Novel Legend
My Toyboy 9
My Toyboy 9
Chapter 9
Just as Filip’s heart sank, Jonathan suddenly said, “Yates? Yates Construction?”
He knows Yates Construction!‘ Filip felt a rush of excitement. “Yeah. My grandpa always says you’re a business genius. He mentioned that if the Yates family could team up with Bennett Group on the Paradise Resort project, it would be a huge honor.”
Filip had been looking for a way to bring the project up, and now, Jonathan had given him the perfect opening. He knew Jonathan wouldn’t jump at the chance right away–a project worth billions wasn’t something settled with a few words. But if he could get Jonathan to remember Yates Construction, it might give the company an edge in the future.
Jonathan swirled his drink, leaning back as if he were on a throne. His voice was cool but dripped with sarcasm. “The Paradise Resort project can partner with anyone… except Yates Construction.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd. They had been eyeing Paradise Resort for a while, so when Jonathan mentioned Yates Construction, they had felt a surge of envy. But now, that envy morphed into schadenfreude, and they started wondering what the Yates family had done to upset Jonathan.
Filip was equally stunned. Until now, the Yates and Bennett families had no connections, and he had never even met Jonathan. What could have triggered such a harsh response? Tension hit Filip, and he asked cautiously, “Mr. Bennett, may I inquire what the Yates family did to offend you?”
Jonathan stood abruptly, his gaze flicking from Filip to Cynthia. He was cold and distant, giving off an air of unapproachability, but something flickered in his voice. “You should ask Mrs. Yates about that.”
Instantly, all eyes turned toward Cynthia. She was stunning–by far the most beautiful woman in the room. Many had noticed her the moment she arrived, like a fairy from a misty tale. She wore a light dress that highlighted her elegance, and even with minimal makeup, her natural beauty was utterly captivating.
Cynthia was caught off guard by Jonathan’s abrupt confrontation.
“Cynthia, what’s going on here?” Filip turned to her, his expression icy and accusatory. It felt like a blow to Filip. ‘How does Cynthia know Jonathan, and how has she upset him? Is there something more between them?‘
Cynthia took a moment to regain her composure before stepping forward with a smile. “I just accidentally bumped into your luxury car three years ago, and I had no idea who you were then, so I just left 300 dollars and walked away. I didn’t expect you to hold grudges, Mr. Bennett.”
Cynthia knew she had to tell a lie. After all, she couldn’t admit that they had slept together for three years and that she had now dumped him.
The crowd showed understanding expressions, while Filip felt a mix of relief and confusion. For some reason, he had been anxious, thinking there might be something scandalous between Cynthia and Jonathan.
With an edge in his voice, Filip scolded Cynthia, “Mr. Bennett’s car must have cost a fortune. Three hundred dollars isn’t just a mistake; it’s an insult. Come over here and apologize.”
The crowd watched in surprise as Filip reprimanded Cynthia. Here she was, stunning like a fairy, yet not only did he not defend her, but he also treated her with such harshness.
Filip figured Jonathan wouldn’t care too much about the car’s worth; it was likely that Cynthia dismissing 300 dollars felt insulting, leading to Jonathan’s lingering resentment.
Seeing that Jonathan didn’t object to her excuse, Cynthia walked confidently toward him, raising her glass. “Three years ago, I didn’t recognize you, and that was my mistake. I sincerely apologize, Mr. Bennett.”
After a pause, she added meaningfully, “I hope you can be gracious and not hold a grudge against a nobody like me.”
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Jonathan just laughed a cold, sharp laugh that sent a chill through the crowd. He smirked, his voice carrying a hint of malice, “You think one drink can wipe away three years of resentment?”
The crowd gasped, shocked that Jonathan was still holding a grudge after three years over a minor incident, and even making things difficult for the young lady like that. It was clear he was not the forgiving type. They reminded themselves to be cautious around him while casting sympathetic glances at Cynthia.
“What can I do to make you feel better, Mr. Bennett?” Cynthia asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Jonathan picked up an unopened bottle of whisky from the table. “One drink won’t cut it, but a whole bottle might.”
The others fell silent. ‘Asking a delicate lady to down an entire bottle of strong liquor? That is outrageous!‘ But before anyone could jump in, someone started pouring the whisky into ten glasses lined up neatly on the table.
Jonathan’s gaze locked onto Cynthia like a hawk ready to strike. Mrs. Yates, go ahead.”
Cynthia thought if one bottle could erase all their past troubles, it might be worth it. She stepped forward, took a glass, and said, “Mr. Bennett, you seem like a man of your word. If I drink this, our issues will vanish, and you’ll drop your biases against Yates Construction. At the least, give them a fair shot.”
“Of course,” Jonathan replied with a hint of amusement.
As Cynthia raised her glass, murmurs began to circulate in the crowd.
“Mrs: Yates is quite something–beautiful and strong. But her husband? He’s completely useless. He just stands there, doing nothing.”
“Right? He lets his woman take all the heat while he stays silent like a sponge. What a coward!”
“Mrs. Yates is trying to defend the Yates family, and he acts like it doesn’t concern him at all.”
“Seriously, if he can’t even stand up for his wife, what kind of man is he?”
Filip’s face flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment as he overheard the snide comments. ‘Can’t they see that Cynthia is the one to blame?‘ he thought. NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.
But he knew as a man, he had to act. He snatched the glass from Cynthia’s hand and declared, “She’s my wife. I’ll take responsibility for her mistakes. I’ll drink in her place, Mr. Bennett.”
He fully expected Jonathan to refuse, but instead, Jonathan just smirked and said, “You’re quite the supportive husband, Mr. Yates. Go ahead and drink.