The Master Programmer-Chapter 173: Scared Money Don’t Make Money 1

Jason Cross leaned back in his leather chair, his fingers absently drumming on the seat in his car. It was time to set things in motion. He was about to go to the office when a thought came to him...

He already had the money. But what was the use of having money if the money wasn’t making more money? It was as that one God said. Make merry and Multiply yourselves. Humans worked best when multiplying a flock, multiplying some farmland or multiplying their family. Multiplying and making the best of what they owned was the best use and ability of humans.

Jason Cross did not truly believe in that god, but he did think most of the ideas the god had were very good. Why not apply this one in this case? This was why he was going to try and see if ’she’ was worth investing in.

Scrolling through his contacts, he found her name. With a press of his thumb, the phone rang, and Angela’s voice crackled to life on the other end.

"Jason?" Her tone was bright but tinged with surprise.

Jason’s smirk widened. "Have coffee with me, silly girl." He didnt even bother saying hello. They chatted occasionally and she would tell him what she was working on and her aspirations. When she would tell him of how she was pining for her, Jason would chuckle to himself, telling her she still had a lot to do, after all, Jason had other women. Multiple women.

She would, instead of taking that as a sign to back off, would somehow use that as inspiration, telling Jason that one day he would appreciate her, and Jason would find himself laughing about this.

Angela’s laugh was light and teasing. "Coffee? What’s this about? Everything I’ve been doing has finally caught your attention? Are you finally ready to sweep me off my feet and walk into the sunset?"

Jason’s voice dropped, smooth as silk. "Not quite. Firstly, it’s morning… I wouldn’t carry you that long. What do I look like, some bodybuilder?" Hearing those words she began chuckling, knowing he was kidding. Jason liked that about Angela. Any other woman would have thrown a fit, saying things about Jason having called her fat.

"Secondly, I’ve come into some money, and I’m looking for a way to multiply it. You’ve mentioned your business before, and I’m interested in hearing more. Perhaps there’s an opportunity for us to collaborate."

There was a pause on the line, her playful demeanour replaced by intrigue. "You’re serious?"

Jason’s voice was low, deliberate. "Very. Wear something casual and meet me for coffee today. We’ll talk then. Same place you keep telling me about, okay? The one where you have your deep work coding sessions."

Before she could respond, he ended the call, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. Setting his phone in his pocket, Jason grabbed the steering wheel. As he left for Reno Ventures, the thought of Angela’s eager expression made him smile.

Thinking back to how they met, Jason smirked. Back then he had no idea she was talented. She just looked like one of those women, who were ’thrill-seeking’. Or maybe it was ’dick-seeking’... Not that it mattered to Jason. He just was not attracted to that type. Another reason why he did not take Angela seriously.

They had a tendency to seek fun and excitement, not taking anything seriously, and running away when things got too emotional, later on hopping back into their ’thrill-seeking’ tendencies.

Now they were meeting again, for the second time. He wondered what surprise she had for him. And whether or not she truly is a genius.

The sleek hum of the engine accompanied Jason as he drove through the city. His thoughts shifted to something else he was working on, something that had to do with the woman he had seen that morning. Buying cars for Isabella and Emily was a gesture of affection but also a calculated move to keep his women happy and loyal.

It was also an excuse to make contact with Celine. She was going to be an important person. Jason was not sure whether to take their connection to a deep level or not, but what he was sure of was that having the connection was a good thing.

If Jason had both Celine and Samantha in his life, how complicated would that be? As his car pulled into Reno Ventures, he adjusted his tie, exuding the confident aura that everyone had come to expect.

Stepping into the lobby, Jason’s sharp gaze caught Mia at the receptionist’s desk. Her rebellious streak was evident even in the way she dressed—a tight blouse and a pencil skirt that hugged her curves just enough to tempt the imagination.

Today, though, there was something different about her demeanour. She glanced at him, then quickly looked away, a flush of nervousness colouring her cheeks. Jason smirked. Has Samantha done something again?

Jason’s lips curved into a teasing smile as he approached her. "How’s my favourite receptionist doing today?"

Mia’s smile was shy, her usual boldness subdued. "Jason, can we talk? There’s something I need to tell you."

Huh? What the hell was going on?

Jason tilted his head, intrigued. "Same place as before? Lunch?"

Mia hesitated before shaking her head. "I can’t do lunch. It’s complicated. Please understand… I… it’s important."

Her eyes held a mix of worry and determination, a combination Jason found irresistibly alluring. He reached out, lightly brushing his hand against hers. "Text me the details. I’ll be busy at lunch too, so I guess I will see you a bit later than that. I’ll pick you up at the end of the day and then, take you home. How does that sound?"

