Vince''s face went ck with shock, the color draining from his cheeks.


    No wonder Timothy had shown up uninvited-Jessica was his wife, the one he''d kept hidden for seven years!


    Before Timothy could even speak, Vince shot to his feet and rounded on Kane. "She''s Timothy''s wife! How could you keep calling her ''mute'' like that? I get that you''re close with She and want to stand up for her, but let''s be honest-Timothy didn''t leave She at the altar; She backed out first. You can''t me Timothy for that."


    Two years ago, Vince hadunched the shared power station project, but his goal had always been the interests of the Zimmerman Group, not picking a fight with Timothy.


    Besides, now he needed Timothy''s help.


    They''d all been friends once, after all.


    He turned to Jessica, his tone shifting as he tried to smooth things over. "Ms. Greene-no, I should say Mrs. Lawson-Kane just has a blunt way about him. Don''t take his words to heart."


    She tugged at Kane''s sleeve. "Calm down. Jessica''s Timothy''s wife. Even if you don''t care about anything else, show Timothy some respect."


    Through it all, Jessica watched them coldly, detached.


    Everyone wanted something.


    Once, she should''ve been just an onlooker, yet now she was drawn into their drama against her will.


    But she wouldn''t let herself get tangled up in their mess any longer.


    She had to leave Timothy.


    When Vince had stood up a moment earlier, he''d set the project folder down on the coffee table.


    Timothy, who had yet to say a word, now reached out and picked up the folder.


    His eyes were dark and unreadable. He lifted the folder slightly, his gaze fixed and intense on Vince. "I''ll take the project."


    Silence fell over the room like a heavy curtain.


    Even Kane, thick-skinned as he was, understood what Timothy''s eptance meant.


    It was as good as epting Vince''s olive branch.


    So, this "mute" wife clearly wasn''t someone Timothy could take or leave.


    Kane caught the disappointment flicker across She''s face, and felt a surge of frustration. Unable to hold back, he shot Jessica a challenging look. "Hey, mute— how do you even know Vince, anyway="


    His words were cut short by a sharp crash.


    Timothy had picked up his winess and hurled it to the floor, where it shattered, red wine sttering across the polished boards.


    Instantly, the room froze again.


    Timothy''s eyes were icy, burning with a contained, unreadable fury.


    He rose smoothly, tucked the project folder into Jessica''s hands, and, before anyone could react, swept the still-stunned Jessica up into his arms.


    Standing tall, he radiated an imperious authority that made everyone shrink back.


    "Well, since some people think my wife is beneath them, this wine''s lost its vor. We''re leaving."


    His voice was so mild and pleasant that, if not for his actions, no one would have guessed he was angry.


    "Timothy!" She called out, flustered. "Kane didn''t mean—"


    Timothy nced back, his handsome features cold, giving her no chance to exin. "You all catch up."


    Cradling Jessica, Timothy strode from the room, his steps steady andmanding, a chill clinging to him like frost.


    When he was gone, Yates pped Kane on the shoulder. "Man, we came to


    watch the fireworks between Timothy and Vince-how''d it end up being you and Timothy instead?"


    Kane rolled his eyes. "Whatever. This is boring. I''m out."


    He stomped off in a huff.


    Now She was left awkwardly standing there. She hurried after Kane, stammering, "I''d better check on him," leaving in a fluster, her heart in turmoil.


    Timothy had just dered Jessica''s identity in front of his closest friends. Yates nced at Vince. "They''ve all left. You still want that drink?"