Chapter 16
The champagne tower cast fractured light across the crowd, and the lilting violin music couldn’t mask the tension crackling in this corner of the room.
Susan swirled her champagne glass, lips curving into a mocking smile as she continued.
“Your company’s practically been bled dry by that little ‘saint‘ of yours, and you still have time to party?”
Declan’s eyes darkened, his knuckles tightening around his glass: “Miss Laurent, watch your mouth.”
“What? Did I say something wrong?” Susan let out a cold laugh, pulling Callie protectively behind her. “The money Mia Castellano has siphoned from Hayes Corp these past three months could buy an island, couldn’t it?“]
Guests nearby began glancing over, whispers starting to ripple through the crowd.[]
Callie frowned, tugging gently at Susan’s sleeve: “Susan, let’s just go…“[]
“He’s not ashamed to make a scene, so why can’t I call him out?” Susan’s voice rose sharply. “Declan Hayes wrecked his own company over some woman, and now he has the nerve to come harass you?“]]
Declan’s jaw clenched tight as he grabbed Callie’s wrist: “We need to talk.”
“Let go of her!” Susan slapped his hand away. “The divorce papers are signed–what’s this little performance supposed to be, Mr. Hayes?”
The guests‘ stares grew more intense, some even raising their phones.[]
Callie took a deep breath: “Come with me.“[]
In the garden, night air thick with the scent of roses swept over them.[]
The fountain’s splash muffled the party’s noise, but couldn’t douse the explosive tension crackling between them.]
“Callie.” Declan’s voice was rough and low as he reached for her. “Things really aren’t what you think.“[]
“It doesn’t matter.” Callie stepped back twice, avoiding his touch. “Declan, we’re done.“[]
“I don’t care about what happened before. From now on, please don’t interfere with my life.”
“Callie Hartwell, enough of this tantrum!” He stepped forward, his voice edged with impatience at her repeated rejections. “I never wanted to divorce you. It’s just that Mia was all alone and helpless–I had to look after her. Can’t you stop being so jealous? I–“[]
SLAP!
The sharp crack sent nightingales scattering from the branches.]
Susan shook out her stinging palm, sneering: “Look after her? Your idea of ‘looking after‘ is letting her blow through company funds? Moving her into your marital home? Letting her post the jewelry you bought her all over social media?“]
“There are plenty of helpless people in the world–how come you don’t take care of all of them?“]
Declan turned his head, tongue pressing against his burning cheek, storm clouds churning in his eyes: “You don’t understand. Mia is different, she–“[]
“She what?” Susan cut him off sharply. “She’s an orphan? She’s helpless?“]
She pulled out her phone, finger stabbing at the screen: “Take a look at what your ‘angel‘ has been up to lately!“]
Photos flashed across the screen, one after another.[]
Mia Castellano snuggled up to a middle–aged tycoon on a private yacht; pushing chips toward a blonde man at a casino; most damning of all her arm linked with a Hayes Corp competitor as they entered a hotel–the timestamp showing just three days ago.]
“This can’t be…” Declan’s pupils contracted violently as he staggered back two steps.[]
“You think she came back to the country for what?” Susan pressed her advantage. “That ‘gambling addict father‘ story? Complete fiction! She racked up massive gambling debts overseas and got chased back here by loan sharks!”
Callie’s head snapped up, shock flickering in her eyes too.
Declan’s face went paper–white, veins bulging at his temples: “You’re lying!“[]
“Am I lying? Why don’t you do some digging and find out for yourself?” Susan pulled Callie close, patting her arm soothingly. “And quit putting on this act, Mr. Hayes. All that ‘just looking after her‘ garbage–you wanted to have your cake and eat it too. But you didn’t count on Callie breaking free from your control, so now you’re panicking, right?”
“Callie, it’s not what she’s saying…” He looked desperately at Callie, who had remained silent, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. “I didn’t know about any of that, I also-“]]
“It doesn’t matter anymore, Declan. It’s better if we just never cross paths again.“[]
With that, Callie pulled Susan away, never looking back.[]
Watching her resolute departure, pain flashed in Declan’s eyes. With trembling hands, he pulled out his phone and dialed his assistant.]
“I want you to dig up everything about Mia Castellano from the past few years. I need to know who’s lying here.“[]
