Chapter 218

Hayden's hand tightened around mine.

I glanced up at him, and for a split second, his soft gaze met mine before he turned back to Jace. His voice, low and steady, carried a weight that couldn't be ignored. "I'm not leaving until the final inspection's done."

That's just how he was. The more someone tried to push him out, the more determined he became to stay. Just like always.

I braced myself for whatever Jace would throw at him next, but then Hayden's grip tightened again, and he added, "This is something I promised Kiki."

The way he said "Kiki," claiming it was all for me, sent my heart racing. It didn't help that Jace's face went an alarming shade of red, and Wayne didn't look much better.

The silence hung in the air so thick, it felt like no one could even breathe.

I took a steadying breath and decided to cut through it, locking eyes with Jace and Wayne. "Even though I'm no longer in charge and I've left the company, there's one rule I never forgot: the company's interests co