---- Chapter 36 My heart skipped a beat. For some reason, when I met Jonathan's dark gaze, my first reaction was guilt. Tcouldn't help but wonder just how submissive and afraid of Jonathan the old Elise had been. He was already seeing Alicia, while I was simply expressing my gratitude to the person who saved my life. Yet, the remnants of the 25-year-old Elise within me still made me feel guilty. There was nothing to feel guilty about, and I reminded myself to get a grip.

Ikept a calm expression and looked at him, saying, "It's none of your business." Jonathan frowned, and his expression darkened instantly. He glanced at Gabrielle coldly. "You should leave." Itwas a command. Gabrielle looked at me, gave me a signal, and then replied, " I'll come to see you tomorrow, Elise." As soon as she finished speaking, Jonathan shot her a look, as though there was something displeasing about her. Gabrielle lowered her head and quickly left the room.

---- Icouldn't understand why Gabrielle always seemed to feel guilty and uneasy whenever she faced Jonathan , despite her strong dislike for him. It was subtle, but I could still sense it. I wasn't sure if I was reading it wrong. Before I could think more, Jonathan was standing right in front of me. "What did you two talk about just now?" Ishook my head and sharply said, "It's none of your business. Jonathan frowned.

"Elise, there's a limit to how much you can throw a tantrum." Iwas tired of him constantly saying I was throwing a tantrum. Ilazily glanced at him, no longer in the mood to explain. " Think whatever you want." Jonathan paused, his expression darkening. At that moment, a vivid image flashed through my mind. Tears streamed down my face as I clutched Jonathan's hand and cried, "Why are you so close to Alicia?

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You said there was nothing going on between you two..." No matter how hysterical I became in that memory, the Jonathan in my mind only looked down at me coldly. "Think whatever you want," he'd said. ---- He'd been like a king, looking down at my madness and despair from above. The memory cut off suddenly , and my mind was invaded by memories that didn't even exist. Perhaps that was the painful past I was trying to forget, now resurfacing unexpectedly in my mind.

A sharp pain shot through my head, spreading to my heart. Ishook my head forcefully, and my face grew pale. Jonathan frowned as he stepped forward. "Elise..." He reached out to touch me, but before his hand could make contact, I recoiled as if his touch repulsed me. "Don't touch me," I said coldly, locking eyes with him. " Jonathan, let me say this one last time-I'm not just throwing atantrum." He stared at me in silence for a long time before finally loosening his collar.

"What is it that you really want?" he coldly asked. "T should be asking you that!" I snapped. "What do you want? Why won't you agree to a divorce? Are you really going to force me to cough up 100 million dollars?" Even if managed to come up with that kind of money, what difference would it make? To a man as wealthy as Jonathan, 100 million dollars was practically pocket change. I truly couldn't understand what was stopping him from letting me ---- go.

"When you have that much, then we can talk," he said, coldly staring at me. That night, he held me tightly. There was nothing left between us but cold confrontation, yet he still refused to let go. The more I struggled, the tighter he clung to me. It was suffocating, yet he wouldn't release me. His arm felt like iron, constricting around my waist, and I could hear his steady breathing behind me. I tried to pry his hands off me, but suddenly felt a sharp sting behind my ear.

Iturned, only to find Jonathan biting my earlobe, gently grazing it with his teeth. "Can't sleep?" he murmured.