Chapter 2: Behind the scene

Immediately the call ended. Hayden exhaled sharply, his mind still lingering on the mystery of the car’s owner. He pushed the thought aside and returned to the dining room, before they began to worry.

He didn't care if Briella ran off with a man, he just wanted to know who the unfortunate person that got that car was. That model was specially designed. He wanted to buy the car weeks back but someone beat him to it.

In the black Bugatti, Briella sat quietly, her mind in chaos. She knew Hayden never loved her but why was she betrayed like this.

It just dawned on her that Hilda befriended her because she wanted to be close to Hayden. Everything added up now. She was outsmarted.

“Boss, are you okay?”

Briella smiled wryly, “I am fine, at least I'm a free woman now.”

“It's so sad that you were divorced on your wedding anniversary, do you want ice cream, your favorite?” Charles said, hoping to comfort her.

She glared at him and he took the initiative to keep shut.

“Ice Cream is useless at this point.” she said sternly.

Now that she's divorced she needs to return back to her family.

The car soon stopped at white wood villa.

She stepped down from the car, she didn't want to face her family looking like this.

“Boss, are you sure you want to stay here alone?” Charles pressed with a worried tone. 

“Just go home, Charles.”

“Your father strictly told me to bring you back home.”

“I'll call him, don't worry you won't get into trouble.”

After reassuring him. He drove off. She didn’t want to face her family like this, broken, defeated. 

Briella pressed the passcode and entered the villa. She missed this place. The spacious villa was all white and spotless like she had never been here.

As she sat on the couch to call her dad, A message popped up, it was from Hilda. Curiously she opened the message and it read.

“You were not worthy of him, you poor street rat, I always wondered how you became his wife.. That's old news anyway. I don't want to see your face in my boyfriend’s house ever again or you'll see hell.”

Briella’s hands trembled as she read the message. What had she ever done to Hilda to deserve this from Hilda? She took a deep breath, locking her phone and shutting her eyes. She needed to forget about Hayden. 

This was the last time she was going to shed tears over a man ever again.

*

At Sky Mansion.

The Linfords family finished dinner, Hayden broke the big news to them that he'd divorced Briella. 

The room fell silent for a while. 

“I wondered what you first saw in her. She's beneath you.” Mr Linford muttered.

She's a nobody, she never belonged with you. his sister said. 

The rest of them spoke ill of Briella 

Hilda sat quietly, a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips. She had won. Briella was out of the picture, and Hayden was hers.

Hayden’s younger brother- Allen, sat quietly, his jaw tightening as the insults continued. He had always been the silent observer, the one who saw through the family’s pretenses. His eyes grew cold as he looked at each of them. He felt disgusted by them. Finally, he pushed his chair back, the screech sound of the chair against the ground silenced the room.

“I’m going to the restroom,” he muttered. He didn’t wait for a response, striding out of the dining room. He walked outside, the chill outside air did a little to calm his anger. Why were they still tearing Briella apart? He didn't know why he was born into a family that treated people like trash.

But then again, this was his family. 

It was getting late and everyone headed out of Sky mansion. Only Hilda and Hayden were now left. She decided to spend the night here now that Briella was out of the way. 

Hayden carried her in a bridal style to his room. It was her first time in his mansion. so this night was going to be a memorable one.

The sound of them moaning filled the night air. They couldn't get enough of each other.

The next morning, Hayden woke to an empty bed. Hilda had left early, leaving behind only the faint scent of her perfume. He dressed quickly, and his eyes fell on a note written by Hilda that she had some urgent matter 

He soon got a call from his security man.

“Good morning sir” He greeted.

“Did you find out who the owner of the car was?” Jayden asked in a commanding voice.

“Sir.. Sir, I couldn't get it.” Dale stuttered.

“Such incompetence. Do I pay you for nothing.” Hayden was pissed. He did allow the security man to speak further and he ended the call.

He refreshed up and dressed for work. He suddenly remembered he hadn't confirmed if Briella signed the papers since she didn't hand it over to him.

He rushed to her room, the room was neatly arranged, she didn't take anything, or would she come back for her things Hayden thought.

His gaze landed on the papers on the dressing table. He glanced through it, she had really signed it.

He smiled but his smile soon faded when he saw another note.

It read, I don't need your filthy money or moon villa. And as for my property in the house you can discard them.

Hayden’s jaw tightened. How could she be so stubborn? How can a poor person be this stupid, he offered her what would benefit her life and she blatantly refused it.

Hayden got to his company, as he came out from the elevator his assistant rushed to him. Sir the deal with the blue star corporation has been canceled.

“What??” Hayden yelled. “It was almost finalized yesterday.”

“Get Mr Victor on the phone now!!”

“I’m trying to reach Mr. Victor, but he’s not responding.”

Hayden clenched his fists. This couldn’t be happening.

At Brim Woods Villa.

The morning sun blinded her eyes as she stretched on the bed. She woke up late due to tiredness from yesterday's event.

As Briella took her shower, she heard the doorbell ring.

She frowned. Who could it be? Only a few people knew about this place. She quickly dried off and dressed, and ran downstairs. Looking at the door camera. No one was there. She stepped outside, her eyes scanning the empty driveway. She needed to change her security team. How come someone entered her villa without them informing her.

As she turned to go back inside, something caught her eyes, a gift box on the ground. 

Puzzled, she picked it up, inspected that it wasn't a ticking bomb before going back inside. Who could this gift be from?