Chapter 283

Hailey was stunned, unable to comprehend Ewan's words. His family had pressured him to approach her, praise her, and ask for her hand in marriage. However, in his eyes, she was merely an ugly woman. Hailey paled, realizing these were his honest feelings.

“Hailey, I don’t want to see Melody hurt again. You’re the one who should die, ugly Hailey,” Ewan snapped, then left.

Hailey stumbled backward, tears welling in her eyes. She quickly covered her mouth and dashed from the female dormitory. The rain outside mirrored her emotions. She ran from the university campus and hailed a cab. Ewan's heartless words, “You’re just an ugly woman! The one who should die is you, ugly Hailey!” echoed in her mind.

Fat teardrops rolled down her cheeks as she sobbed.

“Where to, miss?” the driver asked.

“To the Lambert residence, on Schelf Lane…” Hailey choked out. All she wanted was to go home. Distraught, she didn't notice the driver, who wore a cap, raise his head and look at her with a vicious smirk.

When Celine returned to Yorhine University, she called Hailey, but she didn't answer.

“Why isn’t Hailey answering?” Celine wondered, sensing something was wrong. She passed a brightly lit dance studio and stopped, spotting Ewan through the window. Inside, Ewan and a frightened Melody were embracing.

“Ewan, Hailey won’t send anyone to beat me up again, will she? I’m scared.”

“Don’t worry, Melody. I’m here. I’ll protect you,” Ewan assured her.

Melody threw herself into his arms, saying, “Thank you, Ewan.”

Ewan was momentarily stunned, but he smiled and returned the hug warmly.

The sight shocked Celine. She immediately called Hailey again, but there was still no answer.

A bad feeling washed over her. She hurried to the female dormitory, calling, “Hailey? Hailey?” The dormitory was empty; Hailey was gone. Celine felt her wits deserting her. Increasingly uneasy, she rushed out to search for Hailey, the rain now heavier. She turned on her phone's location-sharing feature; she and Hailey had shared locations earlier. As long as Hailey's was on, Celine could track her.

The location setting activated quickly. Thankfully, Hailey's location showed she was heading toward a secluded area. This made no sense to Celine. She hailed a cab.

A horn blared. Celine turned and saw a Rolls-Royce Phantom—Adam’s car—pulling up. The window rolled down, revealing Adam's concerned face. Noticing her anxiety, he asked grimly, “Did something happen?”

Celine met his gaze. “Hailey’s missing.”

Adam's expression changed drastically.

Celine explained, “I tracked her location. I think she’s in danger.”

“Get in!” Adam urged.