An Affair With The Ceo (Natasha and Jared) novel Chapter 138

Chapter 138 Just a Game?

Chapter 138 Just a Game?

Jared’s breath caught in his throat.

His eyes turned stormy, dark as if a tempest was brewing in their depths.

“So, you’re really trying to break things off with me?” he asked.

Natasha didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

She’d already made up her mind.

‘This is as far as things can go between Jared and me, she thought. ‘If I push it any further, I’ll be messing with fire and end up getting burned for sure.’

“You…” Jared was momentarily at a loss for words, his gaze somber.

It was as if an invisible hand had clenched his heart, leaving him aching and overwhelmed.

“I’m sorry,” Natasha said, and she lowered her gaze.

Before Jared could say anything else, she turned and left without looking back.

As soon as she stepped out of the villa, her phone started ringing.

Natasha glanced at the screen. It was her father, Bernard, calling.

“Hello, Dad?” she answered.

“Come see me,” Bernard’s voice came through, leaving no room for argument.

*****

Inside the villa’s bedroom, Jared slammed his fist hard against the wall with a loud bang.

His eyes flickered with dark, turbulent emotions.

‘Sorry?’ Jared thought, the word stung in his mind.

Her apology was never what he needed from her.

His heart surged with overwhelming emotion.

He gritted his teeth to keep his anger in check.

He’d never felt this defeated in his life.

‘For the first time, he thought, ‘I truly wanted to pursue a woman earnestly, only to end up being rejected!

‘I guess it’s my own fault. Why did I have to set my sights on a married woman of all people?

‘Now I’m paying the price. She never had any intention of getting divorced. She was only toying with me.’

Jared balled his fists in fury.

His expression darkened further, and his eyes flashed with raw, tearing pain,

*****

At Silverlake Estate, Bernard had just seen off Harley with utmost respect when Natasha arrived.

Natasha happened to run into Harley downstairs, just as he was leaving.

She recognized him instantly and stopped, bowing her head in greeting.

“Mr. Rundell,” she said.

Harley paused next to her for a moment, his expression inscrutable, impossible to read.

Only after he was gone did Natasha continue on her way.

Silverlake Estate was huge.

Inside, it was styled like a royal palace from ancient times.

There was a luxurious royal retreat built right on the lakeshore.

The wealthy elite loved to kick back here with a drink and make deals.

Natasha knew that her father had always been close to Harley.

So running into Jared’s uncle Harley here wasn’t much of a surprise.

She found Bernard standing at the edge of a tall terrace, gazing out over the distant scenery. She couldn’t help but walk over to him and call out, “Dad.”

1

Chapter 138 Just a Game?

Bernard didn’t look at her. Instead, he told her his decision in a deep, serious tone, “I’ve thought it through. You can keep working with Jared for now. There’s no need to resign and join Whittier Group just yet.”

“Understood,” Natasha replied, a look of astonishment flashing through her eyes.

She’d just bumped into Harley downstairs, right as he was heading out.

She couldn’t help but suspect that her father had consulted Harley before making this decision.

If that was true, then it was probably Harley’s idea.

Sure enough, Bernard pressed on, “But you need to promise me that you’ll find a way to gain Jared’s trust, and then secretly spy on him for me…”

Natasha frowned.

She didn’t beat around the bush. “Is this what you want, or is it Harley’s idea?”

Bernard turned to her, his gaze lingering on her for a moment, as if weighing her reaction.

“This is what I want, and Harley’s idea, too,” he said.

Natasha pressed her lips together, her voice firm. “I refuse.”

She wasn’t about to let herself be their pawn, helping them scheme against Jared.

She’d already tried to warn her father not to side with Harley and risk offending Jared.

But Bernard didn’t listen to her at all.

He insisted on backing the wrong side.

Since she couldn’t talk her father out of it, she sure wasn’t going to get herself tangled up in something she’d regret forever.

Bernard’s expression grew even darker.

“Do you really think you have the right to refuse me?” he demanded.

From his perspective, he was offering her an opportunity.

Natasha was his illegitimate daughter, born to his mistress.

He barely acknowledged her existence growing up.

If it weren’t for the fact that Natasha still had a little bit of use left, he wouldn’t have met with her privately at all.

“Roxanne’s been telling me for years to kick you and your mother out of the Whittier family.

“If I hadn’t taken all the heat just to let you stay, do you really think you and your mom would still be here? And now you can’ t even do this tiny favor for me?” Bernard said, sounding both angry and bitter.

He knew he’d barely paid any attention to Natasha, his youngest daughter.

‘But if it weren’t for me, he thought, ‘they would’ve been out on the street ages ago. Now she wouldn’t even do this one small thing for the Whittier family. That really disappointed me.’

Natasha wasn’t against helping out the Whittier family.

But she couldn’t bring herself to betray Jared, and she definitely wasn’t about to team up with Harley to take him down.

“Dad, why are you so determined to help Harley? Jared is the rightful heir to the Rundell family,” Natasha couldn’t help but

ask.

She wondered why her father couldn’t just follow her earlier advice to support Harley openly and quietly keep a connection with Jared on the side.

That way, they wouldn’t offend either side.

No matter who ended up running the Rundell family, the Whittier family would always stay on top.

Bernard let out a heavy sigh. “You think I don’t want to keep a foot in both camps? Truth is, Harley’s the one who wants you to keep an eye on Jared.

“If we say no to him now, we’re basically making enemies with the whole Rundell family. I’ve spent years relying on Harley to keep the Whittier family afloat.

“He’s got plenty of dirt on Whittier Group and me. If he gets pissed, he could have me thrown in prison anytime, and both the Whittier family and Whittier Group would take a serious hit!”

Natasha stood frozen on the spot.

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