567 William and Hayden
"Daniel it's me. Sophia is not dead today, don't cry," Jocelyn delightedly enjoyed Daniel's humble voice on the phone.
"Jocelyn, please. They bully me, hit me. They give me leftovers to eat, don't let me eat my fill, and don't give me clothes. I'm dying, really dying. Jocelyn, please beg Dad to let me come back!" Daniel pleaded through tears, "When I go back, I'll be very obedient. I'll listen to you and Hayden. If I misbehave, you can beat me to death, okay?"
Listening to Daniel's agonizing plea over the phone, Jocelyn smiled brightly. She completely disregarded his pleas, cheerfully saying, "Daniel, I told you Sophia was dying, aren't you sad?"
"She's a slut, a bitch, she's not my mom. She should have died long ago, she'd be better off dead soon. She means nothing to me." Daniel spoke harshly.
Had it not been for Sophia's despicable conduct, he would be the heir to The Bush Smith family today. How could he be subjected to bullying, hunger, and cold like this?
Jocelyn listened, smiling contentedly like she would to a pet, "You're so obedient, truly fit to be Sophia's bastard child. Rest assured, I'll ask Dad to let you come back when I'm in a good mood."
With that, she hung up the phone, joyfully went upstairs, seeking out Hayden.
Three days later, Finn was discharged and could attend to company matters from home. Hayden once again flew to River North.
That evening, Teresa invited her to dinner at Teresa Pavilion.
She and Teresa got along well. In each other's company, there was no need for pretense or formality. It was easy and cheerful, like longtime friends.
After dinner, Hayden went to the restroom.
As she finished in the lavatory, washing her hands at the sink, the restroom door swung open, and in walked Michelle.
What a coincidence!
Michelle entered, unsurprised to see Hayden at the sink. She approached with a smile, "Hayden, what a coincidence. I had just told William that I thought I saw you, and it really is you."
"It's me!" Hayden dried her hands elegantly, smiling. She looked at Michelle through the mirror, "Michelle, is there something you need?"
Michelle walked gracefully towards her, smiling even more brightly. She looked at Hayden through the mirror and quipped, "You're the esteemed heiress of The Bush Smith Group, many must look up to you. How could I dare to trouble you?"
"Since you know that, then keep quiet," Hayden tossed the used paper into the bin andturned to leave.
"Hayden." Hayden's demeanor was even more imposing than before, instantly provoking Michelle. Michelle grabbed Hayden's arm, halting her, and looked at her with a cold smile, "Don't get too proud. Aside from relying on your parents, what do you really have?"
"Let go!" Hayden stopped.
She turned around, her gaze piercing Michelle, and reprimanded in a low voice.
Over the past few years, she had held a high position at The Bush Smith Group. Her upbringing in nobility had given her a commanding presence.
Michelle gazed at her, feeling a bit fearful. Nevertheless, she continued mocking, "Do you know why William didn't want you and chose me instead? Because the more you look, the more repulsive you become."
"So William chose you?" Hayden smiled lightly but exuded an undeniable sense of intimidation, "Michelle, you probably don't know my principles in life!"
Hayden smiled dangerously, "If I can't have what I want, I destroy it, including men."
She forcefully shook off Michelle's hand and moved to leave.
"Ah!" Michelle, in her seven to eight-centimeter heels, stumbled back a few steps when Hayden shook her so forcefully. Her shoe twisted, causing her to fall to the ground.
Yet Hayden didn't look back, she opened the restroom door, and left directly.
Michelle sat on the ground, her bottom pained.
Gazing at Hayden striding out with arrogance, Michelle seethed with hatred.
"What's wrong?" William noticed Michelle's red-rimmed eyes and the obvious imprint of fingers on her cheek as she returned to the table. He furrowed his brow in concern.
Michelle forced a smile, sat down, and looked up at William. She lightly shook her head, "I'm fine! You should eat."
She lowered her gaze, picked up her fork, preparing to eat.
"Michelle, do you take me for a fool? What happened? Tell me," William's expression darkened.
This was Teresa Pavilion, his territory. Who dared to be so audacious, to reprimand him on his own turf?
Michelle looked up at him, teary-eyed, and with a forced smile, shook her head, "Mr. William, I really am fine. Please, go ahead and eat."
"Hayden, how long do you plan to stay in River North this time?" a familiar voice spoke.
It was Teresa.
"Probably about a week. I wouldn't want to intrude on your and Gabriel's sweet moments," Hayden replied.
William immediately recognized Hayden from the familiar voice.
