Chapter 12 Cut Ties with Them Right outside the conference room . Zack stared down at his phone . The flood of messages made his stomach sink . Clarissa was here ? +5 Free Coins Then , the elevator chimed behind him . He looked up just in time to see her step out , causing his expression to darken . " Mr. Zack . Clarissa greeted him with a soft smile . " Is Jonathan in his office ? I need to see him . " " Miss Chandler … " Zack answered , his voice clipped and cold . " Mr. Jefferson already gave back the engagement pendant . Why are you here again ? " " I need to talk to him . " " But he doesn't want to see you , he shot back . " He's in the middle of a business meeting . You should leave . " However , Clarissa didn't even flinch . She had made up her mind . If she backed off now , she might never get another chance . " I'll wait for him right here , came her answer . Zack clenched his jaw . She wasn't budging , and there was nothing he could do to make her leave . The clients inside were already enough of a headache . Just then , the door to the conference room opened , and the secretary came out with a jug . " Well ? " Zack asked . She shook her head . " He's still inside . Mr. Lawson won't stop talking about yesterday's no - show . The deal's basically dead . " Zack's jaw tightened . That contract was critical . If it fell apart . Ethan's side of the family would jump at the chance to get Jonathan kicked out of the company . Jonathan had fought his way to the top without a single favor . He had no parents to bail him out or any cushion to slow his fall . He got through on pure grit . And now , because of Clarissa , everything he built was slipping through his hands . Clarissa froze when she heard the name . Mr. Lawson ? Seamus Lawson ? Everything came flooding back . That man had money , power , and even more pull in the right circles . His wife came from a top - ranking military family , and his own family had spent three generations in politics before he moved into business . The Lawson Group wasn't as massive as the Jefferson Group , but with that kind of backing , nobody dared to mess with him . In her last life , there had been a major land release in Imperia . The military opened it up , and every major firm scrambled to win the bid . Whoever landed that deal stood to make billions . Jonathan had almost closed it . He was one step away . Then , it all fell apart . The Jefferson Group lost billions , causing Jonathan's grandfather to go ballistic on him . He nearly lost his title as heir . And now , she finally knew why . Jonathan had skipped the meeting with Seamus because he was chasing after her . She had run off with Gregory , and he had come looking for her . Even after all that , he still wired her money . He didn't want her stuck , struggling with Gregory . Her chest tightened . The guilt burned in her throat . It was her fault - all of it . She had to make it right . 1/2 7:58 Chapter 12 Cut Ties with Them " I'll get Mr. Lawson to sign that contract . Leave it to me . " +5 Free Coins Before anyone could stop her , Clarissa grabbed the jug from the secretary and pushed open the conference room door . The whole move was so quick , the secretary and Zack stood frozen . By the time they snapped out of it , Zack's back broke into cold sweat . What was Clarissa doing now ? Was she going to stir up another scene and humiliate Jonathan in front of Seamus and the whole board ? A junior staffer nearby caught the moment and quietly pulled out his phone . " Mr. Ethan , you can relax now . The deal's gone . Miss Chandler just barged into the meeting . With her there , that contract's as good as dead . " The scene shifted to the conference room , where Seamus and Jonathan were . " Mr. Jefferson , I don't tolerate people who waste my time , " Seamus said , voice cutting . His eyes locked on Jonathan . " I waited all day yesterday . You didn't show up . Then , I get some half - baked excuse about that . That sound fair to you ? " He slammed the contract down on the table . > Jonathan didn't defend himself , nor did he explain . " I missed the meeting . You may name any terms for compensation . " Seamus Lawson's expression darkened . Compensation ? He didn't need the Jeffersons ' money . He had skipped his wife's OBGYN appointment just to meet Jonathan . And the man hadn't even shown up . " Mr. Lawson , please don't be upset , " one executive jumped in . " Mr. Jefferson had an urgent matter yesterday . It wasn't personal . " " Then , explain what could be more urgent , " Seamus queried calmly , but his tone cut through the room like a knife . No one answered . They stared at each other , silent . Jonathan had told no one where he had gone . " Incredible , " Seamus muttered . " Your company clearly doesn't value this partnership . Forget the deal . After today , my company shall cut all ties with you . " The land wasn't the problem . The Jefferson Group could eat the financial hit , but if the Lawson Group walked away , the political blow would be brutal . If Ethan's side found out , Jonathan would be finished . Just then , the doors burst open .