Chapter 143
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Myptop came to life with a soft hum, and I typed Andy Hayes’s name into the search bar. The
search results flooded the screen, countless sits on the sess of Kamran Hayes‘ prodigal son.
Andy ran a chain of technology businesses that spanned the country, a fact that seemed
incongruous with the man I had known years ago. The more I delved into his businesses, the more
it became clear that there was more to Andy Hayes than met the eye.
A surge of determination coursed through me. I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away, especially if
Andy had a hand in this property dispute, I picked up my phone and dialed the number I had found
on hispany’s website.
The phone rang, each tone echoing in the quiet of my apartment. My heart raced as I waited for a
response. Finally, a voice on the other end said, “Nextech, how may I assist you?”
I took a deep breath, summoning all the courage I had. “Hello, this is Evie Sinir. I was hoping I
would be able to meet with Mr. Hayes this afternoon?”
There was a brief pause, and then the receptionist replied, “Of course, Ms. Sinir. Mr. Hayes is
avable this afternoon. Can youe in at two?”
I agreed to the appointment and hung up the phone, my pulse quickening with anticipation. This
was a reckless move, but I needed as much leverage in this ast possible.
When the time arrived, I stood outside Nextech, a modern and imposing building that exuded wealth
and power. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach, and then entered the
building.
The receptionist directed me to Andy’s office, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of trepidation as I
approached the imposing door. I knocked gently, and a voice. from inside called, “Come in.”
As I stepped into the office, I was met with the sight of Andy Hayes, who looked just as smug as the
last time I’d seen him. He lookedpletely rxed, as if he’d expected my call all along.
“Evie,” he said smoothly. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, and so soon.”
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I mustered a friendly smile. doing my best to mask my disgust. “Andy. I hope you’re doing well.”
He settled into his chair, still wearing a look of bemusement. “I am, thank you. What can I do for you
on this fine day?”
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I decided to y along with my ruse, feigning interest. “I’m here because your mentioned that your
company was considering a new project, and I wanted to get a better idea of yourpany’s
capabilities.”
Andy leaned back in his chair, a faint smile ying on his lips. “For…legal reasons?”
“No.” I said swiftly. “You may have peaked my curiosity back at the mansion, is all.”
Andy chuckled. “I see. Well, Nextech has an excellent reputation, so I’m sure you’ve heard quite a
few things in terms of what we do.”
“Perhaps,” I said carefully. “I don’t pay too much attention to technology in that way. I’m more of a
pencil and paper type of gal.”
No worries,” he said, then pointed at my pants pocket. “Here. let me see your phone.
I did as he requested, pulling out my phone and setting it on the table. It had seen. better days, now
adorned with several cracks and scuffs, but he seemed impressed with it nheless.
“That right there, he began proudly, “Is one of the earlier models of our smartphones. You’d say that
it runs pretty well, despite all the damage, yes?”
I nodded and tucked the phone back in my pocket. “I would say so.”
We delved into the details of the supposed project, evidently a revolutionary ordeal that started to
lose me as he got more technical innguage. Andy grew morefortable with my presence,
sharing insights about his business and its aplishments
Curiosity gnawed at me as I probed further. “What you’ve done with your business is truly
remarkable. Did you receive any help with all of this?”
“My father and I actually inherited our businesses.” he said matter–of–factly. “Mr. Fitzgerald runs a
bit of a monopoly, but he isn’t a superhero. He offered to drop some of the responsibility on us to
run these businesses, and they’ve been
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booming since.”
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The mention of Ste’s father sent a shiver down my spine. I had suspected that her family’s
influence had yed a role in Andy’s sess, though it had almost ruined Timothy’s. Hearing it
confirmed was a revtion that both shocked and infuriated me.
“And how did Mr. Fitzgerald amass such wealth and influence?” I probed further.
Andy sighed, as if the memories weighed heavily on him. “He was a shrewd businessman, Evie,
and he had connections in high ces. He was able to secure government contracts and
partnerships that propelled hispanies forward.”
The pieces of the puzzle were starting to fall into ce. Ste’s family had indeed yed a
significant role in Andy’s sess, leveraging their connections and influence to build an empire. It
was a truth that had been hidden in in sight all along.
“This whole business thing can get a little repetitive at times though,” he added. suddenly. His eyes
drifted over to the acrylic fountain on the near wall, its thick. streams of water curving and leaping
off of the rocks. “I’d like to settle down at some point once I feelplete.”
My eyebrows furrowed. “As in starting a family?”
Andy’s gaze turned introspective, as though he were contemting a future that had always been
just out of reach. “I’ve achieved a level of sess that allows me to consider other priorities in life.
I’ve spent so much time building my businesses, and perhaps it’s time to explore what else life has
to offer.”
His words left me with a lingering sense of unease. The idea of Andy wanting to start a family
seemed incongruous with the man I had known in a short span of time. It hinted at a vulnerability
and desire for something more than power and wealth.
Before I could press further, the door to Andy’s office swung open, and Ste walked in. Her
entrance was like a sudden storm, filling the room with tension and uncertainty. I couldn’t help but
notice the animosity that red between Andy and Ste, an undercurrent of unresolved conflict.
“Andy, we need to talk,” Ste said, her voice icy and authoritative.
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Andy’s expression hardened, his patience clearly wearing thin. “Ste, can’t this wait? I’m in the
middle of something.”
Ste’s eyes flicked to me, and she gave me a disdainful look that made me feel hollow.
“No, it can’t wait,” she retorted, her voice unwavering. “This concerns both of us.”
I stood up, my stomach already twisting under the tension in the room. Andy barely took his eyes
away from Ste, as though she’d disappear if he broke eye-
contact.
“I should be going anyway,” I said aloud, already creeping toward the door. Neither of them
answered as I let myself out and shut the door behind me. That seemed to break the seal on their
silence as sharp filled the room.
I felt like an intruder in their private world, but my curiosity got the better of me as I found myself
pressing my ear against the door. What did Ste have that was so urgent, and with Andy
specifically?
“I’ve been talking to my dad, and he’s not pleased with the way things are going. He believes that
we need to take more drastic measures,” said Ste.
Andy’s voice was low and grim. “Ste, we’ve been over this. My dad and I have a n, and it
doesn’t involve rushing into anything.”
“And am I part of that n, or are you guys nning on leaving me out once. again?”
Andy sighed, his voice bing gentler as he spoke. “It’s not like that. You were always in my
n, at least, but you know what my dad wants.”
A long silence followed, and I leaned in further, straining to hear. I probably looked really odd in the
position I was in, but they’d grown eerily quiet.
Always in ‘his‘ n? What did Andy mean by that? And he’s sounded so sentimental about it,
making me wonder about what Scarlett had suggested previously about them having a peculiar
rtionship.
The vague response only fueled my curiosity further. What secrets were they hiding, and how did
their history tie into the inheritance dispute? It was clear that there was more to their rtionship
than met the eye.
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