Chapter 154

I suppressed my disdain, plastering on an innocent smile. With so many onlookers, I naturally had to play my part. But unexpectedly, Hayden stared at me for a long time while I forced my smile. I wondered if he'd noticed my aversion. While I pondered, Yasir, who’d been waiting for Hayden to act, looked up after a long silence. He suddenly groaned, "Oh my God, you two are flaunting your love so openly?" Everyone else laughed. My mind blanked. What kind of love display is this? I thought. Does Yasir have faulty vision?

However, more was to come. Hayden not only offered no explanation, but, taking my hand, he stood, saying, "Let's go." "What?" I was taken aback as he pulled me toward the door. Behind us came whistles and jeers. After a few steps, I angrily shook off his hand, scoffing, "There's no audience now. Who are you performing for?" Hayden frowned slightly, turning to look at me. "I wasn't performing," he said. His words weighed heavily on my heart. I pulled at the corner of my mouth, unwilling to argue. Since we were already outside, I decided to address business. "The Jackson Group shouldn't hold much appeal for you. Why did you send someone to the auction?" I asked directly.

Hayden, a shrewd man, understood. He rested a hand on the railing, gazing at the sea, his handsome face impassive. "With all this money, you still want to sell 2% of Parker Group's shares?" he countered. My expression faltered; I hadn't anticipated this question. "Can one ever have too much money, Hayden? You agreed I could dispose of these shares as I pleased. Why the regret now?" I chuckled playfully. I'd assumed he was having second thoughts. He merely looked at me calmly, his tone gentle, even tinged with inexplicable tenderness. "Yes, I regret it."

"It's a shame there's no use crying over spilled milk, Hayden. I'm easily tempted by money. I'll sell to the highest bidder," I said slowly, my tone laced with mockery. If I'd been more sensible earlier, perhaps my marriage wouldn't have ended like this. I felt it better to be greedy for money than to crave someone else's love. Praying for someone else's love was the deadliest poison.

I’d been talking for ages, but Hayden was clearly not focused on this. He took a few steps toward me, his long legs closing the distance quickly. His sharp features became increasingly clear. "Yvonne, let's start over," he said suddenly, enunciating each word carefully. I froze, unable to comprehend. "What did you say?"

He seized my daze to take my hand. "Let's start over," he repeated, his deep voice reverberating. My heart skipped a beat; my mind went blank. I spoke to him with disgust, secretly planning my escape. I'd finally severed years of longing for him, and yet, here he was, suggesting a fresh start. I couldn't understand his heart. However, it was clear I no longer wanted to be with him. I gritted my teeth, forcefully shaking off his hand. I laughed loudly, "Hayden, have you lost your mind? We're about to get divorced, and you want to start over to hurt me again?"

Hayden simply looked at me, his expression flickering slightly. He remained silent, but his deep eyes held complex emotions. "I've made myself very clear. There's no possibility of us continuing, and there's not a single shred of feeling left!" I scolded him sharply, my voice devoid of affection. I felt there was no going back. Hayden had never seen me so furious. He frowned and asked, "Why? In the past, I…"

"Enough! I'm busy, and I don't have time for this!" I cut him off, turning to leave. I didn't know where I was going; I just walked until I was alone, and only then dared to stop. Only after calming down did I remember I'd originally intended to ask Hayden about Yasir's feelings for Lucy. But Hayden's sudden words had sent me fleeing. Waves of bitterness surged in my heart. The unspeakable pain mocked my feigned strength. Hayden's words alone could shatter me. Just then, my phone rang. Startled, I instinctively resisted answering, fearing it was Hayden.

Chapter 151

I didn't relax until I saw the caller ID: my father. I didn't answer; I hung up directly. I didn't need to guess why he'd called; he wanted the Jackson Group back. Unfortunately, the money from the sale was already in my account; there was no room for negotiation. But soon, a text arrived: [Yvonne, don't you want to know what your mother said before she died? Come to the top deck to see me, and I'll tell you everything. You are my daughter. I don't want our family to be separated like this.]

The words were sentimental. My father had never spoken to me like this. Although hesitant, I couldn't suppress the urge to learn what my mother might have left me. I immediately called Richard. "Richard, I need to go to the top deck. Please keep an eye out for anything unusual." There were all kinds of people on this cruise ship; it was hard to say if rivals might clash. "Yes, Mrs. Parker. I'm on it," Richard agreed quickly. Just as I was about to hang up, he called out, "Mrs. Parker!" "What else?" I frowned. "Well… Mr. Parker was just looking for you," Richard said cautiously. My heart sank. "Don't tell him where I am." With that, I hung up and headed for the top deck.

The Pax Oceana was a sightseeing cruise ship, so even the elevators were transparent and festively decorated. I looked out and saw each floor brightly lit, filled with smiling guests. I sighed, The Parker family is truly impressive, almost moving an entire city to sea… The Parker family controlled Elysiumville's economic lifeline and constantly sought new industries—quite inspiring. The elevator quickly reached the top floor, offering a breathtaking seascape. I saw my father sitting alone by a flower bed, holding a wine bottle, looking sorrowful. I took a deep breath before approaching. "Dad." Like he said, relationships could be severed, but blood was thicker than water.

Chapter 134

Besides, I didn't think we'd become mortal enemies. Hearing my voice, Yosef's back stiffened. He slowly turned, looking at me. "Yvonne, why are you wearing so little? Aren't you cold?" His concern touched my heart. I softened. "I'm not cold. Dad, why are you drinking here alone?" I asked. "I was just thinking about your mother," Yosef sighed, his heartbreak evident. My mother once told me they'd always been in love, treating each other with respect. I just didn't know why things ended up like this. I looked up at the stars, wondering which one was my mother, and asked, "Dad, what were Mom's last words?"

Yosef's expression stiffened. His ex-wife, Sienna, had been mentally unstable before her death, cursing him. However, he couldn't tell Yvonne that; it would ruin their relationship. The text message was from Sophia, aiming to get Yvonne to the top deck. Yosef could only improvise. "The one thing your mother worried about most was you. Her greatest hope was also placed on you." Listening to my father's words, my thoughts drifted back to my childhood, and I didn't notice the danger approaching. Sophia and Joanna were hiding behind the flower bed, listening to our conversation.