Chapter 320



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A tall figure in a white shirt was standing not far away. Hayden was relieved when she turned around. It was Franklin.

He approached Hayden before Tomas tried to introduce him.

“Long time no see, future sister-in-law.”

Hayden frowned. “What are you doing here?” He didn’t try to disguise the disgust in his voice.

Franklin rested the golf club on the ground and used it to support himself by leaning forward slightly. “You seem to be disgusted to see me here, future sister-in-law – you didn’t tell her, Tomas?”

Hayden looked at Tomas in confusion.

Tomas frowned. “I thought Miss Hayden knew, Mr. Beckham arranged this collaboration. No offense, our company is out of your league, we wouldn’t have agreed if it weren’t for Mr. Beckham.”

Hayden paused for a moment. “You arranged this?”

“Surprised?” Franklin sketched a smirk, “We’re going to be family now, it’s natural for family to help each other out. Take this as an apology for what I’ve done.”

Only a retard would believe Franklin.

“Don’t patronize me, you act like you’ve done me a big favor. But where’s the contract? You’re not trying to play your old trick and use this contract to induce me to do something, are you?”

“That’s right, but you won’t lose anything.” He held up the stick with both hands and examined it, “All I want is someone to hit a few balls with. We’ll sign the contract if you score with fewer moves.”

Frowning, Hayden eyed him suspiciously. “Really?”

“Sure, you have my word.”

“Agreed.” Hayden shot a glance at Anna and took the stick. “I hope you won’t go back on your words.”

“Of course not.” Rubbing the golf club, Franklin smiled slyly.

Hayden had played golf since she was a little girl. It was her grandfather’s sport, her grandfather used to take her with him when he played golf, and she grew up learning from the masters of golf.

Hayden’s personal record was 61 strokes, while the world record was 55. She was still young when she set her record, her coach said she was a genius.

His competition began at 2:30 p.m., as the sun skimmed the horizon, Hayden hit his 61st shot and had one last hole left to hit. Franklin shot 63.

Not far from the hole. This would be the end, Hayden thought after a reckoning.

Franklin approached her suddenly.

“You play wonderful golf, had you been coached?”.

“You’re talking too much. All you need to know is that you’ll sign the contract after this.”

“Of course.” He smiled, then lowered his voice, “Looks like Leon didn’t do you any good last night, you’re full of energy.”

Hayden’s face paled at Franklin’s insinuation. She looked at him in astonishment.

But Franklin backed up a step to where he felt safe.

“Go ahead, Hayden. I’ll stay away so you won’t blame me for distracting you.”

Hayden’s hands were shaking.

She would never have thought Leon knew Franklin. What then did the ‘I’m sorry’ Leon said on the phone mean?

Was it true that they hadn’t done anything last night?

Her hand slipped and the club hit the ball. The ball rolled to the edge of the hole and there it stayed.

Anna sighed. “That was close.”

She realized she had said something wrong and covered her mouth. But she saw Hayden’s pale face when she raised her head.

“What’s happened, Miss Hayden, why do you look so bad?”

“You must be tired.” Franklin said, “We can talk about the contract later. The bet was just a joke, don’t take it too seriously. Let’s take a break in the clubhouse, what do you say?”.

His suggestion would be a kind gesture if he hadn’t spoken to Hayden de Leon. Hayden knew it was a threat.

It wasn’t until now, that Hayden knew what it was really all about. Franklin set him up with Tomas.

It was already from last night, but it wasn’t the contract he really wanted to talk about.

At the clubhouse, Tomas and Anna were waiting outside.

“I can’t imagine your life in N-Town if these pictures show up on the Internet.”

Franklin pulled a stack of photos out of his coat, laid them on the table, and spread them out on the table. Each and every one of them were erotic photos.

Hayden’s brain exploded at the sight of the photos, he hurriedly grabbed them and tore them to pieces.

“What do you want? Franklin.”

“Tear them up if you want.” Franklin leaned back pleasantly on the couch, “I have many copies of them. Leon gave you an unforgettable evening, didn’t he? You owe me thanks for that, don’t you think?”.

Hayden’s eyes were ringing, he dreaded to think of the consequences if the photos were published.

Leon told him nothing had happened. But once the photos were published, who was going to believe it?

“You can’t do this, it’s illegal…”. She tried to keep her composure, but the expression on her face gave her away, “I’ll sue you if you publish them.”

“It won’t be hard to find a scapegoat.” Franklin scoffed, “Don’t be silly, Hayden, you think I’ll publish them myself? I could hire someone off the street, it couldn’t be easier.”

Hayden dug his fingernails into his palm to maintain rationality.

“You do all this to get the Downey Group. But you’re forgetting something, I’m not in charge anymore, I can’t sell it to you.”

“I just need your stock.” Franklin looked at her with a treacherous smile.

“Your stepmother’s family in very ambitious. They can sell themselves if the price is good enough. Then I’ll be the largest shareholder and nothing can stop me from getting the Downey Group.”

Hayden clenched his fists tightly, his face pale.

Franklin’s voice boomed in the room.

“I’ll give you time to think about it. But I promise you, if I don’t get the answer I want, you’ll be able to see these pictures on the Internet as soon as you get out of here. And I’ll make sure Harrison is the first to see them.”

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