Chapter 82
“Got it.” Rita said.
Even though Rita answered with just one word, it was impossible to miss the excitement in her tone
I tumed around, giving her a look, full of reproach. “When did I ever say I was going downstairs with you?”
He was clearly trying to make everyone think something had happened between us in the room.
If so, no matter how I explained it, there was no way to clear things up now.
Hayden seemed to see right through my thoughts, his voice cold. “Do you really think they won’t think the same thing, even if we don’t go downstairs together“”
I gritted my teeth, unable to respond immediately, but not willing to let it go. I shot him a glare. “Do you even have the strength to go downstairs?”
Hayden threw the blanket off, got out of bed, and made his way toward the door, answering my question with action.
But as he walked, there was a noticeable wobble to his steps. Going downstairs seemed like it was going to be a struggle for him.
In my memory, Hayden was always tall and strong, unshakable no matter what happened
It felt like as long as he was around, nothing could go wrong
Yet now, right before my eyes, he looked so weak, so frail as though a gust of wind could knock him over
“You’re
going to walk down like this! Don’t you think Mrs. Parker will notice?” I furrowed my brows, my tone tinged with anger.
I couldn’t understand how Hayden had ended up in such a sorry state
He had left me and found true love, so he should have been living his best Life, right?
But now, he didn’t seem much better off than I was.
Soon. Hayden reached me, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto mine. “As long as you cooperate, she won’t doubt it.”
“Hey, why should I cooperate with you?” I shot him a cold look, realizing that I no longer felt any admiration or affection for him
He had become just another guy, nothing special
Hayden took a step closer, leaning in “In recent weeks, someone’s been quietly buying up shares in the Jackson Group. Is that you?”
I froze, my breath caught in my chest.
This was something Marlon was helping me with. He was always careful, and his people were discreet. I never imagined Hayden would find out.
It seemed the Parker family’s influence in Elysiumville had grown even stronger.
But this was my family’s matter. I didn’t need to show any weakness in front of him. “So what if it is?”
Haydení ́s eyes shifted, a strange look in them, as though he were seeing a stranger. “Yonne, you’re really not the same as you used to be
“What was I like before? Putting up with everything in front of you, swallowing my pride? My mom lived like that for twenty years, and what did it get hert She passed away, and my dad didn’t even give her a proper funeral.
“He immediately marned a woman. Now all he cares about is his precious son, and he’s completely forgotten about me and my mom?? Unable to hold back. Het muut all t
1 the resentment I’d berii carrying.
Maybe these were things I had been wanting to say for a long time, but I had kept them buried deep inside.
Hayden gaze flickered for a moment, as if for lud figured something out. “So, you want to take control of the Jackson Group?”
the Jackson Group will eventually be taken from me by Sophia” I gave awry smile, suddenly
anting to laugh bitterly.
Speaking of topilia, sometimes I actually aired her
12:37 PM ct d
Chapter 82
She and 1 were both women. I had spent ten years chasing Hayden, but he avoided me like the plague, Yet, Sophia could make my father betray his wife of many years, even his own daughter, and willingly give her everything.
When I compared myself to her, I couldn’t help but feel like a failure.
I forced a laugh, but then Hayden spoke unexpectedly. “Your father’s not an idiot. He’ll find our soon enough.”
A cold chill ran through me.
Since Hayden had said it, it was more or less certain
After saying that. Hayden took a step and brushed past me.
I didn’t have time to think about why he was telling me all of this I quickly dialed Marlon’s number.
“Hello? How many shares of the Jackson Group have y
you acquired?” I asked.
“Six percent” Marlon answered.
I was a little surprised. I hadn’t expected him to acquire six percent in such a short time. He must have paid a pretty penny for it.
But even with that, the pace still wasn’t fast enough.
“Speed it up. My father will find out soon.” Turged.
Even though I knew pulling this off wouldn’t be easy, at this moment. I didn’t have
Marlon paused for a moment, then chuckled. “Don’t worry. I will get it handled”
His reassurance made me breathe a little easier.
When I went downstairs, Deborah was indeed waiting for me.
any
better choice.
Hayden purposely waited a couple of minutes for me to come down, then asked me to link my arm with his to cover up his current weakness. Deborah, not knowing the full story, watched us with a smile, clearly pleased. “Seeing how well you two get along puts my mind at ease. Let’s eat. Even Rata’s eyes glistened with happiness.
They truly hoped that Hayden and I would be fine, but they didn’t know that we could never be together again.
The meal went by smoothly enough. When it finally ended, I couldn’t wait to head to the company
I finished my work, and by around four in the afternoon, Yasir arrived as agreed to sign the contract.
He had also brought a newly released lychee–flavored cake.
“Yvonne, have a piece of cake to sweeten your mood. Signing this contract will be much smoother, Yasir said with a cheerful smile.
I wasn’t one for sweets, but I didn’t say anything. I just smiled and replied, “Mr. Gibson, why the sudden kindness? I seem to remember you didn’t use to pay much attention to me.”
Yair frore for a second, his smile becoming a late stiff. That was a long time ago, Yvonne. Let’s not bring it up.
“Fine, then tell me about something more recent,” I said, still smiling, but my tone turned sharper,
At first, Yair seemed alinde unsure. “What do you mean!”
How did Hayden get injured?” I cut straight to the point.
Richard want around, and even if he was, I didn’t think I’d get much out of him.
sait come to me, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity
“Your breated, bis words trailing off
Í raund the pen I was holding ‘If you can’t explain, then I’ll see no reason
ser njo prason to sign this today”
“Wait. Don’t “Vasirs face clouded with worry as if he feared I would really hack out. After hesitating for a while, he finally spoke. “I heard it
Chapter 82
happened in a tunnel.
up of people rushed in
“Someone must have found out alsoat Hayden’s whereabouts, and they blacked both the entrance and the exit. A group Fortunately, he had bodyguards with him, or
Yasir’s words trailed off, but I could guess what he meant.
The wound on Hayden’s abdomen had been deliberate, cruel. It was clear that whoever had attacked him had aimed to kill
Was it an enemy of the Parker Group?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” Yasir shook his head, falling silent for a long time before adding, “It could be the same group from that incident abroad. Hayden couldn’t even escape them when he went overseas. It’s despicable“:
My eyes narrowed slightly, and 1 raised my gaze to look at him. “Are you saying Hayden went ahead to hide from them! Not Wasn’t he trying to hide from me! I thought.
