Chapter 6

Chloe's POV

A low chuckle came through the receiver.

"Mrs. Hayes, everyone knows you and Mr. Hayes are deeply in love. Why on earth should I trust you?"

Luke Soeng, CEO of the Soeng Group.

Both the Soeng Group and Hayes Group were pharmaceutical giants, locked in an endless corporate war in the market over the years.

Luke Soeng and Ryan Hayes were bitter rivals who didn't even bother keeping up appearances in public.

I didn't take offense.

"Mr. Soeng , to show my sincerity, I will send you a set of files first. You can verify it yourself, and once you confirm its validity, we'll talk about our partnership."

"Besides, there is zero risk on your end. All you have to do is take care of one small favor for me. There's no downside for you—only gain."

Luke was clearly intrigued, immediately shifting his form of address.

"Oh? Tell me, Ms. Vance, what do you need me to do?"

"Over the next few days, I need you to secretly have people ensure my safety. In a few days, I'll be leaving New York. On the day I depart, I will send you what you want."

Luke laughed again, this time sounding much more genuine.

"Interesting. Looks like Mr. Hayes's household hasn't been so peaceful lately. Ms. Vance, that sounds like a fair deal. I'm in. Pleasure doing business with you."

Hanging up, the suffocating frustration that had weighed on my chest for days dissipated a little.

I didn't return to that house; instead, I hailed a cab and went to a hotel.

The burn on my arm throbbed faintly. I took a painkiller and drifted into a groggy sleep.

I didn't know how much time had passed when the room door was swiped open, and someone walked up to the edge of the bed.

It was Ryan.

Given his influence, finding someone in New York was all too easy; I wasn't surprised at all.

Looking at my heavily bandaged arm, a hint of regret crossed Ryan's face.

"Chloe, I'm just glad you're okay. Yesterday I was blinded by anger and forgot to instruct the butler to take you to the hospital."

I rolled over, turning my back to him to continue sleeping, unwilling to waste another word on him.

Ryan stood there for a moment before speaking again.

"Chloe, in a few days I'll be sending Wendy abroad. She won't return until the baby is born, so she won't have another chance to hurt you. Just focus on having a safe pregnancy."

I sneered inwardly.

He was just terrified that Wendy's growing belly wouldn't stay hidden, so he wanted to stash her away and bring her back only after she gave birth.

It was entirely for Wendy's sake, yet coming out of his mouth, it sounded like it was all for my consideration.

What Ryan said next caught me off guard.

"Wendy's birthday is in a few days, and the Hayes family is hosting a birthday banquet for her. Wendy wants you to organize it."

I turned back around and looked at him coldly.

"In your dreams."

Ryan's expression darkened, his tone turning stern.

"Chloe, this is Wendy's last wish before leaving. You are her family; you should help make it happen."

I laughed.

"Ryan, has she ever seen me as family? Have your parents ever considered me part of the Hayes family?"

Ryan didn't answer.

He took a bracelet from his pocket and held it out on his open palm.

"This is the only heirloom your grandmother left you. Chloe, plan the birthday banquet properly, and I'll give it back to you. Be good, okay?"

I glared at him coldly.

Just for Wendy's birthday, he was stooping to using my grandmother's heirloom to blackmail me.

That bracelet had been put on my wrist by my grandmother herself on her deathbed. I couldn't afford to risk it.

Gritting my teeth, I agreed.

They said I was the one organizing it, but in reality, everything from the venue to the menu and guest list was handled entirely by Ryan—no different from any other birthday banquet held for Wendy in previous years.

The only difference was that with my name attached to it, Wendy's demands were particularly excessive.

The flowers had to be reselected; the colors were too tacky.

The cake had to be swapped; the design was too dated.

The invitations had to be reprinted; the font wasn't pretty enough.

Wendy even insisted on personally inspecting the color of the gown I would wear on the day of the banquet, deliberately picking the most drab, unremarkable beige-gray dress.

I swallowed it all.

All I needed was to get through these few days safely.

On the day of the banquet, just as Ryan and I arrived at the venue entrance, Wendy came out from inside to greet us, immediately looping her arm through Ryan's.

"Ryan, come help me look at the stage backdrop!"

Ryan was pulled away, leaving me standing alone in the entryway.

A few lavishly dressed young women came over and surrounded me, looks of disdain plastered across their faces.

"So this is Mrs. Hayes? Coming from a nobody background, marrying into wealth still can't shake off that cheap vibe."

"Gold diggers like her are only after the Hayes family's money anyway. The rumors out there claim Ryan spoils his wife, but I bet she paid for those PR articles herself!"

"Exactly! Look at how Ryan dumped her the second he walked through the door. Left her standing here all by herself like an abandoned stray dog. How pathetic."

I didn't say a word. I looked at each of their faces in turn, memorizing every single one.

The banquet began.

Sheldon Hayes and Wendy's mother, Audrey Sim, led the way, with Ryan and Wendy following behind as they entered the hall.

Wendy wore a champagne-colored haute couture gown, clinging to Ryan's arm with a radiant smile.

Guests throughout the room raised their glasses in flattery, praising the deep bond between the Hayes siblings, remarking on how charming and considerate Ms. Hayes was, and saying that whoever married her would be blessed for lifetimes.

I felt completely numb to it all.

Holding a glass of sparkling water, I sat alone in the furthest corner of the hall.

From a distance, someone cut through the crowd and walked straight toward me.