Chapter 47
He spoke without a hint of hesitation. I was momentarily taken aback, then I reached for the photo to examine it closely.
With Hayden’s shameless nature, he could have easily owned up to it–there was no reason for him to lie.
After taking a second look, I noticed something odd. The man’s expression in the photo seemed a bit off, and the lighting didn’t match the objects on the yacht.
The photo was clearly a composite and not a very good one at that, it looked rushed like someone was scrambling to finish it.
I had been furious when I saw Hayden with Joanna, so never did it occur to me that the photo might be fake.
No wonder Zachary had asked Hayden to check with me before he left. It turned out they had this all planned out, ready to use me as a pawn
Once I pieced this together, I looked up at Hayden and found the anger simmering in his eyes.
“It’s normal for me not to recognize someone after a year away from Elysiumville and just coming back for a few days. I stumbled through my awkward explanation and then quickly shifted the topic. “So, Zachary is outright trying to set you up. Can you believe he dared to falsify something?”
Most people wouldn’t even think to verify these kinds of things, right? It’s just like celebrity gossip–everyone was curious and eager
r to share: who
really cared about the truth? I’lus, it didn’t help that Hayden had been seen with Joanna, which was hard to defend
“Zachary is the kind of person who will do anything to get what he wants. Over time, you’ll see what I mean. Hayden smiled coolly, his charming eyes flashing with a coldness that sent shivers down my spine.
If even Hayden thought like that, then Zachary definitely wasn’t a good guy.
After a moment of contemplation, I furrowed my brows. “I get it now. He never intended in partner with me, he just wanted to drive a wedge
between us
Hayden had been lost in thought, but at my words, his deep gaze brightened slightly, as if surprised by my insight. After a long pause, he said, “Yvonne, you’re a lot smarter than I expected”
I shot him a glare. “I know. You and your friends chat about me behind my back, calling me useless and stupid,”
“Why don’t you defend yourself? Hayden stared at me intently,
I shrugged nonchalantly. “What’s there to defend? At that time, I was all about you. I didn’t care what anyone else said.” With that, I gathered my documents and left, unaware of Hayden’s deepening gaze,
Many things lose their intensity over time, and discussing them later felt like just a breeze.
Back in the secretary’s office, Joanna was already at her desk.
I figured she had come in with Hayden, but when she saw me, she questioned. “Where did you take Mr. Parker last night? I couldn’t find him anywhere!”
Her words left me bewildered. “You couldn’t find him?” Didn’t Hayden go to comfort her after he left!
“Mr. Parker just said a few words and hung up. Did you take his phone or something!” Joanna pressed, her demeanor suggesting she was the one in a relationship with him.
Despite this, I didn’t want to argue. Instead, I recalled that Hayden had definitely been on the phone outside my door for quite a long time after I went to sleep. But judging by Joanna’s reaction, that call wasn’t meant for her.
And on top of that, Hayden hadn’t even been with her last night. What was going on!
Not long after, someone from the PR department came by to drop off some documents, and joanna suddenly changed her demeanor from fierce to friendly as she greeted the staff.
I had barely sealed in my chair when my father’s call came through. Yvonne, did you really go with Mr. Parker last night to check on your mom’s new gravesite? She was just buried not long ago, and I can’t believe you disturbed her.” I could hear the reproach in Yosef’s voice.
This unnecessary fuss made him look bad as a husband, especially since it involved me and my husband acting on this matter.
I nearly jumped out of my chair, “What‘ Me and Hayden? Last night??
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Extra Check–m
An–free Deodin
I had no idea where Hayden had gone, let alone why we would go together to a gravesite in the middle of the night.
“Someone at the old cemetery recognized Mr. Parker, they saw him on TV. Yvonne, if you really wanted to do this, you could’ve at least talked to Dad about it How could you just go ahead and take care of everything without a word?” Yosef sighed, clearly disappointed in me.
But I couldn’t pay attention to his lecture, and I just blurted out. “I got it. It’s not that urgent, let’s talk about it later. With that, I hung up on him.
Without a moment’s hesitation, I stood up and walked to Hayden’s office door. I raised my hand to knock, but my movements froze. How was I supposed to ask him! I had voted without hesitation when Zachary put the motion to the floor, and Hayden had seen me do it
He had rushed around for my mother, while I was I bring inconsiderate? If I went in there now, wouldn’t he just feel smug about it! No way, couldn’t just walk in like that…
Shaking my head, I paced back and forth outside Hayden’s office, Just as I was about to think of a good excuse, I heard Hayden’s voice behind me, “What are you doing here?”
1jumped and quickly turned around, “Hayden..”
The last syllable was stuck in my throat when I noticed he had someone else with him. I quickly pivoted, “Mr. Parker.”
Hayden brought the person into the office, seemingly discussing company projects. The person was tall and skinny, wearing black–framed glasses, and seemed a bit uncomfortable with me around. “Mr. Parker, we should probably keep this conversation private…
“It’s fine, she’s my wife,” Hayden replied smoothly as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
I stood there stunned, unable to process what I just heard. That didn’t sound like something Hayden would say at all. The other person didn’t push the topic and followed Hayden inside to continue their discussion.
I stayed nearby, but my mind was elsewhere, thinking about why Hayden suddenly cared so much about my mother’s situation…
I glanced up at Hayden, who was talking with the other g
guy, his profile handsome, with a strong jawline: Did he truly want to help me, or was there something else going on?
Lost in thought, I didn’t notice Hayden catching my gaze. When he looked my way, I quickly averted my eyes, unable to meet his.
Putting our relationship issues aside, I had just voted to remove Hayden from his position, yet he had just referred to me as his wife. It left me feeling unsettled.
After what felt like ages, their meeting finally came to an end. After the other guy left, I was about to make my escape when I heard Haylen call out, “Do you need something from me?”
1 hesitated and, after a deep breath, forced myself to ask, “Where did you go last night?”
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