Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison
Chapter 19

Chapter 19 A Deal

Dalton's face was grim, but he knew better than to let his temper flare up.

"Lydia, don't worry. I'll just stay here and drink. Once you're done, come find me."

Lydia nodded, relieved to have some time to handle the situation.

The project had been stalled with Chandler for over two weeks, and she was desperate for his signature.

Since he brought it up, she didn't want to miss this chance.

Fresh out of college, Lydia was placed into the company by Malcolm as a project manager.

Despite his backing, she struggled to earn respect among the older employees.

To make her mark, she had to prove herself with results.

Lydia took a step closer to Chandler, trying to figure out how to broach the subject. "Chandler, about the project..."

Chandler's eyebrow arched coldly. "What did you call me?"

Lydia hesitated, realizing her mistake. "I mean, Mr. Aniston."

"The project can go to Celestial Ventures Group," Chandler said, tapping a cigarette from his pack.

"But there's a condition. You have to leave Dalton."

Lydia's face went pale.

If she gave up Dalton for the project, he would surely hate her.

But if she lost the project, explaining it to her company and her father would be just as hard.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Lydia was at a loss for words.

Chandler's smirk grew as he observed her struggle.

"You can't have it all. You need to choose."

Lydia lowered her head, feeling the weight of the decision.

The seconds ticked by, and Chandler's patience was wearing thin.

When he uncrossed his legs and stood up, Lydia panicked. "Mr. Aniston, is there really no other option?"

Chandler's gaze was cold and unyielding.

"Do you really think you can negotiate with me?"

Lydia's voice wavered. "Mr. Aniston, but I truly love Dalton! I can't leave him!"

Chandler's lip curled in a sneer. "Fine, then the project will go to someone else."

Lydia's fingers turned white from gripping tightly. It was clear she had accepted his terms.

No matter what, she was choosing Dalton over the project.

She wasn't as naive as Meryl.

There would be other chances for the project, but Dalton was someone she couldn't let go.

Chandler's eyes swept over her with a mix of amusement and coldness.

"Even though you've chosen Dalton, you two still can't be together."

Lydia froze, feeling as though he were setting a trap for her.

She stared at him, bewildered. "You didn't say that before."

"What did I say?" Chandler's eyes narrowed slightly. "I never promised that giving up the project would mean I'd overlook your relationship." Lydia felt her heart drop.

Chandler continued, "You heard about last night, right? The fuss was quite a spectacle. As the head of the Aniston family, it's my responsibility to handle this properly, or it'll reflect badly on us." Lydia's jaw tightened as she bit her lip. "But I truly love Dalton. Please, don't tear us apart."

Chandler settled back on the sofa with a nonchalant air. "Tear you apart? If you want to be with Dalton so badly, why don't you just marry him? That way, it'll be one less problem for me." Lydia's eyes widened in disbelief.

This was exactly what she wanted.

But the Aniston family was a top family, obsessed with bloodlines.

Despite Lydia's upbringing in the Stone family and being pampered, to the high society, she was just an outsider.

Dalton's mother had never considered her worthy.

So, even though Meryl was less capable, the engagement had to be with her, not with Lydia.

Lydia quickly realized that Chandler was trying to force her to back down.

"You're making this difficult. Mr. Aniston, you know Dalton's mother would never approve of our marriage. How could I possibly marry him?"

Chandler leaned back with a smirk, his legs crossed. "If you're so set on this, shouldn't you be the one to find a solution?"

Lydia was taken aback. "What solution?"

""You're asking me?"

Chandler's eyes gleamed with cold amusement. "Figure it out yourself. I'm giving you three days to make Dalton marry you. If you can't manage that, then you're out of luck." Lydia's heart sank.

This was going to be a lot harder than she thought.

If she had a way to make it work, she wouldn't have been secretly dating Dalton for three years without any progress.

Just then, Dante strolled over, holding a glass of wine.

He pointed at Dalton, who was slumped over the table, completely wasted. "Chandler, your nephew can't handle his liquor. How did he get so drunk so quickly?" Dante then turned to Lydia.

"You're not exactly built for this. Should I call someone to help?"

Without a word, Lydia moved to support Dalton, letting him lean on her shoulder.

He was out cold, completely unresponsive to everything around him.

Lydia's mind was in turmoil, consumed by Chandler's harsh. ultimatum.

Amid her frustration, a risky idea flickered in her mind.

Maybe it wasn't entirely impossible to solve this if she was willing to take a bold step...

When faced with fine liquor, people often lose their restraint.

Not long after Lydia and Dalton left, Chandler found himself thoroughly inebriated.

Walter was preparing to help the drunk Chandler into the car when he got a call from Meryl.

On the other end, Meryl asked cautiously, "Walter, is your boss there?"

Walter was momentarily caught off guard.

"Ms. Stone, have you made your decision?!"