“Take a look for yourself,” Caitlin said coldly
She pulled a stack of documents from her bag and tossed them onto the table in front of Hayden.
He picked them up, brows raising slightly as he flipped through the paperwork detailing Nedyah Group’s stake in the Tunery Group A wicked smile curled on his face. “Well, well..Caitlin, you really are something. You even managed to dig this up?”
“Then I think it’s time you exin, Caitlin said, her eyes locked onto his “How did fedyah Groupe to possess those uncey Group shares? What exactly did you do to get them?”
For a moment, they stared each other down. T
Then Hayden chuckled, clearly entertained.
“What’s so funny?” Caitlin’s face darkened, “if you’re hiding something from me–if you’re not being honest–then we have nothing more to
<b>talk </b>about.”
She grabbed her bag and stood up to leave.
Hayden called after her. “You haven’t even let me exin. Sit down–please.”
Caitlin hesitated, then slowly returned to her seat, though her expression remained icy
“Those shares were acquired through perfectly legal channels. No shady deals. No tricks. And no one from the Yuncey family knows the shares are tied to me except you two,”
Caitlin narrowed her eyes, her silence unnerving, Hayden shifted, brushing <b>a </b>hand through his hair to ease the tension.
“What I’m about to tell you,” he continued, “is for your ears only.”
Meaning Sebastian and James needed to leave.
Sebastian wasn’t having it “And why the hell can’t hear it?”
Though he was posing as Caitlin’s assistant, he made it very clear he was more than that.
“It’s not that y you “can’t hear it,” Hayden said smoothly, “but I won’t <b>say </b>it if you’re here.”
Caitlin nced at both men. With a nod, she signaled them to wait outside.
James left right away. Sebastian lingered, grumbling, “<b>What </b>a drama queen…”
Once they were alone, Hayden gestured for Caitlin to follow him. She guessed he was about to pull another one of his mysterious stunts, but curiosity got the better of her.
He led her through a corridor and into a sun–drenched courtyard.
Behind a ss wall sat a middle–aged woman in a wheelchair, a nket over her legs, basking in the sunlight.
<b>Caitlin </b>stared for a moment, then her eyes widened. “That’s your mother–Taylor?”
“Yes.
“She’s alive?”
Catlin turned to Hayden, her shock palpable. The man was even more calcting than she had imagined.
-5o…all that about avenging your dend mother was just a front? She’s not dead–she’s right here. Still alive. Let me guess–<b>your </b> was to use me to destroy the Yuncey family, then swoop in and im it all for yourself?”
Her tone <b>was </b><b>sharp</b>, usatory. She was furious at the possibility of being manipted.
Hayden didn’t flinch. “Caillin, I get it. But don’t paint me like a viin. Yes<b>, </b>I want to take down the Yuncey family. But no–‘m not doing it to ‘gain‘ anything
“I’m doing it for “her“. You’ve seen her. She’s alive, but only technically. Years ago, they broke her legs. She’s paralyzed from the waist down If I hadn’t gotten to her in time, she’d be <b>dead</b>.”
The usual slyness disappeared from Hayden’s face, reced by something raw–anger, grief.
“She still obsesses over Timothy. Still regrets not marrying him. Can you believe that? She was tortured by these people, and <b>she </b>“s“…she still mourns the life she never had.
“I can’t let that go. I won’t let that go.
“Do I look like someone who needs the Yuncey family’s wealth? You think I give a damn about theirpany?”
Caitlin studied him carefully. His voice was rising, his eyes slightly red. Emotion cracked through the surface of his polished charm.
She turned to look at Taylor. Gray–haired, silent, unable to move. The nurse by her side made it clear she needed constant care.
There was no doubt this woman had suffered. For years.
Caitlin made her decision. “Alright. If you’re really doing this for her, then I’ll help you.”
She looked him in the eye.
“I can give your mother peace. I can help you take revenge. But in return, I want your full cooperation.”
Hayden narrowed his eyes. “What kind of cooperation?”
“Transfer every single Yuncey Group share owned by Nedyah Group to me.”
Caitlin’s voice <b>was </b>like steel. “You just said you don’t care about their wealth, right? Or were you just full of crap?”
Hayden stared at her. For a moment, he lookedpletely caught off guard.
Then he let out a slow, stunnedugh and pped his hands. “Well yed. You really are a piece of work.”
“So… you agree?”
“What choice do I have? Gotta prove my sincerity, don’t 17”
way out. Caitlin had tumed his own words back on him–and he’d walked right into it.
Hayden had no way
They returned to the <b>main </b>room, where Caitlin called Sebastian and James back in Hayden watched in silence as her team pulled out the prepared transfer documents.
He let out <b>a </b>dryugh. “You really came prepared, huh? What <b>a </b>shark…”
He hadn’t expected this. But at this point, there are no pr?ng her?
Under the banner of Ct Greon, Caitlin officially signed the great in one and dating’s pre
Thanks to a prior market valuation, meticulos eg, and stadion’s involvement, werything were alright,
if he tried.
“Much appreciated,” Caitlin said smoothly, “With this, we’re officially bind together. Sick de cuvint
Her smile was unreadable.
Nephew and uncle? Not really. They had no blood ties. This was purely a marriage of drategy
With the Nedyah shares and Cynthia’s transfer, plus ongoing negotiations with minor shareholders, Can was closing
Once she hit that number, she couldunch a hostile takeover of the Yancey Group
After filing the documents, Calin turned to Hayden “Alright. Let’s talk about tomorrow’s
Invitation?
ow’s birthday banquet, I annume
“I have
“My original n didn’t include your mother. But now that she’s in the picture, we may need to adjust. De you