<b>Chapter </b><b>391</b>


    [Mrs. Adah Ford was on the verge of a breakdown.]


    [Johnny Ford joins the Ford Group.]


    [Mr. Johnny and Mr. Gregory in the Ford Group]


    [Mr. Johnny, a threat to Mr. Gregory’s position.]


    [Mr. Johnny is in secret talks with the RF Group.]


    By evening, the whispers had be a roar. Upon seeing thest piece of gossip, I couldn’t help but call Bryant. “Did you have a hand in this?”


    There was a pause on the other end, followed by a sarcasticugh. “Which part are you referring to? The Myers family’s so–called heiress or the Ford family’s mess?”


    I said firmly, “You know what I’m talking about.”


    “If you say so, yes, all of it.” His voice was cold, the flick of his lighter echoing through the phone. “Jane,e back to being Mrs. Ferguson. I can handle it for you, whether the Myers or the Ford families‘ mess.”


    I paused, unsure. “The Ford family’s mess?”


    “Gregory’s mess,” he rified, his voice rough with the drag of a cigarette. “You think Klein just wanted you to leave Gregory? He’s also eyeing a partnership with the RF Group to elevate the Ford family’s status.”


    I forced myself to stay calm, “You know about Johnny, the Ford family’s illegitimate son?”


    Bryant replied, “In passing. He was a high school ssmate of York.”


    Suddenly, it all made sense. What made Klein willing to give up Gregory? It wasn’t about me. It was about benefits.


    With Gregory and me together, Bryant would relentlessly target the Ford Group. But with Johnny, there might be a chance for a win–win coboration with the RF Group. It wouldn’t necessarily change the situation, even if


    Gregory and I went our separate ways. The only way to shift the bnce was


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    for Bryant to step in, making York cut off contact with Johnny.


    Without that leverage, Johnny’s path to power would crumble.


    The setting sun’s light made me dizzy, and I sank onto the couch. “Bryant, what’s the point? I don’t love you anymore. Being Mrs. Ferguson like this…”


    “It’s not about what makes sense to you. It’s my call.” Bryant’s tone was unyielding, almost pathological. “Jane, love can happen twice.”


    I sighed. “I’m not foolish enough to fall into the same trap again.”


    “A month. Give it a month,” his voice strained, emotion cracking through, “and if you still feel the same, I’ll let you go.”


    But I didn’t feel relieved. A month could change everything. “I can’t give you an


    answer now.”Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    “I’m almost at Vista Town.” He dropped that bombshell coldly. “You don’t have much time to decide.”


    In frustration, I threw my phone. I grabbed a mug from the coffee table, wanting to smash it, but then, I remembered its pair was on the dining table. Gregory bought those mugs.


    I managed to hold back. But tears fell, staining my shirt.


    I thought, ‘I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’ve always been too cautious. Maybe I don’t deserve to be loved wholeheartedly. I don’t want to be a stumbling block in someone’s life. I don’t want them to lose everything for me.‘


    In a way, Bryant and I were the same. We were equally presumptuous!


    Barefoot, I walked to the window, pushing it open and leaning out.


    ng! The mug slipped from my grip butnded on the carpet, unbroken, snapping me back to reality.


    I quickly withdrew, sliding down the wall to sit on the floor, knees hugged to my chest, unable to stop the tears.


    After what felt like an eternity, my emotions had ebbed, and the room dimmed. Someonezily spoke up. “I’ve been trying to call. I thought something happened when you didn’t answer. Turns out you were just here, sulking?”