Chapter128 Deception
Zachary Bailey furrowed his brow at the documents in his hand. "What exactly is her deal?"
"She's the Windy I mentioned," Fiona Clark emphasized, apprehensive that Zachary might not understand. "The one who restored that vintage painting for me."
Fiona had planned to use that painting to curry favor with Lydia and to surprise Zachary Bailey, so she hadn't mentioned it beforehand. But the fiasco at the birthday party brought Windy, who was supposed to be a behind-the-scenes player, into the spotlight.
At the mention of Windy, Zachary's finger paused mid-flip. His gaze lifted from the papers, and after a moment, he grunted.
That calm response made Fiona's breath hitch. She asked incredulously, "You knew about this all along?"
Zachary Bailey said nothing. He did not know.
He had heard Alex call Winona Sullivan Windy, assuming it was her nickname. It wasn't something he had dwelled on, given it was trivial to him.
Confronted with Fiona's interrogation, he saw no need to explain or justify himself to her.
Her voice rose, edged with tension, "Did you know she deceived me? Or are you somehow involved in this too?"
"What did she deceive you about?"
She fell silent.
At the instant that question slipped out, Fiona recognized her own folly. Winona Sullivan might have charged a hefty sum, certainly higher than the job warranted, but she had agreed to the upfront quote. It wasn't deception, at most, it was a deliberate inconvenience.
But given their strained relations, Fiona's indignation wasn't entirely unjustified.
On the other end, Zachary didn't respond. Fiona wasn't sure if he was waiting for an answer or not, but after grappling for a response, she finally mustered an excuse she hardly believed herself: "Yes, the painting was quite damaged, but even by market standards, it didn't warrant such a steep restoration fee."
"If it's about the money," Zachary replied, "wouldn't she stand to gain more by currying favor with me? Without having to work all hours of the day?"
Fiona was silent.
She knew Zachary's comment wasn't meant to be sarcastic. He was above that; he was simply being factual.
Standing by the corridor window, the cold breeze bit at her cheeks, stinging sharply.
"After trying so hard to reach her through numerous contacts and failing, then suddenly, right after seeing her in Mr. Baker's office, someone calls me out of the blue saying they've got a line on her. Plus, everything that happened at the birthday party... don't you think it's all a bit too coincidental?" Fiona scoffed. "She's deliberately trying to humiliate me."
Zachary Bailey pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned back in his chair, exhausted. "How did you know she's Windy?"
"She took John's offer to appear on the show, promoting herself by her stage name. It seems she wants to..." Her voice cut off as the call ended abruptly.
Fiona Clark stared blankly at her phone, which automatically returned to the call log. She waited a full five minutes for Zachary Bailey to call back, but he never did.
She thought about calling him again but eventually decided against it.
In the CEO's office of Bailey Group.
Zachary's phone was slowly being bent by his bare hands, the screen splintering into fragments, tiny shards of glass embedding in his palm, drawing beads of rich, crimson blood over time.
The moment Dylan Collins walked through the door, his instincts screamed danger!
But on closer inspection, everything seemed normal; Mr. Bailey was expressionlessly reviewing documents.
"Mr. Bailey, you wanted to see me?"
"Dylan Collins," Zachary said without looking up, his tone casual, "what do you think of the branch office?"
Dylan felt as if he were being strangled, his breathing became difficult. "It's... doing well. The growth has been strong these past years, with increasing annual sales..."
"If it's doing well, then you'll head there."
The news hit Dylan like a bolt out of the blue. "Mr. Bailey, have I done something wrong?"
"You know about Winona Sullivan being Windy?"
The name was misleading, but Dylan quickly realized the implication. "I apologize, Mr. Bailey. I overlooked this. I'll look into it right away..."
"No need. Pack your things. You'll report to the branch office tomorrow. The HR transfer order will come through shortly," Zachary instructed curtly. "You can leave now."
Meanwhile, Winona Sullivan was blissfully unaware of Dylan's grim predicament. After finishing the show, she removed her makeup and planned to head back home.
She had braced herself for more trouble from Fiona Clark and Emily, but when she walked out of the studio, they were nowhere to be seen.
All she wanted was to order some takeout and unwind with a relaxing bath once she got home.
Winona rubbed her stiff neck, contemplating what to eat, but her good mood vanished the moment she stepped outside and saw the man waiting at the doorstep. He began to approach her...
The unpleasant memory made Winona Sullivan instinctively step back, but realizing she was in a public space, swarming with people coming and going, she stayed put.
Winona Sullivan spoke up, "Fiona Clark has left already."
"I'm here for you."
Winona Sullivan just stared blankly.
"Let's grab a bite," Zachary Bailey said as he reached out to pull her close, effectively silencing any protest she might have had, "Or would you prefer I carry you there?"
To an onlooker, their embrace would have come off as a tender gesture between lovers.
Some people hadn't left yet, stealing glances at them, curious about the scene unfolding.
The restaurant wasn't far—a fine western cuisine establishment that Winona Sullivan hadn't dined at in quite some time. The appealing images on the menu awoke her appetite, though she had only ordered for herself.
Zachary Bailey gave the menu a cursory glance and ordered several signature dishes.
After ordering, Winona pulled out her phone and started playing a mobile game, her body language screaming, "I'm just here for a quick meal and then I'm out!"
Watching Winona across him, deeply engrossed in her game, Zachary Bailey noticed she had just removed her makeup. Her skin was clear and fresh, her complexion flawless, with thick curly lashes and vibrant red lips, giving her a delicate appearance.
He loosened his tie around his neck and inquired, "Thinking of making a splash in showbiz?"
Winona glanced at him and quickly looked away. She didn't want to engage or speak to him, but that didn't stop Zachary from staring, "Hmm?"
A sardonic smile played on Zachary's lips, "If that's the case, why not get on my good side and I'll offer you some opportunities."
Winona choked on her saliva a bit, looking up at him in disbelief, "By sweetening up, do you mean... sleep with you?"
"Do you think you have anything else to offer? Or maybe you plan to impress me with your artifact restoration skills?" The man let out a soft chuckle, though his eyes were anything but warm, "Windy?"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
