Being Dumped by My EX, I Marriied His Older Brother-Chapter 154: You Jinx Me

A faint smile touched Jason Graham’s sharp features. "What’s this? Are you afraid of me, Miss Thorne?"

Nina Thorne replied coolly, "You must be joking. We’ll get a cab ourselves."

Jay Jacobs’s gaze was wary.

He didn’t have a good feeling about this Jason Graham.

Especially now that the Thorne and Kane families were cooperating, making them direct rivals of the Graham Family.

Besides, he had also heard from the Chairman that the Thorne and Graham families had collaborated once in the past, but it had ended in a major incident.

Since that incident, the two families had never worked together again.

"Then let’s discuss compensation."

Jason Graham nodded his head toward the accident. "Or we can talk about how you’re going to thank me. Pick one."

Sylport’s morning rush hour traffic was brutal.

Nina Thorne hesitated for a few seconds before getting into the car.

Jay Jacobs got into the front passenger seat.

"President Graham, do you believe in metaphysics?" Nina Thorne asked suddenly after getting in.

Jason Graham raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Oh? Why the sudden question, Miss Thorne?"

Special Assistant Dawson, who was driving, pricked up his ears, eager for gossip.

Jay Jacobs frowned at him, his gaze seeming to say, ’Just drive.’

Nina Thorne said with a straight face, "You’re bad luck for me. You should stay away from me from now on."

Jay Jacobs couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter.

Special Assistant Dawson, however, didn’t dare.

He pressed his lips together tightly, stifling his laughter until his cheeks ached.

Jason Graham pursed his lips, then shrugged nonchalantly. "Good. As long as it’s not the other way around."

Nina Thorne: "..."

’What kind of logic is that?’

’Wasn’t she obviously telling him to keep his distance from now on?’

’April Graham had sabotaged her time and again. She really didn’t want to get too close to her rival’s brother.’

"Still, congratulations are in order, Miss Thorne, for officially taking over the Thorne Group," Jason Graham said suddenly.

In the business world, there were basically no secrets.

One company went bankrupt today, another was consumed by internal strife tomorrow—nothing escaped notice.

So, he obviously also knew about the Thorne Group’s current predicament.

Nina Thorne said distantly, "Thank you."

"Don’t mention it. I trust you haven’t forgotten you still owe me a favor, Miss Thorne..."

Jason Graham’s handsome features were set in a serious expression. "And just now, your car hit mine. You’ll have to compensate me."

"..."

Nina Thorne’s face was devoid of expression as she gave a faint smile. "Rest assured, as long as you cooperate, President Graham, I’ll ensure full compensation."

As they spoke, the car pulled to a steady stop in front of Thorne Tower.

Jay Jacobs quickly got out of the car.

Just as Nina Thorne was about to get out, Jason Graham stopped her. "You know, you’re much better like this than you were before."

Nina Thorne frowned.

She didn’t ask for details, nor did she intend to.

She opened the car door and left.

Watching her tall, confident figure, Jason Graham stroked his chin thoughtfully. "She should be like a sunflower, growing wild and free."

Special Assistant Dawson could tell his boss was in a remarkably good mood. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

He asked, puzzled, "Sir, did you know Miss Thorne before?"

Jason Graham shot him a look but said nothing more. "Drive."

After the car drove away, in a black luxury car parked on the roadside behind them sat a cold and noble figure.

His eyes were dark and deep, his gaze fixed on Thorne Tower.

It remained there until Nina Thorne’s figure disappeared into the building.

His aura was heavy, and the air in the car seemed to freeze, making the space feel suffocatingly tight.

Assistant Cheney didn’t dare to breathe too loudly.

’Just now, the madam and Jason Graham seemed quite familiar with each other.’

’The president must be about to explode with anger.’

He didn’t know whether he should drive or stay put.

After a few seconds, Justin Kane clenched his fist and ordered in a low voice, "Back to the office."

As if granted amnesty, Assistant Cheney quickly started the car.

