Chapter 76
I clenched my teeth lightly, racking my brain for a way to avoid the topic, when Joanna burst into the room.
“Hayden, are you okay?” she asked.
Her soft, delicate voice carried just the right amount of quiver as if she were on the verge of tears.
I turned to glance at her. She had already rushed to Hayden’s side, tears glistening in her eyes as she clung to his hand. “Where are you hurt?”
“It’s nothing” Hayden replied with a faint smile, shaking his head as if to reassure her
I was used to seeing Hayden either indifferent or unkind. It was rare to catch such a relaxed and gentle expression on his face
Only when he was with Joanna would he show this side of himself.
When I had seen his injury earlier, he had been so reserved about it. Yet, in Joanna’s presence, he was completely unbothered. The stark contrast between how he treated the close and the distant was undeniable.
A faint bitterness rose unbidden within me, spreading like a ripple
I tightened my hand at my side. “Mr. Parker, I’ll leave now.
With that, I turned and walked away.
Behind me, Joanna’s sweet, coquettish voice kept ringing in the air.
“Let me see your wound. I won’t feel at case unless I take a look… Just one peek, okay?” she insisted
I rugged at the corners of my lips, intending to smile, but when I caught my reflection in the glass outside the door, I realized that smile looked more like a grimace.
Inside the office, Joanna persisted in her cajoling until she managed to lift the edge of Hayden’s shin while he was distracted.
A glaringly deep wound came into view, making her gasp at once.
“How did you get hurt this badly!” she exclaimed.
She found out Hayden was injured by eavesdropping on Richard’s phone call.
She hurried over to show her concern, only to be startled by the intimidating wound.
“It’s just a minor wound Hayden said curtly, his brows furrowing slightly in displeasure.
He disliked being touched, especially by women.
“This is no minor wound! Does it hurt?” Joanna’s eyes turned red as tears welled up.
She crouched down and carefully blew on the injury as if trying to ease his pain.
Hayden instinctively wanted to move away, but Joanna’s curious voice stopped him. “Why does it look like there’s an older sear next to this wound? When did you get that one
Her words made Hayden freeze in place, his sharp, woll–like eyes darkening.
this old scar? Hayden thought. Two months ago, wasn’t she the one taking care of the while I was unconscious! How
She doesn’t know when i got could she not know about this
“You don’t know.” Hayden asked, his voice laced with suspicion
Joanna didn’t think much of it and shook her head instinctively. Tid something dangerous happen to you before, too?”
Her mind was preoccupied with whether Hayden had ever mentioned being injured to her
Hayden pleted ingether much more from this simple exchange.
1/3
Vouchers
Chapter 76
Joanna had supposedly been the one caring for him for over two weeks, yet she didn’t recognize the scar on his body
Meanwhile, I had noticed it immediately.
‘Could there be more to this than I realize! Hayden wondered.
For the first time, Joanna saw Hayden looking a bit dazed, so much so that he didn’t answer her question. She pressed him, her voice filled with concern. “Hayden, what’s wrong!“
Hayden snapped out of it, and the warmth in his gaze faded noticeably.
“How did you find out I was injured?” he asked,
Joanna detected the chill in his voice and responded more timidly, “1–I accidentally overheard Richard on the phone. I was just worried about you…”
“Alright, you can leave now,” Hayden said, withdrawing his hand from hers and subtly adjusting his shirt back into place.
“But..” Joanna hesitated, wanting to say more, but the icy look in Hayden’s eyes made her nervous. Reluctantly, she left without another word.
At the door, she bumped into Richard on his way in.
Pouting, Joanna huffed and quickened her pace.
Richard looked completely baffled.
I didn’t even do anything to her, Richard thought, shrugging off his confusion and hurrying over to Hayden
“Mr. Parker,” Richard began, “Lidia has been spending a lot of time with Harrison and has gathered quite a bit of intel. It looks like Ms. Charlotte has a strong chance of winning this time”
He was reporting on the latest developments regarding the store situation.
In truth, Hayden had assigned Richard to stick close to Joanna not for her protection, but to monitor everything that was happening.
Of course, that wasn’t something he could openly admit, so when they’d run into Yvonne at the mall. Richard had lied, claiming Hayden had sent him to protect Joanna
Hayden’s eyes narrowed slightly, showing little concern about the previous matter, Instead, he shifted the topic, “Look intis Yvonne’s activities over the past year!
“Mr. Parker?” Richard froze.
‘Even if Mr. Parker wanted to investigate Mrs. Parker, wouldn’t it just be recent events? Why a whole year? Richard wondered.
“Don’t let anyone else know about this, Hayden said coldly. His calm tone carried an undeniable authority.
Richard didn’t dare to ask further and promptly nodded. “Understood.
—–
Back at the secretary’s office, I hadn’t been back for long when Joanna stormed in, shooting me a venomous glare.
“You’re back already? Didn’t you stay a little longer to cozy up to Hayden?” I asked with a smile.
In the past, Joanna had always flaunted and sneered at me. But today, I was in a decent mood and decided to initiate the banter.
Joanna’s expression stiffened, and it looked like she nearly ground her teeth to dust. “Yonne, you’re just jealous of how well Hayden treats me, aren’t you?”
“Hey, why aren’t you being sweet to me to
to me today?” I deflected with a teasing grin.
Joanna clenched her hands tightly at her sides, her eyeliner–framed eyes blazing with fury “You? As if you’re even worthy!”
“Oh, so before, you could be so nice to me but now I’m not worthy! You sure do change your mind a lot,” I sighed dramatically, shrugging as though I pitied her inconsistency.
I soon heard the sound of Joanna grinding her teeth again.
I knew the real reason behind her frustration. It was the pushback she’d faced in her efforts to join the Jackson family.
2/8
7:50
Chapter 76
Some of the Jackson family elders were against it. Both she and Quinn were outsiders, and if they were allowed in, it would disrupt the family’s lineage
no one would
Everyone had always understood this issue, and in a few decades, when the younger generation grew up and the elders passed away, no be able to sell the difference anymore.
I used to think those elders were stubborn and old–fashioned, but this time, they’d finally done something right.
Joanna, realizing she couldn’t counter this point, changed the subject instead. “Don’t get too smug. I know you met influence. Do you really think you can win!
with
Martin. He has no power or
“Mr. Robinson’s got this in the bag. Once you lose, get ready to dance with Zachary. Let’s see if Hayden still wants you
I hadn’t expected Joanna to know that I had met with Martin.
then
So, she’s been having me followed too?” I thought. Looks like I’ll have to tread even more carefully from now on
“Don’t forget. If you lose, you’re leaving the company too. Even Hayden won’t be able to help you” I replied evenly.
Joanna smirked triumphantly. Hey, actually. I’ve already won. Mr. Robinson’s contract has the new seal, while Martin’s contract has the old one….. It’s invalid.”
Her words hit me like a thunderclap.
I hadn’t expected Martin’s contract to be worthless
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