Chapter 117

Upon hearing this, Hayden’s charming eyes dulled, and his hand, resting on the table, clenched involuntarily. Reason, however, kept him composed. "You like her?"

Zachary, who had anticipated the question, feigned thought. "At first, I heard rumors and didn't think much of her. But after seeing her at work a few times, I realized she's smart, not just talk."

"Is that all?" Hayden pressed, skeptical. Plenty of smart women worked at the company; he couldn't be interested in them all, could he?

Zachary didn't answer directly, instead looking at Hayden with curiosity. "You... you're not jealous, are you?"

Hayden's tense face relaxed, then hardened. "If you think using Yvonne to provoke me will work, you're barking up the wrong tree."

"Then who should I use?" Zachary raised an eyebrow, quickly suggesting, "Maybe Joanna?"

Hayden frowned, but before he could respond, Zachary continued, "But I don't get the vibe you like her much. I'm curious—why keep a woman you don't care for around?"

Men see through each other. Zachary recognized Hayden's lack of genuine feeling for Joanna. If Hayden truly cared, he wouldn't be delaying the divorce from Yvonne. His words served as a wake-up call for Hayden. It seemed time to draw a line with Joanna.

After a moment, Hayden changed the subject. "Rather than worrying about this, why don't you tell me what you hope to achieve with tonight's carefully orchestrated party?"

"Nothing really," Zachary shrugged casually, his eyes glinting. "If I must give a reason, it's because I want to dance with Yvonne. She's such a captivating woman..."

That comment enraged Hayden. He leaned in, approaching Zachary slowly, and said sternly, "Don't even think about laying a finger on my woman!"

"Aren't you two getting a divorce?" Zachary blinked, challenging Hayden.

Hayden's reply was a cold laugh. "Who said we're divorcing? If you lay a finger on her, I won't let you get away with it." Having made his threat, Hayden stood and left.

Zachary, unfazed, rubbed his chin with amusement. "Hayden, I've finally discovered your Achilles' heel."

After seeing Dylan off, I planned with Lucy to shop for an evening gown. As soon as we met, she linked arms with me, constantly asking, "Yvonne, why did you leave last night? Did my brother say something to you?"

"No, my dad suddenly showed up looking for me at Rosy House," I replied casually, unwilling to burden her.

Lucy's attention shifted. "Oh! Your dad came looking for you again! Because of the shares?"

"No," I shook my head, recalling the absurdity. "It's because Joanna resigned, and my dad probably assumes it's my doing."

"Is your dad crazy? You're his own daughter! How could he side with an outsider?" Lucy was indignant.

"To him, I guess I'm the outsider now," I chuckled helplessly. The Jackson family wasn't my family anymore.

Lucy gave me a gentle hug. "It's alright, Yvonne. From this moment on, I'll be your family." Her kind words warmed my heart.

I patted her hand. "Okay, we'll be family always." Lucy perked up, releasing me to dash off to select a dress. "What about this white one? I recall you like wearing white!"

I froze, awkwardly explaining, "It was because Hayden liked it. I always wore white."

Lucy stopped, then swore. "You were so good to him, and yet he still cheated on you! I hope he remains childless for the rest of his life!"

I noticed a light purple strapless dress and walked over to it, saying, "Your curse won't work, Joanna is pregnant."

"What?!" Lucy cried out, startling the store clerk. Fortunately, we had rented the place; otherwise, her outburst would have attracted attention. I quickly grasped her arm. "Calm down." Lucy looked around, lowered her voice, and inquired, "Is it Hayden's?"

"Who else's could it be?" I sighed helplessly. "How do you know?"

"Joanna told me herself," I replied. Lucy's face twisted in anger. "She's shameless! She must have come just to show off! Disgusting! Hayden is such a fool!"

"Let them be," I said calmly. "Let's focus on our lives."

Seeing my reaction, Lucy was speechless for a moment. After hesitation, she comforted me, "At least nothing significant happened between you and Hayden, so the divorce won't be much of a blow!"

I remained silent. She sensed something was amiss and stared at me before asking, "No way! Did you two... do it?"

I fell silent again. "When did it happen?" Lucy almost choked.

I sighed; nothing escaped her notice. Having been friends long before Hayden, she knew everything. I recounted everything that happened after Hayden had coffee that day.

Lucy was fine at first, but when she learned about what happened between Hayden and me afterward, she completely lost it!

"Bastard! What does he think you are, a remedy? Yvonne, do you know you're being mistreated? I'm going to find him right now and make him kneel and apologize!"

Fuming, Lucy was about to rush out. I quickly stopped her. "Lucy! It's over. Just think of it as tossed aside."

"You owe him? What do you owe him? You've been giving him everything! What about him? Did he ever treat you better? What a disgusting man, treating you like this! Aren't you angry, Yvonne Jackson, you're going to drive me nuts!"

Lucy rarely used my full name; when she did, I knew she was truly upset.

I sighed, my voice filled with helplessness. "Lucy, I used to believe that loving someone meant being completely kind. But later, I understood that my unrequited affection was repulsive to him." Lucy was speechless.