Back in the chairman’s office, Nina Thorne thought of something and instructed Jay Jacobs, "Find me some information on the collaboration between my father and Apex back then."

"Understood."

Jay Jacobs was deeply respectful.

Just as he stepped out, Simon Foster walked in.

He was tall with long legs and a refined air, wearing a pair of silver-rimmed glasses that made the bridge of his nose appear even more prominent and defined.

He had faint dimples when he smiled, and his aura was fresh and clean, like the bright moon in the sky.

It was Nina Thorne’s first time seeing him, and she was somewhat struck by his appearance.

"Miss Thorne." Simon Foster’s voice was gentle and pleasant, a true pleasure to listen to.

It was hard to imagine how such a refined and pure person could have survived in the business world.

Nina Thorne nodded. "Please, have a seat."

Simon Foster inclined his head and walked toward the sofa area.

Nina Thorne used the intercom to ask her secretary to bring in two cups of coffee, then walked over and sat down across from him.

"I heard from Jay Jacobs that you’ve been contacting the managers for several projects these past two days. How is that progressing?" Nina Thorne asked, getting straight to the point.

Simon Foster crossed his legs, his posture relaxed and elegant.

"The other parties are intentionally ghosting us..."

Nina Thorne nodded thoughtfully.

Then, her phone buzzed.

A real-time news alert popped up. The Thorne Group had released a statement announcing that Nina Thorne was taking over the company and that Master Thorne was retiring.

The news had caused an uproar that morning.

Simon Foster received the alert as well. After reading the news, he clearly disapproved.

"Releasing the news of the Chairman’s retirement at a time like this will only be detrimental to the group."

"Is that so?"

Nina Thorne glanced at her phone. "What if we add this to the mix?"

Then, her phone chimed repeatedly as several more news alerts frantically popped up.

#Thorne Group to Launch Most Powerful Smart Drive System, Solving Spontaneous Combustion and Range Issues#

#Albert Locke to Partner with Thorne Group in a Powerful Collaboration to Build the Ultimate Smart Drive System#

As soon as these two stories broke, they set the entire internet ablaze.

Simon Foster was stunned. "Didn’t Albert Locke already sell his smart drive system to the Kane Group? And he’s already joined them."

"Sell? It was only the usage rights."

Nina Thorne smiled serenely, her expression bright and confident. "The Thorne Group’s smart drive system is about to undergo a major overhaul. What do you think, Mr. Foster? Is this announcement wise enough for you now?"

Simon Foster was still finding it hard to believe.

Albert Locke’s reputation was immense. In the past, even the Kane Group and Vistara’s Graham family had to court him for a long time just to get a meeting.

And in the end, the Kane Group, who won out, only managed to secure the usage rights.

Although the Thorne Group was powerful, it wasn’t as dominant as it once was.

Why would Albert Locke suddenly choose the Thorne Group?

It was simply incredible.

"Mr. Foster, you can contact them again now. If they still refuse to cooperate, send them a letter from our lawyers directly," Nina Thorne said with a smile, though her words were forceful.

Simon Foster looked at the bright smile on her face, raised a hand to adjust his glasses, and the corners of his mouth curved up.

"It seems I underestimated you, Miss Thorne. Since things have come to this, it’s only natural that I do my job."

Nina Thorne’s lips twitched into a smile. "I’ll be waiting for your good news."

Just then, the secretary came in with the coffee and placed a cup in front of each of them.

Nina Thorne raised her cup as if to make a toast. "Mr. Foster, I look forward to working with you."

"You’re too modest, Miss Thorne."

Simon Foster took a sip of coffee, his eyes behind his glasses fixed on Nina Thorne, their color deepening slightly.

After leaving the office, his elegant figure headed for the elevators.

His assistant hurried over. "Mr. Foster, did you successfully resign?"

Simon Foster gave him a meaningful look. "I’m staying. It’s gotten rather interesting."

The assistant: "..."

’Weren’t you going to switch companies?’

’You’re not resigning anymore?’

Meanwhile, Justin Kane saw the news. Standing before the floor-to-ceiling window, the corners of his lips curved upward.

