Chapter 7
e
She opened her mouth, but then paused. She hadn’t known how to address him.
Hayden suddenly said, “Hayden.”
Rosalie met his eyes.
He continued, “My name, Hayden Merritt.”
Rosalie paused briefly, then said her own name politely, “I’m Rosalie… Aside from thanking you, Mr. Merritt, I don’t know how else to repay you.”
His deep gaze scanned her thoroughly. “Nor do I, for now. Consider it a debt.”
Rosalie went blank again. She thought, ‘Owe him? This revered Mr. Merritt, does he have a habit of collecting thank–you gifts?‘
Still, she disliked owing anyone a debt. Taking a subtle breath to steady herself, she nodded, “All right.”
Hayden seemed taken aback by her straightforwardness, raising an eyebrow in surprise before laughing.
Then we should have each other’s number.”
His smile nearly left Rosalie momentarily breathless.
Rosalie’s heart skipped a beat, momentarily captivated.
She thought, ‘This man… he’s like a deity.
‘No wonder Mr. Merritt, for all his notoriety, could enthrall so many noble ladies in Coranburg.
Wearing a gown made carrying a phone impractical. After a pause, Rosalie said, “Mr. Merritt, could you give me your number? I’ll contact you later.”
“Fine.”
Hayden recited his number, and Rosalie repeated it carefully.
Though she’d been avoided by all, eyes still tracked her every move.
Guests gaped in disbelief as they saw Rosalie stand beside Hayden, too stunned to process
And they even witnessed the legendary cold–blooded Hayden actually smiling at Rosalie.
Phoebe, helping her mother serve guests, couldn’t stop stealing glances.
A strange constriction gripped her chest, and her hands balled into fists at her sides.
The farcical adoption banquet finally drew to a close, everyone’s mind too distracted to linger.
Kareem drove leisurely. Not until they left the Spencer family’s community did he turn to glance at Hayden beside him.
“Dominik let me return the check and told me to convey his hope for you not to stay angry.”
Hayden propped his chin with one hand, gazing out the car window. The other hand idly toyed with his phone,
His fair fingers stood out starkly against the black phone case.
Kareem raised an eyebrow. “Waiting for a call? From that girl?”
Hayden didn’t respond, his fingertips clenching the phone with increasing force.
Kareem sighed and teased him. “You forced me to deliver that invitation in person just to meet her, didn’t you? Let me guess… she’s the girl you’ve been searching for two years? Are you sure it’s her? I don’t think she even recognizes you?
As soon as he said that, Kareem felt a freezing glare shoot from the side. His lips twitched speechlessly.
He thought. With a temper, Can’t I even complain?
“Fine, my mistake. I apologize. But it’s understandable that she failed to recognize you. When I found you back then, you looked so different I…
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3:04 PM
Chapter 7
Just then, Hayden’s phone rang.
“Shut up,” Hayden snapped, snatching the phone and ignoring him.
Kareem grumbled inwardly, ‘Am I just a tool for him? I can’t even speak when he doesn’t need me.’
[Mr. Merritt, this is Rosalie. Now, you got my number.] It was just a formulaic text.
Yet the moment he read it, Hayden’s hostility melted away, replaced by a rare softness.
Kareem stole a glance and clicked his tongue silently. He thought, ‘He’s so into her. Fine. I’m out!
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