Chapter 29
After Hayden returned home, he mentioned the class reunion to Nicole.
“Come with me tomorrow night.”
Nicole was pouring water and paused when she heard this. “Okay.”
She didn’t want to go, but for the sake of that piece of land, she had to comply with everything these past
few days.
Hayden took off his jacket and handed it to a housekeeper. “Gloria wants to come along for fun. Caleb should be attending too.”
Hearing those two names made the disgust in Nicole’s eyes even stronger. She gripped her glass tightly, losing even the mood to drink. “I don’t care who else is going. I’m heading upstairs.”
Hayden assumed Nicole was tired from shopping all day and didn’t notice her expression was off.
The next day, Nicole woke up to find Hayden had sent over an evening gown and jewelry. They were dazzling and luxuriously beautiful.
Her daily medications came with countless side effects. She had no interest in makeup, let alone dressing up so elaborately. Nicole didn’t wear the evening gown. She simply changed into a simple black dress with makeup so light it was barely noticeable.
Even so, when she came downstairs, she still took Hayden’s breath away. He was momentarily dazed, his deep eyes growing more intense. “Why didn’t you wear the gown I prepared for you?”
“It didn’t fit.” Nicole brushed off the question with a random excuse and got in the car with Hayden.
“What day is it today?” she asked the driver, Elliot Smith, casually.
Hayden answered first. “Friday. Why?”
“Nothing.” Nicole’s eyes flickered slightly–just five more days.
Thinking of that approaching deadline, she was so excited that her hands trembled. Even tonight’s class reunion didn’t seem so unbearable anymore.
Nicole followed Hayden out of the car. When everyone saw them arrive, they smiled and greeted Nicole warmly one after another.
Caleb had arrived earlier. Seeing them walk in hand in hand, Caleb snorted softly. He looked toward Gloria beside him.
“Are you sure Nicole won’t live much longer?”
Gloría stared intently at Nicole, the jealousy and hatred in her eyes almost bursting out. “Yes, but she insists on clinging to Hayden’s side. If I had any other choice, I wouldn’t have asked for your help.”
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Caleb narrowed his eyes, looking toward the couple. Hayden was handsome and radiant, like a movie star. Nicole, following behind him, was pale–faced and thinner than before. Even her shoulder bones
protruded alarmingly.
Standing together, it was obvious that Nicole was no match for Hayden. Caleb crushed the cigar in his hand and threw it into the ashtray.
“Don’t worry. I’ve arranged quite a show for tonight. It’ll definitely wake her up and make her see clearly who Hayden really cares about.”
After speaking, he lifted his chin. “Here he comes.”
A pot–bellied man, not yet 30 years old but already looking rough from too much drinking and partying, entered from outside. Hayden pulled Nicole along to greet him.
His name was Finnegan Sadler. Nicole remembered him very well. At every class reunion, this man was the most pretentious show–off who loved finding ways to harass female classmates for attention.
Unfortunately, his father had the power to back him up. He was a famous real estate mogul whose family had nothing but money. No one dared to cross him because of this.
Hayden did business with Finnegan’s father, so even though he found Finnegan disgusting, he would still show token courtesy. A flash of disgust appeared in Hayden’s eyes, but he still shook hands with
Finnegan.
Nicole felt like there wasn’t a person in the world who didn’t hate Finnegan, not even the women who
approached him for money.
“Everyone, eat and drink well! Tonight’s party is on me! But how did we end up with such stunning beauty
here?”
Finnegan called out with a laugh, then nodded at Hayden and Nicole while letting out a sleazy whistle.
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Chapter 30
