Chapter 4

“What’s it to you? Get back in.”

“Oh, come on, Officer, don’t be like that~”

Zachary stood on his tiptoes, peering around the corridor corner.

“Huh, I don’t see Anya, but I do see a kid.”

“Bro, Dad’s here to pick us up. Should we go out and take a look?”

“Besides friends, what other family does she have in this city? Let’s just go home. We have a meeting with the Hayes family tomorrow about a collaboration.”

Leaving the police station, Dominic Hayes opened the car door for me.

“How did a gathering turn into a trip to the police station?”

My daughter, in the backseat, flailed her arms excitedly. “Fighting bad guys, of course! Ha! Mommy is super awesome!”

I reached back and ruffled her hair.

“I’ll tell you all about it when we get home.”

Dominic glanced at me. “I knew you couldn’t keep your temper in check. I should have gone with you.”

“It’s fine.”

Dominic suddenly remembered something. “Will Ashton be at the Hayes family dinner tomorrow?”

“Probably. Didn’t Jocelyn say you have a project to discuss?”

Dominic tapped his control panel and called Jocelyn Day.

“Mr. Hayes.”

“Is the Hayes family collaborating with the Vance family?”

“Yes, Ashton Vance’s main purpose for returning to the country this time was to connect with the Hayes family. It was a small project, so I didn’t report it to you.”

“From now on, I want all updates on Ashton Vance immediately. And reschedule my appointments for tomorrow to the dinner.”

“Understood, Mr. Hayes.”

I sighed. “You focus on your work.”

“He’s still an ex-boyfriend, after all. I’m actually quite interested in meeting him.”

“Alright. Did you see the message I sent you earlier?”

“Yes. I had Jocelyn contact the hospital for the bill, but the person has already been discharged.”

“Discharged?”

I knew how deep that knife went.

Even on an adult man, it would have been severe.

Let alone a frail young girl.

But it was her choice; no one could stop her.

I didn’t dwell on it.

Dominic also handled the news scandal from the daytime.

I slept soundly that night.

The next day, Jocelyn picked up Daisy for a photoshoot.

Dominic had an emergency at the office.

I stayed home, changing clothes.

These past two years, to manage my emotions, I’d been doing calming activities at home.

Like painting, flower arranging, brewing tea.

Or playing piano, doing some design work.

So I rarely went out.

If Dominic was coming today, it would be our first public outing together.

So I dressed a little more elegantly.

I wore a bright red mermaid-style dress.

Upon arriving at the venue, Dominic Hayes’ imposing bodyguards finally reacted.

“Madam.”

“Tell Mr. Hayes to find me when he arrives.”

“Yes, Madam. Please watch your step.”

The moment I entered, I attracted a lot of attention.

“Who is that? What a grand entrance. Even Old Mr. Thompson’s bodyguards wouldn’t bat an eye when he arrived at the Hayes mansion, so why are they holding an umbrella and opening doors for *her*?”

“I’m always in the wives' circle, and she's certainly pretty, but I've never seen her before.”

“Look, not a single drop of rain on her, and I’m wearing ten-centimeter heels and my feet are soaked.”

“Looks like Dominic’s security plays favorites based on appearances!”

It was raining quite heavily outside.

The wives and gentlemen all watched me, complaining with dissatisfaction.

They didn’t know that if even a single drop touched my dress, they would face severe consequences.

“Ms. Anya, Mr. Vance requests your presence.”

I glanced at Ashton Vance in the corner table; he raised his glass to me.

Several bodyguards, hands clasped behind their backs, stood before me, blocking my path.

They didn’t know that this simple act of blocking the door nearly triggered a level-one security alert.

I gave a reassuring look to the bodyguard captains on the second floor.

Then I sat on the sofa opposite Ashton.

“You look beautiful today.”

Willow Reed was beside him.

She’d been discharged from the hospital, still looking pale and sickly.

“What an entrance you made. To be here, it seems I underestimated you these past two years.”

“Do I really need your approval?”

He smiled, pouring me a drink. “Dressing so beautifully and heading straight to the second floor… what, trying to land a big fish? The second floor… let me guess your target: The Thompsons? The Montgomerys?”

Ashton was sharp, quick to read the room.

“Neither? Tsk. Then it must be the Hayes family, right?”

When I remained silent, he overfilled the glass, spilling wine.

Willow winced in pain, raising her hand to take the bottle from him, reminding him, “Ashton.”

Ashton slammed the bottle heavily onto the table.

“How many lives do you have to try and catch such a big fish? Forget the Hayes family; just one of The Thompsons could kill you nine times over. If you don’t have an access pass, going up there could end very badly for you.”

“There’s an access pass?”

Ashton chuckled contemptuously. “I advise you to stay put and not try anything suicidal in this place.”

I crooked a finger at a bodyguard. “Do I need a card to go to the second floor?”

The section of bodyguards I pointed at instantly tensed, then bowed in unison towards me.

“Wherever you wish to go, no one will dare to stop you.”

I waved my hand, motioning for them to return to their duties.

I turned back to Ashton’s darkened face.

“What exactly is your identity?”

“Someone will tell you soon enough.”

I picked up my bag and headed to the second floor.

As soon as I got upstairs, various executives came forward to toast me.

I casually picked up a cup of tea.

“My apologies, everyone. I’m not feeling well today, so I can only toast with tea.”