Chapter 105

I didn’t expect the alcohol to be so potent; one sip blurred my thoughts. That was precisely the effect I desired. After a brief pause, I lifted my glass, prepared for another sip. Soon, I might be thoroughly intoxicated. The next moment, my glass was snatched away.

“That’s not how you should drink,” a deep, commanding voice declared. It could only be Hayden.

I angrily shook off his hand. “What’s it to you? Get lost, Hayden!” Alcohol truly did embolden people; I finally possessed the nerve to confront him. Hayden didn't leave. He stood there, blurring in my vision into two figures.

“Why… why are there two Haydens? So annoying…” I muttered, frowning. I craved a moment's peace.

“Do you… really not want to see me?” Hayden’s voice cut through.

Unburdening myself, I shouted, fueled by emotion, “Ugh! You’re such a jerk. We aren’t divorced yet, and you’re already bringing another woman home! It’s disgusting. Go find her, stop bothering me. I’m setting you free!”

With each insult, the pain in my heart intensified. The man I once loved deeply had become a scoundrel. What terrible judgment I had exercised.

“Yvonne,” he said.

“Don’t call me that,” I snapped, glaring. “We’re barely acquainted. Just sign the papers, and we’ll be divorced, no strings attached. If we meet on the street, pretend you don’t know me.”

In that moment, I longed to sever all ties with him. Emotions were unpredictable. Once, I was determined to marry him; now, I wanted to escape him. I once believed in eternal love, but reality showed me it might only last ten years, or less.

I don't know if I was crying. Everything blurred; my head spun, and my eyelids grew heavy. Before losing consciousness, I was surprised by my poor tolerance for alcohol—drunk from a single sip. I felt strong hands supporting my unsteady body, then everything went black.

Hayden held Yvonne in his arms, his turmoil easing slightly. He looked down, noticing her delicate, faintly pink face, made even more charming by the drink.

“What should I do with you?” After a long pause, Hayden sighed. When they married, he never anticipated divorce. But now… her heart was no longer his.

The next morning, I woke refreshed and clear-headed, without a hangover. Probably because I hadn't drunk much, and lacking the energy for a drunken sleepwalk, I slept better than usual. I skipped breakfast and went straight to the office. Today was the last day of my bet with Zachary, and I imagined Joanna eagerly awaiting her victory.

Sure enough, downstairs, I overheard a group discussing something.

“Who do you think will win today?”

“I’m not sure, but Joanna looked very confident.”

“Do you think Mr. Parker will really help her? I prefer Mrs. Parker anyway.”

“Helping would break the rules! If he does, Joanna might still get fired…”

I raised an eyebrow, surprised anyone still supported me. Everyone knew I was the joke of Elysiumville; such comments were unsettling. They noticed me and stopped their conversation. “Stop talking. Mrs. Parker is here.” They turned and said in unison, “Good morning, Mrs. Parker.”

I smiled and nodded, walking toward the elevator. Sean rushed in just before the doors closed.

“Good morning, Mrs. Parker,” he said with a somewhat slick smile.

I didn't respond, remembering his prior assistance to Zachary. Feeling awkward, he rubbed his face and smiled. “The bet ends today, right? Are you confident, Mrs. Parker?”

“No,” I answered honestly.

Sean stared, wide-eyed. “Mrs. Parker, you’re really calm under pressure…” He laughed. “Mr. Swanson will be delighted. Dancing with a beauty sounds dreamy.”

“He’s Vice President,” I reminded him icily.

He paused, then nodded. “You’re right, Mrs. Parker, but…” He stretched out his words with a smile. “But who could predict the future! People have been complaining about Mr. Parker’s style. Now he’s putting you, his wife, in the spotlight. Who’s to say he won’t betray the company someday…”

“You’re joking. The Parker Group belongs to the Parker family. Whether Hayden wants to betray it is his business. What’s it to us outsiders?” I retorted sarcastically. Sean and Zachary were simply looking for excuses to oust Hayden. No matter how legitimate their reasons sounded, their ambition to seize what wasn't theirs remained evident.

After my sharp comments, Sean’s smirk vanished.

“Looks like you won’t be working with us,” he said coldly.

“From the start, you never really intended to work with me, did you?” I countered bluntly. If they were genuine, they wouldn't have tested me repeatedly.

Sean laughed coldly. “You’re much smarter than the rumors say.” That was undoubtedly the best answer.

“From the start, you just wanted to use me, and once you got what you wanted, you’d ditch me, right?” I smirked. I’d heard of such schemes.