Chapter 7

“There is no way this can be happening!” Vanessa said in disbelief the moment Hailey stepped out of the conference room. She rose to her feet and started pacing up and down the room.

“She disappeared long ago. Rumors even have it that she’s dead. Why is she here, ruling over us?”

“Dad, please say something!!!”

“Just stop all these, okay?!” Eric lashed out at her.

“All of these are happening and you think it’s alright to sit back and do nothing?”

“She ran away penniless and now she is back, being richest of all and you think it’s okay?”

“Holy shit, how the hell is She the owner of ENROL? Did you see her handbag? That shit costs almost a fucking hundred thousand dollars. We can literally sell that bag and pay all the staff in this company the money we owe them. And how the hell is she the CEO? I thought Grandfather loved me more?”

Vanessa turned her attention to Cole. “You should check your office finance records well. She definitely stole from you.”

“Enough!!!” Cole raised his voice, rising to his feet.

“Aren’t you tired of speaking ill of her?”

“Are you trying to bully me by exposing her real intentions? She stole you from me for fucks sake? Why are you all too blind to see that this is too good to be real?”

At this point, the rest of the shareholders in the room started exiting the conference room, leaving Cole, Vanessa, Eric, and Julz behind.

“All I see here is Jealousy!” Julz said, rising to his feet.

“Come on, you are our lawyer, you should be on our side.”

“Hailey is your sister for crying out loud! If anyone should be her best friend, then it’s you. Not you talking down on her.”

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“I don’t care what must have happened in the past. The future is now. We should work hand in hand but all I see in you is so much bitterness. Well not like your opinion matters anymore. No matter how much you despise this, Hailey is the boss now so I would behave myself if I were you.”

Cole said nothing but helped himself out.

“Dad! You are still not going to say anything?” Vanessa directed at Eric, not believing all of this was happening.

“You over–pampered this one, didn’t you?” Julz mocked.

“Enough you both!” Eric’s voice resonated in the room.

“Do you think this is easy for me? Or do you think I planned this?” He directed at his daughter!

“What in the hell do you expect me to say? We shouldn’t accept her help so we can end up in the streets?”

“Enough of all your tantrums. And if you are looking for answers as to why Hailey is heading the company and not you, I think you know the way to your Grandfather’s

s grave.”

“You all are so blinded. I’m going to prove to you guys that Hailey is nothing but fake.” Vanessa grabbed her purse on the table and noticed that Cole wasn’t in the room, then she stormed out of the conference room, going in search of him.

Hailey did her business and approached the sink to wash her hands when she looked to her left and sighted Cole. She tore her glance away from him and continued washing her hands. She dried her hands, picked up her handbag, and took steps towards the door. Cole stopped her by meeting her halfway, blocking the way. He didn’t care that he was in the ladies‘ bathroom and at the same time, he was glad that this bathroom was exclusive to female board members.

“You’re blocking the way.”

“Hailey….”

“Don’t you dare touch me!” She said as he was about to do so, her glare was the same as the tone of her voice. She tried to escape him but he stopped her by holding her hand.

Hailey shrugged his hand off her and almost immediately, her hand landed really hard across his cheek.

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She wanted to leave but he still blocked her way, this time around, respecting her wish for not wanting to be

touched.

“You are free to yell at me, hit me, and do all sorts but I’m not letting you go until you talk.”

“I have nothing to talk to you about! Get out of the way so I can take my leave.”

“Where the hell were you? I looked for you, Hailes. And who is that douchebag that has been all over you? Did you tell him you are married? And why the hell did you introduce yourself as Hailey Riley You are Hailey Matthis. We are married, remember?”

A sad chuckle escaped Hailey’s lips. “You sent me out of your life and home and here you are asking me where the hell I was like you ever give a fuck about me!”

“Look, Hailes, I can explain.”

“I don’t want to hear it. You wanted a divorce and I agreed. You never regarded me as your wife and I never will be.”

“Or do you need me to remind you of how much you were so ashamed of me to introduce me to everyone in the office as your wife?”

Cole sighed.

“Itam told me you were the brain behind all the good works and projects in the company. Why didn’t you

me?”

tell

“I don’t know what you are talking about.””

“Now is not the time to deny anything.”

“And what would have changed if I told you? It’s not like you were going to change into a loving doting husband or flunt me as your wife to everyone.”

“I did all that I did because I was paid to do my job, not because I wanted to impress you.”

“What went wrong? You’ve turned so Cold and brutal. You are not the Hailey I used to know?”

“Oh, you mean, I’m no longer the naive and stupid lady who was blindly in love with you?”

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“No, that’s not what I’m saying. You are being so cold to me and this is so unlike you! You came in and didn’t acknowledge me. For fucks sake we are married and you didn’t even stare at me twice!”

“I don’t care what we used to be in the past. My past is buried. I don’t know who you are and I don’t give a fuck.

the horrible bond we shared,”

“Stay away from me or I will be forced to get a restraining order against you.”

19:30

Everything happened so fast that Hailey didn’t see it coming. Cole pushed her against the wall and instantly. cornered her, her bag falling off from her hand. He pinned her hand to the side, the duo breathing heavily, due to

their closeness.

“Can you just stay still?” He mumbled, wondering why she was now so stubborn.

“Get the hell off me!!!”

“Look, I know I’ve wronged you. I’m deeply sorry for all the hurt I caused you. I went crazy, Hailey. I searched for you but it was as though you disappeared off the face of the earth. I’m sorry for everything I’ve done and all the pain that I’ve caused you.”

“I know I’m not worthy to be in front of you. I feel so ashamed and stupid but I am doing this because I really want to. A day did not pass that I didn’t think about you.”

“Look at you, You’ve changed so much!”

“It is true when they say you don’t know the value of what you have until you lose it.”

“I couldn’t stop staring at you. You carried yourself with so much grace and confidence, even as you addressed

us.”

“Your body,” Cole sighed, swallowing painfully.

He rested his head against hers.

And almost immediately, the door to the restroom flung open. “What the hell is going on here?” Vanessa stepped in, glaring at the duo.

Hailey tried to struggle out of his hold but he wasn’t letting her.

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“Let go of me!”

“What the hell is going on, Cole!!”

“Get out!” He glared at Vanessa.

“Why are you all over her when you have me?”

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“I knew you being here doesn’t come with good intentions. You are nothing but a gold–digging slut!!!!!”

Hailey had no idea where she got her strength from but with all her might, She pushed Cole away and approached Vanessa, her hand landing really hard across Vanessa’s face.

Shocked, Vanessa brought her hand to her cheek, trying to ease herself of the pain.

“Don’t you ever mess with me!” Glaring her at, Hailey picked up her bag from the floor and then stormed out of the restroom.

Tyler was seated with his legs crossed. He saw Hailey from afar, coming his way with an angry expression and that made him stand to his feet.

He took steps towards her and met her halfway.

“Let’s get out of here.” She continued walking,

“I thought I would have a meeting with the manager?” Ty, said, trying to catch up with her

“I’ll conduct it online. It’s either I leave here now or I kill someone.”

“What the hell, Cole? Why were you alone with her?”

“What does that have to do with you?” He glared at Vanessa. “You just had to ruin the moment with my wife, didn’t you?”

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