Chapter 179
Baldrick let out a cold chuckle. “Sure, I introduced you to Norton, but cozying up to Cyrus? That wasn’t part of Norton’s plan, was it?”
Hayley frowned, her frustration palpable. “You introduced me to Norton with the intention that I’d catch Cyrus‘ eye in the first place.”
“Is that so? Then why did you run off to find Ogden afterward?” Baldrick’s calm smile was infuriating.
Hayley was momentarily speechless.
Baldrick hit where it hurt. “Truth is, Ogden’s the one you should be grateful to. You should’ve pressured him into bringing Cyrus back to you.”
Hayley’s face turned a spectrum of colors, from flushed red to pale white. It wasn’t that she hadn’t considered Ogden, but she knew he couldn’t summon Cyrus just like that.
“Are you under the impression that just because Cyrus spoke nicely to you, I’m also easy to mess with?” Baldrick sounded almost annoyed.
Honestly, why did everyone think they could challenge him?
Detecting the veiled threat in Baldrick’s words, Hayley’s heart raced. “Baldrick, aren’t you afraid I’ll go to Nancy?” “You’re welcome to try, as long as you can make it out of Sunhaven,” Baldrick said as he rose swiftly. His towering presence loomed over Hayley like a mountain.
Staring at the man who had suddenly closed the distance, especially into Baldrick’s icy eyes, Hayley’s voice trembled. “Baldrick, aren’t you afraid I’ll call the cops?”
“The cops? You seem to have forgotten you’re the star of the local nightlife,” Baldrick retorted sharply.
Color drained from Hayley’s face, leaving her trembling uncontrollably.
Baldrick’s gaze hardened. “Hayley, ever since you tried to frame Nancy and push her under, I’ve wanted to strangle you. But you’re not worth dirtying my hands over.”
Hayley’s eyes widened, realizing Baldrick wasn’t joking. Fear settled deep in her bones.
“Stay out of my sight, or I promise your dirty laundry will be all over the internet,” Baldrick said, his voice stripped of any warmth. “Now, get her out.”
No sooner had Baldrick finished speaking than the security guards entered, escorting Hayley out before she could utter another word.
The office returned to its calm.
His assistant approached cautiously, speaking respectfully, “Mr. Robertson, should we deal with Hayley?”
“Deal with Hayley, and make it easier for Cyrus to reconcile with Nancy?” Baldrick countered, raising an
eyebrow.
Sensing the chill in Baldrick’s words, the assistant’s expression changed. “Mr. Robertson, that’s not what I
meant.”
“Then shut up and keep an eye on Hayley,” Baldrick commanded, his gaze shifting. “If she tries to bolt for the airport, well, make sure she can’t walk.”
He wanted Judson and Cyrus to be at each other’s throats, not for Hayley to interfere with Nancy.
“Yes, sir.” The assistant nodded quickly and slipped away.
Baldrick stared out the window, his eyes filled with relentless obsession and greed.
1/2
09:44
He admitted he wasn’t a saint. If Cyrus could play games, so could he.
Nancy would be his, no matter what.
Nancy couldn’t care less what Cyrus or Baldrick were plotting. She finalized the paperwork for her new place the very night she went house–hunting.
To avoid Cyrus, she didn’t even pack her things. The next day, she and Judson bought all new bedding.
Once settled, Nancy threw herself into work with fervor.
With the The NY Group jewelry expo approaching fast, Potter was already pressing her on the final stages.
A week flew by in a blur of activity.
If it weren’t for Judson insisting she come home every night, Nancy would’ve gladly camped out in her studio.
“You’ve lost weight,” Judson observed, his concern evident as he watched Nancy.
“Yeah,” Nancy replied absentmindedly, her eyes scanning the jewelry designs in front of her.
