The Master Programmer-Chapter 88: The Diamond She Was 1

The room hummed with a faint glow from the city lights outside, casting long shadows across the sleek furnishings. Jason leaned back on the plush leather couch, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

Veronica sat opposite him, her black hair cascading over her shoulder as she cradled a steaming mug of coffee. Her sharp blue eyes met his, betraying a mix of curiosity and unease. And Jason loved that look of hers.

Jason set his coffee down with deliberate precision. His tone was low, the kind that pulled listeners closer without their realizing it. "You kissed me," he said, his voice a mix of amusement and confidence.

Veronica tilted her head, a sly smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "And?" she replied, a playful challenge in her voice.

Jason leaned forward, his sharp features catching the dim light. "And you’d better remember that moment," he said.

His voice dipped into a rhythm designed to captivate, each word landing like a note in a melody. "Because, Veronica, you don’t get to kiss me and expect things to go back to the way they were. I’m a greedy man, and when I see something I want, I take it. You should prepare yourself. Soon enough, you’ll be so obsessed with me, that you won’t know what to do with yourself."

Veronica blinked, momentarily stunned, before regaining her composure. "You’re awfully confident, aren’t you?" she said, her smirk widening.

Jason chuckled, shaking his head as though the outcome was inevitable. "Confidence is just knowing what’s already true." He leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear. "And I’ve seen the way you look at me."

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This was even truer now, after all, he was looking at her and she was looking at him. It was so obvious that there was something between them. Anyone could see. It was clear to Veronica, and it had better be clear to Veronica too.

Veronica’s heart raced, though she refused to let it show. Her grip on the mug tightened as she met his gaze. She finally broke the tension with a teasing laugh. "You’re funny, Jason," she muttered, her cheeks flushed.

Jason leaned back, a victorious gleam in his eyes. "And you love it, don’t you?."

They continued working, and then by the end of the night, they were done with the things they needed to do. Rest was good for the body. So Jason decided they should leave and get some rest.

Later that evening, the two walked through the dimly lit parking lot, the air heavy with the scent of rain-soaked pavement. Veronica walked slightly ahead, her heels clicking against the concrete. Jason followed his thoughts on their earlier exchange, a faint smile lingering on his lips as he gazed at her form as she sauntered ahead of him.

She was beautiful, a beautiful woman who would forever be something he would never get over. He wanted to see more of her smiles. He meant what he said. He was a greedy man. So so greedy. But Jason narrowed his eyes when something came out soon enough.

Out of the shadows stepped a man, tall and lean, holding a bouquet. His sharp suit and slicked-back hair gave him an air of polished charm, but his smile was too wide, too practised. He was too charming... Jason knew immediately. He was either a swindler or a businessman.

"Veronica," the man said, his voice smooth as silk. "What a pleasure to see you."

Veronica stopped in her tracks, her expression hardening. "What do you want, James?" she asked, her voice dripping with disdain. Jason looked at this man in interest.

Seeing the suit and the way he carried himself, he could tell that this was a confident man. But that was exactly the thing… was he a love rival? There was no way, right? In the last few weeks, Jason had accomplished what no man could in the last ten years.

Jason’s eyes narrowed slightly as he sized up the newcomer. The man had a familiar face… sharp cheekbones, and a square jaw. There was something unsettlingly reminiscent of someone Jason knew.

Ah right… It was that bastard Tommy Carter.

They looked familiar. And there was that smugness about them, although it was more subdued in this man… Maybe it was true... in which case this man would be named James Carter, or maybe he was thinking too much.

The man’s smile faltered for a split second before returning. "I heard about the... difficulties you’ve been facing," he said, extending the flowers toward her. "I thought I could help you out in any way I can. I grabbed the flowers on my way here. I wanted to see if you needed me."

Grabbed the flowers on his way? Yeah very cool, buddy. So not only did you know something about the inner workings of her company, something she had not shared with anyone else in the world, but he also knew about the fact that she was out this late and that she was about to come out right now.

Veronica crossed her arms, her gaze icy. "Help? Like the time you ’helped’ Samantha and nearly bankrupted her? No, thank you."

Oh?

The man named James chuckled, brushing off the insult. "Samantha and I had our complications, but I assure you, my intentions here are pure. I only want to see you thrive, Veronica. A woman as beautiful and intelligent as you deserve nothing less."

Veronica narrowed her eyes though. "really? What was all that talk about marriage in the Ellis Family then?"

Jason watched the exchange with a growing sense of intrigue. So this was the man behind the crisis Samantha had mentioned. His presence here was no coincidence. It was very clear that this man was in both women’s lives… he might be one of those rich philanderers who had a penchant for rich successful women.

James chuckled after hearing those words, and when he did he soon turned his head, his attention shifting to Jason, his smile sharpening. "And you must be Jason Cross," he said, extending a hand. "Funny seeing the abandoned son of the Cross family here."

