Dumping My Fiancé For His Uncle novel Chapter 7

Thea looked up at Nicolas, her voice steady. "Mr. Hendrix, I want to end my engagement with Jake. From now on, I want nothing more to do with him."

Nicolas raised an eyebrow, momentarily surprised. "Are you sure about this?"

Thea gripped her hands tightly on her knees. "I am. I hope you can understand my actions. No one wants to be cheated on. I didn't intend to embarrass the Hendrix family."

Nicolas said nothing in response but added, his tone remaining calm, "Take a few days to think it through. Don't make a rash decision you'll regret."

Thea misinterpreted his words, thinking he was threatening her, and her face grew even paler. "Mr. Hendrix, I—"

"I helped you today, but it comes with conditions," Nicolas interrupted, shifting slightly in his seat, his presence as cold and distant as stone.

"I know you don't want to stay at Avon Ventures, but I need you to finish the Warren Group project you're working on," Nicolas said. "You're a valuable employee, and I stepped in today because it was the right thing to do."

Thea felt her anxiety ease a little, offering Nicolas a sincere smile. "Thank you, Mr. Hendrix."

Avon Ventures was a key subsidiary of the Hendrix Group. Thea had joined the company alongside Jake.

Jake hated being bound by company rules, but his family pressured him into staying, so Thea ended up doing most of his work.

She even handled several projects worth millions of dollars on his behalf, without recognition.

The Rowland family hadn't objected, partly because they assumed she'd eventually marry into the Hendrix family, and partly because her efforts at Avon Ventures benefitted the Rowland family, too.

Now, as Thea reflected, she realized she'd spent years working for everyone else's gain. How foolish she'd been.

Upon arrival, Thea quickly disappeared into the night.

Darwin returned from a phone call, looking irritated. "Mr. Hendrix, they're not pleased with your sudden return without notice."

Nicolas's expression remained as cold as ice. "Are the executives at the foreign office completely useless?"

Darwin hesitated before mumbling, "You clearly don't approve of Jake's behavior, so why did you tell Miss Rowland to reconsider breaking off the engagement?"

Nicolas's eyes narrowed. "That's enough talk."

*****

The next day, rumors followed Thea the moment she walked into Avon Ventures.

"Did you hear? Miss Rowland lost it at the family party yesterday. She hired some thugs who almost raped Miss Terell," one employee whispered.

"That's taking things too far," another replied.

"Well, Madelyn shouldn't have been the other woman," someone added.

"You can't really say that. Miss Rowland and Mr. Hendrix weren't married. I heard he wanted to break up with her a while ago. He and Miss Terell are truly in love, but Miss Rowland won't let go. Jealousy can make people act crazy," another person chimed in.

"She's just throwing her weight around because of her money and connections. I've never liked her arrogant attitude. If I were Mr. Hendrix, I'd choose Miss Terell as well," a woman scoffed.

Thea heard these harsh comments but kept her expression neutral as she made her way to the meeting room.

However, someone stopped her with a forced smile. "Miss Rowland, all the meeting rooms are booked today. Did you have an appointment?"

"I do." Thea checked the time. "Warren Group is coming to review our products today. If everything goes well, we'll sign the contract this afternoon."