It was already midnight after Joseph finished bathing. The ray of the moonlight shined through the
window. As the lights of the bathroom went off, the tone of the moonlight seemed even colder.
Hayden could feel Joseph hugged her from behind. He was warm like a steaming bun. The blanket
became as warm as Joseph's temperature.
It was a little too warm for Hayden. She struggled.
“You awake?” Joseph asked softly in a tentative tone.
Hayden answered with a question, “Why did you come back so late?”
“I got held up by something.”
“Have you solved it?”
“Not yet.”
Hayden thought of that message. She remained silent for a second before she continued asking, “How
long it’s going to take? Are you joining the farewell party next weekend?”
The guest will be staying in Nanking for half-a-month, and the farewell party will be on the next
weekend. Joseph had to be there, no matter what urgency he needed to attend.
“I’m joining.”
Hayden frowned, but she stopped asking.
Joseph spoke while Hayden remained silent, “I’ve found a specialist in Germany to treat Noah. It is
hard to make an appointment with him, so I need to bring Noah to Germany tomorrow. I will be back as
soon as possible.”
Hayden stunned. It was about Noah. Hayden regretted overthinking and blaming him.
“Are you going there alone with Noah?”
“Yes. Don’t worry. It won’t take too long. Sorry for asking you to handle all the guests.”
“It’s okay. What matters most is Noah.”
Joseph went silent. He then hugged Hayden and whispered in her ears, “I’m happy for Noah. He has
got a great mother.”
A complicated emotion was raised in Hayden’s heart when she heard what Joseph said. She turned
around and hugged Joseph back.
It seemed that it was the only way to stop her from wanting to tell him the truth.
Joseph left early in the morning. The caretaker has already fetched Noah to the airport. It wasn’t even
dawn when Joseph took off. He kissed Hayden on her forehead, then took his coat and left the room
quietly.
As the representative of the hotel, Hayden introduced all the tourist spots and famous food in Nanking
to the guests throughout the following week.
Jennifer liked the local delicacies Hayden introduced a lot. Before the trip end, Jennifer and Hayden
had already become close friends. She even invited her to her home country so that she could repay
her cordial hospitality.
“Thank you for your heartfelt hospitality.”
It was one night before the farewell party. After going back to the hotel, Jennifer hugged Hayden and
said in inarticulate Chinese, “I must give you a gift tomorrow night.”
Hayden smiled, “I’m looking forward to it.”
“You will like it. Don’t forget to ask your friend to join us. The funny guy.”
“Benjamin?”
They met Benjamin when they were hiking. Jennifer seemed to like him a lot. She kept saying that
Benjamin was almost the same age as her son and that both of them enjoyed activities like hiking.
They had a long chat, and Jennifer even invited Benjamin and his friend to dinner.
“Yes, the funny guy. Ask him to come.”
Hans continued the conversation. He blinked mischievously and asked, “Is Mr. Beckham back yet? Is
he able to join the party tomorrow night?”
“I’ll ask him again,” Hayden smiled, “Mr. Beckham will be back. He told me that he is coming back to
join the party before you leave.”
“Great. I have something important to tell Mr. Beckham.”
Hans sounded mysterious.
Hayden got nervous. She thought she knew what Hans was saying.
After sending Hans and Jennifer back to their room, she asked Magnus, “Are you sure Mr. Beckham
will be back tomorrow?”
“They should be on the plane right now.”
“Great. I think Mr. Hans would want to discuss their collaboration in international trading.”
Hayden was worried for Joseph. Although handling the guests was a task given by the government,
there were business opportunities in this project. It was the main reason why Joseph wanted to be in
charge of the project in the first place. However, he had to send Noah to see the specialist during the
project. It might affect his plan.
But looking at Hans’s action, he liked them, and he had already given so many hints. As long as
Joseph got back on time, they could probably have collaboration.
The farewell party started in the afternoon the next day.
Hans and Jennifer were flying off in the midnight, so they had to leave right after the party. Therefore,
the party had shifted to three in the afternoon. Hayden had been busy since morning.
“Mr. Beckham hasn’t arrived yet?”
Hayden was on the phone with Magnus, “What happened? He isn’t picking up his phone. Have you
seen him yet? Shouldn’t he arrive in the morning?”
“Ms. Downey, don’t worry. I have already picked up Mr. Beckham from the airport.”
“I see.”
Hayden felt relieved. She raised her wrist and looked at her watch, then mumbled, “Why didn’t you tell
me that you have already picked him up?”
“I’m driving now. Shall we talk after we arrive at the hotel?” Magnus sounded nervous over the phone.
“Alright. Drive safe.”
Hayden starred at the screen of the phone after ending the call. She felt uneasy and strange for some
reason.
On the other side of the phone, Magnus carefully looked at the rear-view mirror while driving, “Should
we go to the hotel first? Or should we go home?”
“To the hotel. Then send Noah back home.”
“Yes, sir.”
Magnus nodded and dared not to ask more.
It was almost 6.30, and the party was about to end. Hans and Jennifer approached Hayden with a wine
glass on their hand.
“Ms. Downey, I don’t think Mr. Beckham is going to make it this time. I’m sorry. ”
Hayden looked at her watch, “Mr Hans, Mr. Beckham is on his way now. Perhaps his flight was delayed
earlier. I promise he will be here soon.”
“Are you sure? We are leaving at 7.30 pm. I hope he could make it on time.” Hans smiled like he didn’t
care if Joseph could really make it.
Hayden’s phone vibrated. She took a look on the screen and saw Joseph’s message, “I’m almost
there.”
“Yes!” Happiness showed on Hayden’s face.
“Mr. Hans, Ms. Jennifer, Mr. Beckham is here. Please be patient. I will go and check the lobby. He
should be here any minute.”
Hayden then quickly walked towards the exit of the party.
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