Chapter 8
Lydia felt the resistance and stopped pushing the wheelchair.
Silence fell around them. The easy mood from before vanished in an instant.
She could almost feel the chill coming off Hayden. Regret crept in as she thought about what she had just said. This was Leonard Group business. Questioning him like that seemed out of line.
She was about to change the subject when Hayden spoke. “You seem very interested in Finnian Group?”
Lydia didn’t expect that question and froze for a second. “It’s not that I care about Finnian Group. I’m just curious.
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“Finnian Group is way out in Raventon, and they’re not even good at projects like this. There are plenty of better choices here in Jettridge.”
If they were talking about strength, Finnian Group couldn’t hold a candle to Hollander Group. That was why Lydia had been wondering why Hayden said on the phone that he’d give the project to Finnian Group..
After listening, Hayden’s expression softened a little. But he didn’t bother to explain further.
Night had settled in. Under the garden lights, their shadows stretched long across the ground.
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“Tonight we’ve learned a bit about each other,” Hayden said, lifting his eyes to meet hers. But there was no emotion in her gaze. “Your acting could use some work, though.”
“You should practice those looks when you get back,” he added. “Tomorrow, try not to let my grandmother see through you.”
As soon as he said that, he looked up again–only to find Lydia’s face suddenly close to his.
His eyes trailed from hers to her nose to her lips. His Adam’s apple shifted slightly.
Lydia bent down, studying his eyes, then straightened back up with a sly smile. “Mr. Leonard, looks like your acting isn’t bad at all.”
Hayden took a slow breath and lowered his gaze, avoiding hers. “Go get some rest.”
Cars kept coming and going in front of the hotel. A plain–looking van slowly drove down the path that connected to the garden.
Under the dim lights, Michael’s face was full of fatigue. He pressed his temples, then glanced up and caught a familiar figure outside the window.
“Stop the car!” he shouted.
The black van came to a slow halt, Ciara followed Michael’s gaze and instantly understood why he stopped.
She couldn’t figure out why Lydia was here instead of being heartbroken in Raventon.
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Chapter 8
Ciara quickly leaned over to block Michael’s view. “Michael, I don’t feel so good.”
“What’s wrong?” Michael tried several times to look outside, but Ciara kept getting in the way. He sounded impatient. “You were fine a second ago.“,
Ciara slumped weakly in her seat, pretending to feel sick. “Maybe it’s car sickness.”
Outside the window, Lydia helped Hayden into his car.
Hayden rolled the window down, his deep eyes reflecting Lydia’s slender figure. “Get some rest. I’ll have someone pick you up tomorrow.”
Lydia nodded and watched him leave.
As the car drove away, she turned toward the hotel lobby. But then a familiar voice called from behind. “Lydia?”
She took a deep breath and turned around, only to see the two faces that disgusted her most–Michael and Ciara.
“What are you doing in Jettridge?” Michael stepped closer, trying to grab Lydia’s hand, but she dodged.
He didn’t get mad. He figured Lydia was still throwing a little tantrum. Otherwise, why would she chase him all the way to Jettridge? He believed she just wanted his attention.
“Why haven’t you answered my calls lately?” he asked.
Lydia listened to his endless questions and shot him a sideways glance. If he cared even a little, he would have known she’d left long ago instead of standing here acting fake.
“I was just giving you and Ciara some alone time,” Lydia said with a mocking smile as she saw Ciara coming up behind him. “Looks like you didn’t waste the chance.”
Michael caught the sarcasm in her tone, and his face darkened. He was about to speak, but Lydia cut him off. “You don’t need to explain.”
He noticed the nonchalance in her eyes. She looked at him like he was a stranger, and that made his heart skip a beat.
It felt like something was slipping away. He wanted to hold on, but couldn’t.
“Ouch.” A soft cry came from behind Michael. He turned right away and saw Ciara sitting on the floor, holding her ankle.
Her eyes were red, and her voice shook. “Michael, I think I twisted my ankle.”
Michael hurried over and crouched down, gently touching her ankle. “Does it hurt?” he asked nervously,
But what he didn’t see, Lydia did–there was a flash of smugness in Ciara’s eyes.
Ciara always played the same tricks, and Michael always fell for them.
Lydia crossed her arms and let out a cold laugh. “Falling on flat ground? That’s talent. Shame you’re not an actress.”
“I didn’t,” Ciara whispered softly, as if she’d been wronged, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Lydia, how can you say that to
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Chapter 8
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Before Lydia could mock her again, Michael spoke up, his face cold. “Was that really necessary? Ciara was hurt before, she has trouble walking. It’s normal for her to fall. I don’t know when you became so mean and heartless.”
Lydia used to let Michael’s words trap her. She wanted to be perfect in his eyes. Every time he showed the slightest disappointment, she thought it was her fault.
Even when he cheated with Ciara, his words made her believe she was just overthinking.
Until she saw Ciara’s posts and realized everything Michael said was nothing but chains to tie her down.
People walked by as a toy snake suddenly fell next to Ciara. Her scream ripped through the entire lobby.
By the time everyone reacted, Ciara had already jumped up in terror and hid behind Michael. “What is that?”
A little boy, no more than seven or eight, picked up the toy snake and grinned. “Sorry, miss.”
Ciara was about to lash out, but with Michael watching, she quickly hid the anger in her eyes. “It’s fine.”
She didn’t notice the way Michael’s look at her had changed.
Lydia saw Ciara slip up and smiled. But she didn’t want to get involved, so she turned and headed for the elevators.
Michael was about to go after her when Ciara stumbled again and fell into his arms.
“Michael, I didn’t mean to,” Ciara said.
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