Lydia cleared her throat to ease the awkwardness, then pushed Hayden toward the exit.
Ciara watched their backs disappear and stomped her foot in anger.
The clerk behind her asked, “Would you like to look at anything else, ma’am?”
Ciara had just lost face and couldn’t stand staying there any longer. She let out a cold snort and walked out.
The clerk wiped the spots Ciara had touched with a tissue, her tone full of disdain. “No money on the card but still pretending to be rich. Made me lose a big sale for nothing.”
Those words happened to reach Ciara, who hadn’t gone far. Her whole body trembled with rage.
+28)
In the underground parking lot, Lydia put the clothes they’d just bought into the trunk.
After getting in the car, she suddenly heard a familiar voice. “Mr. Leonard?”
Hayden, who was about to get in, shut the car door instead. He turned his wheelchair and looked at Michael behind him.
“It really is you,” Michael said. He had come to Jettridge to work with the Leonard Group, but he didn’t expect to meet Hayden outside the company.
He thought that if he could build a good relationship with Hayden first, landing the urban renewal project would be easy. Seeing the doubt in Hayden’s eyes, Michael quickly introduced himself. “I’m Michael Finnian, CEO of Finnian Group.”
Hayden gave a slight nod, his gaze turning playful as he thought of Lydia in the car. “I’ve heard about you.
“Mr. Finnian, you’re known for being loyal. You and your girlfriend started from nothing together–it’s a famous love story in our circle. You’re at the right age to marry, aren’t you? When’s the wedding?”
Sitting in the car, Lydia heard Hayden’s questions and curled her lips.
She thought he really enjoyed stirring things up. If she hadn’t come to Jettridge, she might have believed he was asking out of genuine interest.
“Well…” Michael knew Hayden was rumored to be a loner who didn’t like talking. But now, it seemed that wasn’t true at all -Hayden looked pretty easygoing.
The problem was, Michael didn’t know how to answer those questions. His wedding with Lydia had been pushed back indefinitely.
If he told the truth, it would sound like he was denying everything Hayden had just said.
Just then, a woman’s cough came from inside the car.
Michael grabbed the chance to change the subject. “Mr. Leonard, since you have company, I won’t keep you.”
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He gave a look that said I get it, then turned and left.
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Inside the car, Lydia felt awkward. She had only coughed to stop Hayden from saying more, but Michael’s reaction made everything even weirder.
When Hayden got in, Lydia clearly saw a flash of coldness in his eyes.
She thought, ‘He was fine talking to Michael a minute ago. Why is he giving me the cold shoulder now? What does that even mean?‘
In that strange atmosphere, neither of them said another word the whole way.
Meanwhile, back at the mall, Michael looked at Ciara’s tear–streaked, swollen face and felt a headache coming on. He even started to regret bringing her to Jettridge.
“Lydia hit you?” he asked.
Ciara wiped her tears and gave a pitiful nod. “I saw her with a cripple. She even called him ‘honey.”
“I couldn’t stand it, so I went to question her,” she went on. “Then she slapped me and said there’s nothing left to talk about between you and her…”
Michael’s face grew darker as he listened. “So that’s why she hasn’t been answering my calls. Turns out she already has someone else.”
Ciara caught the anger in his eyes and felt secretly pleased.
She thought, ‘Lydia, stay with that cripple for the rest of your life. Michael will never take you back.‘
The sun set, painting the sky red.
“I heard you went to the Leonard Manor today?” Rachel’s voice came from the other end of the line, carrying a hint of probing. “How’s Hayden’s grandmother? Did she say anything?”
Lydia brushed her off carelessly, but Rachel wouldn’t let it go. “Come to the Hollander residence for dinner tonight.”
Lydia was about to refuse, but then she remembered Patrick’s old house was still under Rachel’s control, so she agreed.
After hanging up, Lydia grabbed her bag and headed out. By the time she arrived at the Hollander residence, night had already fallen.
At the dining table, only Rachel and Effie were there. The glaring crystal chandelier cast a strange, oppressive light across
their faces.
Lydia picked a seat and sat down. At Rachel’s signal, a servant brought out another set of tableware.
Though Rachel said it was for dinner together, it was clear they hadn’t waited for her. They were almost done eating when
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she arrived.
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Lydia glanced at the leftovers on the table without any interest in eating, and instead focused on Rachel and Effie, who were clearly ready to attack her.
Effie spoke first. “Look at you–like a stray dog. Don’t tell me Harper kicked you out?”
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Rachel didn’t deny Effie’s words and even piled on. “You’ve got such a bad temper. No wonder that old lady doesn’t like you.”
Lydia gave Rachel a cold stare and stated her purpose directly. “Effie’s right. I am like a stray dog–I don’t even have a home anymore. When are you going to give me back my dad’s old house?”
Rachel didn’t expect her to bring up Patrick’s house and paused before changing the subject.
Seeing Rachel play dumb, Lydia’s face turned cold. “You asked me to marry into the Leonard family, and I agreed. But you haven’t given me anything you promised. Why should I believe you’ll keep your word and return those paintings?”
Effie curled her lips in disdain. “You talk big, but the Leonards don’t even want you. How dare you make demands?”
Rachel nodded in agreement. “Get it done, and I’ll give you what you want.”
Lydia clenched her fists tightly, her eyes burning with hatred. “You never keep your word!”
In that huge Hollander residence, she was alone, facing Rachel and Effie’s mockery and scorn.
Suddenly, a voice came from the doorway. “Looks like I came at a bad time.”
Hayden entered in his wheelchair, pushed by Zachary. When he reached the table, he gave Lydia a reassuring glance.
He saw the redness in her eyes, and a chill spread through him.
“Mr. Leonard, you’re just in time. We were about to have dinner,” Rachel said quickly, signaling the maid to clear away the leftovers and bring out fresh dishes.
