Chapter 40


    It seemed Heldi had underestimated ra.


    An hourter, the meeting was over, and the contract was signed on schedule.


    As everyone was dispersing, Leonora deliberately said in front of everyone, n, Heidi has reserved


    our old haunt at the Willow Bistro, the private booth where you two used to have your little


    rendezvous. She’ll be waiting for you there.”


    The implication couldn’t have been clearer. And how could ra fail to grasp it?


    ra’s expression unchanging, she lowered her head to tidy up the documents, a practiced smile


    ying at the corners of her mouth. As ra stood up, she nodded. politely atn. “Mr. Hayes,


    enjoy your meal.”


    With that, she gathered her notebook and papers, ready to leave, butn’s grip on her wrist halted


    her departure. After a forceful pull, ra found herself in his arms.


    Her expression changed instantly, her eyes icy. “Mr. Hayes, this is a boardroom. I’d appreciate a bit


    of decorum.”


    “Jealous?”


    ra scoffed. “Mr. Hayes, we are merely in a contractual rtionship. There’s no need for chivalry


    on your part. Whether you dine with an ex or share a bed with her, it’s none of my concern.”


    “Is it really none of your concern, or do you simply not want it to be?”


    Sarcasm glinted in ra’s eyes, piercingn’sposure. He pushed her away, his voice. cold as


    ice. “You wish!”


    ra stood up, reimed her documents, and nodded politely. “Rest assured, Mr. Hayes, I


    won’t.”


    She turned and left the conference room.


    Watching her retreating figure, devoid of any sign of affection,n felt a growing tightness. in his


    chest. He yanked at his tie, a vein throbbing on his forehead.


    After lunch, ra was touching up her makeup in the restroom. Heidi cked in on her high heels,


    her voice dripping with sarcasm as she washed her hands. “Ms. ra, all dolled up are you trying to


    snagn? Please, with a mother like yours, so scandalous.


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    and slutty, do you really think the Hayes family would ever wee you?”


    ra’s movements paused, her gaze turning frosty as she faced Heidi. “Did you bring her here on


    purpose?”


    And if I did? She’s drowning in gambling debts, hounded by loan sharks. If I hadn’t. brought her


    back, how else could I have ensured she’d disrupt your life?”


    “What are you nning, Heidi?” A bad feeling settled in ra’s gut. Her mother was a gambler,


    desperate for money, capable of anything.


    Heidi’s smile was slight but sinister. “Nothing much. Just thought, considering your stature, I’d help


    her out. Got her a job cleaning at thepany. She’s started already, taking care of the first floor–


    lots of traffic there, easy for you to bump into each other.” The thought of facing that woman every


    day made ra shiver. Memories of seven years ago flooded her mind, the taunts in the ssroom,


    and the usations of being just like her mother, a whore luring men. Each word was a knife to her


    heart.


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    A coldness seeped into ra’s eyes. “Heidi, you brought this to yourself.”


    With that, ra grabbed Heidi’s hair and dragged her further into the restroom. ra’s arm rose,


    and she struck Heidi across the face.