…At The CEO's Office.Liam glanced at his wristwatch. Work hours were almost over. Had Haley left the company already? He could follow her to her secret hideout today, but what if he failed like last time?Joye, who would usually remind him that the work hours were over, sat mute on the office's couch. Now and then, he glanced in Liam's direction. And whenever their gazes met, he averted his eyes. Joye seemed to want to tell him something, and Liam didn't have the patience to wait. “Spill it.”Joye sprang to his feet, clearing his throat. “Won't you fire me, Sir?”Liam narrowed his eyes. “B-But I can't keep it in anymore!” Joye whined. “Once you go out there, others will misjudge you.”“What's wrong?” Joye was beating around the bush, and Liam was losing patience.Instead of answering his question, Joye brought out his phone.He clicked on the camera app, and showed Liam a reflection of himself on the screen. “So, S-Sir… you might want to clean it.”Smudges of pink lipstick m
The news!Liam spaced out. When? Who published it on the news? For how long had it been there? “Take it down immediately!!! Do it right now!!!” He barked out orders to his assistant, jolting to his feet and pacing the space of the office.Was it the employees, Haley, or Leah?But if it was Haley, wouldn't she have done it before now? She had long found out about Leah's pregnancy and didn't do anything about it. Haley wouldn't want to destroy his reputation, right?And the employees would gain nothing from it apart from losing their jobs.Then who did it?Liam kicked the chair in his away. He grabbed his suit jacket and slipped it on, striding out of the office. Hopefully, it wasn't what he was thinking. “Sir, where are we going?” Joye scurried after him and followed him into the elevator. “Go and do what I asked you,” Liam responded curtly, disregarding the worry in Joye's eyes. It wasn't like he was going to kill someone. If the need didn't arise, by the way. Who dared th
…The Next Day, at DG Villa Estates.Haley sat on the living room couch, staring at her phone.She wasn't even prepared, yet, she was calling Harry's number. Haley hadn't cooked up the perfect lie to tell him this time.As the phone rang, her heart beat with unease. But she needed to get this divorce thing done with as soon as possible. She couldn't wait until another thing got in her way. Maybe this time, she'd ask Harry for many copies. That might raise his suspicion… Well, she had to be extra-prepared in case Liam kept on destroying them.The phone rang and rang. No one answered it from the other end until it stopped ringing.Harry must be busy.She should drop him a message.Haley typed a text and sent it to Harry's number. She hadn't dropped her phone yet when an email popped up from Liam's assistant.After a short pleasantry, he went to the point.[“Crystal” I am sure your friend has already told you about my request. The design has to be perfect. We both don't want to witn
Staring at the text, Haley's shock transformed into irritation. Shouldn't Leah be asked the same question?Liam was already hers, yet, she wasn't contented. Leah would keep chasing him, thinking Haley was a threat to their relationship. Taking in a deep breath, Haley typed a reply. [Congratulations.]Then she blocked the number, and put her phone away. She focused on the TV screen, even though her mind wasn't on the show. The fruit juice suddenly tasted bitter inside her mouth. Haley had no choice but to drop the glass.The maid came to pick up the half-finished glass. “Young Miss, is everything alright?” “Never been better.” Haley smiled. Yet, the maid gave her a cautious look. She looked as if she wanted to say something.Then the doorbell rang. Haley frowned slightly, exchanging glances with the maid. “Are you expecting someone?”“Not at all, Young Miss,” the maid replied. “Maybe it's Mr. Woods.”Today was the weekend.Andrew would spend the whole day with Camille at her b
Long ago, Haley's taste buds got used to a particular food with a similar aroma. She would run to the college's cafeteria every day just to have a taste of it.The savory aroma stuck to her senses. To this day, she'd think about it sometimes. She had inquired about the chef, and the staff at the cafeteria told her he only visited once in a while and never appreciated company.The chef was a recluse whom Haley never got to meet.“Uhm, Young Miss, why're you spacing out?” The maid came out. Instead of the previous gloom on her face, she looked delighted, her eyes twinkling. “Come- come, the food is ready.” The maid appeared more eager than Haley in fact. Hadn't she been arguing with Daryl before? Weird!At the dining table, they met Daryl serving food.“You're in for a big treat.”Haley knew.The moment her eyes fell on the food, her mouth watered up.Blinking might make the food disappear, so she didn't.Apart from giving off the same aroma, the food looked the same as the one s
Grandma passed out?Ha! “Nice try!” Haley gave him a pointed look.If Grandma was in that kind of condition, Daryl wouldn't be here. Haley would have also gotten a phone call the moment Grandma fell ill.Which meant, Daryl was just bluffing. However, the guy stared at her in all seriousness, unblinking. His voice extremely low, gloom washed over his face. “I’m not pulling your legs. Grandma passed out. They revived her, and she refused to let anyone touch her.”That was strange.Grandma Lily rarely got angry. Whenever the old woman was on the edge, Mary would give Haley a phone call too.Why didn't she?“Grandma even chased the Stewardess out of her sight. Imagine sending me away too, her favorite boy,” Daryl lamented. “Something’s up with the old lady.”Haley dropped the spoon, losing her appetite. Whenever Grandma Lily threw her tantrums, she never stopped anyone from seeing her. She'd specifically ask for Haley to come, in fact. Why was she in such a bad mood?“We can't jus
Haley's heart skipped a beat, instinctively, she exchanged glances with Liam.The shock in his eyes reflected hers. Was she hallucinating?Did Grandma Lily just ask them to get a divorce? Liam's demeanor shifted, his expression switching from shock to uncertainty. “Why, Grandma?”Yes. Why would Grandma ask them to get a divorce?Hadn't Grandma always rooted for their marriage? Grandma Lily's gaze strayed to Haley, a glint of displeasure flashing in her ears. “I don't want to say it in her presence.”“No worries, Grandma.” Haley shook her head.What exactly happened?Why this sudden decision from Grandma?Haley was supposed to be happy, yet, she couldn't find even a flicker of happiness in her heart. Every emotion was a mix of confusion and disbelief.“Well, you're a barren woman.” Grandma Lily's eyes dimmed. “For many years, I've been asking for great-grandchildren, but you can't give me at least one.”Haley stilled, the shock numbing her. Hearing those words coming from Grandma
Gotten what she wanted?More like what he wanted. Haley clenched her trembling fists, fighting down the rage surging through her veins. Accompanying the slight fever was a sudden headache. In just a few minutes, she'd been drained out mentally. Didn't Grandma Lily only collapse because of the phone call?It seems there was news Haley didn't know of.Did Liam just say she published the news? Bantering with the man was pointless, but Haley wouldn't let him point baseless accusations at her. She opened her mouth to retort,But the elevator doors behind her opened and sounds of someone sobbing echoed through the hallway.“Will, oh, Will… how's Grandma?” Leah ran into the man's arms, weeping loudly. “Please tell me Grandma Lily's out of the emergency room. Tell me she's alright.”However, Leah's questions fell on deaf ears as Liam still pinned Haley with a deadly glare, his unwavering gaze not leaving her face.Leah frowned, staring at him. Her eyes followed his gaze, and on noticing