Ever since Franklin became the president of the ST Group, he had started plotting the acquisition of
Downey Group.
Growing up, he was always competing against Joseph and wanted to take him down. He was enduring
the hardships to gain strength in the past three years so he can stage a comeback, but he got to admit
that Joseph was really competent. The core of enterprise culture was his achievement. It would be a
long way ahead if he really wanted to take over the ST Group.
The acquisition of a blossoming enterprise was a monumental springboard for him.
The reason why he chose Downey Group was because for one thing, Joseph was working there, and
for another, Downey Group was on the down path since Bentley died and he really doubted Hayden’s
capability.
“President Hawkins, I’ve arranged the time and place for the dinner tonight. It’s 7 o’clock.” Standing by
the desk, a curvy secretary said to Franklin in a cute voice.
Leaning on the back of the chair, Franklin’s right hand was turning the wedding ring on his left hand.
Quirking up the corner of his eyebrows, he was smiling gently, but with malice in his eyes.
“I’ve also notified Ms. Kidman. She will be there tonight.”
Franklin then nodded and said, “Okay.”
Mr. Wright from the West Group was hosting the dinner.
Joseph was called back to the Beckham’s mansion by the Old Master Beckham, so Hayden went to the
dinner alone.
“It’s been a long time, President Downey. You’re as gorgeous as ever.”
Hayden nodded back to Mr. Wright’s greeting and saw two familiar figures in the restaurant booth with
the corner of her eyes.
“President Hawkins also brought along a friend. You wouldn’t mind it, right?”
“Of course not. We are all friends.” Looking at that “friend”, Hayden smiled.
“President Hawkins is truly something. You can even bring the famous Ms. Kidman to entertain us.”
Viola’s face changed a bit, but returned to normal pretty quickly. Then she said calmly, “If President
Downey is still holding grudges against me for what happened several years ago, I’ll certainly show
myself out. I surly wouldn’t want to ruin your dinner.”
“Well? Does President Downey know Ms. Kidman before?” Mr. Wright asked in bewilderment.
Hayden smiled and said, “I do know her, but we’re not that familiar. I really don’t understand what Ms.
Kidman was talking about. I’m pretty busy and can’t really recall what happened in the past.”
The secret of being socially political was saying opposite things in your heart.
People within the circle all knew that Franklin and Viola were having an affair. But because Franklin
was married, everybody remained silent and guarded this secret. But Hayden didn’t really expect that
Franklin would really bring Viola out blatantly and didn’t worry that his wife might find out.
Apart from Franklin, the West Group and Downey Group all brought representatives to celebrate their
first successful cooperation in advance. But all people present knew that Mr. Wright was actually pulling
the strings for Franklin.
Nobody mentioned the acquisition after several rounds of drinking. Then Joseph called and Hayden got
the excuse to go the bathroom to avoid drinking.
People teased, especially Mr. Wright, “Is that Mr. Beckham’s call? Well, when can we participate your
wedding ceremony?”
Hayden smiled and said, “I will definitely invite all of you.”
Hayden heard Joseph’s voice right after she answered the phone in the bathroom, “They are not giving
you a hard time, are they?”
“No, they wouldn’t dare. I’m not a rookie salesman.” Leaning against the sink, Hayden asked, “But
Franklin brought someone along. Take a guess.”
“Who is it?”
“Your previous lover.” Hayden looked cunning and said the sentence on purpose.
Joseph turned silent and asked in a while, “Who is it?”
“How many previous lovers do you have? Don’t you be innocent.”
Hayden got angry and asked, “It’s Viola. They just showed up holding hands. Are men all like this after
they get married? They just all want to have a mistress, right?”
“Is that so?” Joseph sounded confused. “Well I believe they will have multiple mistresses.”
Hayden got agitated and asked, “What?”
But Joseph just laughed and said, “But I only got one. “
His words immediately doused Hayden’s anger. Hayden suddenly heard footsteps while they were
chatting.
“Someone is here. I have to go. I will talk to you when I go back.”
“Okay. I’ll pick you up...”
Hayden hung up before Joseph can even finish his sentence.
The sound of footsteps coming from outside was the clear sound of high heels pounding against the
floor. Hayden looked up and saw a familiar figure.
Hayden was familiar with Viola because she was always following Joseph around before and she can
always meet her in the recent social parties.
As a celebrity in the showbiz, it was not easy to be friends with social elites and participate commercial
parties. Viola surly was well-connected.
They met each other’s eyes in the mirror. Hayden nodded as a greeting and then pulled a tissue out to
wipe her hands.
“You don’t seem to be happy to see me here?”
Viola suddenly asked in a screeching voice.
Hayden turned around and threw the tissue into the garbage can. Then she said coolly, “You’re not
important enough to affect my mood.”
Viola sneered and looked at her scarlet fingernails.
Hayden actually stepped forward and was about to leave, but she turned around hearing Viola’s sneer.
She then frowned, “What are you laughing about?”
“Well, people are not wrong by saying every dog has its day.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t be silly. Do you really want me to be explicit? Don’t you notice that Joseph’s downward spiral
began right after you were together? You didn’t really anticipate what was coming when you
approached him on purpose, right?”
Hayden got the irony in Viola’s words, but really didn’t understand what she was referring to by saying
“on purpose”, so she just assumed that she was supercilious by borrowing Franklin’s power.
“No one can be certain what would happen in the future. Don’t you be cocky. Well, you just think you
are on the right path, right? I don’t think so.”
Hayden glanced at Viola indifferently with clear despise in her eyes.
Pestering at Joseph before was not wrong to Hayden, but being a mistress was definitely a moral
issue.
“Who are you to judge me?” Viola was livid with anger. “If it hadn’t been you, I would have married
Joseph and become the Mrs. Beckham.”
Feeling too tired to explain, Hayden straight left the bathroom.
They had already broken up when she started dating Joseph.
Then she heard a shrieking voice, “Just wait and see. You would all be punished for what you have
done to me.”
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