…At DG Villa Estates.Haley sat at the dining table, picking at her food, and trying to detect the source of her gloom.What was wrong with her?“Are you sure William Nash is proposing the divorce himself?” Her brother's voice jolted her. “Why not?” Haley murmured. “His Grandma's orders.”Liam listened to his grandmother more than anyone else. He respected Grandma Lily even more than his parents.So Haley had no doubt… Liam would process the divorce very soon. “Damnit!” Andrew cursed under his breath. “Is the whole of the Nash Family rotten? That old woman treated you like that.”Haley shrugged. She seriously wasn't in the mood to discuss Liam or the Nash Family. Besides, she was over the shock already, despite the lingering heartbreak of Grandma Lily turning her back to her. So, she asked, “How's Mum and Dad?”Her brother wanted to reply when the sound of her phone's ringtone halted him. About time!Seeing the strange number flashing on the screen,It could be a call from the
[Just to put a smile on your face.]That was the single message written on the note, accompanied by a wink emoji. Haley shook her head, smiling. Wasn't Daryl aware that Grandma Lily had asked Liam and her to separate?Would Grandma Lily be pleased to know Daryl was keeping in touch with her? Wouldn't he be labeled as a traitor in his own family?“Haley Woods, what's so funny!?” Her brother's stern voice jolted her. Haley groaned. “Do you wanna give me a heart attack?”“They're just simple flowers. Why are you smiling?” Andrew gave her a scrutinizing look. Then he snatched the note. Reading it, his frown deepened, and he shredded the note. “Are you in love, Haley?”“Hell no!” Haley exclaimed. “Daryl's like my brother-in-law.”“Ex-brother-in-law, you mean?” Andrew raised a brow. Haley rubbed her temples, exasperated. “Don’t be paranoid. Daryl's a member of the Nash Family which places him on my blacklist.”But Haley wasn't heartless to push Daryl away, Not when he'd been nothin
…At DG Jewelry Corp, The Next Day.Sitting on the couch in his office, Liam's eyes were fixed on his phone's screen, anticipation turning into frustration.Why hadn't she replied to him yet?What was keeping her from answering his calls?At least, she could send him a text. Did her phone's battery die down yesterday?Didn't she just cut his call?“Sir, here are the reports.” Joye came inside, holding a huge stack of documents. Liam dropped his phone. “Is Haley in the company?”Joye nodded. “Madam has been working on the design since morning. She's hardworking, Sir.”Oh. Somehow relieved, Liam's tensed muscles relaxed. He thought she'd never come. “By the way, I've wired half of the money to Crystal. They've started working on the jewelry-”“They?”“I mean, he or she, Sir.” Liam took the report and flipped through it.Numbers, numbers, numbers. What the hell…“Did you send all these to their account!?” He shouted, unable to control himself. Joye nodded, smiling triumphantly as
~What was he up to again?Seriously, his actions were beginning to make her wary.What did he even call it? A Separation Certificate?More like a Slavery Certificate!Liam stared at the piece of papers on the floor, his fists clenching, his eyes suddenly flaming.Obviously displeased that she'd torn the document to pieces, he leveled her with a stern gaze. “This isn't a joke, Haley! Grandma Lily doesn't have to know we're still together!”Grandma Lily again.What exactly did he mean?Haley furrowed her brows, not hiding her confusion. At first, he was apprehensive that the old woman would know about the divorce,Now, he didn't want Grandma Lily to know that they were not fully divorced yet. Wasn't he the weirdest man in existence? “And you expect me to be dancing over the moon?” She asked.Liam nodded promptly. “Of course, Haley. Be grateful I'm making efforts to keep you.”And his efforts were commendable. Haley couldn't even bring herself to laugh. She began considering if she
Haley jolted, her eyes darting around the wide place for the source of the voice.It sounded familiar,Like Daryl's voice. Why would he be here, by the way?Was she imagining things?“Boo!” Behind her, he exclaimed.Haley jumped in shock, letting out a tiny scream. “Ah, you!”“Surprised, huh?” Daryl winked at her.No! Haley was flabbergasted!The elder brother had become a nightmare and the younger one was about to give her a heart attack.What did she do wrong to deserve this karma?Composing herself, Haley spoke in a normal tone. “I thought you were supposed to be in your new office, instead of doing hide and seek here and scaring the employees.”“The ceremony is over.” Daryl smiled. “The celebration remains.”“Huh?”“I've been waiting for you, Haley.”In this parking lot?Haley only told him that she'd think about it. Besides, she hadn't agreed to go out with him yet.“Shall we?” Daryl held his car's door open, inviting her inside.Well, what choice did Haley have?She was looki
Camille alighted from the car with the help of her bodyguard. Holding her huge bump, she hurried towards Haley, her eyes shining with happiness. “Finally, you came.”“Unfortunately, we can't get in.” Haley smiled, hugging her. “I'm about to leave.”“Hell! Who dared stop you from entering!?” Camille's happiness gave way to anger immediately. She stomped towards the security man, lashing out. “You see these faces? Never keep them waiting at the door again, or you'll say bye-bye to your job.”“Noted, Mrs. Woods. Please forgive my misconduct.”Camille nodded and returned to where Haley stood. “Done. Now let's go in.”She hooked her arm around Haley's, leading her inside the beauty parlor.However, Haley sensed something wrong when Lana didn't follow them inside.Glancing back, she found the maid staring with a ghastly expression.“Are you alright?”“Mrs. Nash, Th-This…” Lana stuttered. “She’s Camille Woods, Andrew Woods' wife, and the first heiress of the Smiths Family!”Oh!Now Haley u
…At The Nash Villa.Sitting on the living room couch with a phone pressed to his ear, Liam's shoulders were stiff, the atmosphere tense. In an effort to not make the lawyer suspect anything, he lowered his voice to a calm murmur despite the anger bubbling in his veins right now.“So you mean that you need new ones, Mr. Nash?” Asked the lawyer through the phone.Liam nodded. “Mm.”“Well, may I ask what happened to the previous ones?” Still, the lawyer probed. A question Liam dreaded. “I misplaced it.”“Ha! Mr. Nash. I don't believe you to be a careless person. Is it, perhaps, an issue on Mrs. Nash's side?”The lawyer had a mission;To push Liam to the wall and cut his last string of patience.Wouldn't Liam lose face if he admitted Haley wanted nothing to do with the Separation Agreement?“Just make me new ones,” Liam ordered, not making an effort to sound calm this time around. “And don't let Grandma Lily know about it!”He hung up before the meddling lawyer could think of throwing
…Inside The Five-Star Restaurant.Haley's eyes wandered around the vast place. Chandeliers, candlelights, and the dizzying yet calming scents coming from the candles. Was this the most appropriate place for a friends hang out?Weird!“I hope this is the last surprise.” Haley sat on the chair Daryl drew out for her. “Can't wait to go home.”In the name of celebrating his achievement, he'd done nothing but doll her up the whole day.After picking her up from the beauty parlor, they went to a fashion boutique and shopped for some clothes.That was where he convinced her to change into this blue dress. Now he brought her here.If they hadn't been just friends, Haley would mistake this for a date.“Relax… the night is still young,” Daryl said in response to her question. Haley sighed, rethinking her approval of hanging out with him.Seriously, she was worn out for the day.She hadn't even gotten over the drama at the beauty parlor yet. Again,The restaurant staff came inside the priva