Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 765

A glimmer of sharpness flickered in Jared’s deep eyes, so fleeting you’d almost miss it.

Emmy kept her tone steady. “As you know, this project is huge. The early investment feels like pouring money into a black hole. With this level of support, we’ll be lucky to last six months.”

She paused, then pressed on. “So, Mr. Nelson, is that what you meant by deep collaboration? Just half a year?”

Jared was quiet for a moment, then let out a low chuckle, his gaze softening with a touch of admiration.

“If we’re talking about true collaboration, of course I’d want it to last as long as possible.”

He took a sip of tea before explaining in a slow, unhurried way. “I really did hold back on the support this time.”

“There are two reasons.”

“First, I only recently found out you’re my daughter-in-law. To keep people from making a fuss about it, I had to keep things low-key for now.”

“Second,” he put his teacup down, his eyes narrowing as he studied her, “I want to see this agricultural project really deliver results. If it does, I’ll increase support next quarter.”

“That way, even if someone tries to stir up trouble between us, they won’t have much to work with.”

He set his cup aside. “I should have had my secretary explain all this to you ahead of time. Sorry for the confusion.”

Emmy listened, but she didn’t let her guard down. She just nodded and signaled to Danny behind her.

“Danny, would you update Mr. Nelson on our progress with the project?”

“Yes, Mr. Lincoln.”

Danny stepped forward, his report clear and organized from start to finish.

When he finished, Jared gave a small wave.

His secretary picked up on the cue, nodded, and quietly left. Danny followed, heading out of the pavilion.

As they walked along the winding covered walkway, past a little rock garden, Danny looked up and was startled to see James—no, Mr. Nelson—standing quietly beneath the corridor just ahead.

It hadn’t been long since Danny learned James was actually Mr. Nelson of the Nelson Corporation. At first, he’d been totally stunned, thinking it was the kind of twist you only read about in novels. It wasn’t until James himself sought him out privately, asking about Mr. Lincoln, that Danny had to believe it was true.

Now, seeing him again, Danny quickly gave a respectful nod.

Emmy felt a chill settle in her chest.

She knew that once her identity was out, the Nelson family would have every excuse to keep her and her child under their thumb. Mrs. Nelson would never let such a chance slip by.

No matter what she accomplished, she’d always be stuck under the label of “the Nelson family’s wife.”

She needed to prove herself first, to build her own reputation—only then would she have the leverage she needed with this powerful family.

But she couldn’t come out and refuse directly.

Emmy lowered her eyes, her tone changing. “Actually, I’m thinking of you, Mr. Nelson. After all, I married James, not Jamie.”

“If you want to make my identity public, you’d have to reveal that as well.”

“And honestly, if my identity comes out now, it might cause all sorts of trouble for the agricultural project. Don’t you think?”

She tossed the problem gently back into his hands, her expression unreadable.