The Master Programmer-Chapter 117: Mysterious Contracts 2

— Meanwhile, Across Town —

Veronica Hall and Samantha Ellis sat in a sleek café, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the soft hum of conversation. Their meeting had started cordially, but the air between them was thick with unspoken tension now after the conversation had turned to Jason Cross.

"So," Veronica began, her voice steady but probing. "How far have you gone with Jason?"

Samantha almost spurted out the coffee that was in her mouth. She looked at this woman who sat there so casually asking her about this, and seeing those eyes that were so resolute, Samantha hesitated, her polished demeanour faltering.

Damn it, why was she capable of being cool and calm at all times, but at a time like this when she was being confronted she finally lost herself. Maybe it was because of him... "We haven’t… gone all the way," she admitted, her cheeks tinged with colour despite herself. "But we’ve been… intimate."

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Veronica’s lips curved into a knowing smile. "Intimate, huh? That’s cute." Her tone was light, like that of an older sister. "He’s good, isn’t he?"

"Veronica!!" Samantha said looking around to see if anyone heard anything. "How can you say that?" Samantha would have been annoyed, but she saw something in Veronica’s eyes that betrayed a deeper emotion.

"Pfft Hahaha!!" Veronica laughed as Samantha admonished her playfully.

Seeing Veronica act like this, Samantha felt a curiosity bubble up inside herself. Any other woman would have been hurt. Yet here this one was, making jokes with a woman who had effectively been cheating with her man… Samantha’s curiosity piqued.

"And you? When did things start between you two?"

Veronica’s smile softened. "We’ve been together for a while now. He’s living with me. Things were heavy between us for a long time, and then it just… Blew up."

The revelation hit Samantha like a punch, but she masked her surprise with a sharp laugh. "Living together? That’s… serious." There was a tinge of something in her tone that she did not want to reveal. But it ended up coming out anyway.

"It is," Veronica admitted shamelessly, her voice carrying a quiet pride. "He’s… everything I’ve needed. Probably everything I’ll ever need too."

Samantha watched this woman say all this and narrowed her eyes. Okay, Jason. What the hell are you doing to the women in your life? You had one on her knees slurping on your cock. Another one practically proclaiming her everlasting love for you!

Samantha’s mind raced. She leaned forward, her voice dropping conspiratorially. "Veronica, there’s something you should know. Jason… he’s been involved with someone else at the office. "

Veronica’s eyes narrowed slightly, but her expression remained calm. "Oh? And who might that be?"

Samantha hesitated, then said, "The receptionist. I caught them together. And Jason was being… rough. And she was responding to it. It seemed she loved every second of it…" Samantha said things this way to see something, to test Veronica’s devotion and hopefully to cause some trouble for that bastard.

To Samantha’s surprise, Veronica chuckled. "I see. Is that all?"

What?!

"What do you mean, is that all?!" Samantha asked incredulously. Damn it. Her voice was louder than she had intended for it to be, but still. It was way too funny to her. What was going on in Veronica’s head?

Veronica took a sip of her coffee, her composure unshaken. "Jason is young and… energetic. I’m not blind to his nature. I’d rather share him than lose him. I believe in him, and I know he cares about me. I... trust him."

Veronica then smirked, leaning forward to whisper. "Why do you think I let you be with him?"

Samantha stared at her, speechless. Veronica’s confidence was unnerving, her acceptance of Jason’s indiscretions baffling.

What the hell did Jason do to her business friend?! Veronica used to be a manhater, she had a reputation for sending back bouquets. And yet, Jason had her melting like this.

Veronica took a sip of her coffee, before leaning in again, her smile playful. "So, tell me, Samantha. If your time with him wasn’t penetrative, what was it like? Maybe I’ll get some ideas on how to play with him from now on."

Samantha’s face flushed, and she fumbled for words. Veronica’s laughter was soft but triumphant. It was rare to see this cold CEO fumble her words like this. She loved every moment of this, and she was sure to remind her of the happenings in the future.

Jason was just too powerful!

In all honestly she was not willing to see him with other women, after all, that would just create a situation in which he might lose himself in the affections of another. But at the same time, she wanted him to be happy. If she had to let him go and do as he wished, then that was fine to her. So long as he came back to her. That was all that mattered to her.

