After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 375

Jackson walked over, glass in hand.

“These documents have some issues, but Dad already signed and stamped them. I need him to fix them,” Jordan said, spreading the files out on the table. He pointed out the mistakes, then handed the stack to Jackson and took the empty glass from him, heading for the kitchenette at the back of the office.

Jackson’s office was massive. There was a space for guests, his desk area, a little lounge, and a kitchenette tucked away in the corner. Jordan stepped inside and leaned out for a second. “Dad, do you want tea or coffee?”

“Just warm water,” Jackson answered. “Lunch was salty and I’m still thirsty.”

Jordan nodded, filled the glass, then paused. He slipped a small packet of powder from his pocket and almost opened it to tip into the water… but stopped himself.

Jackson had asked for plain warm water, nothing added. The powder had a bitter taste. Even a tiny bit would be noticeable. He put the packet away. Better to wait for when Jackson asked for coffee; the strong flavor would hide the taste easily. The drug wasn’t lethal, but it would mess with Jackson’s nerves, slowly turning him into a shell of himself. That was all Jordan needed.

His father still sided with Deborah, refusing to give him half the company shares now. It was obvious what he was thinking: someday, he’d split everything between Jordan and that illegitimate son. Why should he have to share? Jordan had been the Lane family’s only heir for thirty years. He’d always seen everything—the company, the money, the legacy—as his. He and his mom had fought to get back every little thing Jackson gave Cynthia. There was no way he’d ever let some outsider have a share.

Deborah glided into the room and made a beeline for Jackson. Jordan could only see her back, but he knew exactly who she was, even without seeing her face. This was the woman his father kept on the side. Deborah—the home-wrecker.

Jackson had stopped him from digging into her past, but Natalie had gone back to her family and managed to find out everything. Deborah used to be Jackson’s secretary. That explained why she seemed so familiar. Apparently, she’d been fired before Jordan joined the Lane Group, supposedly for making a mistake at work. But now it was clear—she’d been let go so she could have Jackson’s baby in secret. Jackson had done a good job hiding it.

If Deborah hadn’t gotten greedy and sent those anonymous photos to Cynthia, they would probably still be in the dark. Neither Jordan nor the Gates family had any real proof that Deborah was behind the photos, but it was obvious. She had the most to gain. No mistress wanted to stay a mistress forever. Once they had enough leverage, they always wanted to become the wife.