"Ms. Jayston, I discovered that Steven has had contact with someone from the Preston Group. However, it appears you have no personal grievances with them, so there would be no reason for them to target you," Pete said.


    N tightened her grip on the phone. "Actually, there is some personal animosity. I understand the situation now, Mr. Monaghan, so there''s no need for further investigation.


    "If you have the time, could you check whether Robert Palfrey from Contelligence has had any contact with employees from Prospectus Technology?"


    "Certainly. I''ll look into it right away," Pete replied.


    After ending the call, N transferred some money to Pete. Once he confirmed receipt, N closed the chat. She ced her phone in her bag, paused for a moment, and then called Damon. The call connected quickly.


    Damon''s voice carried a hint of tension. "N... what''s wrong?"


    N pressed her lips together, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes before sheposed herself. "Mr. Sumner, I''m not sure what personal issues you have with Reba and Nathaniel, but I no longer wish to be involved. Please tell Nathaniel to stop sending people to follow me."


    There was a brief silence on the other end before Damon''s cold voice responded. "He''s sending people to follow you? When did this start?"


    "In the past few days. The specifics, Mr. Sumner, you''ll need to ask him directly," N said before ending the call.


    She set her phone down, a hint of guilt in her eyes. With no direct way to confront Nathaniel, she had to rely on Damon to handle him.


    Damon called Nathaniel directly from his office at Prospectus Technology, his voice barely containing his anger. "What have you done to N?"


    ...


    "What could I possibly do to her? Did


    she tell you some nonsense? I always suspected she was scheming when you were with her.


    Now she''s trying to sabotage our friendship!" Nathaniel retorted.


    Damon sneered. "Nathaniel, do you think I''m a fool? If you won''t tell me, I''ll investigate myself. Don''t me me if I find out something and have to take action!"


    I did


    There was a long silence on the other end before Nathaniel''s cold voice came through again. "Yes, I have someone deal with her, but that''s because she overstepped by trying to interfere in your rtionship with Reba."


    Damonughed in frustration. He hadn''t realized just how irrational Nathaniel became when Reba was involved. Nathaniel always sided with her, no matter the circumstances.


    "Nathaniel, I''ve already broken up


    with Reba She returned to the


    country and used her illness and


    past favors to threaten me into ending my rtionship with Ny?a and getting back with her. She''s the one meddling in my rtionship with N," Damon said firmly


    "Since we''ve known each other for years, you should apologize to N personally, and I''ll let this matter go," Damon added.


    "Apologize to her? Does she even deserve that?" Nathaniel''s voice was filled with anger, his indignation palpable.


    He would never apologize to N!


    "If you refuse, then I have nothing more to say. The cooperation between Prospectus Technology and the Preston Group is over. Do as you see fit," Damon replied.


    As Nathaniel heard the dial tone, he mmed his phone down, his face dark. After years of friendship with Damon, thetter was ending their cooperation over a woman?


    Upon reflecting on it, his resentment toward N intensified. If it weren''t for her, none of this would have happened.


    Wasn''t Damon warning him not to touch her? Nathaniel was determined to proceed anyway!


    It was just a woman. He didn''t believe Damon would truly sever ties over her.