She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 145

Three days later.

Rowan returned from his business trip. Jasmine made no mention of the lunch date between Lyra and Waylon; she simply reminded him that Lyra still hadn't cleared her name with Alistair.

Upon hearing this, Rowan immediately instructed his executive assistant, Wesley Wade, to place a massive corporate procurement order with Fairchild Holdings on behalf of the Jameson Group.

The moment the monumental contract hit the system, Lyra knew exactly what was happening.

Half an hour later, Caleb and Lyra found themselves face-to-face with Rowan in their own corporate boardroom.

It was brutally clear why he had shown up in person.

Lyra forced down her irritation and greeted him with her usual polished, professional demeanor, refusing to let her mask slip.

Caleb exhaled a quiet breath of relief. After she had abruptly axed their previous supplier, he had been terrified she was going to burn this bridge too and throw an attitude at Rowan.

Seeing her handle it with such grace proved she knew how to prioritize the bigger picture.

With the negotiations wrapped up smoothly, Caleb, Lyra, and a few of their vice presidents escorted Rowan out to the front entrance.

"How are you getting back, Mr. Jameson?" one of the VP's asked, noting the lack of a chauffeured car waiting for him. "Can I arrange a ride for you?"

"My ride is already here."

Right on cue, a sleek, purring Bugatti pulled up the driveway and rolled to a stop right in front of the group.

The driver was none other than Jasmine.

She didn't bother stepping out. Rolling down the window just enough, she offered a polite greeting to Caleb while deliberately acting as if Lyra didn't even exist. Her eyes never once flicked in Lyra's direction.

Rowan shook Caleb's hand with customary politeness before sliding into the passenger seat.

Through the half-open window, his sharply defined profile was easily visible.

Rowan turned his head slightly, his dark gaze locking onto Lyra. "Miss Fairchild, since our new partnership is off to such a wonderful start, I assume you wouldn't mind stopping by tomorrow to have that chat with my grandfather?"

Unbelievable, Lyra scoffed inwardly.

Always pulling strings. Always protecting Jasmine.

"Since you put it that way, Mr. Jameson, it just so happens my schedule is wide open tomorrow. I'd be happy to visit him," Lyra replied, flashing a perfectly hollow smile.

"Excellent," Rowan said smoothly. "I'll come pick you up."

Lyra nearly choked on her own saliva. "Absolutely not!"

If this were the old Lyra, she might have actually harbored some romantic fantasies about Waylon. But after yesterday's lunch, that ship had permanently sailed. She still had no idea why he was suddenly so incredibly curious about Quentin and York. The Grayson Group might not have the terrifying, deeply entrenched monopoly of the Jameson Group, but they were still an absolute titan in the business world. She had to stay on her guard.

The next morning.

Rowan arrived at the Fairchild estate to personally chauffeur Lyra—likely terrified she would find an excuse to bail.

Thanks to his heavy-handed tactics, the entire family now knew exactly what he was forcing her to do for Jasmine's sake.

Arthur looked at his daughter with deep concern. "If you don't want to go, sweetheart, you don't have to. You owe them absolutely nothing."

"It's fine, Dad. His massive order just netted us millions of dollars in profit. I'm not going to argue with that kind of money," Lyra said with a reassuring smile. "This is the last time, I promise."

When she walked out the front doors, Rowan was waiting by the car. He pulled the rear door open for her, his expression utterly blank. "Get in."

She didn't say a word, gracefully ducking into the backseat.

It was only as the door clicked shut that she realized Jasmine was sitting comfortably in the front passenger seat.

The car pulled smoothly out of the driveway. Rowan kept his hands relaxed on the steering wheel, his eyes firmly fixed on the road, never once glancing back at her. Jasmine completely ignored her presence, leaning over the center console to chat quietly with Rowan.