Chapter 52



On Friday afternoon, Hayden went to ST Group headquarters for a meeting.

“This is roughly the project plan that we have modified based on everyone’s suggestions after the previous meeting. If there are any problems with the plan, we still have time to amend it.”

Hayden stood in front of the slide. She was wearing neat formal wear that day and pulled her wavy hair back into a ponytail as one side of her bangs swept across her forehead. She looked mature and a bit charming.

The meeting attendees debated for a moment and didn’t seem to have any objections.

“All right then, start setting up next week’s venue.” Joseph’s voice rang out in the conference room, “I will leave this matter entirely under Miss Downey’s control, that’s all for today’s meeting.”

After saying that, everyone began to leave the conference room. Everyone left the room, as Hayden went back to his station to pick up his laptop and the documents he had brought with him.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning at nine o’clock.”

Joseph’s voice sounded behind her. He was referring to their arrangement for a picnic at the tree farm this Saturday.

Last week, the Blue Castle Kindergarten gave the children their last assignment before summer vacation. They were to go to the tree farm on Saturday to collect different kinds of leaves. Then, they would have to draw a picture of those leaves.

Hayden was stunned for a moment before regaining consciousness. He turned around in an instant and apologized, “I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you that I suddenly have something to do tomorrow, so I won’t be able to come. Since Alayna is free, she’ll be taking over Stella’s homework, if you don’t mind, you can go with her.”

Joseph nodded his head. He looked like he wasn’t reacting much, but his eyebrows furrowed slightly.

After Hayden left, Magnus followed Joseph into his office while going over his schedule along the way.

“Mr. Beckham, if you’re sure you won’t be attending Mr. West’s engagement party tomorrow night, I’ll arrange for Mr. Reynolds to be your representative.”

“Agreed.”

“There is an appointment with the designer to tailor your wedding gown tomorrow night at seven o’clock. Will you be able to make it in time?”

Joseph saddened slightly, as if only remembering that he still had a marriage going on. He hesitated whether to go, but in the end nodded.

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“Yes.”

It was safe and reasonable for everything to go according to his schedule.

…

The next day, Alayna drove Stella to the tree farm.

Joseph and Noah seemed to have arrived early that morning. They had gathered a large basket of leaves and sat on the picnic rug as they fiddled with Noah’s paint.

Upon seeing Stella, Noah stood up from a pile of leaves and his eyes were shining brightly. However, he could not find the figure of the woman he expected to see. He frowned in an instant and grabbed Joseph’s sleeve.

“She had something to do today, so she couldn’t come. I told you she wouldn’t come this morning.” Joseph touched Noah’s head and patiently explained.

He had already told Noah that Hayden wouldn’t be coming before they left this morning, but this boy didn’t believe him. Did he really think he was fooling him?

Noah pouted and sulked.

Alayna took Stella by the hand and walked toward them. She waved to Joseph as she sighed, “Perfect weather today. It’s a shame Hayden can’t make it today.”

“Did he have urgent business?” Joseph asked offhandedly as he picked up Noah’s sheets.

“Mom has gone to attend a wedding.” Stella touched her head and blinked looking at Joseph, “And it’s Mom’s ex-boyfriend’s wedding!”.

Joseph was suddenly stunned. He lifted his head and looked at Alayna, as if waiting for confirmation from Alayna.

“Little girl, no one’s going to say you’re deaf, even if you don’t talk.”

Alayna pinched Stella lightly and Stella jumped into Joseph’s arms as she cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Joseph held her in his arms and felt a little distracted. “Did she go alone?”

“Of course.” Alayna sighed heavily.

“Hayden has always been good-natured. She didn’t plan to go at first, but that shameless girl called her and begged her every day. Even I can’t stand her, she had no choice but to attend. With her good nature, she’ll probably be intimidated there, I bet she’ll come home crying.”

“Crying? I don’t think she will.”

Joseph had a hard time imagining Hayden crying. From his impression, a smart, headstrong woman like her would never lose to others. He couldn’t believe she was an easy target to bully.

“Why not?” Alayna narrowed her eyes, “You’ve never really seen Hayden. She went overseas alone after her ex-boyfriend cheated on her. She may look tough now, but she had a weak personality before.”

Joseph didn’t know how long Hayden and Alayna had known each other. Although his words were full of flaws, what he said was not wrong. Besides, he was suddenly worried about her.

“Sir, I heard that everyone is going to the banquet with a partner. Mommy will definitely be bullied if she goes alone.” Stella also sighed in Joseph’s arms.

Then, Noah quickly picked up his little drawing and showed it to Joseph while grabbing his sleeve, “[If you don’t help her, you’re not my daddy anymore].”

Joseph couldn’t help but laugh when Noah said that, “Now what? She didn’t even ask me for help. I couldn’t help her, even if I went with her.”

“That’s because Hayden doesn’t like to bother others.”

Alayna explained, “Besides, a man should take the initiative at times like this. I bet you didn’t know, Hayden’s ex cheated on her and hung out with her best friend behind her back and that woman is still showing off in front of her. Hayden didn’t want to attend her wedding, so Michelle stabbed her in the back, saying Hayden couldn’t stand her doing well in life despite their close friendship. The others didn’t know what had happened then, so in the end everyone believed her words.”

Joseph had a frightened expression on his face after hearing these words. After a moment, he looked at Alayna and said, “Could you help me take Noah home? I’ll go get Hayden.”

Seeing Joseph act so decisively, Alayna was glad as she replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of them. You should go now.”

Joseph reluctantly gave Noah a few reminders before driving down the hill.

The tree farm was some distance from City N. On the way there, Joseph suddenly received a call from Violet.

“Joseph, the wedding designer will be seeing us this evening at seven o’clock, don’t forget.”

Joseph looked at the time in his car. His hand pressed the wireless handset and he said quietly, “Suddenly I have something to do, maybe next time.”

“Oh, what is it?”

“I’m driving right now, we’ll talk about this next time.”

Violet seemed to have something else to say, but Joseph had already hung up the call.

After the call was disconnected, Violet stared at the screen of her phone which went completely black and her face took on a somber look.

Her agent knocked on the door and walked in, “Violet, the show will start soon. You should get ready.”

Violet frowned and stood up abruptly, “Tell the director that I have to take care of an urgent matter, so I can’t record now.”

“Ahh, Violet. We can’t do that… Where are you going?”

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