Hayden smiled, nodding. "My grandparents told me. I wasn't home last time. Let's celebrate Christmas together at my place."

Stacey’s heart leaped. "Okay," she whispered.

Hayden grinned, his excitement palpable in the deepening twilight. They talked for hours, oblivious to the time, until, finally, around nine, he suggested they head home.

Stacey walked beside him, bewildered. He knows so much about…everything. Housekeepers in those TV shows handled everything for wealthy CEOs. They lived such different lives; Mom and Dad rarely cooked. Adrian and Isabella constantly worried about appearing ordinary. But Hayden…

She glanced at him. He's so…effortlessly competent. It's unnerving. Despite his youth—only two years older—he seemed worlds away. She questioned her own appeal, wondering what he saw in her. Confused, she left the park, her bodyguards discreetly trailing behind.

Unseen, Jenny emerged from the shadows, watching them. Her gaze lingered on the children. Stacey guards them closely. No chance to get to them directly. She needed the Edwards project; her last attempt, using forged documents, had cost her dearly. Theodore had called the police, but her Menterra citizenship offered loopholes. But she couldn't use the same tactics. Men, especially successful ones, were easily flattered, but betrayed trust was unforgiving.

That didn't matter anymore. Two years of placating the arrogant Theodore had been misery. That psychopath! Who could fall for him? She knew his weakness: Rebecca. His obsession with her was evident in his drunken pleas for reconciliation. If she could threaten him with Rebecca, or Lillian and Kevin, he’d give her the project.

Dorothy appeared, startling Jenny. "Jenny. Why are you here?"

"Mom? I've had someone investigate Hayden. Should we just drop this project?"

Jenny frowned. "No way. I can't fail."

Dorothy worried. "But the Hoggards… If Hayden protects Stacey, even as Menterra citizens, we'll be stuck."

Jenny scoffed. "Mom, have you gotten soft? You weren't timid when Dad was powerful. Your ambition made you who you are! I won't give up!" She stared at Carter Villa. "Maybe we should drop it…"

Dorothy knew what was coming. "Jenny, you can't. Hayden’s emotionally unavailable. He's had countless women throw themselves at him since he took over at eighteen, but none succeeded."

"He cares about Rebecca now," Jenny countered.

"Jenny," Dorothy pleaded.

Jenny gazed at Carter Villa, a grim smile playing on her lips. "Don't worry, Mom. I know what I'm doing."