"Hayle , you can't just throw accusations around," Vardy snapped, his voice laced with frustration."Yeah, we're all legitimate business people here," he added, trying to keep his tone respectful.Hayle raised an eyebrow, her expression calm as she replied, "I can't speak for the rest of you, but I have a feeling ethan might find this conversation interesting."Vardy narrowed his eyes. "You're playing dirty, ."She kept her gaze steady on Alex as she continued, "Let me cut to the chase. I need to borrow eight billion dollars. I'll pay it back, with interest, in three years."Vardy's eyes widened in disbelief. "Eight billion? Do you have any idea how much interest that'll accrue? And what if you can't pay it back? You're married to Mr. Charles—how are we supposed to handle that?""I know what I'm asking for," ! said, her voice firm. "And I'm willing to sign over the Summers' shares and properties as collateral. If I can't repay the loan, I'll work for you, no questions asked."She
Morgan 's loud outburst caused an abrupt hush to fall over the room, turning all eyes towards her. Even Ethan and Hayle paused their conversation to look her way. Realizing she had drawn unwanted attention, Morgan 's face flushed with embarrassment. She quickly softened her tone, forcing a smile. "I'm sorry, I didn’t mean to raise my voice. Are you alright, sir?"The old gardener, stooped low, continued to gather the fallen roses, murmuring apologies under his breath. Morgan ’s attempt to save face came off as insincere, and noticed the shift in the crowd’s demeanor. The moment had already passed, and Morgan ’s forced politeness did little to reverse the damage.When Morgan ’s eyes fell on Hayle standing next to Ethan , her confusion turned to disbelief. "What is she doing here?" she muttered under her breath. Ethan ’s brow furrowed at the sight of Morgan ’s unexpected presence. quietly observed Ethan ’s reaction, realizing that he hadn’t anticipated Morgan ’s arrival. It was c
Ethan 's expression remained composed, but Hayle could tell he already suspected the land's true potential. He had likely figured out its future value but chose to let Frederick have it as a gesture of goodwill. That was just like Ethan —always strategic, even in his generosity. Hayle shrugged off the conversation. "I just gave him a compliment. You're overthinking it," she said, dismissing the topic with a casual tone. Ethan 's brow furrowed as he considered her words. He realized he was probably reading too much into it; how could Hayle possibly have the foresight to predict the land's value? He decided to drop it. "You're probably right," he murmured, then turned his attention back to Morgan , leading her away to mingle with other guests. As they walked off, Morgan briefly glanced back at Hayle, her expression carefully neutral, but Hayle caught the hint of a smug smile hidden in her eyes. Hayle finished her glass of champagne, the bubbles doing little to lift her spirits. To
Vardy drove with mounting irritation to the dilapidated building, cursing under his breath. The structure loomed ahead, a forsaken relic of the past. "How did Devon think it was a good idea to use a place like this?" Vardy muttered, his frustration clear.The building's exterior was cloaked in shadows, the only light coming from a waning moon that barely pierced the thick darkness. Vardy pulled up to the crumbling entrance, the tires crunching over gravel. The night was eerily silent except for the occasional distant howl of wind.Alex yanked Devon out of the car with little regard for his comfort. Devon staggered and nearly fell but managed to stay on his feet. Vardy, his patience worn thin, gave Devon a rough kick. "Start talking. Where is she?"Devon, wincing from the pain, gasped, "Ms. Summers is hidden somewhere inside this building. We were planning to use her to blackmail Ethan for a hefty ransom. The original plan was to blow up the building once we had the money. That way,
HARLEY POV I sat quietly in the study, the hum of the air conditioner doing little to alleviate the tension in the room. ethan 's office was impeccably arranged, with bookshelves lined with leather-bound volumes and a large mahogany desk dominating the space. The heavy silence was interrupted only by the occasional ringing of Ethan 's phone. ’s gaze shifted from the ornate clock on the wall to Ethan ’s phone, which had been persistently buzzing on the desk.Ethan , who had been engrossed in paperwork, finally picked up the phone, only to hang up moments later. His face was a mask of composure, but could sense the undercurrent of frustration. Before Haylee could ask any questions, the door to the study burst open, and Hailey strode in, her expression stern.“If you can’t give me grandchildren as soon as possible, then don’t blame me for taking an extreme route,” Hailey's voice was sharp, each word laced with frustration.Ethan remained silent, his gaze fixed on the paperwork in f
hayle's pov As soon as I popped my eyes open, the sight that welcomed me was that of Ethan 'sHis arms yanked at mine right one time to prevent me from falling harshly against the floor. I jerked his arms off mine before tending to my feet. My eyes can end all through my body, right from head to toe, worried sick that he may have done something to me in my sleep.“Relax; I only got here three minutes ago or so. What's with the weird look? Aren't you happy that I've come to keep your company?” He asked with that same annoying tone that strokes his ego each time he spikes.“What do you want, Ethan ? You could have at least woken me.” I added the frown in my face, and the displeasure was evident in my tone. I may have made a resolution to myself about laying low until the time came and I could handle things myself, yet that had not meant I could tone the irritation I felt for him.“Get dressed; we have a meeting to go to. You and I, after all, would be in charge of some things if we wer
HAYLE 'S POV.“I don't want this one, maybe the pink.” I added in, the attendant nodded slowly and reached it towards me. I wriggled into it before making my way towards the full-length mirror, which stood elegantly in the corner of the dressing room. Kevin remained, his back against the chair. His eyes following the ribery not of the move that I made, a sheepish smile on his face.Every bit of his actions bothered me.I had hoped he would be bored by now, so I spent the entire afternoon buying clothes and doing my hair. Nails, purses show, and now I'm shopping for jackets.What on earth would I bloody need jackets for? It was summer already; I didn't need any heavy clothing of any sort, but of course I needed to tell him in the smartest way possible.He was more obsessed than I was; how could he keep his eyes peeled on me all along? Not for once had he taken his eyes off me. And it ruined my life majorly. I really wanted some chance to make an escape, knowing this was meant to be t
HAYLE'S POV.I rose to my feet as soon as the door pushed open. I had been worried all day, pacing back and forth in the room waiting for him to come around.“What's the matter? The hotel attendant claimed you had something important to say.” He added in hastily, his eyes scanning every inch of my body, almost like he believed I had been hurt, I wouldn't blame him. I made the urgency in my tone known to the attendant, and I'm certain he threatened them well not to have me hurt or escape.‘Ethan , I have just one favor to ask of you; remember that wish you promised to grant me days ago! I'm ready; I know what I'd like to ask for.” I added in hastily; I didn't have the time to think of my pride or any bit of ego ghost I could probably have anymore."Well, see who suddenly became greedy? Here I was thinking an expensive phone would do the trick; why should I give you any favors? Last I recalled, "You didn't want my help,“ he teased jokingly. Being the psycho that he was, I knew for a fa