The CEO’s little ones

Chapter 91:

Since Hayden had discovered that Joseph was the man he had encountered six years before, every bit of his deep-seated dislike these past few years for the man who had completely altered his destiny was redirected toward him. Her affection and the favorable impression she had developed for him during their recent interaction were swallowed up by the hatred that had been devouring her throughout all these years.

Seeing Hayden’s resentful and sullen expression, Alayna knew immediately that this time he wasn’t kidding. She furrowed her eyebrows in contemplation, and after a few moments, her eyes sparkled as an idea had popped up inside her mind.

“I have an idea, Hayden.”

“What is it?”

“Your marriage to Edison is still valid on paper, isn’t it? Do you want to consider asking for his help?”

As soon as Hayden heard Edison Godfery’s name, his expression froze slightly. He shook his head firmly after mulling over the thought, “Nah, I don’t want to burden him with my problems.”

He had already given her plenty of trouble during her time abroad, so it wasn’t right to ask him for help now that he was back.

Alayna sighed worriedly, “I know nothing I say will change his mind, as he has a stubborn personality and is stubborn as a mule.” She patted Hayden’s shoulder and continued, “Just know that I will always be by your side no matter what, and feel free to turn to me anytime when you are in trouble.”

Hayden looked at Alayna gratefully, as her touching words had calmed his anxiety and made his heart a little calmer.

“Don’t worry about me, I’m fine now. By the way, what’s up with your chats these days, are you dating anyone?”.

Alayna’s eyes darted around the room as she was suddenly put on the spot. “That’s impossible. Oh right, I just remembered that I still have a contract that hasn’t been issued, I’m going back to my room now.” As soon as she finished speaking, she immediately made a retreat to her room to avoid his questions.

Hayden couldn’t help but smile as he watched the figure disappear from sight.

Freddie and Stella landed three days after finishing their overseas shoot. They had managed to avoid the horde of fans at the airport by taking the green channel to the exit.

Hayden had gone to pick them up at the airport, and as soon as Stella had seen her, she ran frantically and threw her whole body toward her mother, her childish giggle echoing through the airport.

“Did you have a lot of fun, Stella?”. All her worries and anxiety had instantly dissipated as she rested her eyes on her precious daughter.

“Of course, we had a great time!”. Stella hugged her neck tightly and gave her a kiss on the cheek as she asked softly, “Why did you leave so suddenly, Mom, did you plan it with Joseph and Noah to leave me alone?”

Hayden was startled by the question, “What, did they leave earlier too?”

Freddie gave a discreet throat clearing and stepped in to change the topic of conversation, “The car is here, let’s get in.”

To celebrate the successful filming of the show, Freddie’s agency had prepared a banquet. All the performers and behind-the-scenes crew who had starred in and contributed to the progress of the show were invited to the party. Hayden was naturally on the guest list, as Stella’s tutor.

The banquet was not a formal occasion, so the atmosphere was relaxed and everyone in attendance was dressed casually. Hayden and Stella were enjoying themselves as well, both comfortably enjoying all the delicious food and tasty drinks.

Stella was carried by the director to be introduced to the others in the middle of the meal while Hayden watched her from afar.

Her innocent, angelic face beamed with a radiant smile, and her demeanor full of humor and vitality had made it difficult for Hayden to grasp the resemblance between her features and those of Joseph. However, it was evident that they were cut from the same cloth when she had calmed down, her striking features closely resembling his.

Hayden’s heart suddenly swelled with unease at the realization and he instantly swallowed a mouthful of water to calm his restless mind.

“Hayden.” A hoarse voice sounded behind her, and it had given her a jolt that had sent her heart racing again just as she had finally managed to calm down, her hand clutched tightly around the glass in her hand.noveldrama

Joseph, who was wearing a black suit, walked toward her and stopped when he reached her side. He turned his gaze to Stella, who stood far away.

With a glass of red wine in his hand and another hand tucked nonchalantly in his pocket, he asked casually, “Why did you leave without saying anything?”

“It was nothing, an emergency came up at home.” Hayden suddenly became nervous, for she had developed an inexpressible dislike and disgust for him after learning the truth. It was as if her self-defense mechanism had kicked in and forced her to stay away from him.

“Is it because of the house-or is it because of me?”

Hayden’s brows furrowed after hearing her unexpected question.

Joseph seemed unfazed, showing perfect composure as he raised his glass to his lips to take a sip. “Or is it because of me that you’re looking for a new house?”.

Hayden’s heart skipped a beat and hung in her throat, startled by his astuteness. Had she learned the real reason?

“I hear you’re in a hurry to move out of my house, but you don’t want to go back to Alayna’s, hence why you’re busy with that business, am I wrong?”

Hayden let out a huge sigh and nodded, “Yeah, I can’t stay at your place forever.”

“Do you need help?” Joseph offered unexpectedly rather than pressuring her to stay longer.

A flash of astonishment flashed through Hayden’s eyes, but she shook her head after some thought, “Thank you for the kind offer, but I can handle it.”

Joseph still didn’t know why she had moved in and why she was so worried about the house. He dared not ask her for help when she was devising for her future, for he feared she would discover that it was a plot against him.

Hayden’s unflinching rejection and the displeasure in his voice had caught Joseph’s attention in a heartbeat. He turned his head to look at her, his eyes locked intently on hers, “Do you have something on your mind?”

Hayden was stunned for a second and looked at him in confusion unable to believe what she had heard.

Joseph frowned regretfully after realizing he had said something out of character. The atmosphere between them had suddenly become uncomfortable.

After a while, Freddie approached them waving his hand. He was dressed in long cream-colored pants and a light blue shirt, his face wearing a bright, boyish smile. As soon as he approached them, he handed Hayden a glass of juice.

“They’re planning to go to karaoke later, do you want to join the fun, Hayden?”.

“Huh? No, thanks.” Hayden shook his head vigorously as he continued, “I have to take care of Stella, so I couldn’t go to that kind of place.”

Joseph’s expression eased a bit as he heard his response.

After shooting a quick glance at Joseph, Freddie winked playfully at Hayden with his kittenish bearing and said solicitously, “I knew it. I’ll send you back when they all switch to another location later.”

“Okay, thanks.” Hayden smiled as her playful manner had affected him.

Joseph felt agitated when he saw her smiling at another guy, his face slowly shadowed as he gripped his glass tightly.

…

After dropping Stella off at Kindergarten the next morning, Hayden arrived at the ST Hotel to begin her first day as an official employee.

She was overwhelmed with mixed emotions after putting on her official name tag. This was what she had always wanted, but now that she had gotten it, it turned out to be a kick in the butt for her. She was worried about her future, as she had a feeling that she should not continue at the ST Hotel. Maybe she should look for other job opportunities to prepare herself.

Everything was going well since she started working in her new position, and besides, she hardly had a chance to cross paths with Joseph. Her assistant, Jeff, knocked on her door one day at noon to discuss the induction celebration and congratulate her on her new position.

“Ms. Downey, we have arranged a party tonight for your induction, can I confirm that you will be able to attend?”

As she was hesitating whether or not to attend the party, her phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the caller ID and hurried to answer it. “Hello.”

“…”

“What?”

Hayden’s face instantly turned ashen as she nervously said, “I’ll be right there.”

Before hanging up the phone, she grabbed her purse and ran out of her office.

Jeff was perplexed as she failed to speak, “What’s wrong, Ms. Downey?”

“…”.

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