Chapter 227 

Chapter 227 

I thought about that contract. “Your dad’s death must’ve been tied to mine. I’m the only one who can get to the bottom of this.” 

Hayden looked at me. “Did you find something out?” 

“What about you?” I asked. “Why are you after Thorsten Drago? Why do you suspect him?” 

He stood up and walked to the window, his tall frame radiating this strength, like he could hold up the sky if it came crashing down. 

Watching him like that, I set down my cup and followed. “Hayden, I get that you know something too. And I know 

you don’t want me involved, but this is about my parents. I can’t just sit back and do nothing.” 

I glanced at the moonlight streaming through the window. “I’m not some clueless kid. I can handle myself. And besides, you’re here with me, aren’t you?” 

Hayden turned to look at me, and after a beat, he said, “You’re just as stubborn as you were when we were kids.” 

I laughed and faced him. “So, you’ve known who I was this whole time? You got close to me just to dig into your dad’s death, right?” 

He frowned, his eyebrows pulling together. “Is that really what you think?” 

“Yeah.” 

He rolled his eyes, giving me a lopsided grin. “Is my flirting game that bad?” 

I blinked, caught off guard. “Wait, what?” 

“Ugh, heartless,” he muttered, shaking his head as he backed away from the window. “Just finish your tea and go to bed, okay?” 

“What about you? What are you gonna do?” I blurted out, my mouth moving faster than my brain. 

Hayden didn’t even look back as he walked to the bedroom, Just before the door shut, he called over his shoulder, “Read.” 

I watched the door click shut, then shook my head, grinning as I finished the tea. I glanced at the cartoon mug–it was my favorite–and gave it a quick kiss before heading to my place. 

I stretched out on the couch and shot Steve a quick text to let him know I was home safe. Then, I decided to video–call Lena. 

I didn’t think she’d actually pick up–she usually doesn’t–but this time, she did. 

“Why didn’t you go to work today?” I asked, noticing she was at home. 

“Day off!” 

I squinted at the screen. “Wait, did you put on makeup? Did you go out? Was it a date?” Something felt off. 

She moved the camera away. “Nope, you’re imagining things.” 

+25 BONUS 

Chapter 227 

“Oh, come on. Don’t hide it. Spill the tea,” I pushed. I knew her too well for her to get away with this. 

When she finally brought the camera back, she’d already wiped off her lipstick. 

“There’s nothing to tell,” she said, trying to sound casual. “I just met up with him for Yuna.” 

I was su 

surprised. “Wait, you saw him? I thought you weren’t meeting until next week.” 

“He came back early, and our professor set it up,” Lena said, trying to sound all casual. 

But I wasn’t letting this go. “So, how’d it go?” 

“What do you mean, how did it go?” she said, dodging. 

“Your senior! Is he still single?” I asked. 

Lena rolled her eyes. “Seriously? Shouldn’t you be more interested in what he said about your future sister- in–law?” 

“Of course I care! But I’m more worried about you. I’m not gonna ditch my friends for some guy,” I said, giving her a playful wink. 

Lena scoffed. “Yeah, sure. You’re just being nosy.” 

“Okay, fine, I am! Now spill!” I was eager to know. 

I wanted to know about Yuna’s condition, but I was also dying to know if there was any chemistry between Lena and her senior. 

o you really. 

to know?” Lena teased. 

“Yes, like, desperately!” I said, putting on my best pleading face. 

Lena bit her lip. “Yuna’s surgery should be fine. They did a similar one last year, and it went really well.” 

My heart practically did a cartwheel. “That’s awesome! 

“So, is he still single?” I asked, not missing a beat. 

Just as I finished my question, a friend request notification popped up on my phone. The sender? Cole. 

+25 BONUS