Chapter 69

There was a theatrical quality to my words, and all I could do was laugh. The answer was so obvious; why bother asking again? For Hayden, saving Joanna would take precedence, even if it meant harming a thousand people.

I lifted my eyes, my voice cold and distant. "Who you choose to help is none of my business. Just don't drag me into it."

Hayden simply said, "Are you so sure you're going to lose?"

I scoffed. "What, are you really willing to let Joanna get expelled?" My sarcasm was sharp. I knew he'd secretly help Joanna; involving me was merely a ploy to make me look foolish.

Joanna quickly sensed the tension, tugging at Hayden's sleeve. Her voice, barely a whisper, choked with tears. "Hayden, please don't make it harder for Mrs. Parker. This is my problem." By the end of her sentence, she was crying, her face a picture of helplessness.

Hayden, ever tender, looked at her with a soft gaze. "Don't think so much."

I averted my gaze, unwilling to witness their affection. Zachary leaned casually against the desk, his chin resting on one hand, watching us with amused detachment. A flash of anger ignited within me.

Everything was orchestrated by Zachary. He wanted to see Hayden flustered. Knowing I'd never be a pawn, he'd counted on my rejection, leaving Hayden to handle the mess alone.

Suddenly, I realized I could control the game instead of being a piece on someone else's board. Even if I lost, at least it would be my own choice.

Breaking my usual behavior, I turned to Hayden. "Do you really want me to participate?"

Hayden, who had been comforting Joanna, turned his sharp gaze towards me.

Before he could speak, I continued, "I'll participate, but I have one condition."

"Speak," he said, his lips curling slightly.

"If I win, I want full ownership of the 100% of my Parker Group shares," I said, emphasizing each word. When I married Hayden, the Parker family had given me 2% of the shares, with an agreement that I'd sell them back to him upon divorce. It was a typical precaution for families like theirs, ensuring control over their assets. But now, I wanted to keep those shares. The decision was Hayden's.

Hayden's eyes narrowed dangerously, his expression unreadable. After a long pause, I smiled coldly. "Looks like, in your mind, Joanna isn't as important as you've made her out to be, huh?" I glanced at Joanna, subtly signaling Hayden's prioritization.

Joanna immediately burst into tears, clinging desperately to Hayden. "Hayden, didn't you say you'd help me earlier? Hayden…" She didn't understand the significance of the 2% stake; she only knew Hayden wasn't willing to risk everything for her, and she couldn't accept that.

Hayden didn't look at her. His gaze was fixed on me, intense, as if seeing straight through me. Zachary had fallen silent, likely surprised by the turn of events.

The best way to escape the hunter's grasp is to become the hunter. Sitting idly by was never a good strategy. For me, a gamble would reveal the genuineness of Hayden's feelings for Joanna.

After a long silence, Hayden finally spoke. "As you said."

I got the answer I wanted, but felt no happiness. Joanna, however, was ecstatic, clinging to Hayden's arm, tears of gratitude streaming down her face. "Hayden, you're so kind."

I hadn't expected Joanna to be more important to Hayden than the Parker family. The realization gnawed at me, a persistent, tormenting pain.

Zachary finally snapped out of his reverie. He clapped his hands, overly excited. "Well then, I guess the bet is officially on. Mrs. Parker, you sure know how to impress me…" His gaze was predatory.

I walked out of the secretary's office without a word, catching a glimpse of Joanna gazing at Hayden with adoration. She had Hayden's help; I had to rely on myself. This time, I couldn't afford to lose. I had to win.

After leaving the secretary's office, I went to the marketing department. After reviewing the store's location and details, I conducted a site visit. The store in dispute was located on the first floor, blocks 300-309 of Kinaew Square, four stores leased to the same client. The client had a five-year lease, but the new manager, misunderstanding the situation, rented the space to another client. This led to the Parker Group receiving two payments for one storefront, and a dispute between the two clients. Neither wanted a refund; they both wanted the store. The marketing department had failed to resolve the issue, and the situation was escalating.

Approaching the door, I spotted Lidia. She and Joanna were friends, and had mocked me recently. Her presence here felt more than coincidental. She waved at someone with a sycophantic smile; it was Joanna.

"So Joanna's here," I thought. She was proactive. "Hi Lidia," Joanna greeted her enthusiastically, then spotted me. A smug smile crossed Joanna's face as she glanced at Richard, almost showing him off. Hayden had sent Richard to help her, defying Zachary's instructions.

Joanna, with Lidia and Richard, approached me. "You're here early, but it's a shame you don't know anything, so what can you really do?" Joanna sneered, patting Lidia's hand affectionately. "Lidia's the best. She was already here, keeping an eye on things for me."

"Don't worry, Joanna, we'll definitely sort this out," Lidia said confidently, glancing at me sideways. "Some people are just destined to fail. It's better they stay out of our way, or they'll just embarrass themselves and become the laughingstock."

I ignored their taunts, curious about Richard's presence. "What are you doing here? Did Hayden send you to help her?"