570 William and Hayden
The Bennett estate.
William stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, clutching his phone. Echoing in his ears were Hayden's alluring and captivating voice.
It was late, and with Eric in Hayden's room, no matter what had or hadn't happened between them, William's heart couldn't possibly be calm.
However, now, Hayden and he had no connection. His girlfriend was Michelle!
He and Hayden had broken up completely five years ago. They had no further entanglements.
He had impulsively called Hayden just now.
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes, tossed his phone aside, and strode towards the bathroom.
Sunset Haven Resort.
After seeing Eric off, Hayden immediately picked up her phone to check the two missed calls from William.
One went unanswered, the other was cut off after a dozen seconds.
Why would William call at this hour?
There was only one reason, he was concerned about her, worried that something might happen between her and Eric.
So, based on that, Hayden concluded that William must care for her.
How could he not care for her?
If he truly detested her, he wouldn't have touched her again.
His roughness towards her was just a release of the accumulated anger and animosity over the years.
It must be so.
Thinking of these, she suppressed the emotions she had carried all night, feeling somewhat relieved.
She needed to find an opportunity to explain everything to William.
The next day, bright and early, Hayden headed to the Bennett Group office building. She didn't enter the building but parked her car across the street. Sitting in the car, she quietly waited for William to appear.
She didn't know how long she waited. Finally, a black Bentley pulled up.
It was William's car, one that Hayden recognized.
As the black Bentley stopped at the entrance of the Bennett Group office building, Hayden immediately pushed open the door, intending to cross the street to intercept William.
She alighted from the car and looked at the black Bentley. The first person to step out of the car was not William but Michelle.
Hayden's steps halted, she stood frozen in front of the car door.
When William got out of the car, Hayden realized she wouldn't cross the street in time and get to him. William instinctively took hold of Michelle's hand as they interlaced their fingers. In plain sight, William bent down to kiss Michelle's forehead.
Michelle gazed at him shyly, looking so content.
After the kiss, William held Michelle's hand, and they walked towards the office building, resembling a couple deeply in love.
Watching this scene, Hayden stood motionless. She felt a pang of heartache. Her legs trembled slightly, almost giving way.
Back in Southern, when they interned together at Global Trust Bank, they had never displayed such intimacy without any reservations.
But now...
The woman William loved should not have been her, but why Michelle?
Back in Southern, when a group beat Michelle to paralysis, and she visited Michelle at the Hospital, how did William speak to her?
He said it was her just desserts.
He further mentioned that Michelle was conniving, not a good person. She wasn't someone deserving of friendship, let alone being close to them. He earnestly and tenderly warned her at that time, making her believe in him, urging her not to associate with Michelle in the future.
She trusted his words, believed in him.
But why was he now with Michelle?
Was it to anger her, to humiliate her?
Hayden snapped out of her thoughts. Taking advantage of a clear road, she briskly crossed the street and entered the Bennett Group office building.
Once inside, she couldn't see William anywhere.
"Miss, hello, whom are you looking for?" The receptionist in the lobby recognized Hayden, smiling politely.
"I'm Hayden, I'm looking for your CEO, William. Could you please inform him?" Hayden spoke to the receptionist.
Recognizing her name, the receptionist understood who she was and immediately called William's office.
William's chief secretary, Cherry, answered the call.
After hanging up, Cherry went to William's office to report to him.
William didn't look up, coldly stating, "I won't see her."
Observing his gloomy expression, Cherry hesitated to say anything. Seeing his dark expression, she simply nodded in acknowledgement before leaving to inform the lobby downstairs.
Receiving Cherry's call, the receptionist informed Hayden apologetically, "I'm sorry, Hayden, the CEO is busy and unable to see you."
Hayden had anticipated that William wouldn't want to see her.
The receptionist, polite and patient, came up with the best excuse on William's behalf.
Smiling, Hayden asked, "May I wait here for a while if that's alright with you?"
"Hayden, please feel free." There was a lounge area in the lobby specifically for visitors to wait. The receptionist gestured towards the rest area with a smile.
Gratefully, Hayden nodded and headed towards the lounge area.