’So they really do know each other, and they seem to get along well.’

Assistant Cheney knocked and entered, stopping behind him. "President, Engineer Locke has completed his work and is resigning today."

Justin Kane gave a soft "Mm." "I know."

Assistant Cheney hadn’t expected him to be so calm.

’But we do have lifetime usage rights for the smart drive system, and vehicle production is currently proceeding smoothly. So, it doesn’t seem to pose a significant threat.’

’It’s just that an engineer like Locke is truly hard to come by.’

Assistant Cheney didn’t press the matter and instead reported, "President, the Old Master and the Chairman have been looking for you several times. Are you really not going to get back to them?"

Justin Kane lowered his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I’m busy. Don’t reply."

’They were only looking for him because of Cole Kane.’

’It’s only been a few days, and they already can’t take it anymore.’

’What about Nina Thorne, then?’

’What about all the pain she had suffered before this?’

’And on the night of the birthday banquet, they deliberately spread that selectively edited video to slander Nina.’

’They made her face the judgmental gazes of so many people all by herself.’

’Everything happening now is their own doing. They’re digging their own graves!’

"Send the files to Seth Lawson. Have him do me a favor," Justin Kane ordered.

When he looked up again, his expression had turned cold and grim.

That afternoon, Simon Foster went to meet the partners, and Nina Thorne accompanied him.

The meeting was held at a Chinese restaurant.

Shortly after they entered the private room, the partners arrived.

She had arranged to meet with six project heads here at the same time.

When the six partners arrived, their previous arrogance was completely gone.

"Miss Thorne, Mr. Foster."

After entering, the men stood stiffly by the round table and greeted them.

The Thorne Group’s previous collaboration with them had been a form of patronage.

It was what had allowed their companies to gain a foothold in Sylport and carve out a niche in their respective fields.

But these people had been ruthless and turned their backs on them.

The moment her grandfather was hospitalized, they had cast the Thorne Group aside like a worn-out shoe.

Nina Thorne’s expression was cold as she began sarcastically, "I was starting to think I wouldn’t be able to get a meeting with any of you today."

She reached for the teapot.

One of the partners, President Mason, hurried over, grabbed the teapot first, and poured her a cup of tea with a servile attitude.

"It was all a misunderstanding before. Our company ran into some issues, which is why we couldn’t meet with Mr. Foster these last few times."

"We never expected to trouble you with this, Miss Thorne."

President Mason poured two cups of tea, then personally picked one up and offered it to Nina Thorne.

"Miss Thorne, please have some tea."

The corner of Nina Thorne’s eye twitched slightly. Her expression was cold, and she made no move to take the cup.

The others all had their heads slightly bowed, exchanging uncertain glances.

Discretion is the better part of valor.

"Miss Thorne, you’re a magnanimous person. Please don’t lower yourself to our level."

"From now on, we will always prioritize the Thorne Group. Something like this will never happen again."

"It was all because of some short-sighted fools acting recklessly down the line. As soon as I found out, I fired the manager in charge of the project to show our sincerity."

"..."

Clearly, the morning’s news and Nina Thorne’s threat of legal action had done the trick.

One by one, they had done a complete 180, now acting cowardly and obsequious.

Only then did Nina Thorne pick up the teacup, take a sip, and set it down. Her gaze was sharp and resolute. "I hope nothing like this happens again. The Thorne Group can lift you up, but it can just as easily lift up others."

"Business is business. I don’t need your so-called gratitude. But if you lack even basic integrity, don’t blame me for being ruthless."

"Yes, yes, of course. You’re absolutely right, Miss Thorne."

"There won’t be a next time."

Cold sweat beaded on the men’s foreheads.

’Who would have thought a mere slip of a girl could possess such methods and such a powerful aura?’

’You really can’t judge a book by its cover.’

"This is the last time."

Nina Thorne swept a cold glance over them, then rose with an icy expression and walked out.

Simon Foster lifted his gaze to watch her slender figure leave, and the corners of his lips hooked into a slight smile.

’Interesting...’