Samantha… please dont steal him away, was what she wanted to say. But she held herself back. She could not play it like that. She could not show any fear, because she knew that Samantha was a predator. She had to be confident in herself and Jason.

She would just have to make sure to become indispensable to Jason. Only in that way would she become a mainstay in his life.

`— Meanwhile, Back at the Meeting Place —

Jason stepped out of the luxury hotel, the cool evening breeze brushing against his face as he adjusted his jacket. The faint hum of the city surrounded him, and he allowed himself a small smirk.

Twenty million in his pocket, all for four pills that he had gotten for 40 Master Coins… This was sure to be a solid foundation for his grander plans.

Business was business, and it was only getting started.

As he hailed a cab, his phone buzzed in his hand. He couldn’t help but think of someone he had not seen in a while. Swiping his phone a bit, Jason came upon a name with an unread message: Isabella.

He swiped to open the text.

[Hi Jason, I’m home today. Just having a break.]

[Mom’s here, though... so it might not be a good idea for you to visit.]

[I miss you... Too much.]

Jason’s smirk widened. Isabella’s mom must be as sexy as she was, right? How old could she be? In her early fifties? He would love to meet the mom that shaped the daughter. Thinking a bit more, he turned to the driver. "Can you take me to the high-end restaurant district?"

"Sure boss!" The man said as the cab began rolling off. As soon as it did, Jason let himself type out a text that he soon sent.

[All the more reason to come over! I’ll bring dinner. See you soon.]

A brief pause, and then a shy reply came from Isabella.

[Fine... but my mom can be a bit intense. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.]

Satisfied, Jason slipped his phone back into his pocket. Isabella had always been special… loyal, gentle, and fiercely in love with him. She deserved the best, and he intended to give it to her. She was one of his women, and even if Jason was not loyal to one, he would be loyal to all of them. It sounded a bit contradictory, but it made total sense to him though.

But first, dinner.

Jason’s cab pulled up to a high-end restaurant kind of place that screamed sophistication and wealth. He paid the cabbie and walked out, seeing everyone in this place. They looked pretty impressive in their chains and necklaces, and designer wear. This type of place was a place with tons of expensive cars here, and Jason could see that there was a ton of movement. As expected at the end of the month.

Since Jason was somewhat "rich" now, maybe he should buy a car too… Yeah… Why not? Hadn’t he made a promise to Veronica too? He would drive her somewhere, was what he said. He was about to make it all happen for himself.

As he entered, the sharp scent of polished wood and gourmet spices filled the air. He strode confidently to the counter, but a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Well, well, look who decided to show up," Mark’s voice rang out, dripping with mockery. Jason turned to see his former university friends—Mark, Jenny, David, and Sarah—clustered around a nearby table.

Damn it… these fuckers.

Jason was a friendly person in university, and with his connection to the Cross Family, as the son of one of the richest families in the city, it was very easy for him to get along with people.

Jason’s demeanour and way of treating people ended up putting him in a circle with four people who he thought would be his friends forever.

There was Mark who normally acted as ringleader at least when Jason wasn’t around. He was a cocky, well-off student who had it easy his entire life, never having to do a day of work in his life. His life was almost like Jason’s but not really. After all, Mark’s family was not as rich or well-connected.

There was Jenny, who was a Social Butterfly, someone who had connections with everyone and was famous on Social media because of her looks and the content she put out. She was someone who loved making fun of Jason in any way she could, at least after he lost his connection to his family. Jason had no idea when but it seemed she used to have a thing for him back then. Well, it was too late now.

There was Dave, a quiet, bookish guy who Jason had hung out with. His background was not as affluent, but after hanging out with Mark, Jason started seeing moral flexibility in the honest man. He had started having more of that condescending tone and having more of that demeanour.

Then there was someone else… Sarah. Jason had met Sarah twice recently, and she was Working in the Hall Enterprises building. Seeing her smug grin, Jason knew that she must have told them what had happened in the last two meetings and any other stories she may have heard. Jason was not looking forward to talking to these idiots. But whatever came would come.

Mark was the first to approach, his grin smug. "Didn’t expect to see you here, Jason. A fancy place for a convenience store clerk, isn’t it?"

Jason’s expression didn’t waver. He greeted them casually, his voice calm and measured. "Mark. Jenny. David. Sarah. Long time, no see. I’d hate to disturb you, so I’ll check on you later." After saying that, Jason turned away from them.