Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 180

No one had expected Jonathan to humiliate Arnold so completely and publicly.

It was a direct, undisguised slap in the face to the entire Yates family.

It was such a shocking scene that several guests instinctively raised their phones to take pictures.

Arnold’s face was a mask of fury.

He was nearly sixty years old and had spent his life building a reputation as a powerful man. Everywhere he went, he was treated with deference. Now, he was being publicly shamed by a man half his age.

But thinking of the sheer power of the Vasquez family, Arnold knew that no matter how insulted he felt, he couldn't afford to burn this bridge.

He swallowed his pride and turned to Vivian. “Come here! You will apologize to your sister as well!”

Vivian, now the center of attention, froze. “Dad,” she whined, her voice thick with injustice, “Stephanie already slapped me twice, and you still want me to apologize?”

When she refused to move, Arnold grabbed her arm and forcibly pushed her head down into a bow.

But Vivian had never been so humiliated in her life, especially not in front of the man she admired. Her eyes welled with tears, and unable to bear the shame, she turned and ran from the room.

Arnold forced a placating smile. “Vivian has no manners. Mr. Vasquez, please don’t take it to heart.”

Jonathan nodded, echoing his words with cutting precision. “Yes, she is quite ill-mannered. It seems you’ve failed to raise your daughter right, Mr. Yates.”

Arnold’s face stiffened again. He knew his own words were just a polite formality, but coming from Jonathan, they sounded like a damning verdict on Vivian’s character.

Most people would have let the matter drop there, but Jonathan wasn't finished. “From this day forward, Ironhold will cancel all existing and future business with the Yates family.”

At these words, the color drained from Arnold’s face. This was why he had been so willing to grovel—for the sake of their business ties.

He had apologized, humbled himself, and thrown away his pride, only for it to end like this.

Jonathan had just been playing with him.

Seeing Jonathan turn to leave, Arnold felt a surge of panic.

The Vasquez family was known for acting decisively. Losing a client of that magnitude would be a catastrophe; his competitors would be on him like sharks smelling blood in the water.

Even if they were married, it couldn’t be for love. It had to be some sort of agreement or contract.

Jonathan was a man of deep cunning, but his Stephanie was so pure and innocent. Apart from him, she had barely interacted with any other men. She must have been deceived by him.

Yes, that had to be it.

A new resolve hardened in Quennel’s eyes.

He would rescue Stephanie from the Vasquez family’s fiery pit. He would personally reclaim his rose.

…

Night had fallen, and the air outside was cold. Jonathan draped his suit jacket over Stephanie’s shoulders, protecting her as he guided her into the car.

They had only been seated for a few minutes when Jonathan’s phone began to ring.

He glanced at the screen, then slid his finger across to answer.