Chapter 258 Do Not Hinder Me Either
Haley was in shock. Her world just flipped upside down.
Seeing her distress, Chloe said, "Ms. Garcia, we're in this together now. We need to act fast to avoid any losses."
Having already reported the news, there was no turning back. They had to stick with Haley. Only by turning the situation around could they regain the trust of the public.
Haley was still in disbelief. "Everyone, leave. I need a moment."
Chloe pressed on, "We need a plan. A moment won't help. This is out in the open. Why not fight back, accuse them of slander, sue them, and buy some time?"
Haley cut her off, "Mae, show her out. I need to calm down now!"
"Ms. Ramirez, please leave. Haley needs privacy!" Mae quickly escorted Chloe out.
Chloe was worried about her own interests. She couldn't afford to lose the public's trust.
If Haley fought back, even if the truth came out later and Haley lost, Chloe could claim she was misled by Haley's lies. She could apologize, explain, and start over.
She couldn't understand why Haley needed a moment of privacy now.
After being shown out, Chloe was nearly frantic.
If she went back to the TV station like this, she'd be ridiculed and might lose her job. She had damaged Horizon Network's credibility; the station manager wouldn't let it slide.
Haley had sent her away and refused to help, so she had to find a way to save herself.
What should she do? Chloe was so anxious she pounded the steering wheel in her car.
After sending Chloe away, Haley went straight to her bedroom.
She sent a message, wanting answers.
At that moment, Jeffery was in Crystal Haven Square.
A flock of pigeons flew around. Jeffery fed them bread, his slender fingers raised, and the pigeons snatched the bread. Hundreds of pigeons circled him.
His phone rang. Jeffery saw Haley's message, smiled slightly, and replied: [Crystal Haven Square.]
Haley quickly disguised herself with sunglasses and a hat, grabbed her bag, and went to find him. Crystal Haven Square was almost empty. Only pigeons flew around, circling for the food Jeffery was feeding them.
Haley looked around, seeing few people and no one noticing her. Then she boldly approached Jeffery. Why was he calmly feeding pigeons?
Agitated, Haley asked, "Did you betray me?"
Jeffery, watching the pigeons, his blue eyes narrowed, asked, "Why do you think that?"
"That medical record!" Haley's eyes reddened. "It's been exposed. You gave it to Pearl!"
Haley still couldn't believe it. But to get something from Jeffery, it depended on his willingness. No one else could have obtained it.
However, she also thought maybe someone had tricked him, and Jeffery might have slipped up.
Jeffery, still watching the pigeons, said, "These pigeons are wild. They take food from my hand and don't want to leave. They prefer easy gains over freedom."
"Are you even listening to me?" Haley snapped, frustrated.
Jeffery turned to her and admitted, "Yes, I gave it to her."
Haley was stunned. "Why? Do you know how much this affects me? I asked you to deal with Pearl. If she were gone, we'd be fine. But you betrayed me. Why?"
Jeffery brushed off the crumbs from his clothes. "We had no deal. You asked for my help without paying, and I didn't take your money. Pearl offered to buy your info, and I couldn't refuse the money."
"Jeffery!" Haley growled, "We were supposed to be allies!"
Jeffery calmly replied, "I know what I'm doing. As compensation, I'll restore your hearing."
"I don't understand you anymore!" Haley said, almost laughing. "I thought we were on the same side. You helped me, so I thought you'd always help me. But you sold me out to Pearl. There must be something between you two that I don't know about!"
Jeffery said, "Some things are better left unknown."
He added, "If you can't handle this, then you're not Haley. I do what I want for my own pleasure."
Haley found his behavior strange. "You'll end up destroying yourself!" she warned.
Jeffery laughed, "Do you think you'll outlive me?"
A chill ran through Haley. "I want to live, to live freely."
Jeffery, hands in his trench coat pockets, looked down at her. "Living is about duration; how you live is what matters. Everyone has their own goals. I won't stop you, so don't stop me. I've helped you with everything you asked for."
Haley calmed down, realizing shouting was pointless.
She noticed his hand. "You're not wearing your bracelet today. You never took it off."
"I am feeding pigeons, didn't want it to get dirty."
Haley realized she didn't know Jeffery as well as she thought. They had been together for a long time, but she never understood his secrets. She said seriously, "She will never be the Carol in your heart! Stop deluding yourself."
Jeffery just smiled without saying a word.
--
"Your voice is so nice. From now on, I'll call you Carol."
"Why is it so dark here?"
"This is the lockdown, of course it's dark."
"Are you scared?"
"I'm scared."
"What about you?"
"I'm scared too."
"Then come over here. Let's put this on our hands. God will protect us."
"By the way, I haven't asked your name."
"My name? I don't have a name."
"Pearl!"
Suddenly, Pearl was pushed, waking up with a start. Emma was startled.
Emma looked at Pearl with concern and asked, "Pearl, are you okay?"
In a daze, Pearl lifted her head and spoke slowly, "I'm fine."
"But you're crying." Emma wiped the tears with a tissue. "I thought you were having a nightmare."
Pearl's eyes were vacant, forgetting what she had just dreamed about. She just felt very sad.
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