Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)

Chapter 2144

"Boyfriend?" Magdalen arched an eyebrow, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "Since when did Sylvia snag a beau?" Content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Evelyn offered an explanation, "You know, the guy she had dinner with at Ms. Jarvis'. Isn't he her boyfriend?"

Magdalen chuckled, her tone teasing, "Sharing a meal now means you're dating? Oh, girl, you're such an innocent soul."

Evelyn's cheeks flushed pink, and she fell silent.

"Sylvia's tied up with something. Looks like she'll be a while. Let's keep the game rolling," Marina shifted the focus, signaling the waiter to shuffle and deal a new hand.

Gabriel slid his chips forward, "Play on without me. I need a smoke."

As Gabriel stepped out, Magdalen's eyes followed him, her brow quirked ever so slightly.

With Sylvia absent, Timothy seemed distracted, his heart not quite in the game. He wasn't much help to Evelyn with her cards and soon excused himself under some pretense.

Timothy wandered the corridor and, sure enough, bumped into Sylvia.

"Ms. Jarvis," He quickened his pace to greet her.

Sylvia offered a polite smile, "Timothy."

He stared at her intently, "Ms. Jarvis, have you given any thought to my offer? Join my company. You'd just need to accompany me to social gatherings. I promise I'll pay you more than what you'd make running your own business."

The hallway was quiet, dim. Sylvia took a step back, maintaining her courteous demeanor, "I've heard your girlfriend, the second daughter of the Foster family, is both beautiful and skilled in public relations. She would be more fitting as a partner in your company, don't you think?"

Timothy inched closer, his voice low, "Let's not beat around the bush, Ms. Jarvis. I've taken a liking to you since our first meeting. If you'd come work for me, I assure you, you'd want for nothing."

Sylvia's expression cooled, "Timothy, you came with Mr. Foster. What do you think he'd say if he knew his future brother-in-law was making advances on another woman in secret?"

Timothy curled his lip dismissively, "Don't use the Foster family to intimidate me. Yolanda's out there having more fun than anyone. It's an open secret."

"That's your business, not mine. And I have no interest in your company," Sylvia's tone was icily detached as she tried to sidestep him back to the private room.

"Not giving me any face, Ms. Jarvis?"

Timothy reached out to grab her arm, forcing her to retreat again. He leaned his hand against the wall, cornering Sylvia with a sneer, "Playing the high and mighty? A public relations exec who's climbed the ladder by sleeping her way up. Got a little praise and now you think you're some kind of noblewoman?"

Sylvia's face was stone-cold, "Timothy, show some respect."

"Respect?" Timothy scoffed, "Rather than sleeping around, why not stick with just me? I told you, I'll pay you more than you could make selling yourself out there."

Sylvia's hand connected with Timothy's cheek, "Watch your mouth, or I won't be so polite next time."

"Bitch!" Timothy snarled, shoving Sylvia roughly against the wall, "I'm giving you a chance here. What, I'm not as good as those old men you've been with?"

Just as Sylvia was about to kick out, she caught sight of the man smoking behind the wooden partition, and she held back, merely struggling, "Let go of me."

"What are you going to do if I don't? Don't play coy with me. If you want something, just say it!" his voice was sinister, "We're all in business here. Name your price, and stop putting on airs."

"If you don't let go, I'll call for help," Sylvia's anger was palpable.

"Call out. You think anyone will believe a PR girl claiming she was forced? They'll take my side," Timothy was confident, dragging Sylvia toward an adjacent private room, "Maybe I should just see for myself how much you're worth?"

"Let go of me."

After a few futile attempts to break free, Sylvia saw the man behind the partition turn to leave, and with a mix of irritation and desperation, she called out, "You're really not going to help me?"

Timothy paused, following Sylvia's gaze to see a tall, imposing man approaching—none other than Gabriel, who had been playing cards with Sylvia earlier.