Chapter 68

At Hayden's words, he and Joanna turned to look at me. Even Richard, silent until now, glanced my way, his eyes conveying both sympathy and helplessness. As an outsider, Richard likely possessed the clearest perspective. Many times, I wished to avoid this entanglement, but events rarely unfolded as I hoped. Joanna was Hayden's prized darling; I knew better than to interfere excessively.

After a deep breath, I smiled and deflected the issue back to Hayden. "I think we should follow Mr. Parker's decision." (I thought, 'Since Joanna is his mistress, he should resolve this.')

Zachary likely anticipated I would seize this opportunity to attack them, but my silence surprised him. My long-held love for Hayden, my years of waiting for his return, only to be supplanted by another woman—surely, some bitterness lingered. But he failed to understand that many had already given up.

Joanna glared, her teeth clenched as if wishing me to vanish. I raised an eyebrow, considering, ('Should I have agreed with Zachary and had her fired?') Hayden's cold gaze, filled with an unreadable emotion, left me confused. ('I didn't even retaliate. Shouldn't he be thanking me?')

After a long silence, Hayden finally spoke, his lips curling slightly. "Zachary, it's been a year, and you've become quite ruthless. Joanna may have made mistakes, but firing her isn't necessary." It was unusual for Hayden to speak so extensively. ('He's setting the stage, excusing Joanna,' I thought.)

"I'm unconcerned. You manage your personnel. But the board will be harder to appease, and the media will amplify this," Zachary countered. "If Parker Group's stock drops, who assumes responsibility?"

Minor issues paled in comparison to the company's interests. "So, what's your suggestion?" Hayden asked, his tone sharper, cutting through the circumlocution.

Zachary seized the moment. "Here's the plan. The marketing department has a dispute with a store. If Ms. Charlotte resolves it, I'll trust her abilities and overlook the prior incident. What do you say?"

I frowned, surprised. Normally, unresolved disputes indicated a difficult opponent. ('Joanna speaks impulsively. Does Zachary truly believe she can handle this?')

Before I could fully process this, Zachary added another condition. "Mr. Parker, you cannot exert any influence. If you do, it won't count, even if successful."

Joanna panicked. Her achievements had all been with Hayden's assistance. Without him, she was nothing. Zachary was clearly setting her up to fail.

"Hayden," she pleaded, tears welling, her expression a mixture of helplessness and pity.

Hayden's brows furrowed; his piercing gaze turned to me. "Since this tests her abilities, Yvonne, you'll participate as well." His words were ice-cold, each a steel blade aimed at me. ('Why is he involving me in Joanna's problem?')

I frowned in disbelief, feeling helpless. "I don't understand, Mr. Parker." ('Is he using me as a scapegoat?')

"You and Joanna started together. Since Zachary doubts Joanna, he likely doubts you too. This proves your worth," Hayden stated, his tone condescending.

Joanna seemed stunned. Zachary quickly grasped the situation. "Mr. Parker, are you providing Ms. Charlotte a partner? If she participates and fails, what's her punishment?"

Hayden narrowed his eyes, an oppressive aura filling the air. "She's my wife. Are you suggesting you'll fire her?" His cold voice cut through the tension. His unspoken anger affected everyone.

Zachary hastily backtracked. "I didn't mean that! How could I fire Mrs. Parker? I'd be lucky if she didn't fire me." He looked at me meaningfully.

I gritted my teeth, knowing Zachary wouldn't let this go. "There's a ball in two weeks. I need a partner. If Mrs. Parker loses, she'll be mine. What do you think?"

Even Richard gasped. Everyone knew I was Hayden's wife, yet Zachary boldly demanded me as his partner, disrespecting both Hayden's authority and me.

"Mr. Swanson, show some respect," I said coldly, refusing to tolerate such treatment. I wasn't a toy.

Zachary, surprised, raised his hands. "Sorry, Mrs. Parker. I need a partner, and I have utmost respect for you."

I saw no sincerity. I was ready to dismiss the bet, but Hayden's emotionless voice intervened. "Okay," he nodded. His words were colder than a snow-covered mountaintop, a sharp pain in my chest.

I stared at him in disbelief. He'd brought Joanna back, shielding her. I didn't care about that. But now, for Joanna, he disregarded everything, including our families' reputations and mine.

"Hayden, do you know what you're saying?" I was furious. My hands clenched into fists. Who he loved or pitied no longer concerned me, but he couldn't use me as a stepping stone. Even in my anger, his gaze remained cold and emotionless. I meant nothing to him; I wasn't even as important as Joanna's little finger.

The tension deepened. Joanna, noticing Hayden's favoritism, smirked. (Her expression screamed, 'See? Hayden only cares about me. You mean nothing to him.')

Zachary seized the opening. "Mr. Parker, you're a man of your word. To help Joanna, you'll sacrifice your wife? Are you willing to do that?"