CHAPTER 20: CHAPTER 20: HAVE I SPOILED YOU TOO MUCH?

The estranged and indifferent way of addressing, filled with distance and estrangement.

Sabrina Hayes didn’t seem surprised by his reaction.

When making this call, she was mentally prepared to endure his temper.

She had known Josee Sheffield for many years, and during their good times, they had jointly launched the pharmaceutical brand "Miracle."

She was in charge of pharmaceutical research, while he managed operations.

In the recklessness of youth, she had vowed that one day she would lead "Miracle" to stand at the pinnacle of the pharmaceutical field.

But later on, she chose to change her career for Jordan Hawthorne.

At that time, it was the first time Josee got angry, furiously scolding her for abandoning her beliefs for a man, saying it was foolish!

Back then, her heart and eyes were full of Jordan, and she was deaf to his advice, going her own way.

She even assured him confidently, "Jordan is my new belief, I trust him!"

Now, as time has passed, reality delivered a harsh slap to her...

Sabrina felt a mix of emotions and guilt towards him.

She hesitated a bit but still explained her intention, "Do you have time to meet?"

The man on the other side heard this, remained silent for a few seconds, and said without thinking, "I don’t have time! I’m very busy, working every day, if you want to see me, you have to schedule six months in advance!"

The outright rejection highlighted the current state of their relationship.

Sabrina felt a bit stunned and disappointed.

She assumed too easily, thinking they could be like before.

She forgot that he is now also a hot new figure in the business world, with his business spread across domestic and overseas, his status on par with Jordan.

Meeting him for a moment couldn’t be so simple?

Not to mention, he still had unresolved anger!

He probably wouldn’t be willing to even glance at her!

Sabrina lowered her brow, apologetic in tone, "Sorry for bothering you, well, you go ahead and be busy..."

She finished speaking and was about to hang up the phone.

Josee on the other end suddenly became somewhat exasperated, "What time, what place, you don’t say, how can I meet?"

After speaking, he angrily said, "Sabrina Hayes, is this how you arrange meetings? One disagreement and you want to hang up, have I spoiled you too much!!!"

The familiar, irritable voice made Sabrina slightly startled.

Yet it also dissolved the little bit of barrier that had arisen just now.

She couldn’t help but smile gently.

She had misunderstood.

This person hadn’t changed much!

To prevent him from reneging, she immediately responded, "Two in the afternoon, The Hourglass Cafe."

Josee let out a cold snort and arrogantly hung up the phone.

Listening to the busy signal from the phone, Sabrina wasn’t annoyed; on the contrary, her mood was somewhat good.

Josee’s agreement to meet indicated there was still room for recovery.

This time, she was determined to revive her career and not let anyone down again!

...

Over at The Hawthorne Group.

Jordan Hawthorne, upon being refused after attempting to bring Sabrina back home to clean up the mess, returned to the office angrily.

Brooke Sinclairs was actually quite happy when he didn’t come back.

After finally driving him away, having him back to hover around her was somewhat annoying.

However, aside from that, she still found it surprising.

Even Jordan couldn’t manage to call her back.

When did she become this determined?

Could it be that she was purposely holding out, trying to make Jordan bring her back personally?

With suspicion in mind, she found Jordan’s assistant—Chase Lynch—to inquire, "Is Sabrina really not coming back? Is she still angry? Do you know what she’s doing at home lately?"

Chase Lynch, aware of Brooke’s status in the president’s mind, dared not neglect her and responded truthfully, "As far as I know, she’s just at home with the child, rarely going out, at most taking Miss Zara out for a walk... From her state, it seems she has no intent of coming back."

Though he didn’t interact much with Sabrina in business, they had professional dealings occasionally, so he understood her temperament somewhat.

Sabrina was always meticulous and serious about business; if she wanted to do something, she would generally do it well.

If she let go, it’s presumably a complete abandonment.

After listening, Brooke nodded indifferently, but inwardly, she despised Sabrina.

To give up so quickly, it’s really boring!

She hadn’t struck enough yet...

