Chapter 196
The memory of Hayden absentmindedly playing with the little bear flashed in my mind, and a surge of resentment gripped
But with Waylon looking up at me with those innocent eyes, I forced a smile and said. “The bear…
“Did it fall off?” Waylon asked, his eyes filling with tears. “That’s the little bear I gave you
My throat tightened. It was hard to admit I’d lost it.
After thinking for a moment, I decided to calm him down first. “No, the bear’s in the car. It can’t be lost, don’t worry.”
Waylon immediately wiped his tears away. “Then why didn’t you bring it back with you?”
“Well…” I racked my brain for a reason.
Before I could stumble over my words, Dylan came to the rescue. “The bear likes to stay in the car, doesn’t it? Now, Waylon. let’s hear the rest of the story. The little fox ran into the cave, shivering from the cold…
Then what happened next?” Waylon’s attention was finally diverted.
I sighed in relief, watching as Josue silently lay next to Waylon, pulling the blanket up a little.
It seemed like only yesterday he was a premature baby, and now he’d grown into this sweet, chubby little boy.
There was no denying, Waylon looked so much like Hayden, especially with those pure, clear eyes. They were practically identical
But even so, I had no intention of letting them meet. Waylon was still too young, still learning to tell right from wrong, capable of making such a big decision.
When he was older, I’d tell him everything, and whatever he decided, I’d respect it.
As I stood there lost in thought, Waylon had already drifted off to sleep, lulled by Dylan’s soft voice.
Dylan shot me a look, signaling me to step outside.
still not
We both carefully tiptoed out of the room, and as we closed the door, we both let out a quiet breath, then exchanged amused glances.
Ever since having a child, everything had become a little… sneaky.
Marlon, coming upstairs at just the right moment, caught sight of our awkward exit and, with a sympathetic smile, whispered, “He’s asleep?”
“Yeah. I nodded.
Dylan stretched lazily. “Finally got him to sleep. He was dreaming about going to the amusement park with Marlon
tomorrow.”
That last bit had a hint of jealousy, I noticed.
I raised an eyebrow at Marlon. “Aren’t you supposed to be signing a contract tomorrow?”
Marlon had a lot of things to deal with after returning to the country and hadn’t had much time to spare. How would he have time to take Waylon out?
“T’ll take him tomorrow afternoon, Marlon replied, clearly not interested in spending too much time on this topic. He quickly got serious again. “By the way, I heard the Parker family is still looking for Ethan.”
1/3
1.12 PM
Chapter 196
“Three years have passed. What do they want?” Dylan asked, a little surprised.
When I left three years ago, I took Ethan with me.
Marlon’s men had brought him from the hospital, still unconscious,
And he’d been in a coma ever since.
Experts said his brain had been severely damaged and that he would never wake up, that he would remain in a vegetative state
forever.
But I refused to believe that. I kept searching for new doctors, different treatments.
This time, when I came back to Elysiumville, I brought him back with me.
Since modern medicine couldn’t help, we decided to try traditional methods.
“I won’t let them succeed, no matter what they’re after,” I said, my voice colder than before, my teeth gritted in anger.
Then I remembered something and looked at Dylan. “Dylan, could you check into Lucy and Joanna’s relationship tomorrow?”
“Lucy? And Joanna?” Dylan raised an eyebrow, clearly stunned.
Back when Lucy was still close to me, she’d often tried to create opportunities for me and Dylan. Dylan knew her well enough and knew that Lucy and Joanna had been enemies.
Seeing Dylan’s reaction, I sighed. “I ran into her last night. I saw her with Joanna… and they seemed really close.”
I didn’t finish the sentence. There were still so many things I didn’t understand. It was too early to jump to conclusions.
Marlon, overhearing us, suddenly spoke. “The Coffey family has been working closely with the Parker Group recently. Could that be why?”
I paused for a moment, surprised.
If the Parker Group was involved, then it made sense that the Coffey family and Joanna would be in contact. Maybe Lucy was involved with Joanna for that reason too.
So Hayden really did marry Joanna?
I’d only just returned and hadn’t kept up with their news, nor had I had anyone look into it.
“Dylan, noticing my troubled expression, quickly said, “Don’t worry. I’ll look into it tomorrow.”
“Okay,” I nodded, before heading back to my room.
The next morning, I went to Jethive Group’s headquarters in Elysiumville, located just across the street from the Parker Group’s office.
Initially, I hadn’t planned on confronting Hayden, but when I was discussing purchasing the building with Marlon, we noticed the building across from the Parker Group’s headquarters was up for sale.
It was almost fate, so we decided to buy it.
As for facing Hayden… I had prepared myself for this moment before I came back.
After all, he and I had just had a troubled marriage; we didn’t have to be enemies, right? There was no need to avoid each
other.
112 PM ₫ D
Chapter 196
Moreover, Jethive Group had just moved to Elysiumville, and there were so many things that needed organizing. I didn’t have time to dwell on the past.
Marlon had taken Waylon for the day, so I could focus on the business.
For the past three years. Marlon and Dylan had helped me so much. They had practically raised Waylon together. I was at ease knowing he was with them.
At lunchtime. Dylan joined me for a meal.
“I went to the Parker Group and checked, Dylan said, his gaze never leaving me. “Lucy and Joanna have been meeting frequently. Joanna even visits her at the company. From what I’ve heard, they’re best friends,”
As Dylan spoke, his eyes were fixed on me, probably worried I would flip the table over.
My heart was a storm of emotions. But after carrying the weight of so much anger for three years, what more could shock me?
Still, hearing that my old best friend had become enemies with Joanna–my old enemy–wasn’t easy to stomach.
The red–braised ribs that had smelled so delicious a moment ago suddenly tasted bitter.
I clenched my jaw, forcing a smile. “Looks like a lot has happened in these three years.”
“Even if Lucy thought you were dead, she still shouldn’t be best friends with Joanna,” Dylan said, unable to hold back his
frustration.
I knew he was upset on my behalf, but….
I sighed, refilling his cup. “Why not? Who someone chooses to be friends with is their own business. Who they like and who they don’t, that’s up to them. Just because she and I were close before doesn’t mean she can’t be friends with someone else
now
That’s true,” Dylan said, still frustrated. “But Joanna was the one who caused all that trouble for you.”
Lucy’s move this time really threw me off.
