Chapter 9
Hayes rushed to the office, drowning in an avalanche of work.
Files stacked high across his desk. He flipped through page after page until his eyes burned, then finally looked up at the window.
Just then, a plane cut across the sky, its contrail drawing a long white line against the blue.
A sharp pain shot through his chest. Panic spread through him for no reason, like something crucial was slipping away.
He frowned, pressing a hand to his chest as Lennox’s face flashed unbidden through his mind.
-too qui
Vaguely, he remembered her saying something as he left–too quiet to catch at the time, and now he couldn’t recall what.
Hayes gripped his pen tighter. Something felt off.
Was she still pissed?
Lennox had always been dramatic and spoiled. When she got hurt, she never held back–half the social circle had been on the receiving end of her attitude.
This past month, he’d definitely been giving Raina more attention. Maybe he’d been neglecting Lennox, pushing her to burn all that stuff.
He sighed and hit the intercom. His secretary walked in immediately, standing respectfully by the desk.
“Have someone send over the latest designer clothes, bags, and jewelry to Lennox’s apartment.”
Hayes looked up, continuing, “And make sure they’re staying on top of the wedding details.”
The secretary nodded and was about to leave when Hayes called him back: “Oh, and that thing I had you look into–any leads?”
“Some progress, but we need to verify the information.”
“Good.” Hayes twirled his pen. “Let me know the second you have something concrete.”
Ever since Lennox’s mother’s keepsake got smashed, he’d been looking for a way to make it up to her.
Regular jewelry meant nothing to her, so he’d had people digging around. Turns out her mother had donated a sapphire necklace to charity years ago.
After changing hands several times, it ended up with some overseas collector.
He’d immediately set his secretary on tracking it down. Whatever the price, he had to have it.
He could already picture Lennox’s face lighting up when she got it. The thought made him smile..
Hayes pulled out his phone and texted: [Having the latest clothes, jewelry and bags sent to your place.]
Then followed up: [Len, I’ve got another surprise for you. You’re gonna love it.]
No response. He wasn’t worried.
Lennox was still mad, but she’d come around once she cooled off.
Hayes worked until deep into the night. When he finally finished everything, it was already 1 AM.
Their chat showed only his two messages, sitting there unanswered.
15:17
A Billion–Dollar Goodbye: Too Late for Second Chances. Mr. Ex
6.4%
Chapter 9
“Stubborn little thing.”
He muttered under his breath and pocketed his phone.
A knock at the door. His secretary entered with documents, setting them on the desk.
“Mr. Hayes, we found it. The necklace will be auctioned at UK’s biggest auction house tomorrow night at 8:30. Should I send someone to—”
“No. I’m going myself.”
Hayes stood before the secretary could finish, grabbing his jacket from the chair. “Book the next available flight. We leave now.”
“But…” the secretary hesitated, “the auction is the day before your wedding. Isn’t that cutting it close? Maybe we should send someone trustworthy
instead…”
“I don’t trust anyone else with this.”
Hayes checked the time, voice certain. “There’s time. As soon as I get the necklace, I’ll fly straight back. Plenty of time for the wedding.”
He wanted to deliver this surprise to Lennox personally.
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