"Hayden hit you?" William's face darkened further as he looked at Michelle.
Seeing him, Michelle, with tears in her eyes and the clear handprint on her cheek, stood up defensively. She neither nodded nor shook her head.
William pushed aside his chair and stood up, moving towards her.
"William," Michelle hurried to stand in his way, looking up at him, "I did make a mistake in the past, offended Hayden. She just slapped me as a form of apology. After this, we owe each other nothing. Please, don't go confront her, alright?"
"What else did she say besides hitting you?" William asked angrily, not because of the handprint on Michelle's face, but because even now, Hayden was disregarding his dignity and feelings.
Michelle quickly shook her head, "She didn't say anything else."
William grasped her shoulders, saying, "Michelle, she must have said something, you don't need to cover for her."
"Mr. William..."
"Tell me." Without waiting for Michelle to speak, William interrupted, "I want to hear just how arrogant she can be."
"Mr. William, she said, 'If she can't have what she wants, she destroys it, including men.'"
She destroys what she can't have, including men.
William was exceedingly cold at that moment.
In her eyes, he was merely an object. If she couldn't have him, she could easily dispose of him.
'Hayden, you've truly outdone yourself.'
At that moment, William was filled with anger and disappointment. Hatred surged within him.
"Mr. William, Hayden is an esteemed lady, now the heiress of The Bush Smith Group. She's just used to talking like that. I knew it even back in Southern. Please, don't bother with her," Michelle reassured him anxiously.
William forced down his rage, gradually releasing Michelle's shoulders. He said in a deep voice, "When you see Hayden in the future, you don't need to put up with her. Do as you see fit, and I'll stand by your side in support."
Michelle looked at him, smiling happily, nodding, "Thank you, Mr. William, I understand."
Back at the hotel, that night, Hayden slept poorly. She dreamed of Michelle gloating malevolently at her.
Shaking with anger, she suddenly awakened from the dream, eyes snapping open.
Staring into the dark void, Hayden realized it was all just a nightmare.
Her forehead was damp with sweat, her nightshirt almost soaked through.
Unable to sleep a wink, Hayden turned on the bedside lamp. She got out of bed and went for a shower.
After showering, she poured a glass of wine and stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows. Drawing back the curtains, she looked outside through the clear glass.
She occupied the top-floor presidential suite, offering exceptional views and scenery. Beneath the dark night sky, the city, now quiet, sparkled with countless neon lights, illuminating the bustling metropolis.
Feeling a tingling numbness in her legs, she moved them, then fetched her phone, settling onto the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Rubbing her phone absently, she contemplated. Eventually, she unintentionally found William's number and dialed.
Though William was asleep, his slumber was light. Even in sleep, his handsome brow furrowed in anger.
His phone vibrated. Instantly awakened, he reached for it. When he saw the screen, his fury couldn't be contained.
Curious to know why Hayden was calling so late, he answered.
Seeing the sudden connection, Hayden froze.
After a moment, she switched to speakerphone. In the serene depths of night, William's slightly heavy breathing resonated clearly.
She opened her mouth, suddenly unsure of what to say.
Just as she was about to say "I'm sorry," the phone emitted the sound indicating the call had been disconnected.
Hayden laughed.
What did William mean by answering her call at such a late hour? Why pick up only to hang up?
At least, he was willing to answer her call, and at past three in the morning, that was a good sign.
Relieved, Hayden exhaled deeply, feeling much better.
With her mood lifted, Hayden lay back on the sofa and unwittingly drifted back to sleep. When she woke up in the morning, she felt discomfort all over her body. Nevertheless, she felt better after moving around.
At 9 o'clock in the morning, she had an important meeting. Checking the time, she immediately went to freshen up, dress up, and have breakfast. After a quick meal, she went to The Bush Smith Group's subsidiary.
Being occupied with work throughout the day, Hayden had no time for idle thoughts.
The next morning, while busy with tasks, she received a message from Teresa. Teresa asked if she was available for lunch at noon with Gabriel and William.
Since her breakup with William, this was the first opportunity in five years to have a meal with him. She couldn't refuse.
She agreed and set aside all work to meet Teresa at Capital Construction.
Upon arriving at Capital Construction, William was in a meeting with Gabriel, leaving Teresa alone in the room. Teresa, like a lovely little girl, was admiring a pile of jewelry gifts from Gabriel in his office.
Honestly, she envied Teresa, as Gabriel spoiled her like a little princess.
Back when she was with William, he used to protect and pamper her like a princess, but now...
