Hayden watched her neat and swift departure, his feelings reduced to helplessness. “Aurora, I just wanted to be a bit closer to you.”
He remembered what his grandfather had said last night, about cutting ties with Julian for good. Did that mean he no longer needed to worry about Julian returning to the Alvarez family to contest the inheritance?
This was actually a relief. After all the effort he put in, securing the inheritance would mean he wouldn’t have to bear Susan’s detestable presence any longer.
As he thought this, his phone rang. Seeing the name, he answered with a frown, “What is it?”
“Susan told me you drove off with a woman. Was it Aurora? Where are you now?” Susan’s voice, frantic and upset, burst through.
Hayden had been waiting at the door for Susan, ready to drive her to an audition, but she had dawdled and hadn’t come out.
In a moment of anger, he had driven off, just as he saw Aurora alone. He decided to give her a lift to her office.
Susan’s voice, shrill like a fishwife’s, grated on his ears. Hayden felt his patience waning.
“I just gave her a ride since it was on my way. I’m headed to the office now,” Hayden explained coldly.
“I don’t believe it. Have you been conspiring with her all along? Even buying houses together, tell me, was it all planned?” Susan accused.
Hearing the word “affair,” the wrinkles in Hayden’s brow deepened.
“There’s nothing between her and me. I’m warning you, if you keep this up, I’m ready to call off our engagement,” Hayden threatened.
On the other end, Susan was already in tears, her makeup smeared by her crying.
Though Hayden didn’t openly defend Aurora, Susan remembered the man who had rushed to Aurora’s side in a desperate sprint the night before.
His heart had room only for Aurora, always had. And she had thought that one day he might feel the same about her.
But three years had passed, and with Aurora’s return, his heart stirred again. Each time she made a scene, he talked of cancelling their engagement.
He knew she loved him and cared about appearances. She was a popular actress, and breaking off an engagement would lead to media frenzy.
“Hayden, you only take advantage of my love for you,” she said through clenched teeth.
“The outcome today is the result of your own actions. Life is fair-you gain some, you lose some,” Hayden said indifferently.
He knew that if he just placated her, she would switch from tears to laughter. But not even a pretense of comfort was he willing to offer. Susan hated Aurora, and he hated Susan even more.
“Hayden, can’t you love me even a little?” Susan sobbed, her lips quivering and her body shaking violently from grief.
“You’re too greedy, Susan. All I can offer you is a title. If it’s love you want, I’m sorry, but I can’t give it,” Hayden said.
Such hurtful words, coming from the man she once thought was the warmest in the world.
“…,” was all that came back, Susan’s soft crying. If she had any pride, she would end this relationship and perhaps earn a bit of Hayden’s respect.
“I’m driving. I’m hanging up now.” Hayden, annoyed by her crying, simply ended the call.
Susan threw her phone, longing to end this exhausting relationship, yet unable to let go.
Years ago, she had gone to great lengths to snatch Hayden away, and now, ending the relationship would invite ridicule from many, especially Aurora. She could not afford to be worse off than Aurora, so no matter how miserable she was, she kept it to herself.
Aurora walked into the company with graceful strides. Today, the lobby was crowded with new faces due to interviews. Seeing everyone’s nervous expressions, Aurora thought she would have been just like them if she hadn’t started her own business or worked at Montgomery Group.
Among the crowd, she recognized two familiar faces, Gemma and Penelope, surprised that they were also interviewing at Montgomery Group. Before they noticed her, she had already boarded the elevator, curious about their reaction when they would find her as the interviewer.
Gemma, arm in arm with Penelope, stood in the bright lobby, envying the busy employees. “Oh, how wonderful it would be to work here,” Gemma sighed.
“You definitely can make it. Look at you, so beautiful and with internship experience, you’re sure to be hired. I just don’t know about myself,” Penelope, less attractive than Gemma but with far superior exam scores, responded. Now, looks also played a role in interviews.
“Don’t worry, they’re not choosing Miss Clothville; with your grades, there should be no problem,” Gemma reassured her, though Penelope remained insecure.
“It would be great if the interviewer were a man,” Gemma prayed silently, thinking her beauty might then be an advantage.
“You’re lucky to be so pretty; you’re sure to get the job.”
“Penelope, I’m going to the restroom to touch up my makeup; come with me,” Gemma said after they had just passed the written test, determined to secure the position. They headed to the restroom, which was almost empty.
Gemma hiked up her skirt to show off her attractive legs, a strong asset in her view. “Why are you pulling up your skirt so high?” Penelope asked.
“You wouldn’t understand, but you should do it too,” Gemma winked, implying it might help if the interviewer were a man.
“Alright then,” Penelope mimicked her.
Gemma applied more lipstick, and Penelope observed, “Gemma, isn’t your makeup a bit too bold for an interview? First impressions are crucial.”
“No, it’s perfect to stand out. If everyone is just vegetables, and suddenly there’s a dish of beef stew, wouldn’t you choose the pork?” Gemma argued convincingly, and Penelope, thoughtful, decided to touch up her makeup too.
As they fussed in the restroom, someone emerged from a stall, glanced them over disdainfully, especially at Gemma’s legs, and scoffed, “Country bumpkin.”
When they saw it was Ivy, they dared not respond, letting her speak her mind.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you, better not take the wrong path. Just a few days ago, a woman tried to use her body to get ahead here,” Ivy said haughtily before walking away with her head held high.