And Kara went silent again. She even let out a soft laugh. Then she shook her head and said, "It still feels like a dream. He even knows my name—""Urgh, go to the point." Hailey groaned.Kara gave her a fleeting glance and shook her head again. "We didn't discuss much." She started. "Well, someone kept interrupting us." Hailey knew that someone was her, but she was tired of telling her to go on. Kara had a habit of putting people in suspense. And she knew the more she pestered, the more the girl would drag it on. Therefore, she focused on eating her food while keeping her ears open."Good." Kara laughed. "Now I'll tell you everything from the beginning to the end." Hailey waited a few more seconds, quietly eating. Then Kara let out a soft laugh and started. "When he called me into his study, you know what he said." She looked at Hailey with shiny eyes. Hailey shook her head, urging her to go on. "Well, he said, 'Mrs. James, please have a seat." She cleared her throat to imitate
"Kara, what happened next?" She asked hesitantly, snapping Kara out of her fantasy. Kara let out another giggle and said, "That was it.""What?" Hailey stared dumbfounded. "That was it? He didn't say anything else?" "Yep." Kara shrugged. "But guess what, my dear friend." She turned to Hailey with a huge grin. "After he finished saying that, I finally had my chance. Oh, I can't believe how lucky I am. I stood up from the chair and told him, 'I'm a fan of secret marriages Mr. Reid. Your secret is safe with me. But—'""You told him but?" Hailey butted in with widened eyes and Kara grinned. "Yeah. I batted my lashes and said, 'But, Mr. Reid, since I promise to keep your secret, don't you think we should seal this deal with something tangible? Something good to keep my mouth sealed?'"Hailey's heart leapt into a higher frenzied state. This roller coaster of emotions was tiring her out. However, this might be the last shock. Kara had landed herself in deep trouble. "How much. He instant
"Hailey." Kendrick's voice stopped her. Hailey turned around after telling Kara to go on. Whatever embarrassing thing Kendrick wanted to do, she didn't want Kara to witness it. And she knew what he was about to do because as she stepped toward him, he didn't waste time to touch her bump. "I hope you are not hiding anything from me," he said softly. However, Hailey could feel the threat in his voice.Shit! Did he notice something? Did Kara accidentally tell him something? Wait— did he hear them while he was walking down the stairs? "W–Why did you say that?" She stared up at him and asked. If she avoided his gaze, he would surely suspect something. She had to act normal, and hell! She was finding it hard doing that "Your friend, she's hiding something," Kendrick replied, his eyes narrowed.And Hailey's heart almost stopped beating. Urgh! She should have known better. Kendrick was good at reading people. He hadn't only summoned Kara to threaten her, but also to investigate her. What
And Hailey chuckled and her eyes followed him as he walked away without any protest. Well, that was good. Maybe there was a slight chance to bend him to her rules.If that was possible, then she couldn't wait. Ahh, it would be great to turn Kendrick's minions against him. That way, she would have an upper hand over him.She turned around and strolled to the large door, hoping maybe her sister would be around. That way, she could also speak more with her physically. When she spoke with Chloe on the phone and questioned her about Sharon, Chloe hadn't denied that they met. But she said it was a coincidence. And Sharon had only chatted with her about her movies. Because, strangely, Sharon turned out to be one of her fans.Still, Hailey felt the need to speak more with her sister. She should keep Sharon at arm's length. She couldn't risk anything. Sharon wasn't the type to be friendly with just anyone. As she stepped her feet inside the living room, Hailey gasped at the sight in front of
He took Hailey's hand and lowered his voice. "You will go back to your husband and have a talk with him. You will tell him to invest a large sum in my company. Quit being stubborn. I don't want you to fail me again." Hailey swallowed as she watched her father's greedy expression. Was this even her father? Was he willing to forsake her happiness no matter what? She pushed down the emotions threatening to erupt and pulled her hands from his hold. "I'm afraid I'm going to let you down, Dad. I can't speak with Kendrick no matter how many times you ask. Please don't bring this up again. I'm begging you.""You." Her father pointed a trembling finger at her. "I don't want to squabble with you, Hailey. Go back there and lay my requests!""No, I won't—"Before Hailey could finish her words, a hard slap echoed inside the room, and the next thing she felt was the burning pain on her cheek.Her eyes watered instantly and her head pounded with pain. "You ungrateful child." Her father's voice w
She thanked the bodyguard, and immediately left the car. The cold breeze hit her skin, slightly chilly but still so soothing. Her eyes wandered around the house as she stood in the open space.The atmosphere was humid. The smell of nature hung in the air. Leaves fell from the trees, swaying with the air. And the lush grasses felt mushy under her feet. Hailey's eyes went to the gigantic trees and a smile blossomed on her lips. She grew up playing among them. Sometimes with the servants, and sometimes— alone. Her legs took her to where the security men stood. And each wrapped her in a tight hug. "Look who we have here." The older man beamed. "It felt like ages since you last visited," said the younger man."I missed you guys too." Hailey hugged each of them back with a cheeky smile. Then they started telling her stories. It had always been like that. They told her about their latest adventures. They were both father and son. And even though Hailey couldn't understand their love for
"I saw the news, baby. That boy is a genius. He has single-handedly doubled the company's net worth. The profit margin is double the price of the previous years." He went on talking to her about the conference and how it was the talk of the town. Hailey was forced to be reminded of her father."Grandpa." She tugged at his arm as they walked toward the garden. "Do you think I look like her?"Her grandfather stopped and his brows knitted. "I only see physical comparisons, Child." He faced her and touched her cheek dotingly. That made Hailey wince. It was the place her father had slapped her. She couldn't believe it still ached."What is wrong?" Her grandfather deepened his frown. He took away his hand and narrowed his eyes at her face. "Who did this, child?" He asked, his eyes turning cold. "It's nothing, Grandpa. I'm fine." Hailey pulled away and went ahead to touch a large orange hanging from a tree. She should have looked into the mirror. The slap must have left some bruises. Thi
Hailey rubbed her shoulders with both hands around herself and thanked the bodyguard while she walked away from the parking lot. The Butler came to receive her at the door and helped her inside the living room.What was wrong with him? Hailey couldn't help but laugh at his worried expression. "You're freezing, Madam," he said after exchanging pleasantries. "You should have worn bigger clothes. It is colder in the evenings nowadays." "Thank you, Collins." Hailey shook her head at the overacting man. She would be fine with a warm bath.She was already feeling warm anyways. The house's temperature was unusually high today. "Is Kendrick back?" She looked around the living room, then her eyes went to the empty dining table. "Yes, Madam. Master is upstairs. He is in his study." "Oh." Hailey nodded. She stopped at the dining area because the dinner was ready. Kendrick did not come down even after she finished eating, Hailey couldn't help but furrow her brows. And that Sharon. Only Go