Chapter 6
“Of course you will” After spending a week together, Kylie had developed a deep. affection for Joseph. She gently said, “I’ve left you my phone number. If you miss me, give me a call, and I’ll come to see you when I have time.”
“You better keep your word, no lying allowed,” Joseph insisted.
Kylie made an effort to crouch down, causing Ethan to furrow his brow.
Maintaining eye level with Joseph, Kylie tenderly touched his head and slowly said, “I keep my promises.”
Joseph smiled sweetly and took the initiative to kiss Kylie’s cheek. Ethan’s brow seemed to furrow even more tightly.
“I have to go now,” Kylie said softly.
“Mommy, take care. Don’t fall,” Joseph sweetly called after her.
Kylie had tried several times to persuade Joseph to stop calling her “Mommy,” but he refused to listen. Every time she denied being his mommy, Joseph thought she was going to abandon him, his eyes welling up with tears, feeling incredibly upset. So, eventually, she stopped insisting on changing the way he addressed her. She thought he would naturally understand when he grew older.
Using a cane, Kylie walked out of the ward alone, with Ethan following closely behind her. Several times she wanted to ask him to stop but chose to remain silent. When they reached the hospital doors, she finally said, “Mr. Hayden…”
Ethan walked past her and opened the door of a black Maybach parked in front of them, like a gentleman. Kylie frowned at his action.
“Miss
Stafford, I’ll drive you back.”
“I can manage on my own, no need to trouble you, Mr. Hayden.”
“I have a car.” Ethan’s tone was firm, his words concise.
Kylie furrowed her brow, feeling like Ethan was showing off.
“I don’t find it troublesome,” Ethan added.
Kylie looked at Ethan. She found it challenging to communicate with him and eventually relented. Ethan seemed to have a way of making her comply. Resisting felt futile and a waste of time.
Seated in the luxurious car, Ethan inquired, “Miss Stafford, where do you live?”
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Chapter 6
“Bia Mansion.”
Since coming back froth abroad, she hadn’t returned to the Stafford family, and no one from the Stafford lamily had checked in on her either.
“Okay.” Ethan acknowledged and then signaled to the chauffeur with a glance. The chauffeur nodded and the car started moving slowly.
Suddenly, Ethan leaned closer to Kylie. Her heart skipped a beat, clearly wary. Normally, Ethan kept his distance. But to her surprise, he was actually leaning in to help her fasten the seatbelt. She bit her lip involuntarily.
After securing it, Ethan said in a detached tone, “Miss Stafford, no need to clench your fist so tightly.”
Kylie lowered her head abruptly, realizing her subconscious action. She felt extremely embarrassed.
“You can relax, Miss Stafford. I’m not someone who leads a frivolous personal life.”
Upon hearing this, Kylie couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Ethan’s words seemed a bit amusing and absurd to her. Without thinking, she blurted out, “You say you don’t lead a frivolous personal life, yet you have a child out of wedlock?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Kylie regretted it. She and Ethan weren’t close. enough to joke around. Ethan turned to look at her, his gaze lingering. Kylie was about to change the subject when Ethan suddenly said, “I was coerced.”
Hearing that, Kylie was left speechless. She found it hard to believe that a woman could coerce someone as tall and imposing as Ethan.
“She must have been quite strong,” Kylie managed to reply.
“Yes, she was.” Ethan nodded, then seemed to study her with deep eyes.
Kylie felt their conversation was getting a bit too intimate for her liking.
“How did things end between you two?” Kylie shifted the topic slightly. She was genuinely curious about why Joseph’s mother had left them.
“She didn’t like me,” he replied.
Kylie was surprised. She couldn’t fathom someone rejecting a man as handsome ast Ethan.
“She didn’t like you, yet she had a child with you?” The more Kylie heard, the more absurd the situation seemed.
Chapter 6
“She never wanted a child,” Ethan said in a distant tone. “Even after giving birth to Jos, she planned to abandon him.”
Kylie suddenly felt a pang in her chest. The thought of baby Jos, so innocent and vulnerable, nearly being abandoned tore at her heart. She couldn’t bear to imagine that
scene.
“You’re better off without someone like that,” Kylie said sincerely.
Ethan pursed his lips, his gaze fixed tightly on her as if there was something on her face.
Kylie touched her cheek, asking, “Mr. Hayden, what’s wrong?”
Ethan averted his gaze, then kept his head turned away from her. Kylie frowned. Ethan was often unpredictable, making it hard for her to understand him. But she guessed. that bringing up his unhappy past might have soured his mood. Silence filled the car until it stopped in Kylie’s neighborhood.
“Thank you.” Kylie expressed her gratitude, still maintaining a reserved distance from Ethan.
Ethan nodded slightly. “Miss Stafford, take care on your way.”
Kylie acknowledged and felt a bit relieved. She was worried Ethan might insist on dropping her at her doorstep. For someone she had just met, she could only accept being escorted to her neighborhood. Ethan had been considerate in their interactions, lessening her guardedness towards him she would usually be wary of.
“Mr. Hayden, the chauffeur couldn’t help but call out to Ethan.
Kylie had disappeared from sight, but Ethan continued to gaze in her direction. Meanwhile, his phone kept ringing.
Ethan turned back, answering the phone calmly. “Grandfather.”
“Isn’t Jos supposed to be discharged today? Why hasn’t he returned?” Jason inquired.
“He’ll be back soon,” Ethan replied. “But Grandfather, let me be clear, Jos and I won’t be staying in Hayden’s residence.”
“Why not?” Jason sounded displeased.
“Jos isn’t suited to living with too many people. He’s rather introverted. I’ll bring Jos to meet you first, then we’ll leave,” Ethan stated firmly.
“You can’t leave until after dinner,” Jason insisted, adamant about this.
Chapter 6
I Mal
“Alright.” Ethan had no choice but to agree.
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Since the death of his parents, he rarely returned to Beliey. If Jason hadn’t used his life as leverage, Ethan wouldn’t have returned this time. If he hadn’t come back, he might never have crossed paths with her again.
Before Kylie knew it, Monday had rolled around, and the weather was bright and clear.
She had slipped into a professional outfit, put on a light touch of makeup, and let her soft curls fall casually over her shoulders. Despite leaning on a cane, she exuded a
strong and confident aura, radiant and beautiful as ever on a cane, she exuded a
Trevor escorted her to Galaxy Group. A man hurried over, saying, “Miss Stafford.”
“Mr. Stewart.” Kylie nodded slightly.
Kelton Stewart, Galaxy Group’s VP, was someone Kylie’s mother had trusted deeply. When Cohen took over the company, there was a massive turnover among the staff over the years, but Kelton remained, a testament to his high position and competence within the company.
“Let’s go.” Kylie didn’t want to waste a second.
“Miss Stafford, today…” Kelton hesitated.
“What is it?” Kylie frowned.
“I only found out when I came in today. The chairman, your father, has decided to appoint Perla as the new CEO of Galaxy Group. From now on, she’ll have full author over everything. They’re having the appointment ceremony right now.”
Kylie hadn’t expected Cohen and Perla to be shameless to this extent.
Kylie responded coldly, “It’s fine.”
