Chapter 301
Today was Christmas Eve, not April Fool’s Day.
Stephanie had just finished applying light makeup in the bathroom and into a new outfit, ready to go out. She glanced at her phone, thinking this unexpected message was a prank.
There was a very strange voicemail on her phone.
“Stephanie, it’s Hayley. I… I want to meet you today. If you get this message, please call me back.”
Stephanie replayed it several times, confirming she hadn’t misheard. It was indeed Hayley’s voice, and she sounded a bit nervous and uneasy.
Stephanie and Hayley didn’t get along. What was there to meet about?
Plus, she had just had a fight with Hayley’s best friend, Chlor, a few days ago. Could they be holding a grudge and looking for trouble again!
No matter what. Stephanie’s first instinct upon receiving this message was to ignore it.
Tonight was Christmas Eve, a night that should be spent romantically with a boyfriend or husband. For a lone wolf like her. it was best to avoid getting shown off by the couple in public. But Molly seemed to be in a bad mood, and as best friends. Stephanie was there for her.
She tossed her phone, change, and credit card into her purse, slamming the door shut as she left.
Before closing the door, Stephanie habitually glanced up at the ceiling. How would Dominick spend his night? Maybe that jerk would be partying on a yacht with Vincent and the guys for three days and nights, “That jerk!
Just as she stepped out of the gate, ready to hail a cab, she looked up and saw Hayley.
Hayley stood across the street, her expression somber, her gaze 5xed on Stephanie with a mix of emotions.
Stephanie paused, furrowing her brow as she met Hayley’s eyes
Finally, she confidently crossed the street, approaching Hayley.
Stephanie hadn’t expected Hayley to come all the way to her neighborhood to find her. What could be so important?
Seeing Stephanie walk towards her, Hayley felt a wave of relief. She had guessed that Stephanie wouldn’t answer her calls, judging by her nature.
way
to this
“Don’t you have a man to be with in Christmas Eve? What’s so important that you, Ms. Isaac, would come all the old neighborhood to wait for me?” Stephanie’s voice dripped with sarcasm, her disgust evident. She kept a distance of a few feet, her tone cool and mocking
Hayley stared at her, her expression serious and conflicted, as it something truly terrible had happened.
Stephanie also straightened her face, noticing Hayley’s tightly clenched right fist. It seemed like she was holding something in her palm and struggling with something inwardly.
“Hayley, just spit it out if you have something to say. I’m meeting Molly and don’t have time to waste… And by the way, if you’re here to mess with me over what happened with Chloe last time, I need to remind you. You are smart, and you should know that it’ll only take me two minutes to put you in the hospit.”
Stephanie’s words were a bit flippant, and her tone was mostly indifferent. She didn’t want to waste time with her.
“Where are you
meeting Molly? I’ll drive you there.”
Hayley was actually offering to be her chauffeur? Stephanie couldn’t believe it for a moment. “Hey, you sounded so strange on the phone. What’s the deal? What do you want?”
She didn’t want to end up in a wolf’s den.
Maybe Stephanie’s bluntness had an effect, but Hayley’s solemn expression shifted into a professional smile. “What, are you afraid I’ll sell you?” she said, opening the car door.
“Stephanie, if I told you I wanted to give you a Christmas present today, would you want it?”
“Give me a Christmas gift! Stephanie studied her for a moment. Finally, as they both settled into the car, she gave them an address. “Eastwall Plaza”
Hayley’s white Mercedes glided smoothly down the road. She kept her eyes fixed forward, her speed unhurried, as if she were wrestling with something internally and deliberately stalling the time.
In the passenger seat, Stephanie was acutely aware of Hayley’s unusual behavior.
Truth be told, they were practically enemies, and here they were sitting in the same car. Stephanie felt a bit ridiculous deep
down.
Half
an hour later, the car slowly pulled over. Eastwall Plaza was right ahead.
Stephanie’s brows furrowed even deeper. She couldn’t understand what this woman was up to.
“Hayley. I’m really not interested in your affairs, Whether you want to talk about your work at the Innovate Group or how you’re trying to help Dominick in business, I don’t give a damn!
Stephanie couldn’t stand being in the car with her any longer. She opened the car door, ready to get out.
Deep down. Hayley s struggling. Seeing Stephanie about to leave, she quickly grabbed her wrist. Stephanie, you definitely be interested in this. Don’t you want to know about what happened in the operating room… Her words tumbled, our quickly, almost slurred.
“What operating room?” Stephanie reacted swiftly, picking up on those specific words. “Hayley, what is it you really want to tell me?”
Stephanie stood outside the car, her eyes bright as she looked at Hayley in the driver’s seat. Hayley seemed to hesitate under her gaze, her lips sealed shut. She simply extended her right hand.
Stephanie had known Hayley for a while, but she had never seen such a conflicted and struggling expression on her face. Even her outstretched hand trembled slightly.
Then, Hayley took a deep breath and opened her hand, revealing a small black USB drive in her palm.
“This is… Her voice was hoarse due to nervousness.
Stephanie didn’t reach out to take it. She just observed the changes in Hayley’s expression. Hayley seemed to be afraid of something
“What’s on this flash drive?” she softly asked. “Do you want to give it to me?”
Stephanie sounded casual. But when she curiously reached out to take it, Hayley immediately retracted her hand as if startled or reluctant, clutching the black USB drive tightly in her list.
Stephanie wasn’t overly bothered by her taking back the flash drive. After all, it was Hayley’s to begin with.
However, she noticed that Hayley’s entire body was stiff as if her nerves were on edge.
“What’s going on with you?” Stephanie wasn’t heartless. Seeing Hayley’s distressed state, she wondered if the woman was cracking under work pressure.
“It’s a company secret. I think I’d better go discuss it with George Hayley quickly said in her usual formal tone and drove away hastily,
Stephanie stood in the bustling center of Eastwall Plaza, surrounded by the cheerful sounds of Christmas music. Yet, she couldn’t find any joy in her heart, her eyes following Hayley’s white car until it disappeared.
Hayley was an incredibly intelligent woman, especially when it came to weighing business interests. She understood the pros and cons of gains and losses and was always rational. This was the reason she had become a high–ranking executive at such a young age. She wouldn’t engage in losing deals or get entangled in messy situations.
“What was she trying to tell me?”
A gust of wind blew past, ruffling Stephanie’s hair as she stood there. This winter seemed particularly cold.