Hayden’s hand tightened around mine.


    I nced up at him, and for a split second, his soft gaze met mine before he turned back to Jace.


    His voice, low and steady, carried a weight that couldn’t be ignored. “I’m not leaving until the final


    inspection’s done.”


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    That’s just how he was. The more someone tried to push him out, the more determined he became


    to stay. Just like always.


    I braced myself for whatever Jace would throw at him next, but then Hayden’s grip tightened again,


    and he added. “This is something I promised Kiki.”


    The way he said “Kiki, iming it was all for me, sent my heart racing. It didn’t help that Jace’s face


    went an rming shade of red, and Wayne didn’t look much better.


    The silence hung in the air so thick, it felt like no one could even breathe.


    I took a steadying breath and decided to cut through it, locking eyes with Jace and Wayne. “Even


    though


    I


    I’m no longer in charge and I’ve left thepany, there’s one rule I never forgot: the


    company’s,ests


    “No one should jeopardize those interests, no matter the reason.


    It was a clear reminder to Wayne–if he wanted to protect someone, he had to be ready to face the


    fallout. Responsibility couldn’t be avoided just because of a title.


    Even in the past, royal figures weren’t above thew. Running apany was no different: you


    lead by example or risk losing everything.


    With thatid out, Wayne and Jace both knew I was speaking logically, but my loyalty was with


    Hayden. The tension between them thickened, their expressions darkening as they realized they


    had no real counter. The confrontation was finally hitting its breaking point..


    Just then, Tanya came rushing in, clearly ready to take the fall.


    She rushed over, not even caring about her pregnant belly. “I was the one who set this up. It’s my


    responsibility.”


    Jace’s face darkened even more, the veins in his temples about to burst.


    He was this close to losing it, and I could feel the explosion building, like he was ready to throw


    down right here.


    If it had been anyone else, they’d be in serious trouble, basically throwing themselves to the wolves.


    But this was Tanya–the woman Jace had thrown away ten years of our rtionship for, the one he


    cut off his own family to protect.


    I could already guess what he was about to say. With a mocking smirk, I started to turn and leave


    with Hayden. I had zero interest in whatever excuse Jace was about to throw out this time, and I


    definitely didn’t want to see him shield Tanya from the fallout.


    But then Jace said something that made me stop cold


    “Ms. Twain, it’s your responsibility,” he said, his voice low but firm. “So you’ll handle it. You’ll cover


    the losses.”


    I stared at him, totally shocked. His face was set, hard and cold, like he’d made up his mind.


    Meanwhile, Tanya just stood there, frozen, her face draining from red to ghostly pale.


    I didn’t see thating.


    I never thought Jace would actually punish the woman he doted on so much.


    As he walked away, Tanya started pulling herself together. She turned to Wayne, trying to salvage


    some dignity. “Wayne, I’ll talk to the finance department about covering the damages.”


    “Good,” Wayne replied, zero warmth in his voice. Then, twisting the knife a little deeper, he added,


    “And during work hours, it’s Mr. Johnston.”


    Tanya’s humiliation hit an all–time high, courtesy of the Johnston brothers. She didn’t even nce


    my way, not that I cared to watch her squirm.


    What was there to see? She’d already given me the ultimate humiliation when she stole my fiancé.


    “Let’s go,” I said, signaling to Hayden.


    “Mm,” he replied quietly, still holding my hand as we walked away.


    After a while, I nced down at our hands, still intertwined. “You know, no one’s around anymore.”


    “I’m not holding your hand for anyone else’s sake,” he said, instantly picking up on what I meant.


    Hisment was a subtle dig at how I’d used our earlier closeness as an act in front of Jace.


    “Just because you’re not doing it for show doesn’t mean you can hold my hand whenever you


    want,” I teased, pulling my hand free. I shot him a yful look. “Or do you go around holding other


    girls’ hands this easily?”


    He didn’t miss a beat. “I don’t. You’re the only one I’ve ever held.”


    It was so simple… and kind of sweet.