Such a tight deadline.The evening? Haley dropped her phone, sensing another headache coming. She thought the wedding was in three days, and she still had some time to alternate between resting and adding the finishing touches to the jewelry.Great!Just great!Wasn't William Nash the biggest asshole on earth?Was this how he treated his employees? Strangely, Haley didn't receive any message from him asking her to finish the jewelry soon. Something must have come up from Nelson's part and they needed the jewelry soon.Why did he ask the assistant to notify only Crystal and not her?Liam was still rooting for her failure so he could shame her.How unbelievable.Haley got down from the bed and washed up. Resting was a far-fetched dream when she had a heavy task ahead of her. She made herself some ginger tea to warm up her body's temperature.After drinking it, Haley felt a bit better.Her body no longer shivered, and the fever was gone. Knowing the ginger tea’s effect might wear
…That guy again!Liam frowned, staring at the surveillance footage. After turning the whole city upside down, he was just notified that Haley had been on a date.Literally, she was with another man. Crushing the device in his hand, Liam tossed it across the floor. It was no wonder he couldn't find her in the Woods Mansion or her former apartment. Haley was ill.Yet, she still had the guts to go on a date in a coffee shop. Liam glanced at the other report sitting on the table.It contained all the information about that guy, the lawyer.Harry Lawson was from a first-class socialite family.Of all women, why would he have his eyes on an orphan girl?By the way, his family wasn't going to approve of his relationship with Haley. “Mr. Nash, these are the only details I have for now. But, tomorrow-”“No need.” Liam cut the private investigator off.These details were enough already.He needed no more information to confirm that Haley had gotten into a relationship with another man.F
…He'd completely changed. What caused that?If not, had Harry come up with a new kind of act?Who was she kidding?Standing on the balcony that connected to her room, Haley leaned by the pillar, folding her arms across her chest.With Harry's actions still bugging her, she barely had any sleep last night. The guy appeared in the coffee shop out of nowhere and made her realize his intentions for her were real. Now, Haley couldn't differentiate fiction from reality.Wasn't this supposed to be an act?Why was Harry taking it too far?Still left in confusion and bewilderment, her mind had no room for anger. She'd questioned Harry why he was doing that, and he just smiled at her, saying they were perfect for each other.“Young Miss.”The soft voice startled Haley and she turned around to find a young maid holding a huge box. “You have a message… from Mr. Lawson.” As she spoke, she blushed and stared at the box. “I think it's a dress, Young Miss… isn't he romantic?”Haley wanted to ro
Strangely, Liam was able to take her out of the mansion without anyone stopping him.The only people on the compound were the servants and security.Not even the Butler was in sight.How was that possible?Despite the commotion, her parents didn't come out.Were they not home?But where could they have gone in these early hours?Lost in those thoughts, Haley couldn't put up any fight against Liam who held her in a tight iron grip.Liam all but forced her out of the mansion under the watchful eyes of the frantic servants.They panicked and screamed, but none dared to come close or save her from his hands. Somehow, Her parents not showing up in the scene relieved her of most of her worries. Hopefully, they wouldn't find out that Liam had stepped foot in the mansion.The servants shouldn't tell them about it,Or else, nothing else would dissuade them from the fact that she had something going on with this stupid man.Otherwise, he wouldn't have come for her. Due to that, Haley let go
~This was the third time she fainted in his presence.What exactly was happening?Was Haley suffering from a different kind of illness?As Liam paced back and forth in the living room, his mind kept sinking into a deep thought. Why would she keep fainting when she was only suffering from a fever?It didn't make sense.There had to be something else. Something much worse than the fever.A hidden illness that terrified him to the core even though the Doctor hadn't revealed what it was yet.The only assuring thing was that he could afford any kind of treatment.Whatever that illness was, as long as it could be treated, Liam would do anything it would take to make sure she was healed.“Sir, you're not answering…” Joye stood behind him, clearing his throat. “It's about the jewelry.”Was the jewelry more important than Haley's health?Liam had no time for such trivialities when his wife was lying up there sick and unconscious.Now and then, he'd step towards the stairs but halt on recall
~Haley opened her eyes to find herself on the same bed.Strangely, there wasn't any needle attached to her arm this time.Thank goodness.As if her whole encounter with Liam, from the mansion to his Villa, was a dream, she could now think clearly.Her head was no longer muddled, and her mind was no longer puzzled.Weird!How could she have that kind of dream?Haley was sure that Liam had gone to the mansion and kidnapped her. But the bedroom was empty.The familiar bedroom didn't look a bit like Liam's bedroom.Was she back in the Villa Estates?How could it be…“Young Miss, you're awake.” An excited voice sounded from the door. The voice of the young maid startled her for a second and Haley wanted to believe she was imagining it.“May…” Sitting up on the bed, Haley's gaze traveled to the door.Behold, the bubbly girl stood there, holding a large tray. “Wow, you slept for hours!” May exclaimed, scuttling forward.She sat beside her and dropped the tray on the bedside table. “I hop
“Is Haley upstairs or what?” Came her brother's stern voice.“Uhm, Mr. Woods, even if you want to see the Young Miss now, I'm afraid that's impossible… you see, the Young Miss is-”“What are you hiding?” Harry's voice, cool and relaxed, sounded. “You do realize that you can be fired on the spot, right?”“No- No, No, Mr. Lawson, it's just that-”“Get Haley downstairs now!”Despite listening to their conversation, Haley couldn't grasp what was happening.Why were her brother and Harry pressuring the maid?And why was the maid evading their request?Strange.“Mr. Woods, please listen-”As May went on pleading, Haley decided to get to the bottom of whatever was going on.She descended downstairs, however, her brother and Harry hadn't noticed her yet because their backs were to her.While May, who was facing the stairs’ direction, secretly gestured to her to turn around.Puzzled by the maid's action, Haley didn't heed her silent command.But then,In her brother's hand was the jewelry box.
