Chapter 5
“Need a hand Owen asked, his voice cool and collected.
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Hailey took a slow sip from her red lips, playing the damsel in distress. “I just got back to the Dalton family, and they don’t exactly like me. I was hoping you could protect me
Even though he could tell she was faking it, Owen’s heart inexplicably softened
Hailey dropped her gaze, her big innocent eyes flattering up at him, looking like she was about to cry. It was like she knew how to push all his buttons.
“I’ll protect you,” he said, his tone firm but gentle.
“Really?” Hailey’s eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and amusement. She thought Owen’s way too easy to fool.
Owen nodded once. From now on, you’re mine.”
Hailey grinned slyly, her lips curling up. “Nice.”
Suddenly, Hailey’s phone rang. It was Eliza calling.
“Hailey, where the hell are you with Owen?” Eliza’s voice was sharp, like a dagger.
Hailey leaned back in her seat, voice dripping with attitude. “Why? What’s it to you?”
“I’m warning you,” Eliza snapped “Owen’s Selena’s. Don’t get any funny ideas.”
Hailey smirked, enjoying this way too much. “So they’re together now?”
The voice on the other end switched to Selena’s, full of smug confidence. “We will be. Soon.”
Hailey couldn’t help but laugh. “Selena, still acting like she’s the queen of everything.”
But this time, Hailey wasn’t going to sit back and let anyone walk all over her.
“Well, since they’re not together, I guess Mr. Calhoun and I can do whatever we want. You cool with that?” Hailey teased.
“You–Selena’s voice cracked with rage “If you want to stay in the Dalton family, stay the hell away from Owen!”
Hailey didn’t even care. She slammed the phone down. Before her time traveling mess, Selena and Owen had never been a thing. And it wasn’t about to start now.
“Pull over up ahead, Hailey ordered.
The car stopped in front of a clothing store.
As Hailey reached for the door, Owen’s voice stopped her. “Give me your number.”
Right. Hailey pulled out her phone and they exchanged digits. Then, she flashed him a mischievous grin and waved Later, boyfriend.
Owen’s eyes lingered on her face, one eyebrow raised. “You forgot something
“Huh?” Hailey hadn’t even processed it when he suddenly leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
It was gentle, barely there–like a whisper on her skin.
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Chapter 3 Hailey
Hailey fore
How about dinner tonight? Owen asked, a playful edge to his voice.
Hailey didn’t respond immediately. It took her nearly ten seconds to find her voice, and when she did, her cheeks flared up in a bright red blush
She shot him a glare. “What was that? Aren’t we supposed to be pretending to be a couple?”
Owen blinked, clearly enjoying this. Oh, right. Talmost forgot. She’s still in pretend mode!
He came up with an excuse. Just a little warm up in you’re ready when we need to act all cozy in front of people”
Hailey couldn’t help but roll her eyes, her face still a fiery red. She hopped out of the car and stormed into the store.
She was cute as hell when she was pissed off. Owen couldn’t help but smile.
““Mr. Calhoun, you really have a thing for Miss Dalton, huh?” Tom asked, following closely behind. The guy had been around long enough to speak his mind.
He found it weird. Owen, the guy who’d always been so cold and distant, suddenly showing interest in a girl he barely knew? He couldn’t believe it.
A few seconds passed before Owen, usually so composed, dropped a surprisingly innocent question “Do you believe in love at first sight?”
Tom was just about to offer a thoughtful response when Owen answered for him, “I do.”
Tom, who had been gearing up for something deep and philosophical, was left with no choice but to roll with it
Guess I’ll have to agree with you on this one, he thought, reluctantly conceding.
Owen didn’t crack a smile, but there was a softness in his eyes that contrasted sharply with his usual cold, distant demeanor.
He then went silent again..
Unable to resist, Tom chimed in. “Sir, love at first sight is just a spark of attraction to someone’s looks. It’s not real love”
While it seemed like Hailey might be different from the usual women who only cared about status and appearances. Tom still had his doubts.
After all, Owen was a blank slate when it came to matters of the heart, and he worried he’d be taken for a ride.
“If a guy can’t fall for a woman based on her looks, how’s he supposed to start a relationship?” Owen shot back bluntly.
When he first met Hailey, he couldn’t help but think, I want her in my arms”
The Dalton family’s big event was set for 3 p.m. the next day at the Crowne Club, a top–tier venue where business elites like to host their parties
Hailey picked out a simple yet chic little black dress at a boutique, the design elegant and understated, radiating sophistication.
After paying, she left the store with a smooth, confident step.
A young sales assistant in the store quickly snapped a photo of her trying on the dress and sent it out.
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06:14 Fri, 28 Mar b AA·
Chapter 5
In a large mall. Selena glanced at the photo on her phone and could help but neer. Figures, shes from the emperyod doesn’t even know how to pick a decent brand
“Bring me your latest stuff that’ll suit me” Selena said, lifting her chin and commanding the assistant I want them
The assistant’s eyes sparkled with excitement, quickly going to work
Selena tried on several outfits but wasn’t satisfied with any of them.
Just then, her agent called.
The Dalton family was deeply involved in the entertainment industry, and as the eldes heiress, Selen had been in the spotlight since she was a kid.
With her family’s power, she’d been a household name at sixteen, Now, as a rising star with over in teams, the had built a reputation as someone grounded and independent.
“Selena, her agent said. Tve secured you a custom gown from Ocean Lily’s fall collection. There’s one led the Starry Gown that’s perfect for you.
“There’s an awards show next month, and if you wear that to the red carpet, you’ll steal the show”
Selena glanced at the photo her agent sent, frowning slightly. “Why the Starry Gown? The sexy drew looks way better. I want
that one.”
The agent hesitated. “That isn’t available. Ocean Lily’s team says it’s already been taken by someone big
“Fine, but I need that gown for tomorrow. There’s a family banquet, and I have to wear that dress to outshine everyone.
But-
“Tomorrow afternoon, I want that dress in my studio. No excuses, Selena snapped, her tone final. She hung up before the agent could say another word.
Feeling pleased with herself, Selena walked off, pulling Eliza along.
The next day, at 4:30 p.m., the Dalton family–one of the four major families–hosted a lavish banquet. These types of events were usually private, no media allowed.
But the Daltons, who ruled the entertainment world, never did anything quietly. With Selena attending, word wildfire.
Insiders were saying that the real reason for the banquet was to announce the return of another heiress to the Dalton family
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