Chapter 60
Marlon caught my eye and shot me a mischievous grin like he was checking if I enjoyed the spectacle he’d cooked up.
I knew he was just trying to put Hayden on the spot. But he’d read the room wrong; if Hayden were the type to get flustered, he wouldn’t have shown up with Joanna.
The folks around the table had their own secrets, Joanna included. Seeing the sudden hush, she stood up and said, “Mr. Schneider, what matters most for two people to be together is the feeling, not some societal label”
She continued. “It’s torture to be with someone you don’t love, right? And isn’t it more valuable when two people genuinely care for each other?”
Her speech basically broadcasted that Hayden and I were just a marriage of convenience, while she and Hayden were the real thing. She had the guts to say that.
Asmirk played on my lips, and then Hunter’s rebuke cut through the air. “Absurd! It’s upside–down thinking, disregarding all decency!”
A few people at the table had been chuckling, but now they all tensed up, not daring to breathe. Tonight’s crowd was all old friends, a mix of ages and both sexes.
Hunter took on apprentices based on serendipity, not age or status, so seeing Hayden at the thank–you dinner didn’t faze me.
No matter how high and mighty they were outside, in front of Hunter, they were all his students and couldn’t afford to offend him, Joanna was really overstepping, daring to challenge Hunter in public.
Even Hayden’s eyes turned a colder shade, Joanna, don’t talk nonsense!
The usually meek Joanna was now out of character, Eighting for her chance. “Hayden, I’m not babbling here! You two don’t have the chemistry, but you’re stubborn about sticking with Yvonne. Meanwhile, we’ve got the real thing and we’re the ones who sound crazy? No way!
These words had been on Joanna’s mind for a long time. She’d wanted to speak up but had never found the chance. Speaking out in front of so many people tonight meant Hayden couldn’t take it back.
My gaze lingered on Joanna’s face. She was not particularly beautiful and rather ambitious, and I suddenly realized she and Sophia were cut from the same cloth, with equally deep schemes,
When Hayden first brought her to the country, she was all timid and fragile, tagging along behind him and whispering like she was a delicate doll that could break at the slightest touch. But over time, her true colors began to show.
She made foolish suggestions in the company and now was trying to control Hayden. She probably didn’t know that Hayden hated being restrained
the most.
I blinked, my eyes flickering with interest, and then I looked at Hayden His chin lips were tightly pressed, and the cold in his eyes seemed to freeze people completely
I had expected him to be angry, but the next moment he just smiled lightly and said, “Mr. Schneider is here; it’s not our place to discuss such
He deflected Joanna’s topic with a single sentence, then looked at me and said. “Yvonne, come here”
A hint of surprise flashed in my eyes. I thought he might still want me to sit next to him. He didn’t seem annoyed by Joanng’s words either; it seemed he really liked Joanna and would make exceptions only for her.
With a mental sneer, I looked at Hunter and said, “Hunter, I’ve got plans with a friend. I won’t intrude anymore. Next time you’re free, let me treat you to coffee.
With that, I left the table. I never liked to stick around where Hayden and Joanna were
As soon as I was our of the hall, Marlon was hot on my heels. The sound of has footsteps just fueled the fire in me. I felt like I’d been played. Marlon picked up on my mood and stepped in front of me, blocking my path. “What’s the hurry? Skipping the beef
party?”
Tm too licked off to eat!” I shouted, giving him a look that could cut glass before I kept walking.
Marlon raised an eyebrow and reased, “Jealous, huh?”
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Your
Chapter 60
I froze in my tracks with a sharp retort on my tongue. You used me to get to Hayden!!”
I was seething at this so–called partner who was playing me before we even hit the ground running. If I’d been mistaken, my heart would have shattered the moment Hayden showed up with Joanna
Marlon’s eyes lost their sparkle, his smile disappearing as he met my gaze with a blank expression. “Is that what you think of mel
“Isn’t it?” I threw back at him, curious to see how he’d weasel his way out of this one.
Marlon was clearly frustrated, massaging his forehead and taking a deep breath before saying. I wanted you to catch the show. Hayden has got mad respect for Hunter and even rearranged his schedule for this dinner. If Hunter knew about his mistress, it’d ruin the mood.”
“And I’m part of the drama, right” I couldn’t help but scoff. If I hadn’t shown up, maybe Hayden would have slipped under the radar.
Marlon was at a loss for words. Without another word, I moved to walk around him. Then I heard him say, “I wanted you to see Hayden’s true colors. He’s not worth your love”
There was his real motive. I paused, my expression wavering. “I’ve known that for a while I didn’t need anyone to tell me through all the waiting and hoping. Hayden’s coldness and heartlessness had already given me the memo
“Sorry, I should have filled you in. I wasn’t thinking thoroughly. Marlon apologized abruptly.
1 paused, instinctively meeting his gaze. At that moment, he didn’t seem like the arrogant CEO from the rumors, but rather like a kid who’d messed up, anxiously awaiting the consequences.
The stark contrast took me aback. If I stayed mad, it would make me look petty. And come to think of it, nothing too bad had happened to me. At most, I was the butt of some jokes, and I was used to that.
“Forget it. Don’t let it happen again. I coughed lightly, trying to break the tension.
Seeing I
wasn’t
isn’t going to push the issue, Marlon Jet our a sigh of rebet. “Hungry? I’ll take you to a place with some real good eats,” he said.
Forty minutes later, Marlon and I walked into a seafood joint.
“Is this the great food you were talking about?” I raised my eyebrows, clearly not convinced that the simple broth could produce anything worth raving about
“You’ll see when you try it,” Marlon said confidently, sigrading the waiter to bring the usual dishes. It was clear he was a regular.
I wasn’t interested in the food tonight as soon as I sat down, I got down to business. “You asked if I was interested in taking over Jackson Group. Now I can give you an answer.
Marlon smiled knowingly, his charming eyes flickering with a mix of mischief and sharpness. “If you don’t move fast, the company will be left with nothing but crumbs by your stepmother.”
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