daylight."

Without another glance, she slid her card and stepped into the elevator.

Jonny's legs twitched to follow, but he stopped short.

The photos wouldn't ruin him, but they would humiliate him.

The thought made his stomach churn.

Damn it. What was Eleanor really after?

Why was she being so impossible now?

Could it be true that she had stopped loving him?

No.

Impossible.

A woman who had loved him for three years didn't just walk away overnight.

No,she had to be angling for more-still dreaming of becoming his wife.

But let her dream.

That title belonged to Lainey, and no one else.

Jonnystormed toward his parking spot, his temper boiling over.

But when he got there, the space was empty. His sleek black sedan was nowhere in sight.

What the fuck? Where did it ggo?

How could a whole car just vanish?

His rage was about to spill over when a man in uniform stepped out from the shadows, with a small notebook in hand.

"Mr. Todd?" the officer asked, handing him a slipof paper. "Your vehicle was parked in a fire lane and has been towed."

Jonny froze, staring at the ticket. What kind of nonsense was this? Since when had he parked in a fire lane?

And even if he had, who would dare to report him?

He snatched the ticket and crushed it in his fist. "Who the hell reported me? Do they have a death wish?"

The veins in his neck stood out as his face twisted with fury.

The officer didn't so much as blink. "Sorry, that information is confidential."

Without another word, he took his leave.

Jonny was left seething. He might have been a president of a listed company, but in a city overflowing with power players, he wasn't anyone special.

Besides, the one who filed the report was Nolan's assistant.

That officer might have been low in rank, but he wasn't stupid.

He knew very well who it was safe to offend and who it wasn't.

And honestly, Jonny had broken the law. This time, he couldn't cry unfair.