Once there, she took out her phone and began composing a message.
[William, I came today just to clarify everything with you. If you won't see me, I'll wait.]
After composing the message, she entered William's number and sent it.
In the CEO's top-floor office, William was engrossed in reviewing documents. When his phone vibrated, he immediately looked up.
Indeed, it was a message from Hayden.
Damn, why did he hope for Hayden to call or message him?
Leaning back in his executive chair, he closed his eyes, pressing his slightly weary brow.
Last night, he had almost gone without sleep, and now she showed up at the Bennett Group early to wait for him.
'Hayden, why can't you leave me alone? Can't we just go our separate ways, not interfering with each other?'
Had he not been clear enough, not heartless enough, to give her hope over and over again?
If that was the case, he would grant her that wish.
Opening his eyes, William called Cherry on the intercom, instructing her to have the receptionist notify Hayden to come up.
Cherry immediately phoned the front desk.
The receptionist received the call and happily went to inform Hayden in the rest area, saying with a smile, "Hayden, the CEO has agreed to see you. The CEO's office is on the 38th floor, you can go straight up."
Hayden hadn't expected William to agree to see her so quickly. She felt pleased. Thanking the receptionist, she strode confidently towards the elevator.
As the elevator doors opened, she looked up and saw Michelle exiting.
Michelle stepped out of the elevator and upon seeing Hayden, smiled smugly, "What a coincidence to run into you here, Hayden!"
Gazing at Michelle blocking her path, Hayden's lips curled slightly, saying, "Step aside."
"Move? Ms. Hayden, where do you want me to move? This is Bennett Group, not The Bush Smith Group." Michelle raised her brows, leaning in to whisper in Hayden's ear in a tone only the two of them could hear, "Hayden, I'm soon to be Mrs. Bennett. Are you here to humiliate yourself? By the way, William said he's tired of you. Even if he doesn't spend money to sleep with you, he finds you repulsive. In the future, he will be devoted only to me."
Though Hayden knew Michelle was taunting her, aiming to provoke her, she couldn't contain herself. As Michelle began to step back after her words, Hayden raised her hand as if to slap her.
At that moment, the elevator doors opened, and William emerged. Seeing Hayden about to strike, he rushed over and grabbed her hand.
Startled by her hand being held, Hayden turned her head.
"William." Seeing William suddenly blocking her way, Michelle wasn't surprised. She simply looked at him and softly called his name, appearing somewhat aggrieved.
William tightly held Hayden's hand, his eyes filled with anger. Meeting Hayden's gaze, he aggressively released her hand. Extending his other hand, he shielded Michelle and placed her behind him.
"Hayden, stop it." William's voice was icy.
With high heels on, Hayden was suddenly pushed away forcefully by William. Off balance, she stumbled to the side.
"Hayden!"
Not far away, Teresa, who had come to Bennett Group to have lunch with her father, witnessed the scene. She immediately rushed towards Hayden and supported her.
As Hayden steadied herself, she looked at Teresa, feeling touched by her sudden appearance. Her eyes, which had been slightly red, teared up.
"Hayden, are you okay?" Teresa surveyed her from top to bottom to ensure she was unharmed. Teresa glared at William, furious. "William, you've gone too far. How could you lay hands on Hayden without understanding the situation?"
"Teresa, it's my...!"
"Shut up!" Teresa's intense gaze shifted towards Michelle, interrupting her, then continued, "Before you become my sister-in-law, don't dare pose like that and lecture me."
"Teresa!" Watching Teresa and Hayden, William's expression darkened.
"Michelle, what did you just say to Hayden? Dare to repeat it loudly to William and me?" Teresa interrogated Michelle indignantly.
Faced with Teresa, Michelle could do nothing. She merely looked at William with a falsely innocent and aggrieved expression, "William, it was my fault. Whatever is between Hayden and me, we'll handle it ourselves. You should go about your business."
With narrowed eyes, Hayden fought to maintain her composure. She looked at William calmly. Even though she felt deeply hurt, she stubbornly raised a corner of her lips, managing a smile.