...

In the afternoon.

After entrusting Zara to the family’s nanny, Sabrina left to fulfill her appointment at the cafe.

When she arrived, Josee hadn’t come yet, so she ordered coffee in advance while waiting.

A little past two, a tall figure sat down across from her.

The man was dressed in a custom-made black suit, his long stature upright and imposing, sitting down with flair, exuding an unyielding yet noble temperament.

His handsome face was coldly set, burdened with a deep and irritable gloom between his brows.

As he sat down, he raised his hand with an expensive watch on his wrist, pretending disdain as he said, "You have only ten minutes of my time!"

Sabrina didn’t mind his arrogant expression, but rather chuckled slightly, pushing the coffee across the table, "Ordered your favorite Americano."

Josee lowered his eyes to glance at it, his tone couldn’t help but carry sarcasm, "It’s rare for small things like this to be remembered by you, a busy person!"

Sabrina helplessly replied, "I haven’t lost my memory; I wouldn’t forget something like this."

Josee snorted coldly, picked up the coffee, and took a sip.

After swallowing, he got straight to the point, "Alright, what did you come looking for me for?"

Sabrina hesitated noticeably for a few seconds upon hearing the question.

Back then, it was she who decisively left, and now she wanted to return, unsure how Josee would perceive her.

However, she eventually mustered the courage, saying, "I... want to return to pharmaceutical research."

Those words made Josee visibly stunned, his deep eyes fixed on her as if confirming if he had heard incorrectly.

A moment later, he reflexively mocked, "Why come back after persistently leaving back then? What about the Hawthorne Group you stubbornly guarded? Is it not wanted anymore? Or did you have a fight with Jordan, are you finding me out of spite?"

The words abruptly jabbed Sabrina, causing slight changes in her expression.

She wanted to explain, saying that wasn’t the case.

But Josee didn’t give her the chance, coldly interjecting with simmering anger, "Sabrina Hayes, I have no mood to hear you joke here! You abandoned your profession without hesitation for that man, now say you’re coming back just like that; what do you take this industry for? A game?

If I truly took you back in, when you and your husband argue on the bed’s head and reconcile at the bed’s foot, how should I handle it? So, I advise you not to fool around with me; I don’t have the time to play your dull marital games."

The words were undeniably heavy, and the rejection was quite clear.

Sabrina straightforwardly opened up, "Jordan & I should be getting a divorce soon; I have already submitted the divorce agreement... I’m not joking!"

Josee was again stunned.

He never dreamed he would hear the word ’divorce’ from Sabrina’s mouth.

Years ago, Sabrina was so infatuated with Jordan, and those close to her had seen it firsthand.

He originally thought that nothing in this life could make her give up Jordan.

But now...

Josee scrutinized her expression.

Sabrina’s eyes showed a faint self-deprecation, yet her gaze was very determined.

Josee understood her.

She was truly determined...

As for the reasons why, he didn’t ask further.

Even though they hadn’t contacted over the years, being in the same elite circle, he knew some about Jordan’s situation.

Including the recent developments at The Hawthorne Group!

Josee was silent for a while, finding his voice again, but no longer as cold as before.

He simply asked, "Zara... how is she?"

Sabrina’s heart warmed slightly, grateful he didn’t expose the unpleasant truth directly, responded, "Physically healthy, just the autism hasn’t been cured yet, but I’ve found some reliable doctors, it’ll get better."

Josee murmured an acknowledgment, "That’s good..."

Sabrina looked at him and asked, "What about returning to the research institute?"

Josee puckered his lips, "Miracle includes your share, you’ve been a hands-off boss for so long; if you want to return, take up the responsibility seriously! If you casually let go again, I definitely won’t let you off!"

The implication was affirmative.

Sabrina couldn’t help but grin broadly, "Don’t worry, truly not this time!"

With her assurance, Josee graciously finished the coffee.

After it ended, Sabrina left first.

Josee was a step behind, preparing to return to the office.

However, just as he stepped outside the cafe, he ran into Brooke Sinclairs head-on...