Chapter 20
“Celia, you have a meeting with LVMH representatives at ten this morning, and Fashion Week at three this afternoon. I’ve prepared all the materials–is there anything else you need?“[]
Callie was about to respond to her assistant when she suddenly stopped, frowning
the familiar figure standing at the reception desk.[]
Declan wore a wrinkled suit, holding two cups of coffee, dark circles heavy under his eyes. The moment he saw her, his dull eyes suddenly lit up.[]
“Callie.” He hurried forward, forcing a smile. “I remember you like lattes with extra syrup.“[]
Callie’s g
s gaze lingered on the coffee for a second, her lips curving into a mocking smile: “I like that? Isn’t that Mia’s preference?”
Declan’s hand froze in midair.
“What do you want?” Callie gestured for her assistant to leave but showed no intention of inviting him in. “I’m in a hurry.“]
“I… I just wanted to talk.” Declan’s eyes held a pleading look. “Just ten minutes.”
Talk about what?” Callie crossed her arms. “About how you blew through Hayes Corn’s last dime? Or about your true love who embezzled everything
and ran?”
“Unfortunately, I’m not interested in any of that.“[]
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he suddenly grabbed her wrist: “I know I screwed up… Callie, I’m here to apologize. Give me another chance, okay?”
Callie yanked her hand back, laughing coldly: “Mr. Hayes knows how to beg now? When I told you Mia was trouble, what did you say?”
She looked him up and down, mimicking his tone from back then: “Mia’s innocent–she’d never do something like that‘?”
What little color remained drained from Declan’s already pale face: “I was blind back then, but I swear nothing physical ever happened between us.“[]
“That doesn’t matter to me.” Callie turned to leave. “Move. I’m going to be late.“]]
“Wait!” Declan blocked her path, his words rushing together. “We were so good together before–why do you only remember the bad things I did?“[]
“Don’t you remember? That time you had a fever, I stayed at the hospital with you all night… And on your birthday, I specifically canceled meetings to take you to-”
Callie suddenly laughed, the sound making Declan’s blood run cold: “The night I had a fever, the only reason you stayed at the hospital all night was because your precious Mia had caught a cold, wasn’t it? You even had the doctor who was supposed to treat me go see her instead, just because she casually mentioned chest pains.“[]
“And that birthday trip–you only took me to Paris because Mia was there. Plus, I never even wanted to go to Paris. You’d already bought the tickets and just used my birthday as an excuse!“[]
Declan’s lips trembled, panic filling his eyes: “I… I was a bastard sometimes… but those years, the way I treated you wasn’t all fake…“[]
“Treated me well? Like how?” Callie looked down at him. “You mean giving me the jewelry Mia rejected? Or standing outside her apartment building all night on Christmas?“]
Declan was speechless, only managing to clutch desperately at her sleeve: “But… but I really know I was wrong now… I really do love you…“[]
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“Love?” Callie yanked her hand free, stepping back, putting distance between them. “Declan Hayes, you only ever loved yourself. You’re groveling now because Hayes Corp needs the Hartwell connections to survive.“[]
“That’s not true!” Declan blurted, voice urgent. “It’s not about Hayes Corp–we loved each other, why are you being so stubborn…“[]
Callie suddenly grabbed his coffee and poured it straight in his face.
Brown liquid dripped down his chin onto his expensive suit, causing the receptionist to gasp.
“Are you awake now?” Callie’s voice was ice–cold. “Mr. Hayes, you’re absolutely disgusting like this.“]
Declan sat stunned on the floor, coffee dripping from his eyelashes.[]
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Watching her walk away with finality, he suddenly remembered long ago when he’d done the same thing to her–splashed cold water in her face. Back then she’d stood there with red–rimmed eyes but still smiled and said “it’s okay.“]
Now she wouldn’t even spare him a glance.[]
The assistant hurried to catch up with Callie: “Celia, should I call security?“[]
“No need.” Callie pressed the elevator button without looking back. “He’s nobody important.“[]
