Chapter 578 Whose Child Is It?
"When the engagement ceremony begins, inform me, and we'll go down together," Hayden said with a smile after adjusting his emotions, instructing the general manager of the branch.
"Okay, Hayden."
When the engagement ceremony officially began, Hayden, accompanied by the branch manager and Elijah, appeared at William and Michelle's engagement venue, walking with noble and elegant strides.
Hayden knew that her appearance would definitely attract all the attention, even shock the audience, but she couldn't care less at that moment.
When she raised her eyes, she saw the familiar figure standing on the platform, handsome and charming. Despite being well-prepared, she was caught off guard, as if a sharp sword had pierced her heart, causing her knees to weaken, almost giving out beneath her.
But she was Hayden, she couldn't afford to lose her composure at a time like this and become the butt of someone else's joke.
So, she walked forward with even more grace and elegance, step by step.
The gift she gave today was a pair of dolls, a boy and a girl, that she and William made together back when they were in Mapleleafia. They were really cute.
The boy doll was made by her, and the girl doll was made by William.
Now, she should return both the boy doll and the girl doll to William, because the person who will grow old holding hands with him is no longer her.
Since it's a gift-giving occasion, blessings are certainly essential.
So, in front of everyone, she said, "I wish William and Michelle fall more and more in love, never to part."
After saying that, she didn't look at anyone in the audience and just turned around and left.
Because she was afraid that she wouldn't be able to hold on for another second.
When she left, she heard Teresa calling out to her loudly, but she couldn't stop. She could only quicken her pace, leaving Teresa behind, and swiftly entered the elevator. It felt like she was escaping as she headed back to the penthouse presidential suite.
She had just returned to her suite when the doorbell started ringing incessantly.
Suddenly, Hayden felt a wave of joy in her heart, thinking that William had caught up with her.
"Miss, Jasper is outside and he wants to see you." However, right away, the bodyguard came in to report that the person outside is Jasper.
Indeed, how could Jasper, as a good friend, not attend William's engagement ceremony?
The joy that had originally surged in her heart completely vanished in an instant.
"I don't..."
"Hayden, you finally dare to come back."
However, before Hayden's words had even faded, Jasper forcefully burst in, his gaze falling on her round belly, and uttered a cryptic statement.
"Hayden, we..."
"Never mind, you guys go out first," the bodyguard was about to forcibly remove Jasper, but Hayden suddenly spoke up, changing his mind.
Jasper could do whatever he wanted in the Imperial Capital, let alone in River North.
"Okay, Hayden," the bodyguard replied, and then he backed out with everyone else.
When everyone else had left, leaving only her and Jasper in the entire suite, Hayden poured herself a glass of water. She then sat down on the sofa, took a sip, and looked at Jasper only after setting down the glass. She smiled and said, "Why aren't you with William? What brings you to the abandoned person like me?"
Jasper stared at Hayden's belly, which was about to give birth. He couldn't believe that after half a year apart, she was already going to be a mom.
He only realized it when she spoke, then he raised his hand to wipe his slightly embarrassed face. He came over to sit on the single sofa next to her, looking at her directly and asked, "Child, it can't be William, can it?"
Watching him, Hayden smiled, her smile bright and charming, "How come you're getting smarter, hitting the nail on the head with just one guess."
Getting his answer, Jasper helplessly massaged his forehead. After a moment of silence, he scolded in a rather exasperated tone, "Hayden, how could you have become so foolish? Your child is about to be born, yet you stood by and watched William get engaged to Michelle. You even calmly came over to give your blessings. Are you still the Hayden I know?"
Watching him, suddenly, Hayden tugged at the corner of his lips, his face breaking into a carefree smile, and asked without answering, "Do you also think William is strange? If he doesn't like me, that's fine, but why did he end up falling for Michelle and marrying her?"
