Chapter 197
“Lucy
– didn’t know,” 1 said, absentmindedly picking at my lunch.
Dylan, seeing my indifference, couldn’t hold back his frustration. His face darkened, and he sighed deeply.
You’ve always been like this. Even when Hayden did all those things to you, you’d just smile and pretend nothing had happened
“Are you implying I’m a soft target?” I raised an eyebrow at him.
It was true, though I couldn’t deny it.
Looking back. I realized how pathetic I had been, letting myself suffer in silence. If I could go back to the day Hayden and Joanna returned to the country, hand in hand at the welcome party, I should have marched right over, slapped him across the face, and yanked Joanna’s hair before kicking her.
Sometimes, people really need to stop suppressing their emotions and just lose it.
But Lucy… Lucy was different.
She had practically grown up with me.
From our school days, we’d been inseparable.
She had never done anything to harm me; in fact, she always tried to protect me, even at the cost of her own family.
There was a time when she even said she’d leave everything behind and move abroad with me.
How could I ever blame her? How could I bring myself to be angry with her? Even though she and I were now worlds apart, I could never resent her. Not for a second.
Dylan assumed I was upset and quickly apologized. ‘I didn’t mean it like that.”
I know, I lowered my eyes, a faint smile tugging at my lips. “Dylan, you should know her better than anyone. No matter what happened, she was always the one looking out for me.”
“But now…
“We can’t expect others to love us forever. Hearts change. Besides, I walked away first. I hurt her before anyone else.”
I spoke slowly, acknowledging my own fault without letting myself off the hook.
Dylan, his emotions softened, added a piece of fish to my bowl, sighing. “You’re always so kind.”
“Just don’t call me a saint,” I shook my head, exasperated.
I didn’t understand the world these days. Why did offering more forgiveness and compassion always get you labeled as a saint! Wasn’t it normal to let go of grudges? Did everyone have to go around fighting over every little thing?
Dylan caught my joke and laughed. “A saint forgives everyone blindly. You’re not like that, especially when it comes to Joanna..
He stopped mid–sentence, suddenly realizing his mistake, and went silent.
My gaze darkened.
“You’re right,” I said coldly, Joanna and I can never coexist.”
Some people you can forgive, but others–how could I live with myself if I didn’t take action!
1A
1:12 PM D
Chapter 197
At 3 pm. Marlon was carrying a chubby Waylon into the amusement park.
As they entered, the staff around them bowed respectfully. “Good afternoon, Mr. Warner.”
Waylon blinked his large eyes and asked innocently, “Marlon, is this amusement park yours?”
“Yes, it’s built just for you, Waylon,” Marlon replied, pride evident in his voice.
Although Marlon had moved abroad to develop new business ventures with Yvonne, he kept a tight grip on the domestic operations, managing everything remotely.
This amusement park was actually planned after Yvonne became pregnant.
“Wow, Waylon’s eyes lit up. “Marlon, you’re amazing.”
“Whenever you want to come and play, it’s all yours,” Marlon beamed as he looked down at the little one in his arms, his heart melting-
He still remembered when Waylon was born prematurely and spent more than half a month in an incubator.
At the time. Yvonne had suffered severe postpartum complications and hemorrhaged, barely surviving.
She had to o stay bedridden for a long time. Marlon and Dylan took turns between caring for her and Waylon, watching him grow every day. Waylon had become as close to Marlon as his own child.
“Yay!” The little one giggled as Marlon set him down to run around.
Waylon, now almost three, had enough strength to sprint around energetically.
Marlon kept a protective watch over him as he raced around. Just then, his phone rang, and Marlon moved aside to answer.
“Mr. Parker? I didn’t expect you to call me.” Marlon’s voice was calm, though he was surprised Hayden was calling.
Since Hayden returned, he had kept a low profile, and the news about the Parker family spread quickly.
“Mr. Warner, long time no see. Are you free tonight? Let’s catch up over dinner, Hayden’s voice came through, polite and
formal.
Marlon furrowed his brows. This is not Hayden’s style. What is he up to?”
After a brief pause, Marlon declined, I’m sorry, I’ll be taking my son out for pizza tonight.”
As he spoke, he glanced over at Waylon, who was now riding a dinosaur.
The phone line fell silent.
After a long moment, Hayden spoke again, “Mr. Warner, are you married now? Congratulations. Who’s the lucky bride?”
“Marlon, come play with me!” Waylon’s voice suddenly cut in, and Marlon turned back to him.
Turning back to the phone, Marlon said, “Mr. Parker, my son is being a handful. Let’s talk another time. I’ll invite you for dinner some other day.”
And with that, he hung up.
On the other end, Hayden raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the abrupt end to the call. The child had called him “Marlon,” not “dad.” Was there something behind that?
He put down the phone, turning to Richard, “Find out who Marlon’s wife is.”
1.12 PM c
Chapter 197
“Understood, Richard nodded and quickly left.
As he exited, Lucy walked in.
“Mr. Parker, you wanted to see me?” Lucy’s tone was cold, though still respectful.
Hayden had gotten used to it. For the past three years, Lucy hart er given him the time of day, even though she was just a
minor employee at the Parker Group.
Take a seat. Hayden motioned to the chair in front of him.
Lucy stiffly sat down, her face tight with restrained anger.
Her parents and Zack had constantly warned her to be polite and respectful to Hayden for the sake of the family.
For her family, Lucy had refrained from cursing him out, but there was no way she could pretend to like him.
Every time she remembered how he had treated Yvonne, she just wanted to slap him across the face.
“The Cliffbit Project in the economic development zone is launching soon. I need you to handle the PR for it.” Hayden stated, ignoring her clear disdain.
“P?” Lucy blinked, confused. Tina is the supervisor. She should be the one in charge.”
Tina, her superior, had made Lucy’s life miserable.
