Clifford’s face turned pale after recognizing a few significant people in the photo.
“What is wrong with you? I have told you many times to leave these small businesses alone. They are
no threat to us. Don’t waste your time on them.”
Clifford was embarrassed scolded by his brother, “Brother, I didn’t know there were so many people
supporting Hayden. Viola told me that she was just an ex-girlfriend of Joseph Beckham. What’s good in
her…”
“Viola?”
Clifford’s brother got mad hearing the name Clifford mentioned, “Are you still hooking up with that girl?
Are you nuts?”
“You’re grounded!” Clifford’s brother shouted at him and left the room before Clifford could explain
himself.
The room regained silence after that.
Clifford tore the newspaper into pieces and threw them into the dustbin.
Suddenly, the phone rang. Clifford took a glance at the phone screen and became sulky. Clifford then
took the call.
“How dare of you to call me now? Didn’t you watch the news?”
The person over the phone stunned for a second, but she responded quickly with a sweet tone.
“Mr. Barton, don’t be mad at me. Isn’t it a good thing to learn about your enemy’s background through
this incident?”
“A good thing?” Clifford gave a snort of disgust, “Do you think I’m an idiot? Do you know that my
brother screamed at me?”
“Well, all he could do was only scream. It causes you no harm. You see, now you’re screaming at me
too. Did I get mad at you?”
Clifford stunned. He paused for a while and calmed himself down.
“I’m having a bad day. Where you now? I want to see you.”
“I’ve made a booking. The bar at the outskirt near the river. I’ll see you there.”
Clifford looked different to before he picked up the phone. Now he looked happy. Clifford quickly grab
his coat and left the office. There wasn’t any trace of being scolded on his face at all.
The glory belonged to Viola. She was a popular celebrity, and she knew how to please a man. Even if
Clifford took the blame this time, he took the blame willingly for Viola.
…
After the press conference, Benjamin helped Hayden to fire staff who betrayed her company. As a
generous gesture, Benjamin asked those staff to resign by themselves.
All of what happened was only the beginning of a chaotic drama.
That night, Hayden treated people who helped her during the press conference to a feast at a
restaurant nearby. After that, she sent Scarlett home.
“Hayden, I can’t stop you from going taking over Downey Group, and I won’t, but remember this.
Downey Group is just an empty shell of no use. The old staff there won’t be any good to you.
Remember to get rid of them the first thing you get there.”
Scarlett warned Hayden in the car. It was obvious that she didn’t want Hayden to be involved in the
mess Downey Group was in.
But what was done was done. There was no better way to regain her reputation than this.
“I understand, Aunt Scarlett. I’m not a kid anymore. You can let go.”
Hayden felt warm, and she held Scarlett’s hand, “Aunt Scarlett, thank you for helping me out today. To
be honest, I held grudges against you before. I’m so sorry.”
When Hayden’s grandfather passed away, Scarlett threw Hayden out of the hospital and sent Hayden
to the Downey manor that night. That cruel look on Scarlett’s face was Hayden’s nightmare for many
years.
Looking back at what happened after many years passed by, Scarlett was the most heartbroken
person.
Sofia got into Hayden’s parents’ marriage and caused many tragedies. Hayden’s mother died of a
haemorrhage, and Scarlett lost her first and only child, and she couldn’t have children anymore.
Hayden’s grandfather was depressed and passed away in grief.
Even though the culprit who caused all of it had died, but she couldn’t forgive her at all.
“Why? There’s nothing you should feel sorry for.”
Scarlett frowned, “The person who should feel sorry to me and your mother is Brook Downey and that
bitch. If your mother is any tougher like you are today, maybe everything would be different.”
For as long as Hayden could remember, her mother was gentle and tender. It was how people
remember her. However, a tender flower was always vulnerable, which is why she couldn’t handle the
affair.
“Did you find that woman?” Scarlett asked.
Hayden shook her head, “Nothing was wrong with Downey Group’s tax affair, so the police probably
won’t issue a warrant. Maybe she’ll come back after she found out the company is safe and sound.”
“That woman is a disaster,” Scarlett turned sulky when mentioning Sofia.
“Stop worrying about her, Aunt Scarlett. Don’t let her affect your mood.”
The car stopped in front of a classic red-brick manor. A man’s voice rose from the driver seat.
“We’re here.”
Scarlett took a glance at the window and the back of the person in the driver seat.
“I shall go home now. Safe drive.”
“Sure.”
Hayden waved goodbye at Scarlett. The car engine restart after the door closed, and they drove away
from the residential area.
Hayden and Joseph saw Benjamin peeking at the entrance area once they arrived home. Benjamin
stared at Hayden and Joseph and reached out his hand, “Where’s my dinner?”
Hayden and Joseph exchanged a look and asked curiously, “What dinner?”
Benjamin got angry immediately. He replied in a sulky face, “My dinner. You won’t let me join the dinner
and asked me to come back and take care of the kids after the press conference. You promised you
would bring my dinner to me. Don’t tell me that you forgot about it.”
“I told you said Benjamin didn’t want to join the dinner?” Hayden looked at Joseph.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“I knew you are up to no good,” Benjamin glared at Joseph in anger.
“Joseph, I swear, I will make it hard for you to marry Hayden. You’re starving me today. Think of what
would happen if you’re married to Hayden.”
“Oh?” Joseph looked at Benjamin, “Magnus invited students who in-charge of the security affair from
University of Public Security to the dinner. I think they majored in information gathering and counter-
reconnaissance…”
Benjamin immediately stopped Joseph, “I was joking. I didn’t want to join the dinner.”
Hayden looked at Benjamin in curiosity, “You’re unpredictable.”
Benjamin explained, “I was bored, so I made a joke.”
Joseph changed his shoes as they speak. He tossed a bag at Benjamin when he passed by and
walked directly into the living room.
Benjamin stunned. He looked into the bag and found out that it was takeout from the restaurant.
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