Chapter 447 William and Hayden (48)
Although the Hayden sisters had been shielded by their mother from an early age and had minimal exposure on social media, events like the evening's cocktail party were familiar to Hayden; she navigated them effortlessly.
That night, Hayden appeared lovely in a snug dress that highlighted her shape. She wore a gentle purple dress with a single shoulder, and at twenty-two, she exuded youthful charm. Her skin was flawless and glowing despite wearing minimal makeup and a hint of lipstick.
As a result, a stream of men flocked to her, not only hoping to win her favor but also aiming for a hint of flirtation.
Initially, Jasper was somewhat concerned to see so many men eyeing Hayden.
However, watching Hayden handle the attention with confident grace, without giving any man the upper hand, he relaxed and turned his attention to flirting elsewhere.
Hayden turned around to see Jasper, a tall, ruggedly handsome man who exuded confidence and charm.
"Hey there, gorgeous," Jasper slurred, his words slightly slurred from the alcohol. "Are you Looking for a good time?"
Hayden frowned, slightly annoyed by Jasper's forwardness. "I'm sorry, but I'm not interested," she replied, wanting to dismiss him quickly.
Jasper ignored her response and leaned on the balcony railing next to her. "Come on, don't be like that. Let's have some fun," he persisted, his eyes glazed over with a drunken haze.
Hayden let out a sigh, feeling her patience fading. She didn't want this kind of attention. "Look, I'm here with someone. I suggest you find someone else to entertain yourself with," she said firmly, hoping he would take the hint.
Jasper chuckled, his breath smelling strongly of alcohol. "Oh, come on. I've seen the way he looks at you. He won't mind if you have a little fun on the side," he argued, his words slurred and his voice filled with arrogance.
Hayden's irritation grew, and her grip on her glass tightened. "You clearly don't know what you're talking about. I have no interest in having fun with you or anyone else," she snapped, asserting her boundaries.
Jasper's brows furrowed, his inebriated state hindering his ability to comprehend her rejection. "You're just playing hard to get. I like a challenge," he slurred, a cocky smirk forming on his face.
Hayden reached her limit. She turned away from Jasper and headed back into the crowded hall, leaving him alone on the balcony. She had to find William and share what had happened, but she couldn't shake the unsettling feeling Jasper's presence had stirred within her.
She let out a startled cry as Dashiell's grip tightened on her wrist, causing her to lose her balance. Her body lurched backward, and she struggled to regain stability in her high heels.
"Hayden, don't leave me, my beautiful girl," Dashiell pleaded, his voice slurred and desperate.
Hayden's instincts took over, and with a rush of adrenaline, she pulled her wrist free from Dashiell's grip. Heart racing, she steadied herself and took a step back from him.
"Let go of me, Dashiell," she demanded firmly, her voice filled with both anger and fear.
Dashiell, his face flushed and his alcohol-induced bravery momentarily fading, hesitated. Seeing her opportunity, Hayden swiftly turned on her heels, determined to create as much distance between them as she could.
With a mix of relief and apprehension, Hayden hurried away, her mind racing with thoughts of how to escape this uncomfortable situation. The party suddenly felt suffocating, and she longed for fresh air and a safe haven away from Dashiell's unwelcome advances.
As she exited the crowded room, Hayden took a deep breath, relieved to be free from Dashiell's presence. Yet, she couldn't shake off the lingering uneasiness that clung to her like a shadow. It was clear that this encounter had left an unsettling mark on her psyche.
From that day forward, Hayden vowed to be more cautious and assertive, refusing to allow anyone to invade her boundaries again. She knew that she deserved respect, and she would not let anyone trample upon her feelings or safety.
Little did she know that this encounter would be the catalyst for her transformation as she embarked on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
"Ouch!" Dashiell let out a yelp of pain as Hayden's slap landed on his face.
The impact stunned Dashiell for a moment, giving Hayden the opportunity to push him away and stand up.
Before she could escape, Dashiell's arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a tight grip. His face flushed with anger as he growled, "You arrogant woman, how dare you slap me? I'm going to teach you a lesson..."
As he spoke, he threw his glass aside and squeezed Hayden's chin with his chubby hand, leaning in as if to kiss her forcefully.
Pow!
Hayden was seething with anger. Her hand shot out to deliver another hard slap as she struggled with all her strength.
A few yards away, in a shadowy corner, Michelle stood observing the drama unfolding in the hallway, capturing it on her phone camera. A triumphant smile gradually appeared on her lips.
Just as Hayden was fiercely resisting being trapped by Dashiell, through her phone's viewfinder, Michelle suddenly spotted a familiar figure appearing at the entrance of the ballroom.
Why on earth was William here?!
In an instant, Michelle felt a wave of panic. She quickly put her phone away in her purse, then, leaning on her cane, hurriedly made her way toward Hayden and Dashiell's location.
As Michelle hastened over to the entrance of the ballroom, William looked around the room but failed to spot Hayden.
"Damn you, let go of me!"
Suddenly, a familiar scolding voice reached his ears. William's eyebrows furrowed instantly, and he followed the sound's direction.
Though the voice wasn't loud, it reached William's ears with crystal clarity.
Spotting Hayden at the end of the hallway, far off and being bothered by an overweight man, his eyes narrowed with concern, and he dashed forward at full speed.
"Dashiell, what the hell are you doing? Let go of Hayden!" Just as William charged over, Michelle had already reached Hayden and Dashiell's side.
One hand relied on her cane while the other tried vigorously to pull Dashiell away.
In his attempt to forcibly kiss Hayden while clutching her tightly, Dashiell suddenly felt someone pulling at him. Reacting instinctively, he forcefully pushed Michelle away without hesitation.
"Ah!"
With a scream, Michelle stumbled back and then fell to the ground.
Seeing Michelle push down, Hayden's anger flared even more. Spotting a wine glass on the railing, she grabbed it and splashed its contents onto Dashiell's overweight face before smashing the glass onto his forehead with a loud "crack."
"Were you asking for it?" Splashed and smacked, Dashiell reached the peak of his fury and raised his hand to strike Hayden's face...
Watching the heavy palm about to come down, Hayden instinctively turned away and closed her eyes.
Crack!
"Ah!"
However, to her surprise, instead of the expected slap, the grip around her waist loosened, and she found herself enveloped in another comforting embrace. Simultaneously, a man's scream shattered the air.
In an instant, the unpleasant scent of alcohol on Hayden's breath vanished, replaced by the fresh, soothing aroma of wood. Understanding dawned on her, and she quickly opened her eyes.
The moment William's incredibly attractive face entered her view, Hayden's lips curved into a smile.
"Are you okay?" William asked, worry etching his voice as he tightened his embrace around her.
