Chapter 159
No one knew Yvonne's true meaning to Hayden. Perhaps even Hayden himself didn't fully grasp the depth of his feelings. Only after losing her did he realize how profoundly hidden his love had been. The love in his heart, it turned out, was deeply buried. Hayden's mind flooded with Yvonne's voice and smile; a sharp pain pierced his chest. He instinctively pressed a hand to his heart, the pain so intense that his vision blacked out, and he collapsed. His last thought: "Yvonne… Come back…"
"Mr. Parker!" Richard cried, scrambling to support Hayden's weakening body and summoning the bodyguards. "Take Mr. Parker to the infirmary!" Fortunately, the ship boasted comprehensive medical facilities and a top-tier medical team. Nevin soon regained consciousness and followed Hayden. Ethan, however, strode toward Jamie. "Did the boss really jump into the sea?"
"Yes," Jamie confirmed, glancing at the Jacksons. "They say Yvonne committed suicide. Do you believe that?"
"No," Ethan replied instantly.
Jamie, surprised, seemed delighted to find an ally. "I knew…"
Before he could finish, Ethan said, "She hasn't paid me the balance."
Jamie thought, Well, we're not on the same page! He immediately dispatched the search and rescue team. Still, he couldn't believe Yvonne would take her own life. Ethan, a poor swimmer, couldn't participate in the search. Instead, with a menacing aura, he approached Yosef. "Why did the boss commit suicide?"
Yosef, terrified, trembled, unable to meet Ethan's gaze. "She… she said she wanted to see her mother…"
"Yes, Yvonne missed her mother terribly!" Sophia interjected hastily, sensing Yosef's instability and fearing further questioning. Knowing Yvonne occasionally visited her mother's grave, Ethan didn't press. He turned to Joanna, who appeared dazed. "Why are you trembling?" he asked, noticing her shaking left hand.
Joanna, unaware of her tremor, instinctively hid her hand. "I… I saw Yvonne jump. I'm scared!" she stammered.
She couldn't admit to pushing Yvonne. I'll never admit it! Now that she's gone, no one will know the truth!
Ethan, a street-hardened teenager who knew the depths of human depravity, didn't believe a word. Yet, he seemed at an impasse.
As the confrontation escalated, Sophia dabbed her eyes. "Yvonne jumped. We're heartbroken! Instead of searching for your boss, you question her family? What's the meaning of this?"
Yosef stiffened. "That's right! How dare you question us? I'm Yvonne's father! Why would I hurt her?"
The onlookers nodded in agreement. "That's true. Sophia might dislike Yvonne, but Yosef would never harm his daughter, right?" one said. Others echoed the sentiment, speculating about Yvonne's suicide, citing rumors of her strained marriage and public mockery.
These opinions, however, didn't sway Ethan. He had witnessed far worse. Ignoring the Jacksons, he examined the top deck, noting the lights, flowerbeds, benches—and the absence of security cameras. Finding no clues, he leaned over the railing. The waves were unusually high. Then he noticed someone below, filming the railing from which Yvonne had jumped. This crucial clue spurred no overt reaction. He simply moved aside and descended the stairs.
Joanna, watching him go, whispered to Sophia, "Mom, do you think he found something? What if he keeps digging?"
"Why panic? No cameras! Even if he suspects us, what can he do? Deny everything!" Sophia hissed.
Reassured, Joanna nodded. Yosef, meanwhile, lingered at the railing, a pang of guilt tugging at him. Yvonne was his daughter, gone so suddenly.
Sophia impatiently pulled him away.
Below deck, Lucy, assisting Yvonne in hopes of boosting her income post-divorce, was reviewing a menu when Yasir delivered the devastating news. The menu slipped from her grasp, the clatter jarring her. She stared in disbelief. "What… what did you say? Who jumped?"
"Yvonne," Yasir repeated, grief etched on his face.
"A joke?" Lucy asked, a forced calmness masking her trembling voice. "Go wash dishes! I haven't time for jokes!"
Yasir pressed on, placing his hands on her shoulders, "The Jacksons say she committed suicide, jumped from the top deck. The rescue team's gone, but… little hope… You should go…"