Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 260

Right at that moment, she realized she was actually quite hungry, so she accepted the plate without hesitation and thanked Landon.

When Landon didn’t leave, clearly making up his mind to stay with her, Zinnia couldn’t help but speak up.

“There are a lot of important guests here tonight. As the host, shouldn’t you be out there greeting them?”

Landon lounged back against the sofa, looking perfectly relaxed. “It’s fine. My dad and grandpa can handle it.”

He could tell Zinnia was trying to get rid of him again, but he wasn’t going anywhere.

He knew his time with her was running out.

Shamelessly, he’d resorted to a tactic he’d once despised, tying her to his side by force.

Even if the hope was small—almost nonexistent—he wanted to try. His wife was so wonderful; maybe, just maybe, she’d find it in her heart to forgive him.

But they hadn’t sat together for long before the event coordinator hurried over.

“Mr. Ford, the gala will begin soon. When it does, we’ll need you to give a speech on stage,” he said. Then, turning to Zinnia, he added, “And at the end, please invite Mrs. Ford to join you on stage.”

Zinnia frowned. “You want me to go up there too?”

Her voice carried a clear note of resistance, making the coordinator falter awkwardly. He glanced at Landon, worried he’d overstepped, a trace of anxiety flickering in his eyes.

“Mr. Ford…”

Landon didn’t put him on the spot. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll just say a few words myself.”

The coordinator let out a quiet sigh of relief. “Of course, Mr. Ford.”

Other prominent members of the Ford family sat with them, along with a number of influential guests from various industries.

The Jensen family had been arranged in the third row. Noelle’s seat was right in the center, just behind the second row, giving her a perfect view of Landon and Zinnia sitting side by side.

At past galas, the Jensens had always attended as Ford Group’s business partners. Every year, Noelle would come with Landon—he’d never refused her. Yet, that seat beside him had never been hers.

Now, Zinnia occupied it without question.

The more Noelle watched, the stronger her jealousy burned. She ached to grab Zinnia by the hair and drag her from that seat, furious to see Landon leaning in to whisper intimately to her. Noelle’s jaw clenched so hard she nearly broke a tooth.

“And now, please welcome the president of Ford Group, Mr. Landon Ford, to say a few words,” the host announced.

Landon leaned over and murmured something in Zinnia’s ear, then stood, fastening his suit jacket as he made his way toward the stage.