I agreed to Lindey’s request for now, saw her off, and then headed back to work.
But when I got there, only Demi was around. Hayden was nowhere in sight. “Where’s Mr. Hart?”
“Mr Lawson called him over,” Demi replied, her eyes locking onto mine. “Keira, your future mother–
inw
came to talk on Jace’s behalf. You-”
I’m done with Jace. It doesn’t matter who tries to interfere; it won’t change anything. Don’t overthink
it,” I cut in making sure she got my point–again
Demi sighed “The Johnston family is great in every way, except for Jace
She wasn’t wrong. The Johnstons were impressive, but I wasn’t marrying the family–I was
supposed to marry Jace. If he wasn’t right for me, then nothing else mattered.
Demi and I waited for Hayden, but after half an hour of nothing, I decided to call him. His phone was
just sitting in the nearby break area
“Mr. Hart definitely doesn’t have a girlfriend. Look, he doesn’t even keep his phone on him. If he had
a girlfriend, he’d be glued to that thing.” Demi said, with that know–it–all vibe that only came from
experience.
But I wasn’t in the mood for that conversation. I checked the time and got up. “I’m going to find out
what’s going on with Mr. Lawson.”
As I reached the door, I heard Hayden’s voice from inside. “I can guarantee that if you pull me off
this project, it’ll take at least two extra weeks to finish the lighting adjustments, maybe longer.”
I froze. Were they seriously nning to pull Hayden off the project?
What the hell was going on?
Just as I was about to push the door open, Gavin’s voice cut through. “Mr. Johnston has made it
clear
I that this issue will be our responsibility, not yours.”
Suddenly, everything clicked. I shoved the door open. “I don’t agree.”
Gavin’s face shed with awkwardness as he scrambled to exin. “Ms. Kay, this is Mr. Johnston’s
decision”
“I don’t care. I’m in charge of this amusement park project now, and I don’t agree with switching out
the team. His decision doesn’t change that,” I shot back, standing my ground
Gavin looked ufortable, but I knew he was just the messenger.
So I said. “Gavin, go back and tell Mr. Johnston that this is my stance. If he wants to rece
someone, he’ll have to rece me as well ”
“Ms Kay-”
“Mr. Hart, let’s get back to work!” I cut him off, not giving Gavin a chance to argue, and called out to
Hayden
Hayden hesitated for a second, so I walked over, grabbed his arm, and started marching him out
the door.
But just as we reached the exit, we ran right into Jace. His gaze zeroed in on my hand, still holding
Hayden’s.
First, he sent Lindey to feel things out, and now he was trying to pull Hayden from the project? How
had! not seen how low Jace could be?
I could clearly see the anger in his eyes, followed by that cold, mocking tone. “Ms. Kay, do you
really think I wouldn’t firé you both?”
This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .
“Then do it!” I snapped back, not backing down.
Jace’s face reddened with rage.
Hayden stepped in, “If you’re going to rece me, I’d like to know on what grounds?”
“For disobeying orders, taking unauthorized breaks, and dying the project timeline–that’s the
justification,” Jace shot back, sharp and biting.
“I already told you, I approved his break,” I quickly defended Hayden.
Jace red at me. “You think your approval absolves him of responsibility?”
Sensing the tension spiraling out of control, Eugene hurried over, trying to smooth things over. “Mr.
Johnston, it’s true Hayden shouldn’t have taken that break, but it won’t happen again.”
“Why shouldn’t it? Taking breaks is my right,” Hayden refused to back down.
“Even if he doesn’t take a break, I’ll need one. And if I’m resting, he won’t be able to get anything
done anyway.” I added, not budging an inch.
Jace’s face darkened as his eyes dropped to my hand, still holding Hayden’s. “Come here. We need
to talk, “he said to me