Chapter 2

"Hmm?" Jonny lifted his brows with mild surprise,studying Lainey curiously.

Hardly ever did Lainey ask anything of him. She had always carried herself as though she were above the material concerns, distant and untouchable.

Catching his reaction, Lainey raised her eyes with a faint, shy look. "Didn't you once tell me that the villa had the perfect surroundings and could serve as our future home after marriage?"

Memories of their past sweetness softened him,and without much thought, Jonny nodded.that's what you want, then consider it yours."

Eleanor observed their sickening harmony,her lips curling into a mocking smirk. "Jonny, only moments ago you promised me that house. Now you hand it over to her. Doesn't that strike you as shameless?" Her words caught him off guard.

During their three years together, she had always been quiet and yielding, never daring to speak to him in such a tone.

His forehead creased, his voice edged with irritation."It's only one villa. I own plenty of properties. Pick whichever you want, and I'll transfer it to you."

Lainey, sensing his displeasure, quickly added, "Mrs.Todd, if you'll let me take the villa, I'll add another $10 million to your compensation."

Eleanor's gaze swept over her with contempt. "Miss Gilbert, are you joking? That villa alone is worth at least $60 million on the market. Do you really think $10 million can buy it from me?"

The color drained from Lainey's face, and she turned toward Jonny with wounded eyes. "Jonny, that's not what I meant."

Unmoved by her performance, Eleanor interjected sharply, "If you want that villa so badly, I won't refuse outright. But the price is this-Jonny must exchange it for ten percent of the Todd Group's shares."

"What?!" Lainey's voice rose in disbelief. "Mrs. Todd,are you insane?"

The Todd Group was publicly listed, and ten percent of its stock was worth over one hundred million.

Eleanor's demand was outrageous, and everyone in the room knew it.

Jonny's face turned grim at once. "Eleanor, don't test my patience."

Unfazed,Eleanor met his glare. "Either give me the shares or the villa, Jonny. The decision is yours."

The air thickened with sudden tension.

Sensing the hostility mounting,Lainey tightened her hold on Jonny's arm and begged softly, "Jonny forget it. I don't need that villa anymore. Wherever we live, as long as I'm beside you, I'll be content."

Those words calmed Jonny, and the severity in his face eased somewhat.

He turned back to Eleanor with a cold look. "The villa is yours then."

Knowing she had secured her rightful claim, Eleanor lost interest in further argument and started to walk away.

But Lainey's voice rang out behind her. "Mrs. Todd!"When Eleanor turned, she found Lainey smiling sweetly. "Thank you for looking after Jonny during these years. From now on, I'll make sure to learn how to be his wife properly," Lainey said.

Though the tone sounded gentle, every syllable carried a challenge.

Eleanor regarded her quietly, then burst out with sudden laughter.

Striding back to the desk, she grabbed Jonny's untouched cup of coffee and flung it straight over both of them. "Ah!" Lainey screamed as the hot liquid splattered across her white dress, staining it badly and leaving her disheveled.

Jonny's tailored suit was soaked as well, and fury twisted his face. "Eleanor! Are you out of your mind?"

She set the empty cup back onto the table with deliberate calm, her smile sharp. "My mistake. I just caught sight of something repulsive and couldn't hold back."

Without sparing them another glance, she walked out with steady steps, leaving the two of them in their disgrace.