Nicole pulled out her phone and called Shawn.
“Everything is done on my end. I’ll board the ferry in three days,” she informed him.
“Really?” Shawn’s voice was filled with surprise and delight. “That’s fantastic! I’ll have Lora prepare your room. When will you arrive? I’ll be sure to pick you up.”
“The trip will take some time, so I’ll let you know once I’m sure.” Nicole paused, and tears welled in her eyes without warning.
Nicole had been silently bearing Hayden’s betrayal for so long that the moment she heard her brother’s voice, her defenses crumbled. She instinctively wanted to rely on him and show her most vulnerable side.
“Are you crying? Did someone mistreat you over there?” Shawn’s tone grew heavy with concern. “I’ll get Eugene to buy me a ticket right now, and I’ll bring you home myself.”
“No, don’t do that. I just miss you so much.” She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and her voice trembled as emotions surged from within her.
She held back her tears and choked, “Shawn, from now on, you’re the only person I’ll care about. Please take good care of yourself. We’ll see each other soon.”
With that, she hastily hung up and blocked Shawn’s number, fearing she would break down if she spoke to him any longer.
Meanwhile, Hayden secretly signaled the household staff members to escort the guests out of the Spencer residence before the banquet even ended.
Once everyone left, the enormous villa fell eerily quiet.
Matthew pouted as he ran up behind Hayden and complained, “Daddy, why did you send everyone away so quickly? I wasn’t done playing with Luke!”
Hayden turned to look at him, his gaze colder than ever as he stared at his son.
Not far away, Gloria and Olivia exchanged a glance.
Olivia coughed lightly and started, “Hayden…”
Without warning, Hayden raised his hand and slapped Matthew across the face.
Even though he held back some of his strength, the boy still couldn’t withstand the blow and staggered backward before collapsing onto the floor.
Matthew’s cheek swelled instantly, and he sat there clutching his face in a daze.
Chapter 86
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Gloria froze in shock before rushing forward and scooping Matthew into her arms. “Hayden, what are you doing? How could you hit him that hard? He’s only a child!”
“A child?” Hayden’s lips pressed into a hard line as he snapped, “Oh, so because he’s a child, he can be excused from all consequences? He can acknowledge whoever he wants as his godmother without
consulting his parents?”
Hearing that she was labeled a “whoever” hurt Gloria, and tears pooled in her eyes.
A bitter smile appeared on her tear–streaked face. “I get that you’re mad at me for agreeing to be
Matthew’s godmother without consulting you and Nicole first, okay?”
Nicole clutched her chest and swayed unsteadily as she stood. “Fine. It’s my fault. I’ll apologize to Nicole, and I won’t be Matthew’s godmother anymore. Are you happy now?”
“No! Don’t do that!” Matthew finally burst into tears and clung to Gloria tightly.
“I only want Ms. Ashford to be my mom! I don’t want anyone else!” he wailed.
Upon hearing this, she cried harder and covered her mouth as silent tears streamed down her face.
Seeing them sob so helplessly was heartwrenching, and it softened Hayden’s heart a little. But his expression remained icy when he thought about how wronged Nicole must’ve felt.
“It’s not just because you agreed to be Matt’s godmother without Nicole’s consent. I told you not to come tonight, and you still showed up. You even wore the same outfit as her! Did you think she’d be
comfortable with that?”
Gloria quickly shook her head, but Olivia stepped in to defend her before she could even speak. “Don’t blame Gloria for the dress because I chose it for her. How was I supposed to know Nicole would wear the
same one?”
“The driver used your car when bringing Matt over for my birthday, and I just wanted to return it. Besides, I’d already prepared an anniversary gift for you and Nicole this morning. It felt wasteful not to give it, so I came along too.”
Gloria bit her lower lip and fixed her gaze on Hayden, saying, “I can apologize to Nicole, but I swear that everything I did was unintentional. Please believe me.”
Hayden went silent for a long moment before rising to his feet. “I’m going upstairs to get Nicole, and every one of you will apologize to her!”
