The Ruthless CEO's Revenge Wife
Chapter 53: The Ruthless CEO

Chapter 53: The Ruthless CEO

Logan arrived with Henry and his attorney, Mr. Yoon. His eyes briefly met Jean’s before he looked away, jaw tight.

Jean started the conversation. "Thank you for coming. Let’s get straight to the point."

Logan leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "Sure. I’d like to hear how you plan on justifying silence over justice."

Jean didn’t flinch. "I’m being practical, Logan. We all know who Mr. Kim is. Going against his son will drag both our companies into a legal war. Public trust, investor confidence, reputation and everything’s at stake."

Henry shifted uncomfortably, but Logan’s stare never left Jean. "And what about the truth? What Junho did wasn’t a mistake. It was calculated. You were pushed to the edge, literally."

Jean’s voice lowered, but her words held weight. "I’m not saying he’s innocent. I’m saying if we act now without a proper strategy, we lose more than we gain. Junho’s downfall should come with precision, not impulse."

Mr. Brooks cleared his throat, supporting Jean. "We need to let the legal system take its course, but on our terms. Not theirs. We negotiate. Apply pressure where it matters most... quietly."

Logan looked at his lawyer, then back at Jean. "You want me to sit back and wait. That’s not who I am."

Jean’s eyes narrowed slightly. "And look where that’s gotten you, Kingsley... stranded on an island, nearly drowned, and now, a target for manipulation. Be smart about this."

Logan slammed his palm lightly on the table. "Smart doesn’t mean spineless."

Emma stepped in, voice steady. "Logan, we’re not asking you to back down. Just don’t go to war alone. Let’s do this together."

There was a long pause. Then Logan finally said, "But I want Junho to pay. No matter what."

Jean looked him in the eye. "So do I."

"How? Playing by his rules?" Logan leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. "You’re underestimating me, Jean. Mr. Kim may have power, but only within his circle. He doesn’t scare me."

Jean folded her arms, her tone growing colder. "It’s not about fear, Logan. It’s about foresight. You think you’re untouchable because you’re rich and powerful now? You’re also on the video footage of the yacht throwing punches at Junho. Beating him to the ground."

Logan’s jaw clenched. "He deserved it."

Jean didn’t blink. "Maybe. But that footage? It won’t ask what he deserved. It’ll show a man losing control. And it’ll drag both of us down with it."

Henry shifted beside Logan, glancing at Mr. Yoon, who remained silent but alert.

Logan straightened, his voice quieter, more dangerous. "So what, we just let them win? Pretend none of it happened?"

"No," Jean said, eyes locked on him. "We win by outsmarting them. Not by handing them weapons and hoping they don’t shoot."

Logan leaned back again, exhaling slowly. "I’m not wired for patience, Jean."

"And I’m not wired for reckless pride," she fired back.

A tense silence settled over the table before Mr. Brooks cleared his throat. "Perhaps a hybrid approach, then. We contain the fallout, strategize our offense, and keep the footage confidential for now."

Emma glanced between them. "We need to be on the same side. Or they’ll destroy us both."

Logan looked at Jean, and for a flicker of a second, the enemy in his eyes was replaced by something more reluctant. A truce... fragile and temporary.

The meeting was growing tense.

Jean laid out her points clearly... going public with the scandal could cost them all. Mr. Kim wasn’t just some man with influence; he had power, connections, and a reputation that could smear everyone involved.

But Logan wasn’t budging.

"He committed a crime," Logan said firmly. "I’m not going to sit back and let him get away with it."

Jean exhaled, frustrated. "Logan, think... this isn’t about just one man. This could spiral."

Logan pushed back his chair and stood. "I’ve said what I needed to say." Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked toward the garden, pulling a cigarette from his pocket.

Jean watched him disappear into the dim evening light beyond the restaurant’s glass doors.

She turned back to his team, her tone dry. "How do you people work with him? He doesn’t even negotiate."

Henry chuckled under his breath. "He’s not called ruthless for nothing."

Jean bit her bottom lip, her unease growing. This meeting wasn’t tilting in her favor. Not even close.

"Excuse me," she said, pushing back her chair. Without waiting for a reply, she stood and followed the same path Logan had taken.

________________________________

Logan exhaled a puff of smoke, jaw tight as Jean approached him in the quiet garden. She stopped a few steps behind, arms crossed.

"You done storming off?" she asked flatly.

He turned slowly, eyes narrowing. "You came to convince me to drop it, didn’t you?"

"I came to talk."

"That’s what I’m doing. Talking." He flicked the cigarette aside, stepping closer. "You’re trying to cover for Junho because you’re scared of the fallout. But you...Jean Adams... have money, influence, a whole damn empire. So tell me... what exactly are you afraid of?"

Jean’s expression didn’t budge, but her eyes flinched. "I’m not afraid."

"Then why back down? Why ask me to protect the man who nearly got us killed?" His voice rose. "You’re acting like a coward."

She inhaled sharply. "Say that again."

"I said you’re a coward," Logan bit out. "You pretend to be strong, but when it’s time to take a stand, you’d rather sweep it all under the rug. For what? Your image?"

Jean’s throat tightened. Her voice came out low, controlled. "You don’t know what I’ve been through. What I’m protecting."

"No," he said coldly, "I don’t. Because you never say anything. You show up, demand silence, then walk away like it’s your right."

"You don’t get to judge me, Logan."

"Then give me a reason not to," he said. "Give me one damn reason you’re not siding with the man who blackmailed both of us."

Jean looked away, blinking fast. Her heart thundered, but she wouldn’t... couldn’t... say it.