…At NK Enterprises.Liam paced the space of his office, his gaze pinned to the phone in his hand.Two weeks.Two weeks were enough for him to move on.Still, the more the days passed by, the more anxious he got.It terrified him how much patience he'd been exercising for the past few days.The maid's phone was no longer reachable. He couldn't get to Joye either, who he'd sent on a business trip.He was losing patience.He couldn't deny it anymore.Was Haley still in that Villa?Had she recovered already?Did she still not want to see him? Liam sat down, swiveling the chair to face the floor-to-ceiling window.With the phone still in his hand, his nerves tingled with anxiousness.He couldn't hold back anymore. Haley should have recovered.And he'd given her enough space to heal from the trauma. Wasn't it strange that he couldn't reach the maid?Liam had given her strict instructions. He'd even made her a tempting offer that she could resist.The maid was supposed to report Haley'
…~ One Year Later ~When others saw the bright sun of the morning, she could only see the orange sun, gradually fading, giving way to darkness. When there was a storm, people looked forward to the peace and calmness after it, while she only foresaw many more storms looming ahead. She should have been more pessimistic than this,Then she could have at least saved one life. If she hadn't been a coward, hoping that crazy guy would have a little mercy, she wouldn't have fallen for his lies. She'd take the gunshot instead.But no,She'd trusted him… that was her biggest mistake.Daryl’s cruelty had been beyond saving. Helping him lure Liam to the occasion was her biggest regret. Maybe… just maybe- if she'd been brave enough, Liam wouldn't have-“Mrs. Nash, sorry to interrupt you!” The secretary barged into the office, snapping her out of her thoughts. “The Stakeholders' meeting will commence in the next three minutes. Do you need my help getting ready?”Haley sighed. Right, the meeti
What gibberish was he sputtering?How did he even manage to sneak into the Villa?How did he manage to overpower the bodyguards?After Daryl’s last words, he hung up, leaving Liam wondering what the hell that crazy boy was up to again.He mustn't be serious about marrying Haley. Apart from being illegal, it didn't make any sense. What stupid judge would get them married without the consent of one party?Daryl was only trying to irritate him.“Sir, is he telling the truth?” Joye who had probably heard the conversation because Daryl's voice was too loud, blinked rapidly. “Is he going to get married to Madam?”Liam chuckled.That was impossible.Haley would not even agree. “I think this is serious, Sir…” Joye exclaimed. “Your brother is up to no good. Let's go and see.”Of course, Liam was going there.If it meant finding that crazy boy there, why wouldn't he go?Daryl was playing with fire.Kidnapping Haley from the Villa was already a gruesome offense? On his command, the driver tu
…Was this it?Was this the end of the family's reputation? The same questions kept resonating in Liam's mind all day. The company's stocks were crumbling again,Some of the shareholders were pulling out their investments,And the employees were all in a frenzy.Watching the Nash Empire crumble right before his eyes was something he never dreamt about.He'd never for once seen this happening in any of his nightmares.Liam thought he'd left no loose ends. Every source the news would get leaked out, he'd already blocked it.How then did his brother lay his hands on this crucial secret? How the hell did Daryl even escape from the police custody? “He shouldn't have left the city yet, Mr. Nash…” The Police Chief assured him, “We are going to find him before the day ends.”The day was already ending.All Liam wanted was for all this to be over. He'd left the Villa without informing Haley. He could only imagine her anxiety at the moment. Joye reported to him that she called and she d
Haley waited at the dining table patiently, her gaze traveling to the doorway now and then. Liam and his assistant must be discussing something important, probably related to work. Well, was it so secretive that they had to discuss it outside?She glanced at the clock.Thirty minutes later, they weren't back yet. Now her mind was troubled.What was taking them so long?What were they even discussing?Liam didn't even wear proper clothing, wouldn't he catch a cold outside? Tapping her fingers impatiently on the desk, Haley stood up. She headed outside the building, looking forward to seeing Liam and his assistant.To her surprise, they weren't there.Even the assistant’s car was gone if he came with any.What was happening?Did they sneak out of the Villa?If not, how could she not have heard any sound?To confirm her thoughts, Haley strode to the security man. “It's too early and cold, Madam… what are you doing outside?” Was the first thing the concerned young man asked. Haley
