Chapter 107

Zachary wasn't truly concerned about whom Hayden would support; he merely found amusement in Hayden's predicament.

Hayden glanced back at Richard before turning to Dylan and asking, "Why are you here?" Zachary's expression froze, and Richard quietly departed. I was confused. Shouldn't Richard be assisting Hayden? Why leave?

Dylan explained, "My uncle rented a shop from you and was cheated. I'm here for justice."

Hayden didn't look at him but at me. I raised an eyebrow, guessing his thoughts, and said, "It's a coincidence."

"Is that so?" Hayden smiled thinly, his expression turning cold. He seemed disbelieving, but I didn't care.

Joanna, sensing the tension, approached Hayden, affecting sweetness. "Hayden, I've checked; Martin's contract is fake. I won."

Hayden's gaze grew colder. I laughed sarcastically. "Do you think finding a loophole means you've won? Mr. Swanson wanted this sealed; does it look sealed now?"

Joanna froze, eyes widening in panic. She gripped Hayden's hand, frightened. "Hayden…"

But Hayden, unlike before, smoothly withdrew his hand. "This is a workplace."

Were they arguing? I wondered.

Martin, experienced and seeing the situation, tearfully recounted his ordeal. "Mr. Parker, you don't know people like us. I've rented at Kinars Square for decades, running a small business with my wife. Even if you no longer want to lease it, there's no need to deceive me. That money is our hard-earned savings…" Tears glistened in his eyes.

"Uncle, don't be afraid," Dylan said intensely, looking at me. He seemed the only one who believed me from the start.

Stanley added, "Mr. Zamora, don't worry. The forger will pay, and you'll get your money back."

"Don't worry," I reassured him, playing Irene's confession video. "See for yourselves. The manager, Irene, admits to forging the contract with Harrison."

Martin recognized Irene. Hayden watched, his brow furrowing. Zachary, resting his chin in his hand, nodded thoughtfully. "From this perspective, the issue seems to be on our side…"

Hayden shot him a cold glance. Zachary feigned innocence. I didn't even sign the contract; why glare at me? he thought.

Joanna, sensing crisis, interrupted. "Who knows if this video is real? Why didn't you bring her here?"

Stanley, with a stern look, interrupted. "Witnesses have the right not to attend."

Joanna, unable to argue with the expert lawyer, turned to me. "Did you do this? You knew you'd lose, so you brought these people and made a fake video."

I was about to reply, but Hayden said, "Be quiet."

Joanna was taken aback, hurt welling in her eyes. She assumed Hayden would support her. I was surprised. Didn't Hayden always protect her? Is he avoiding suspicion?

But I wouldn't yield. "If you doubt the video's authenticity, verify it. Or call Harrison in."

"I'll call him now," Joanna immediately went to make the call. I knew Harrison was at Parker Group headquarters; without him, things would be less lively.

While Joanna called, Hayden's eyes remained fixed on me, full of complex emotions, but not dislike. I must have been mistaken; he should dislike me most.

Harrison arrived quickly. After Joanna's brief explanation, he complained, "I don't know Irene. I signed legally with the Parker Group, that's all."

Joanna sighed in relief. "Mr. Robinson only does honest business. He's not involved in underhanded schemes." By defending Harrison, she was protecting herself. If they lost, she'd be fired, and couldn't accompany Hayden.

Harrison simply lowered his gaze. As long as he denied, they couldn't do anything.

Zachary sighed. "This is tough; everyone has their own story. Mr. Parker, who do you believe?" He tried to drag Hayden into the mess. Seeing Hayden silent, he asked, "Mr. Parker, you'd trust your own wife, right?"

I frowned. It was a trap. If Hayden trusted me, he'd seem biased; if not, a rift would form. For Zachary, it was a clever strategy, but he miscalculated—I no longer cared what Hayden thought. It wasn't the first time he hadn't supported me.

"Trust the evidence," Hayden's cold voice interrupted.

Before sadness could overwhelm me, Richard arrived with Lidia. Joanna's eyes lit up.

Stanley whispered, "Don't worry. We have the crucial documents. I've got your back." My confidence soared.

Joanna, barely containing her joy, met Lidia. "Lidia, you're here. You know Mr. Robinson best. He wouldn't collaborate with that manager, right?"

If Lidia sided with Joanna, the situation wouldn't be in my favor. I glanced at Richard, realizing this was Hayden's plan. He still chose to help Joanna. Even anticipating it, my heart ached.

Before I could feel sad, Lidia stammered, "I… I heard from Mr. Robinson that he gave Irene some money…"

I looked at Hayden in surprise. Lidia, brought by him, shouldn't help me.