Chapter 19: Get Lost
Mateo’s face remained cold as he looked around, but it wasn’t his place to be angry.
“Eliza, you talk to my uncle first. I’ll be over here having a drink. When you’re done, come find me.”
Eliza nodded.
The project had been stalled at Jaxen’s end for over half a month, and she had been racking her brain on how to get him to sign the contract.
Since Jaxen had brought it up, she certainly didn’t want to miss the opportunity.
Right after graduating, Eliza had been placed into the company by Derek as the project team manager.
But even with Derek backing her up, it didn’t mean much in front of those seasoned veterans. To make her mark, she had to rely on her own performance.
Eliza took a couple of steps closer to Jaxen, thinking of how to begin, “Uncle, about that project…”
Jaxen raised an eyebrow, his tone cold, “What did you just call me?”
Eliza froze for a moment before quickly correcting herself, “Mr. Gates…”
“You can have the Foster Corporation project,” Jaxen casually tapped a cigarette from his pack, “on one condition: you leave Mateo.”
At the mention of this, Eliza’s face immediately turned pale.
To give up Mateo for the project? What if Mateo hated her once he found out?
But if she lost this project… how could she explain it to the company and Derek?
Eliza found herself at a loss for words, biting her lip, feeling trapped.
Jaxen saw through her hesitation and gave a mocking smile. “You can’t have it both ways. Pick one.”
Eliza lowered her head slightly.
Time passed, and Jaxen, clearly growing impatient, uncrossed his legs and began to stand up.
Eliza immediately spoke up, “Mr. Gates, isn’t there a third option?”
Jaxen’s gaze was icy and calm. “Why should I bargain with you?”
Eliza swayed slightly. “Mr. Gates, but I truly love Mateo! I can’t leave him!”
Jaxen sneered. “Fine, then I’ll give the project to someone else.”
Eliza’s fingers tightened, her unspoken answer clear.
No matter what, she would choose Mateo over the project.
She wasn’t like Lily–she wouldn’t be so foolish.
There would be more opportunities for the project in the future, but Mateo… she would never give him up!
Jaxen’s dark eyes briefly scanned Eliza’s face, a hint of amusement in his smile.
10:19 .
From His Cell to His Uncle’s Bed
9.5%
Chapter 19: Get Lost
He changed the subject. “Although you’ve chosen Mateo, you still can’t be with him.”
Eliza froze, an uneasy feeling creeping in. It seemed like Jaxen was setting her up.
She looked at him, surprised. “Mr. Gates, that’s not what you just said.”
“What did I say?” Jaxen squinted slightly. “I never promised you wouldn’t lose the project, and I certainly won’t turn a blind eye to your affair.”
Eliza’s heart skipped a beat.
Jaxen’s voice continued. “You know about last night, don’t you? The commotion was pretty big. As the head of the Gates family, if I don’t handle it, the gossip will be unbearable.”
Eliza bit her lip hard. “But I really love Mateo! Please don’t break us up!”
Jaxen leaned back against the sofa. “Break you up? Fine, marry Mateo. That way, I won’t have to bother anymore.”
Eliza’s eyes widened in shock. Marry Mateo?
Of course, she wanted to!
But the Gates family was a top–tier family, with strict attention to bloodline.
Though Eliza had been raised by the Foster family, and pampered like a treasure, to the Gates family, she was just an unknown, illegitimate girl.
Mateo’s mother had never even acknowledged her.
So, even though Lily was nowhere near as capable as her, only Lily could be engaged to Mateo.
Eliza quickly realized that Jaxen was trying to force her to give up.
“You’re making it impossible for me, Mr. Gates. You know Mateo’s mother would never accept me into the family… How can I marry him?”
Jaxen, calm as ever, crossed his legs. “She won’t accept it, but since you want to marry him, won’t you figure it out yourself?”
Eliza was confused. “What method?”
Jaxen’s eyes were filled with indifference. “You figure it out. I’m only giving you three days. If you can’t get the Gates family to change their mind, then
you’re on your own.”
Eliza’s heart pounded. Three days? How could it be that easy?
If she had a way, she wouldn’t have been hiding behind Mateo for three years.
Just then, Josh walked over with a glass of wine in hand.
He pointed at Mateo, who was drunkenly leaning over the table. “Jaxen, your nephew can’t handle his liquor. How come he’s already out after so little?”
Josh then turned to Eliza.
“Your delicate frame, can you handle it? Should I call someone to help you?”
Eliza didn’t say anything, but helped Mateo to lean against her shoulder. He was utterly drunk and didn’t react at all despite all the fuss.
Eliza’s mind was in turmoil. The words Jaxen had said to her kept echoing in her ears.
In the midst of this frustration, a thought popped into her mind.
10:19
From His Cell to His Uncle’s Bed
9.6%
Chapter 19: Get Lost
There might still be a way to break the deadlock–if she could just put herself out there…
People could be greedy when faced with good wine.
Not long after, Mateo and Eliza left, and Jaxen also became drunk.
When Ambrose got a call from Lily, he was preparing to help the drunken Jaxen into the car.
Lily, on the other end of the line, cautiously asked, “Ambrose, is your boss available?”
Ambrose paused. “Miss Foster, have you made up your mind?”
(10)