Chapter 82

“Got it,” Rita said. The excitement in her tone was unmistakable, despite the single word.

I turned, giving her a reproving look. “When did I ever say I was going downstairs with you?” He was clearly trying to make everyone believe something had transpired between us in the room. No matter how I explained it, there was no way to clear things up now.

Hayden seemed to read my thoughts, his voice cold. “Do you really think they won’t think the same thing, even if we don't go downstairs together?”

I gritted my teeth, unable to respond immediately, but unwilling to let it go. I glared at him. “Do you even have the strength to go downstairs?”

Hayden threw off the blanket, got out of bed, and headed for the door, answering my question with action. But his steps were noticeably unsteady. Going downstairs seemed a struggle.

In my memory, Hayden was always tall and strong, unshakable. It felt as if, as long as he was around, nothing could go wrong. Yet now, he looked so weak, so frail, as though a gust of wind could knock him over.

“You’re going to walk down like this? Don’t you think Mrs. Parker will notice?” I furrowed my brows, my anger evident in my tone. I couldn’t understand how he had ended up in such a sorry state. He had left me and found true love; he should have been living his best life, right? But he seemed no better off than I was.

Soon, Hayden reached me, his eyes narrowing as they met mine. “As long as you cooperate, she won’t doubt it.”

“Hey, why should I cooperate with you?” I shot him a cold look, realizing I no longer felt any admiration or affection for him. He had become just another man, nothing special.

Hayden took a step closer, leaning in. “In recent weeks, someone’s been quietly buying up shares in the Jackson Group. Is that you?”

I froze, my breath catching in my chest. Marlon was helping me with this. He was always careful, and his people were discreet. I never imagined Hayden would find out. The Parker family’s influence in Elysiumville had clearly grown stronger. But this was my family’s matter. I didn’t need to show weakness in front of him. “So what if it is?”

Hayden’s eyes shifted, a strange look in them, as though he were seeing a stranger. “Yvonne, you’re really not the same as you used to be.”

“What was I like before? Putting up with everything in front of you, swallowing my pride? My mother lived like that for twenty years, and what did it get her? She passed away, and my father didn’t even give her a proper funeral. He immediately married another woman. Now all he cares about is his precious son, and he’s completely forgotten about me and my mother!” Unable to hold back, I unleashed all the resentment I’d been carrying—things I’d long kept buried deep inside.

Hayden’s gaze flickered, as if he’d figured something out. “So, you want to take control of the Jackson Group?”

“The Jackson Group will eventually be taken from me by Sophia.” I offered a wry smile, suddenly wanting to laugh bitterly. Speaking of Sophia… she and I were both women. I had spent ten years chasing Hayden, but he avoided me like the plague. Yet Sophia could make my father betray his wife of many years, even his own daughter, and willingly give her everything. Compared to her, I couldn’t help but feel like a failure.

I forced a laugh, but then Hayden spoke unexpectedly. “Your father’s not an idiot. He’ll find out soon enough.”

A cold chill ran through me. Since Hayden had said it, it was more or less certain. After that, Hayden brushed past me.

I didn’t have time to dwell on why he’d told me all this. I quickly dialed Marlon’s number.

“Hello? How many shares of the Jackson Group have you acquired?” I asked.

“Six percent,” Marlon answered.

I was surprised. I hadn’t expected him to acquire six percent so quickly. He must have paid a significant amount. But even that wasn't fast enough.

“Speed it up. My father will find out soon,” I urged. Even though I knew pulling this off wouldn’t be easy, I didn’t have any better choice.

Marlon paused, then chuckled. “Don’t worry. I will get it handled.” His reassurance eased my mind somewhat.

When I went downstairs, Deborah was waiting. Hayden purposely waited a couple of minutes before asking me to link arms with him, concealing his weakness. Deborah, unaware of the full story, watched us with a pleased smile. “Seeing how well you two get along puts my mind at ease. Let’s eat.” Even Rita’s eyes glistened with happiness. They truly hoped Hayden and I would be fine, but they didn’t know we could never be together again.

The meal went smoothly. When it ended, I couldn’t wait to get to the company. I finished my work, and around four in the afternoon, Yasir arrived to sign the contract, bringing a lychee-flavored cake.

“Yvonne, have a piece of cake to sweeten your mood. Signing this contract will be much smoother,” Yasir said with a cheerful smile.

I wasn’t one for sweets, but I simply smiled and replied, “Mr. Gibson, why the sudden kindness? I seem to remember you didn’t use to pay much attention to me.”

Yasir froze, his smile stiffening. “That was a long time ago, Yvonne. Let’s not bring it up.”

“Fine, then tell me about something more recent,” I said, my smile remaining, but my tone sharpening.

Yasir seemed unsure. “What do you mean?”

“How did Hayden get injured?” I cut straight to the point. Richard wasn't around, and even if he were, I doubted I’d get much from him. Yasir had come to me; it seemed like the perfect opportunity.

“I…,” his words trailed off.

I turned the pen I was holding. “If you can’t explain, then I’ll see no reason to sign this today.”

“Wait, don’t—” Yasir’s face clouded with worry, as if he feared I would really back out. After hesitating, he finally spoke. “I heard it happened in a tunnel. Someone must have found out about Hayden’s whereabouts, and they blocked both the entrance and the exit. A group of people rushed in… Fortunately, he had bodyguards with him, or…”

Yasir’s words trailed off, but I understood. The wound on Hayden’s abdomen had been deliberate, cruel. Whoever had attacked him had aimed to kill.

“Was it an enemy of the Parker Group?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” Yasir shook his head, falling silent for a long time before adding, “It could be the same group from that incident abroad. Hayden couldn’t even escape them when he went overseas. It’s despicable.”

My eyes narrowed, and I looked at him. “Are you saying Hayden went ahead to hide from them? Wasn’t he trying to hide from me?” I thought.