A Man with Nerves of Steel (Joseph Hart) novel Chapter 352

Chapter 352

Joseph left after finishing Wesley’s treatment and met up with Katie. Together, they went to meet representatives of the Wests, one of Jenton’s local families.

The Wests were yet another family that had spent years under the thumb of the Zahn family. Once prosperous, they had been reduced to a state where they were barely clinging to survival. If they wanted to change their fate, they needed outside support.

When Katie approached them, they readily agreed to back Joseph as the figurehead of their new alliance.

The meeting went smoothly, and both sides parted amicably.

On the drive back, Katie glanced at Joseph’s unusually serious expression and asked, “Joseph, what’s wrong? You don’t seem very happy.”

Joseph sighed. “Darren West agreed to everything far too readily. We offered him no tangible benefits, and he revealed absolutely nothing about himself. That means he could easily sell us out down the road. It really is difficult to build trust out of nothing.”

Katie replied, “Then we can just choose not to work with them.”

Katie actually thought the negotiations had gone perfectly, and she didn’t see Darren as the betraying type. But she trusted Joseph’s judgment. He was older and more experienced than she was.

“We’ll adapt as things develop.” Joseph didn’t dwell on it. Instead, he returned to the company to rest.

Meanwhile, Peyton and Yelena went to the Lowell Group to meet with Cora.

Cora immediately recognized Yelena, having seen her at Joseph’s company once before. Yelena clearly shared a close relationship with Joseph. And while Yelena might not have been as stunning as Cora, Cora still felt threatened by her youth.

The greater threat, however, came from the petite beauty standing beside her. Peyton possessed the kind of delicate quality that instinctively inspired men to protect and cherish her.

On top of that, Peyton didn’t look like she was here just to sit and chat.

Sure enough, Peyton immediately said, “Cora, you’re breathtaking. You’re probably the most beautiful and wealthiest woman I’ve ever met. Anyone would envy you.

“But I still have to ask something of you. I hope you’ll step aside and give Joseph his freedom. You need to divorce him.”

Cora stared at Peyton in astonishment. She had never imagined someone would walk right into her office and openly demand that she divorce her husband.

The fact that this was happening on her own territory only made her more furious.

“Who are you?” Cora demanded.

Peyton replied, “I’m Peyton Roth. You’ve betrayed Joseph time and time again, and the whole city already knows it. He’s utterly humiliated. If you have any decency left, do the right thing and divorce him. Compensate him, and the two of you can part peacefully instead of becoming enemies.”

Cora shot back, “I don’t even know you. What gives you the right to interfere with my marriage? Have you been sleeping with my husband?”

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Peyton smirked. “That’s right, I’m carrying Joseph’s baby. So, do the right thing and divorce him.”

As she spoke, Peyton met Cora’s gaze and deliberately rested a hand over her lower abdomen.

Yelena frowned. She’d never have used a tactic like this herself, but she had to admit that Peyton’s straightforward aggression was remarkably effective. It shifted all the pressure squarely onto Cora.

Cora fixed her gaze on Peyton. At first, she assumed the woman was lying, but when she noticed that instinctive, protective gesture over the stomach, her composure cracked. She stood up abruptly. “What did you just say? Say it again.”

Peyton answered calmly, “You should divorce him. Stop standing in the way of Joseph and me. Your children aren’t his, but mine is. I’m going to give him the child he’s always wanted.”

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