Relief flickered across her face as she nodded. Jason stepped back, giving her one last lingering look before heading to his office.

Something was going on.

It might be even more serious than Jason had ever expected. But he was looking forward to finding out. After all, Mia was… special to him. Maybe he didn’t consider her to be one of his, but he did consider her to be someone worthy of protection and impossible to ignore.

That was why he was going to unravel this entire thing, and he would see just what it was all about and what to do about it.

Jason had barely settled into his chair when a knock sounded at the door. Without waiting for his response, Samantha Ellis entered, her sharp bob framing her striking features. She wore a tailored suit that accentuated her figure, exuding authority and grace.

"How did you enjoy your sleep, Sam?" Jason’s voice was casual, his eyes dancing with mischief. He knew it already based on the smile she had on her face that morning, but still. He just wanted to see how she would twist this and turn it into a method of attack.

Samantha’s brows furrowed. "Why do you want to know? Afraid that I might steal your sweet Veronica away?"

There we go...

Jason’s smirk deepened as he shrugged. "You and Veronica looked quite comfortable. It was adorable. I almost wished I could have joined, but alas, I had places to be. And when it comes to Veronica… I’ll never be afraid that someone might steal her away. After all, she’s mine."

Samantha’s jaw tightened as she crossed the room, perching on the edge of his desk. Her movements were deliberate, the fabric of her skirt sliding just enough to reveal the toned curve of her legs. She was wearing a skirt today, huh. Interesting.

Where did she get that idea from?

"Jason you need to learn how to treat a good woman like me. You think you can come and go without paying a fee?" Her tone was low, challenging. Jason stared at this woman, holding back a laugh as she blatantly tried to intimidate him.

What the hell was she doing?

Did she not know who the real boss was here?

Jason rose from his chair, towering over her. His voice dropped an octave, rich and commanding.

"Are you looking to renegotiate the terms of our engagement?"

Samantha’s hand shot out, grabbing his tie and pulling him closer. "Maybe I am."

Jason smirked, looking at this woman in interest and letting his nose brush over hers. "Okay, I’m all ears"

Samantha looked low at his lips and then looked up into his eyes again. "Why don’t you start by showing a little more respect?"

Jason’s gaze locked with hers, the intensity between them crackling like static electricity. He leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear. "Respect is earned, Samantha. Convince me you deserve it… And I won’t just give you respect. I’ll give you everything you’ll ever want."

Her cheeks flushed, a rare vulnerability breaking through her composed exterior. Jason’s words had struck a nerve, but instead of retreating, she doubled down.

"I can’t share you," she admitted, her voice trembling with frustration. "I’ve tried, but I can’t. I need to know where I stand. And I need to know that even with all those women I stand alone. I stand above them. As long as I can have that status in your heart, in your life, then I..."

Jason’s hand cupped her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. "You’ll have to prove yourself, then. At the end of the month, you’ll meet the others, and we’ll see where you stand. I feel like by then you will know… But something tells me that you would have made a decision about where you want to stand before then."

Samantha’s breath hitched, her lips parting as Jason leaned down, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss. Her hands clutched his shirt, her resolve melting under the weight of his dominance. When he finally pulled away, her lips were swollen, her expression dazed.

"You… are difficult, Jason," she muttered, her voice tinged with reluctant admiration.

Jason chuckled, stepping back. "I’m not difficult. I just know what I want. And I want you. I also want Veronica, Isabella, and anyone else I would ever want."

Samantha straightened her clothes, regaining her composure. "Fine. But don’t think this is over. Jason... you and I are more similar than you could ever imagine. They are good... distractions. They could never stand by your side. They could never keep up with you. Not now. Not ever."

After saying those words, she turned and left, leaving Jason to look at her retreating. Jason watched her as her hips swayed with determination. As the door closed behind her, he sat back in his chair, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.

This one was already far too deep in. She didn’t even know it yet. The mission had told Jason to make her into his subordinate, had it not? It had told Jason to turn her into his servant. And what did that mean? That meant that Jason had to now shift the dynamic between them.

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He had been doing that subtly, dominating her and making her understand her place. Soon enough he would have her in a position where she could not run away from reality, a reality that Jason had been shifting ever so slowly and steadily even as she watched.

Jason looked out of the window. Life was good. A meeting with a potential investment boon on the way, and then later on another meeting with a woman who seemed to have a lot on her mind. But before then, work.

Well, let’s get to it.