Chapter 109

I didn't move immediately. Hayden was already on the scissor lift, calling, "Come on, let's go up together." I squeezed my lollipop, debating. He added, "We still need to check the adjustments." It was the same excuse he'd used earlier, but what had I actually seen last time?

"This is work time. Don't use work as an excuse to mess with me," I warned.

"Oh," he said innocently, but remained stationary, clearly waiting. With no real escape, I walked toward him. As I stepped onto the lift, he reached to help, but I pulled away. The lift wobbled, and I instinctively grabbed his arm. My face flushed with embarrassment, but he merely looked around and muttered, "We should get this lift checked out. Why does it keep shaking?"

I remained silent. This time, however, Hayden didn't pull any stunts. Once aloft, he diligently adjusted the lights while I watched and he made real-time tweaks.

Less than thirty minutes later, my phone buzzed—Jace. A sinking feeling gripped me. This wouldn't be a work call. Tanya must have complained. But Jace was my boss, so I couldn't ignore him. Stepping away from Hayden, I answered, "Mr. Johnston."

"Keira Kay, you're so damn spiteful!" Jace barked. He didn't need to say more—I knew Tanya had tattled.

"My arrangement is perfectly reasonable. If there's a problem, it's because of your choices," I retorted. "You put them both here at the same time. I merely made it work."

Jace fell silent for a few seconds, likely fuming. I seized the opportunity: "I'm busy. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

"Reassign someone else to Tanya immediately. You're handling her personally," Jace demanded. "Are you kidding me? Babysit her? What does she think she is, royalty? And what about the park's lighting setup?" I snapped, unrestrained.

"I'm ordering you to do this. The rest isn't your problem," Jace tried to assert his authority.

I clenched the lift's railing. "Jace, if you want to be the knight who loses his head over some girl, go for it, but I'm not participating in your drama."

Chapter 109 (Continued)

"Then you're off the amusement park project. Get back to the office, now," Jace shot back, surprising me.

I froze. "You're serious?"

"Do I sound like I'm joking?" Jace sneered. "Don't think the amusement park can't open without you."

His tone confirmed his seriousness. Looking down at the park, a wave of sadness washed over me. After Jace's betrayal, I'd pushed through the hurt, determined to achieve my dream. But now? It seemed impossible. This was regret. Like my parents, wanting to see me grow, marry, live a full life, but dying too soon.

I couldn't help but think, Life doesn't always go your way, so why fight it?

"Fine," I said steadily. "I'll head back to the office."

After hanging up, a tremor ran through me, but Hayden moved closer. He remained silent, having overheard. We stood in silence before I said, "I'm going back to the office. I can't help with the adjustments, but I hope you can finish them."

His brow furrowed. I sensed he might leave once I did. It wasn't about my influence—it was his demeanor.

"This amusement park is my dream. I wanted to see it through to the end," I murmured.

After a long moment, Hayden said, "Okay."

Chapter 110