Watching her carefree smile, yet sensing that she could burst into tears the next moment, Jasper furrowed his brow. A tinge of heartache overflowed in his eyes as he took a deep breath and helplessly asked, "Did you not let William know before that you are carrying his child again?"
Hayden nodded, "He knows."
"Why did he still marry Michelle?" Jasper asked persistently.
Hayden shook her head, then suddenly looked up and gazed out the floor-to-ceiling windows. Squinting her clear eyes, her gaze gradually unfocused as he said, "I guess he did it to get back at me."
"William wasn't that immature," Jasper frowned, denying.
He had asked William more than once why he chose to give up Hayden and instead chose Michelle, whom he had always disliked, but his answer was always the same.
He said that people's preferences change, especially men's preferences towards women, change faster.
Every time Jasper listened, he was left speechless.
However, he knew William and knew that even if he didn't love Hayden as much anymore, at least he wasn't an irresponsible man.
Knowing that Hayden was pregnant with his child, he couldn't possibly ignore Hayden and the child she was carrying. This was not at all his style of doing things.
Hayden listened and gave a faint smile, "Regardless of whether he is or not, at this point, it was already the situation, isn't it?"
"What are you going to do next?" Jasper looked at Hayden, feeling increasingly sorry for her.
Self-deprecatingly, Hayden chuckled and looked down at her stomach, jokingly saying, "What else can I do? I'll just have to find a legitimate dad for my child."
Her reputation had long ceased to matter.
It is important that she doesn't let her two children be labeled as bastards without a father as soon as they are born.
All grievances, she bore alone. She would never allow her children to suffer grievances alongside her.
Looking at Hayden, she could say something like this, and Jasper didn't find it surprising at all. Instead, he nodded in agreement and said, "It's not surprising at all. Have you found someone suitable, or should I introduce you to a couple of people?"
Watching him, Hayden sneered and said disdainfully, "With friends like yours, what good can come out of it? If they were to treat me like William does, wouldn't I be asking for trouble?"
Jasper was momentarily at a loss for words.
Watching him fail miserably, Hayden's mood inexplicably lifted. He sighed deeply and said, "Why not just do it yourself? How about that? After all, we're so familiar with each other, we understand each other."
Jasper looked at her, saying nothing.
"What, you don't like me anymore?"
"Can you just shut up!" This time, Jasper, feeling a bit teased, blurted out, "Hayden, as long as you dare to marry, I dare to marry. Do you want to give it a try?"
Hayden looked at him, silent.
"Scared now, huh?" Jasper smirked at her and said, "Next time, don't tease me like that. You should seriously go find a boyfriend and stop fixating on William."
"Are you trying to lecture me?" Hayden gave him a disdainful look and suddenly snapped.
"Yes," Jasper nodded earnestly. "According to seniority, you should address me as 'little cousin uncle,' do you know?"
"Alright," Hayden nodded solemnly, "Hello! Uncle Bob, please leave now."
Jasper looked at her, feeling utterly speechless.
However, he really had to go down. After all, today he was the only groomsman for William.
After giving Hayden a sidelong glance, he stood up from the sofa, straightening his suit jacket as he said to Hayden, "Alright, take care of yourself. If you need anything, just give me a call. After all, I'm your little uncle. I'll look you up again once I return to Imperial Capital."
As the words fell, he immediately lifted his leg and walked out.
"Why are you looking for me?" Hayden asked casually.
"I'll introduce the man to you." Jasper replied without even looking back.
Hayden was speechless as well.
Watching Jasper leave, Hayden's mood lightened considerably, better than he had felt in a long time.
However, she didn't know if it was because she hadn't eaten breakfast, Hayden suddenly felt nauseous and was about to vomit.
Unable to resist any longer, Hayden covered her mouth, immediately stood up from the sofa, one hand cradling her stomach, and strode quickly towards the direction of the bathroom.
While she was vomiting severely in the bathroom, she distinctly heard Teresa rushing in, urgently shouting her name.