"Michelle, your affairs are my concern now that you are my girlfriend. I should handle them for you." William's gaze towards Michelle was tender, but when he looked at Hayden, it turned cold. He coldly stated, "Hayden, between us, everything has been made very clear long ago. From now on, we have no connection. Please refrain from harassing me and especially my girlfriend. Otherwise, I will make you regret it further."
"Michelle, let's go." William looked at Michelle, encircling her with his arm.
"Hayden..."
"You needn't bother about her; let's leave." William pressed the elevator button for upstairs. As the elevator doors swiftly opened, he led Michelle inside.
Before entering the elevator, Michelle glanced at Teresa and Hayden. The glance oozed regret. Teresa met her gaze, feeling conflicted. Hayden, on the other hand, let out a scornful cold laugh.
"Hayden." After William and Michelle left, Teresa looked at Hayden, feeling pity for her.
"I'm fine." Hayden fought back the tears. She was still the proud Miss of The Bush Smith family. She flashed a carefree and elegant smile at Teresa, "Are you free? Will you have lunch with me?"
"Of course." Teresa couldn't refuse her, nodding and saying, "What would you like to eat? My treat!"
"I have no shortage of money! Even if you want to eat diamonds, I can afford it. Let's go." Hayden grabbed Teresa's arm, turning around, and walked out freely and confidently.
Hayden stayed in River North for another day. She and Gabriel signed the contract between The Bush Smith Group and Capital Construction. After attending a prestigious gathering in River North that evening with Teresa, she flew back to the Imperial Capital.
The in vitro fertilization process was successful. After resting for a few days, Hayden went to the Hospital. After screening, she underwent the embryo transfer procedure.
She needed to rest as much as possible. It was best not to move around much until the embryos were successfully implanted.
To avoid any accidents, Hayden followed the doctor's advice and rested at home for a few days. She worked on her computer from her bed.
Finn noticed her unusual behavior and asked if she was feeling unwell and needed to go to the Hospital for a check-up.
Hayden made an excuse, saying she was just on her period and wanted to rest for a few days.
Seeing nothing abnormal in her appearance, Finn didn't ask further.
A week later, Hayden visited the Hospital for a check-up. The Doctor joyfully informed her that both embryos had successfully implanted in her uterus.
This meant Hayden had successfully conceived twins. She needed to take care of herself like any other pregnant woman, focusing on nutrition and rest.
Leaving the Hospital, she leaned back in the backseat of the car, gently resting her hand on her abdomen. Looking out the window at the receding scenery, her mind suddenly went blank.
She didn't know if what she was doing, keeping it a secret from everyone, was the right thing or not.
But right or wrong, there was no turning back for her now.
This time, regardless of anything, she had to give birth to her children.
Half a month later, Hayden went for another check-up at the Hospital. The Doctor said the two embryos were developing well in her uterus, telling her not to worry. The Doctor advised her to relax as much as possible and wait for the babies to be born in eight months.
Half a month later, The Bush Smith Group and Capital Construction's project in River North kicked off. Hayden didn't have to go personally, but she couldn't resist flying to River North herself.
The second day in River North, she finished her work. She arranged to meet Teresa and Teresa's friend, Diana, for coffee at a high-end club in the Bennett Group.
What she didn't expect was for William to show up at the club.
They were chatting and having coffee when William appeared with a group of executives in front of them.
Teresa greeted him loudly upon seeing him.
Hayden knew Teresa was trying her best to keep William there for her.
William gave her a fleeting glance and paid no further attention to her. After talking with Teresa, he turned and left.
"William, please wait!" Hayden couldn't resist calling out to him.
Being ignored by someone she loved so much, Hayden’s heartache was unbearable. Sometimes, the pain was so intense that it made her lose her rationality, causing her to act completely out of character.
She wanted to make a final bet. If William's attitude improved upon learning she was carrying his child, would things change between them?
At least, each time he saw her now, knowing she was carrying his child, perhaps he wouldn't be as aloof, completely ignoring her existence.
If his attitude changed, she would forgive him, continue to love him, and wait for him. She would let go of her pride and pursue him.
