Chapter 98

I quickened my pace, feeling the wind at my feet. Only a fool would stop now. I rushed into the elevator and pressed the button for the third floor. Just as the doors were about to close, a hand reached out to stop them. I froze, my breath catching. Could it be Hayden chasing after me? Maybe he was furious after what I'd said earlier. But when I looked up, it wasn't Hayden. It was Ethan.

"Oh, it's you," I said, placing a hand on my chest. "You scared me to death!" I had been truly startled.

Ethan stepped into the elevator, and the doors slid shut. He glanced at me, a smirk playing on his lips. "Weren't you just acting all cool and unconcerned?"

I frowned. "You actually know how to joke?" I'd thought all killers were supposed to be cold and emotionless. Ethan didn't respond, quietly standing behind me.

The elevator doors opened, and I took a deep breath before knocking on Deborah's door. "Come in," Deborah's voice came from inside. I walked in alone.

Deborah and Xander slept in separate rooms. It seemed many older couples preferred sleeping apart. Xander often hung out in the study, while Deborah's room was fresher and more elegant, the walls adorned with paintings.

"Hi, Mrs. Parker," I said, lowering my gaze respectfully. No matter what, Deborah had helped me, and she might be upset about the livestream. Now she was calling me, but I wasn't sure why.

"You came up quickly," Deborah remarked casually, her tone neutral.

"They don't want me in the dining room," I replied. If Hayden could bring Joanna to the Parker residence, it meant I was no longer needed here.

Deborah sighed. "I'd hoped to help you two get together, but... never mind. Your matters are your own now, and I can't interfere. Frankly, I..."

I froze, looking up at Deborah. "Mrs. Parker, are you saying you're agreeing to our divorce? What about Mr. Parker's stance on this?"

"I'll discuss it with him," Deborah said, waving her hand and settling back in her chair. "Since Pax Oceana has been given to you, take good care of it."

"Mr. Parker, don't worry. In a month, Hayden and I will be divorced, and Pax Oceana will be returned to you," I said slowly. Pax Oceana was a major asset under the Parker Group. There was no way I could keep it.

Deborah looked at me, her eyes reflecting appreciation for my understanding. "It's our fault."

"Mr. Parker, the Parker family hasn't wronged me. I'm just returning to where I belong," I said with a slight smile. There was no such thing as obligatory love. Hayden never owed me his affection. Everything was my full persistence.

Our divorce would simply set everything back in its rightful place. As I was about to leave, Deborah asked me not to livestream in the Parker residence again, and I promised I wouldn't. Or rather, this was probably my last time here.

When I came downstairs, the dining room was empty except for the maids cleaning up. Layla and Joanna were in the living room, chatting, and Hayden was nowhere to be seen. I guessed he must have felt awkward and decided to hide.

While lost in thought, Joanna noticed me. "Yvonne," she called out timidly, as if afraid of me. I was almost used to it; in front of others, her personality was unpredictable.

Layla glared at me. "Hmph, Hayden already said he wasn't sick. What exactly are you trying to pull, saying such things about your own husband?"

I laughed. "You just called him my husband. Who understands this situation better, me or you? How could he ever admit something like that himself?"

Then, I turned to Joanna. "You should know, shouldn't you?"

Joanna's face flushed. "I..." Her reaction made it obvious nothing had happened between her and Hayden. Otherwise, she would have denied my claim. I didn't know why Hayden hadn't slept with her, but seeing her flustered brought me a strange satisfaction. Layla, being cunning, saw through our exchange.

She furrowed her brow, studying Joanna. "You don't know! Hayden hasn't slept with you? That's strange, though. The maid found condoms. He must have slept with someone. If it wasn't you, then who could it be?"

As soon as Layla finished, her eyes widened, and she glanced at me, as if realizing something. Joanna, slower on the uptake, stared at me wide-eyed.

"You... how could Hayden possibly sleep with you? He isn't," Joanna stammered.

I was surprised by Layla's words. I'd thought she knew nothing when she wasn't around. But then again, Hayden and I were still married, so whatever happened between us wasn't unusual, nor shameful.

"His sexual abilities aren't completely gone, it's just... a bit brief," I said lightly, affecting mild regret.

Joanna's face twisted in realization, and she shouted, "You... you have no shame!"

"No shame?" I raised an eyebrow, my expression turning cold. "Let's be clear. He's my husband, so I can do whatever I want. And what about you! You're a mistress. What right do you have to lecture me?"

Joanna bit her lip, then turned to Layla. "Mrs. Parker, you know... it was Hayden who brought me here."