That explained it all. Was she just lucky or were the heavens by her side? Staring into his eyes, she saw nothing but genuine affection.The affection she'd been searching for ever since she returned. Her instincts never lied, and the feeling was strong.Liam loved her.He never hated her.He was only mad because of the misunderstanding.“But you gave me a hard time, huh.” Haley poked at his chest, pouting. However, Liam laughed lightheartedly, taking her wrists in his hands. “Believe me, I didn't.”Right.He'd planned to do worse. If she hadn't summoned the courage, speaking like a crazy person last night, convinced she was speaking to the air, he'd still regard her as his enemy.Her craziness paid off, and-“I'm sorry.” Drawing her close by wrapping both arms around her waist, his expression turned sullen. “I shouldn't have treated you that way.”Indeed, she'd been almost broken beyond repair.Amidst the despair, she marveled at where she got the courage to chase him. “If I fo
On entering the living room, however, the woman came to a screeching halt, her eyes popping out of their sockets.Her lips parted like a fish’s, and pointing a trembling finger forward, she shouted, “You, this silly girl! Why're you with my son!?”Haley's heart dropped to her stomach.Damnit!For some reason, this woman hated her to the core. Even when she visited the mansion, the woman had hollered at and hit her. Wondering what she did wrong, she'd tried to apologize which only intensified her cruel actions towards her. Liam's mother didn't like her.Did she offend her in the past? “I thought you were hitting it off with Lisa already!” She faced Liam. “What are you doing with this wayward psychotic girl? Do you want me to die of a heart attack, Son!?”As she scolded Liam, the bodyguards dropped the boxes and left. Instinctively, Haley found herself shrinking behind him, hiding her presence.As if caught red-handed in an offensive act, she trembled on her toes, grabbing his arm
Haley paused.Then she pulled away with a sigh.Was she supposed to be mad at his words? Did she have the right to?He'd claimed not to love her anymore, but he just touched her.Liam's words might be partially correct. Even though he no longer loved her, at least he was still attracted to her. Lust and love…“You mean desire?” She stared at him, hope igniting a spark in her heart.“Call it what you like…” Liam turned his back to her. “It doesn't change anything.”But it might change a lot.The inkling was strong, fuelling her persistence. Haley didn't even know why she was smiling when she should be broken-hearted at the moment.‘Patience is key.’She'd soon have Liam wrapped around her fingers,But what happened a while ago wouldn't repeat itself. Not unless his wound healed. With a last glance at his back, she got down from the bed and headed inside the bathroom.She washed up the blood stains from the shirt and blew it dry with the hair dryer she found. Many minutes later, s
Haley followed his gaze, checking out the skimpy clothes she wore.The lacey nightwear barely concealed anything, revealing all there was to see. Urgh!She should have gone for a normal shirt and shorts.But in the fit of hunger, the thought about it fled her mind, until-Returning her gaze to his, Haley gulped, taking a cautious step back.Was he this super mad just because she wore something revealing?How the hell did it concern him anyway? “Get changed!” He snapped, pointing behind him to the stairs.The heck! What did she do wrong again?Infuriated by his actions, Haley balled her fists.Right. She was doing her best to make this dumb man understand that she wasn't in the wrong, yet, he kept giving her a hard time. If ordering her around was his way of intimidation, then he'd failed big time. From the deadly look in his eyes, Haley shuddered instead…But she maintained a brave front, lifting her chin and meeting his gaze. “As you wish!”Slowly, she curled her fingers around
Driven by curiosity and hoping that her mind was just being dramatic, Haley followed them upstairs.When she arrived in the hallway, they were already out of sight.But she heard voices… from the master's bedroom.Slowing down her footsteps, Haley's heart beat with discomfort as she approached the door. “Hey, keep still…” She laughed. “I promise it won't hurt.”“Who told you I'm scared?”“You eyes.”“Oh, really?” He laughed. “Watch me-”“No!” The lady's gasp echoed. Then she sighed. “You're so unbelievable, Will… allow a professional to apply it instead.”“It's no biggie. I'm done.”Done?Done with what?Haley pursed her lips, wishing she could disconnect her hearing from her heart.Why were they laughing together?She never knew that grumpy man knew how to laugh,And she couldn't remain here and continue eavesdropping,She had to see what was going on in there.Liam might catch her, so what?Pushing the door open, Haley stepped inside the room. Behold, Liam sat on the bed, facing t