Chapter 474 William and Hayden （75）
In the front Bentley, Hayden and Finn were both in the back seat.
As the car slowly exited the villa and Hayden caught sight of William, who remained outside the gate, her eyes welled up with tears that she couldn't contain, moistening them once again.
But Finn was right beside her.
She struggled mightily to hold back and didn't let the tears fall.
Finn, reclining in his seat, was resting with his eyes closed. Sensing something was off with Hayden next to him, he opened his eyes and looked out the window. Seeing William and Jasper standing outside, he couldn't help but snort coldly, "These days, as long as you have money and power, no man won't love you or treat you well. This William is no different."
"So, what you're saying is Sophia didn't fall for me but for my wealth and influence?" Without turning to look at Finn, Hayden's stare was unwavering, fixed on William standing outside the gate as she scornfully retorted.
"Yes," Finn answered without hesitation, then quickly shifted the tone, "But she's a woman. She's given me a son."
"Huh..." Hayden chuckled softly as she momentarily found herself at a loss for words. Despite her efforts, tears finally escaped and slid down her cheeks.
Spotting William, who was drawing nearer and simply stood there—clearly divided by the invisible barrier of the car window—yet whose gaze intertwined with her own, Hayden's hand lifted involuntarily, as if wanting to lower the window.
At the very least, she should tell him that she was gone and not to wait for her anymore.
"You dare try to open the window." Finn's voice came through, a clear threat ringing in her ear just as her hand had barely risen, not yet touching the window button.
"What if I do?" Red-eyed and teary, Hayden suddenly turned back, glaring at Finn as she countered.
"Then that William outside will stay in Southern for the rest of his life and never need to go back."
Hayden pressed the car window button lightly, and his car quivered. Ultimately, his finger didn't press down; instead, he just lifted the corners of his lips and, word by word, let out through gritted teeth, "Dad, I hate you."
Outside the car window, William watched as the Bentley slowly passed by him. A lump formed in his throat but ultimately, he did nothing, just stood silently, watching the three black Bentleys drive past, then gradually disappear from his line of sight.
"Let's go!" After the shadows of the three Bentleys vanished in the vastness, William spoke up and walked resolutely toward his own Range Rover. His footsteps were steady, firm, and forceful, as determined as his state of mind at that moment.
Currently, his heart bore no pain, discomfort, or repression. All he had was the desire to strive hard to make an honorable marriage proposal soon and to have Hayden marry into the Bennett family with dignity, becoming his wife.
Jasper had been quite worried about him, but now, seeing his furrowed brows relax and the dim look in his eyes brighten again, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in a smile and step forward to catch up.
...
William had completed his studies, and with Hayden not around, as she had returned home, he did not need to stay any longer.
Three days after Hayden left, having settled everything in the South, William also embarked on the flight back home.
Due to the holidays and the approaching New Year, Jasper opted to accompany him. The two of them boarded a direct flight to the Imperial Capital.
Back home in the Imperial Capital, within the grand estate of the Smith family.
After returning home, Hayden was confined to the house, forbidden from going anywhere, and prohibited from contacting the outside world.
Knowing Hayden had returned, Jocelyn also moved back from her grandmother's house.
With the two Smith sisters back, the stepmother, Sophia, was incredibly attentive and considerate. In the presence of anyone, she was the epitome of a perfect stepmother, without a flaw to be pointed out.
Two days back in the country, confined to her home, Hayden appeared unusually calm and didn't engage in any conflict with Finn and Sophia.
"What's going on with you? Why don't you seem to dislike Sophia anymore?"
In Hayden's room, the sisters huddled together on the couch on the spacious balcony. With a puzzled face, Jocelyn asked Hayden, who was quietly enjoying the afternoon tea cake that Sophia had made herself and brought up by Cassius, all while gazing calmly at the heavy snow outside.
After finishing a small slice of cheesecake, Hayden licked her fingers and turned to Jocelyn, who was sitting beside her. "Do I look like I don't despise Sophia at all?" she inquired.
"Yeah!" Jocelyn nodded emphatically, pointing to the empty plate on the coffee table, "Look, you ate all of her cake, but you used to never touch it."
Gazing at his twelve-year-old sister, Hayden reached over and adjusted the cloak around her. "Jocelyn, love or hate, like or dislike, it doesn't always have to show on your face."
"What do you mean?" Jocelyn asked, furrowing her delicate brows in confusion.
Hayden quirked a small smile, his gaze resting on Jocelyn's enduringly youthful features. "You're familiar with the adage 'Survival of the fittest,' aren't you?" he asked a hint of playfulness in his tone. "I'm sure you grasp its significance, right?"
Now that Sophia had turned their lives upside down, if he didn't learn to endure, hide his feelings, restrain himself, and wait for the right moment, then what would become of his sister when faced with Sophia's manipulations?
"Yeah, I understand, but what does that have to do with us?" Jocelyn continued to question, still puzzled.
"You see, Sophia used to be the other woman hiding in the shadows, but now, as Mrs. Smith, she's thriving. In this household, isn't it true that everyone except you and me admire her, and they already see her as the lady of the house?" Hayden explained gently to his sister.
Jocelyn seemed to grasp something, nodding her head, "Hmm, it seems so."
Seeing his sister starting to understand, Hayden smiled, gently caressing her cheek. "So, we need to adapt to the big picture. Even if we don't like or really hate something, we shouldn't show it. We must learn to comply and do things in our favor."
"So, you're saying I should pretend to like Sophia, to follow her lead?" Jocelyn frowned, unhappy with the suggestion.
"Yes," Hayden affirmed with a nod.
