Chapter 448 William and Hayden (49)
Looking up at him, Hayden shook her head, "I'm fine."
"Oh my goodness, what is happening?" Jasper exclaimed as he rushed out upon hearing the commotion, completely taken aback by the chaotic scene before him.
"Dashiell, are you alright?" Hayden, who had been nearby, quickly ran over to his friend's side, concern etched across his face.
Still writhing in pain on the ground, Dashiell managed to gasp out, "It was William! He kicked me!"
William, with an air of defiance, crossed his arms and retorted, "He's lying! He started it!"
Jasper, trying to understand the situation, looked sternly at both of them. "Alright, enough! I want a full explanation right now."
The onlookers eagerly gathered around, eager to hear the whole story unfold.
Dashiell stood up from the ground, his friends holding him back as he charged toward William and Hayden.
William glanced coldly at the still-yelling Dashiell, who was being restrained, then shifted his dismissive gaze toward Jasper. Without saying another word, he took off his jacket and draped it over Hayden, then whispered to her, "Let's go."
"Alright." Hayden nodded and then turned to Michelle, who had managed to get up with the help of others, and asked, "Are you alright, Michelle?"
Michelle smiled at them and shook her head. "I'm fine, as long as you're okay."
Hayden smiled and let William hug her, and they left together, ignoring Dashiell, who was still shouting in the background.
Jasper watched them leave, then turned to see Dashiell looking beaten down and pretty much figured out what had happened.
With an annoyed sigh, he rubbed his forehead.
Michelle stood amidst the crowd, feeling unnoticed by William, who embraced Hayden and departed without acknowledging her. Anger and hatred boiled within her, overwhelming her emotions.
"Are you really okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?"
The two of them headed toward the parking lot. Once inside the car, William carefully fastened Hayden's seat belt before examining her closely and asking softly.
With a sudden bright smile, Hayden mischievously said, "I'm perfectly fine! If you don't believe me, I can undress right now for a thorough check."
William glanced at her and noticed no signs of distress or injury despite the bullying. A smile formed on his lips, and unable to resist, he leaned in and kissed her passionately.
The kiss, though intense, didn't last long because William feared he wouldn't be able to control himself and might go further.
"Would you like to come over to my place?" William asked, his voice deep and rough as he pulled back slightly, resting his forehead against hers.
Hayden shook her head. "I'm tired."
William chuckled. "We can just sleep, I promise."
But Hayden remained firm, shaking her head. "I don't think I'll be comfortable sleeping together," she said.
In reality, it wasn't about discomfort; she didn't want to reveal her relationship with William to Finn and the Johnson family so soon.
Seeing her determination, William didn't press further and gently kissed the tip of her nose, conceding, "Alright, I'll take you home then."
"Mm."
During the drive back, Hayden leaned back in her seat, tilted her head, and stared out of the car window, lost in thought.
William drove with one hand on the wheel and held her hand with the other, stealing occasional glances at her. Seeing her absorbed expression, he chose not to disturb her.
It took about half an hour to reach Hayden's mansion from the hotel. As William was about to drive through the gates, Hayden suddenly spoke up.
"Just stop here. You don't need to come in."
William looked at her and slowly pulled the car to the side of the road.
"Hayden, if you're worried about something, tell me. Maybe I can help," William said seriously after parking.
Looking at him, Hayden smiled. "It's nothing, really. I'm just a bit concerned about my sister; she's young and still quite naive."
"Otherwise, why not bring your sister over to Southern University to study? That way, she would be by your side, and you wouldn't have to worry about her so much," William suggested, looking at her.
Hayden had considered bringing Jocelyn to Southern University to study; she would have done so already had it not been for Finn's refusal.
Sophia, Finn's new wife, concocted Finn's refusal as a ploy. She feared that if both sisters left the Johnson family to study abroad, it would spark gossip. People might speculate that she, as a stepmother, treated them poorly, tarnishing Sophia's image of being kind and virtuous.
Now, even Jocelyn moving in with her grandmother was something Finn reluctantly agreed to, only after much persuasion from the grandmother and for a temporary stay.
Looking at William, Hayden smiled and shook her head, quickly changing the subject. "It's getting late. It would help if you headed back. I'm going to get out here."
As she said this, she started to take off the coat she had borrowed from William to give it back to him.
William's brow slightly furrowed as he stopped her hand from taking the coat.
"Keep it on, it's cold outside."
Looking at him, Hayden paused, then smiled and nodded in agreement, "Okay," she added, "See you tomorrow."
"Okay," William responded solemnly, watching her.
Hayden smiled once more, then opened the car door and stepped out.
Watching her as she stepped out of the car and entered the mansion, William leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and released a heavy sigh.
He had a sense of what was bothering Hayden, but he wondered why she wouldn't share it with him.
