Chapter 75
Hayden walked into a ward downstairs, his expression grim as he knocked on the door.
“Gloria,” he called.
Gloria had her chin resting in one palm, smiling as she scrolled through an article online speculating about her relationship with her boyfriend.
When she heard Hayden’s voice, she quickly put her phone away and flashed him a bright smile.
“Hayden, you came to see me.”
“Come with me. Something happened to Nicole.” His tone was cold and stern, completely different from
usual.
She froze for a second and hesitated. “What happened?”
“Come with me, and I’ll explain it to you later.” Without another word, he turned and left the room.
Gloria took a deep breath to calm herself before hurrying after him. She had already guessed what had happened.
She knew the picture she posted must’ve set Nicole off.
Nicole’s frail body was incapable of taking on stress. After repeatedly suffering from emotional blows and
heartache–including seeing that photo–she was definitely at her breaking point.
Gloria quickened her pace and followed closely behind Hayden. She secretly wished Gloria would just
drop dead so she could take her place and be Hayden’s wife.
The two of them rushed upstairs.
Inside the room, Jeremiah and Nicole were talking quietly.
Aside from her pale face, Nicole looked far from being on the verge of death.
When Gloria walked in and saw that Nicole wasn’t lying lifelessly and half–dead, disappointment washed over her like a wave. She clenched her teeth but masked it with a confused look. “Hayden, what happened? Why did you call me over?”
Hayden pulled out his phone and showed her the picture. “Who is this man? Why is he wearing the same watch and dressed in the same way as me?”
Gloria stiffened, and her eyes narrowed slightly.
Nicole glanced at them coldly from the bed and was convinced they were merely putting on a show.
“I don’t want to make this harder than it should be, Ms. Ashford. Tell me. Is something going on between you and Hayden? This photo all but proves it.”
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However, Gloria didn’t look guilty at all. Instead, she looked stunned, and her eyes widened in shock.
“What do you mean? Are you suggesting there’s something improper between Hayden and me?”
“Isn’t there? If not, then please explain this photo.” Nicole’s voice remained flat as her gaze swept over them.
Did they believe she was a fool? Since they dared to make such bold moves, why did they deny it when the evidence was staring them right in the face?
She was done pretending and playing the naive wife.
But instead of confessing, Gloria began to cry. Tears pooled in her reddened eyes, making her look aggrieved.
“Ms. Jensen, accusing me of being involved with Hayden doesn’t just show doubt in your marriage. It’s also an insult to my integrity. I would never try to steal your husband.”
Then, she took Hayden’s phone, zoomed in on the picture, and held it up for everyone to see. “Look closely. This man has a mole on his pinky, but Hayden doesn’t.”
Nicole was taken aback for a moment.
Gloria continued to explain, “This was a picture I staged with a friend because a few obsessive fans have been stalking me lately. I just wanted to make it look like I was out having dinner with my boyfriend so they’d give up.”
Her voice broke and grew more choked until she was sobbing outright, looking utterly wronged.
Hayden couldn’t stand it anymore and quickly grabbed some tissues for her.
She accepted them with trembling hands. “My friend just happened to wear the same watch as Hayden. I don’t know what I did wrong to upset you, but before you accuse me, could you look more carefully?” Nicole picked up the phone, her gaze fixed as seconds dragged by.
Chapter 76