Abandoned son? Wow.. what an introduction. So he knew Jason... which meant he was either in the upper echelon or he was someone who had been looking at the people around Veronica and Samantha.

Jason took the handshake, his grip firm. "Fame has its perks," he replied coolly, his expression unreadable.

James leaned in slightly, his voice lowering. "Tell me, Jason, what brings you to Veronica’s side? I thought you were busy climbing the ranks by Samantha’s side."

Samantha’s Side? This guy was very good at using his words... It was pretty interesting to see someone so well-spoken and intentional. What was clear to Jaon was the fact that he could only gain by destroying this man and not lose. After all, not only was he a love rival, but he was also a person who was trying to ruin his relationship with Veronica.

Jason raised an eyebrow, amused by the blatant attempt to provoke him. "I’m her… personal assistant," he said smoothly, turning to Veronica who rolled her eyes with a smirk. "And as for Reno Ventures, I’m just a man who likes to keep his options open."

The double meaning was obvious, and Veronica pouted her lips. James saw this, his nostrils flaring for a split second, before he showed a smile.

"Really? Haha, a young man like you, is so lively. What could you possibly know about money and power? Maybe you’ll understand when you reach my age, but you will never need more than one woman. Well, you seem to have many options… I’m quite jealous. Anyway, you’ve been working there for what? A few weeks, and you’ve already been promoted to director by her, have you not? You must have done something very special for her."

Veronica shot Jason a sharp look. "Wait—you’re a director now?" she asked, her tone tinged with disbelief.

Jason turned to her, his expression calm. "I’ll explain everything on the way home," he said. His voice softened slightly, an attempt to ease her tension. "Let’s not keep James waiting for his next appointment."

James’s smile wavered as he realized he’d failed to destabilize Jason. "Living together, are you?" he asked, his tone dripping with false warmth. "Quite the arrangement. Must be nice, bridging such a... significant age gap."

Jason’s eyes glinted with amusement. "We’re not a couple," he said, his voice steady. "Not yet, anyway. But I’m working on it. And when I prove my worth to her, she’ll see I’m everything she deserves… and more."

James’s smile turned cold. "Bold words from a man with no wealth or background," he said. This was true without a doubt now. It didn’t matter that Jason was from the Cross family. He was an abandoned son. That was clearer than anything.

Jason shrugged, a faint smirk on his lips. "Why would I waste time explaining myself to you? You’re not the one I need to impress."

He walked past James, his posture relaxed, exuding unshakable confidence. Veronica followed, her heels clicking angrily against the pavement. James stood frozen, his grip tightening on the bouquet as his façade of charm cracked.

In the car, the air was thick with unspoken tension. Veronica stared out the window, her thoughts a storm of confusion and frustration. "You lied to me," she finally said, her voice low. "About the job. About being a Director... Why?"

Jason glanced at her, his expression softening. "I didn’t lie, Veronica. I just didn’t tell you yet. There’s a difference."

Her sharp blue eyes turned to him, searching for answers. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

Jason’s voice was steady, but his words carried a subtle rhythm designed to ease her anger. "Because I didn’t want you to see me differently. I wanted you to know me as the man I am—not the title I hold. Titles mean nothing without trust, and I’d rather earn yours than rely on a label."

Veronica’s gaze softened, though her frustration lingered. "You have a way with words, Jason. But I’m still mad…"

Jason smiled faintly, his eyes meeting hers. "Only when the truth deserves to be heard. Now come on, let’s go. I could tell you were uncomfortable back then. We should leave. I’ll tell you everything that’s happened so far, and more."

Veronica laughed when she heard these words, and as she did, James was watching all this happen, and although he could not hear their conversation, he knew they were talking. His upper lip twitched unnaturally as he turned his head away, not willing to keep watching.

And then when they drove away without even waving at the man, he merely stood there, watching the car leave, his face slowly changing to an unsightly one that he only showed once he was alone.

And then in the next moment, he crushed the bouquet in anger. He had prepared so much, paying extra just to get a fresh bouquet from one of the most famous shops, all for her. Waiting out here all this time, all for her. But all of it was useless.

James stood alone, the bouquet crushed in his fist. His polished veneer was gone, replaced by a seething anger that contorted his handsome features.

"Jason Cross," he muttered, his voice low and venomous. "You think you can take what’s mine? We’ll see about that. Whether it’s Samantha Ellis, or Veronica Hall, both of them will be mine."

The faint glow of the streetlights reflected off his car as he climbed inside, his mind already plotting his next move. He would not let Veronica slip through his fingers... not to a man like Jason.

As the engine roared to life, James’s smirk returned, darker and more determined than before.

Jason had underestimated him, and that mistake would cost him everything. He opened up his phone and sent a text…