Chapter 131



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It was summer in the city of City N. The evening breeze tenderly caressed the trees after sunset.

Hayden was wearing a pair of 12 cm heels and was on his way to the hotel lobby. As soon as he stepped off the elevator, he saw a familiar van pulled up in the driveway. Joseph stepped out of the car in a business suit, he was buttoning his coat.

As Hayden was about to approach Joseph, he saw another woman get out of the car behind Joseph.

Her attire was discreet. She looked gorgeous, even though she was wearing only a white T-shirt and tight black jeans. Her black cap and huge sunglasses seemed to announce her unusual identity.

Hayden was stunned. He took a step back and ducked into a corner of the elevator lobby. They stood at the entrance to the hotel lobby as if they were made for each other.

Violet helped adjust Joseph’s collar, he didn’t look like he wanted to resist her. Hayden couldn’t see the excitement on Joseph’s face from where she stood. Violet returned to the car after Joseph said something to her. Hayden saw that there was a boy in the car and Violet stroked his head.

Hayden clenched his fists, was this the big deal Joseph had said earlier?

Hayden couldn’t help but imagine their conversation. He bristled.

“Let me adjust your tie.”

“There are a lot of people here. Get in the car, I’ll have my assistant send you home.”

“Okay.”

“Take care of Noah.”

“Don’t worry, I will.”

“…”.

Hayden watched as Joseph entered the elevator. She glared angrily at the elevator door and out of anger almost tore all the leaves off the floor in front of her.

Women tended to become irrational when it came to an affair. If they didn’t get an explanation in time, things could get out of control.

Hayden waited for a while before re-entering the party room. However, he didn’t see Joseph in the party room.

“Hayden.” Jennifer woke her from her anger.

“Yes?” Hayden adjusted his emotions and turned around.

Jennifer took his hands passionately. “Mr. Beckham is back. He went to discuss some things with my husband. Come with me, I have something for you.”

Hayden followed Jennifer to her room.

There were three suitcases on the floor. They had already packed their luggage.

“What’s wrong?” Hayden was worried, “Is there something wrong with the hotel?”

“No.” Smiled Jennifer, “The hotel was great, Hans and I appreciate your hospitality. We love it here. So, we decided to get you a gift, we promised you last night.”

Hayden remembered what Jennifer promised him last night. She felt surprised.

Jennifer handed a purple silk box to Hayden and looked at it expectantly. “Open it.”

The purple box appeared to be an antique item. It was rectangular in shape and about the size of the palm of her hand. The brass lock on the box looked delicate.

Hayden saw an emerald pendant placed inside the box.

Hayden was stunned, “This is…”.

“This is for you.” Jennifer cocked her head to one side. She was in her early fifties, but she looked lovely. The way she sat was elegant, too. “When I met you and you told me your name was Hayden, I knew the earring was made for you.”

“This is too expensive.” Hayden refused to accept the gift.

Hayden didn’t know much about jewelry, but he knew that Hans and Jennifer were famous jewelry collectors. Whatever gift they gave would not be affordable, he had only known Jennifer for half a month. It was not appropriate to receive such an expensive gift.

Jennifer insisted, “I have to give it to you.”

Hayden didn’t understand, “Why?”

Jennifer tucked her hair behind her ears. She went to the closet and came back with the piece of a black and white photo. There were two five- or six-year-old boys in it. The boy’s features seemed defined and he had huge eyes. He looked Eurasian, while the girl looked like a Chinese doll.

“These are my children when they were little.”

“They’re cute.”

Jennifer smiled bitterly, “Yes, they are. My daughter would be almost your age if she were still alive, maybe even married. My daughter, her name was Hayden.”

Hayden suddenly understood why Jennifer wanted her to have the earring. It was no wonder Jennifer never called her by name.

“So, take this gift. Your eyes, they looked just like my daughter’s. I know you call it ‘fate’ – am I right?”.

There were tears in Jennifer’s eyes. Hayden thought Jennifer was always an approachable, humorous and elegant lady. He never thought Jennifer would experience something so horrible.

Hayden didn’t want to ask any more questions. She hesitated a second before taking the earring out of the box. He smiled and said, “I’ll take it, but can you put it on me?”

It was like putting it on his daughter.

The emerald in the earring was surrounded by tiny diamonds. They made the emerald look greener, like lake water. The earring looked vintage and mysterious.

Jennifer was gleeful as she put the earring on Hayden. “I bought it at auction when I was pregnant with my daughter. It was supposed to be a pair, but the other one was lost. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

Hayden looked in the mirror, turned his head and saw the earring glinting in his ear. He also saw that Jennifer was doing her best to hold back tears. Hayden quickly took Jennifer’s hand and nodded, “It’s beautiful. Your daughter would think it’s beautiful.”

Jennifer covered her mouth and her eyes turned red. She hugged Hayden and sobbed, “Yes, my daughter liked it.”

When the party was over, the guests left the hotel by car. Hans saw the earring in Hayden’s ear before they left. He looked at Jennifer with a surprised expression, but asked no questions. Hans quickly understood what Jennifer was thinking, then gently hugged Hayden and said, “Thank you.”

A confused feeling arose in Hayden’s heart after saying goodbye to Jennifer.

Hayden was lucky to be able to find his son after five years, compared to Jennifer with her daughter died in an accident. Being able to be reunited with her son was the only consolation for Hayden.

“Come on.” A familiar voice sounded next to her and woke her from her thoughts.

Hayden couldn’t talk much when guests were around and she was on call. The red watch on her wrist indicated it was after eight o’clock. Hayden asked, “Mr. Beckham, may I be excused from work now?”

Joseph nodded, “Of course. Thank you for your effort, you should apply for a leave of absence for the next few days. I’ll take you to…”.

“Thank you, Mr. Beckham.”

Hayden showed his anger and stopped Joseph before he could finish his sentence. He then turned and walked into the hotel.

Joseph frowned and looked at his back for a second, then quickly chased after Hayden.

Hayden started packing his luggage just after he reached his room.

“You’re leaving?” Joseph was surprised.

Hayden didn’t even raise his head. He replied passively, “The job is over and Mr. Beckham has approved my leaving. What is the reason I should stay?”

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