Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3335

Gonzalez picked up his phone and flashed the screen at her. "I'm not recording."

Hannah nodded slowly. "I can keep this little scandal a secret, Gonzalez. But here are my terms. You will immediately have your people drop all charges against Trevor Cromwell. Then, you will resign from your position at the Hanson Corporation, pack your bags, and leave J City forever!"

"As for your father, you can tell him you're leaving out of overwhelming guilt and shame. Under these circumstances, I guarantee he won't try to stop you."

"And when you go, I'll make sure a generous sum of money is wired to your account, so we appear thoroughly benevolent in your father's eyes."

Gonzalez stared at her coldly, his gaze sharp. "You went as far as sacrificing Yvonne's reputation just to frame me... and it was all for Trevor Cromwell."

Hannah's expression stiffened briefly before she smoothly covered it up. "He worked for my brother for many years. I'm doing this out of loyalty to my family. Don't think you can deflect the blame and turn the tables now."

"And if I refuse?" Gonzalez exhaled a plume of smoke, his demeanor nonchalant and rebellious. "My reputation is already garbage. Adding another stain to it won't hurt me. But Yvonne? She can kiss any chance of marrying into a decent, respectable family goodbye."

Hannah's face contorted with malicious intent. "If we drag this out into the open, Yvonne will be the tragic victim everyone pities."

She locked eyes with him. "You're quite close with that little Lamont girl, aren't you? She's crossed me multiple times just to stand up for you. If she finds out how utterly disgusting you are—that you got drunk and forced yourself on your own sister—what do you think she'll say? How will she look at you then? Are you really willing to take that gamble?"

Gonzalez's expression instantly darkened.

Seeing she had struck a nerve, Hannah smiled triumphantly. "Do exactly as I say. Leave J City within ten days and never return. If you don't, I will make sure Norah Lamont, her entire family, and the rest of the city knows exactly what a vile, depraved piece of trash you are. I will nail you to the cross of public disgrace and make sure Norah despises you for the rest of her life!"

*Make sure Norah despises you!*

Those words struck his fatal weak point, instantly draining the fight out of him.

*

Later that afternoon, Gonzalez walked out of the Hanson estate. His presence had cast a suffocating shadow of disgrace over the house. The entire property was dead silent, save for the muffled sounds of Yvonne's fabricated sobbing drifting from the second floor, and the hushed, venomous whispers of the staff gossiping in the corners.

"Yeah."

"Will you be coming back?" he asked.

Norah paused for a moment. "Probably not."

Before he could speak, she added quickly, "Don't come looking for me at my family's house. Even if you do, I won't agree to anything. It will only end with us never being able to look at each other again."

Gonzalez half-lowered his dark eyes, his voice strained and exhausted. "If I don't come looking for you, will we ever have a chance to see each other again?"

"If we do," Norah replied softly, "at least it won't be awkward."

A self-deprecating smile touched the corner of his lips. "I understand."