Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 72

By all accounts, their relationship wasn't one to be ended casually.

Wherever Quennel was, Stephanie was sure to be there too. Their names had always been linked, ever since their school days.

Stephanie bit her lip. “It’s for good. I’m done with him. As you probably know, Quennel is the CEO of Meridian Consortium. Selling the company is the only way I can… get away from him.”

Halfway through her explanation, Stephanie noticed Jonathan’s gaze had grown intense.

He was looking at her like a predator eyeing its prey. A shiver ran down her spine, and she took another sip of wine to hide her unease.

After a long moment, Jonathan spoke thoughtfully. “You don’t necessarily have to sell the company.”

Stephanie’s eyes widened slightly. “What?”

“It was your father’s life’s work. Can you really bear to part with it?”

Of course, she couldn't. The company wasn't just her father's legacy; it was her last tangible connection to her family.

But Meridian Consortium had thousands of employees. She couldn't drag them all down with her and expect them to run on passion alone.

It was a publicly traded company with countless moving parts. Stephanie knew she couldn't manage it alone, and Meridian Consortium wouldn't wait for her to learn the ropes.

The market was ruthless. Competitors wouldn't give her a moment to breathe. To hold on when she knew she wasn't capable wasn't courage—it was stupidity. It was handing her weaknesses to her rivals on a silver platter, and the market would eat her alive.

Given the choice, it was better to make the painful sacrifice.

Jonathan said calmly, “There is another way to keep the company and free yourself from Quennel’s control.”

He had her attention. A flicker of hope appeared in her eyes. “What is it?”

Jonathan’s gaze was heavy. “Get married.”

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