bChapter /bb210 /b

    The woman standing before him was none other than Le Diaz, the mayor’s daughter, smiling at Jordan.

    Le said, “I saw your phone ringing earlier and answered it for you. Instead of thanking me, you’re talking behind my back. bWatch /bit, or I’ll tell my dad not to help you out.”

    Jordan shot her a nce but said nothing. He checked his phone and saw it was Ste who had called. His brows knitted together.

    Le sped her hands behind her back. With a powerful father like hers, she always looked at everyone with smug pride.

    Most rich boys would put on their best ttering smiles for her, but Jordan was the only one who always looked at her bwith /bba /bcold,

    uninterested face.

    “Was that your girlfriend calling?” Le asked.

    “Don’t touch my phone again,” Jordan said, pocketing his phone and heading for the door.

    Le hurried after him. “I definitely heard a woman’s voice. Weren’t you supposed to be the type who never goes near girls?”

    Jordan just brushed her off.

    Le had only recentlye back and didn’t know much about Seavale. She sweet–talked her dad into letting her tag along to a bidding

    event, and that’s where she firstid eyes on Jordan.

    Lots of people were chatting with Le at the time, and Jordan did say a few words to her, but all she got was a polite smile–nothing more.

    She’d never met a guy like him before, so of course, she got curious about him.

    Seeing Jordan stay silent, Le just grinned and said, “Girlfriend or not, I’ve got my eye on you. Once I want something, you’re not getting

    away.”

    Jordan was already in his sweats; he’de over dressed like this, so there was no need to change.

    He turned to her. “Don’t put your energy on me. You’ll regret it.”

    Le justughed. “My motto? Once I make up my mind, I never look back.”

    Jordan didn’t spare her another nce. He turned and walked out.

    Le kept that smug grin on her face. She could read women like a bookb. /bJust from the way that girl sounded on the phone, she could tell she was nothing special–probably never even dated before. Girls like that were the easiest to mess with.

    She didn’t believe there was a woman alive who wouldn’t care if her man was showering at another woman’s ce.

    Ste never got a message from Jordan, but before she knew it, he was already back. She ran over to him, beaming. “Jordan, you’re backb?/bb” /b

    Jordan couldn’t help feeling a little guilty. He knew his problems these days had been weighing on Ste, too. He put down bwhat /bbhe /bwas carrying and gently held her face in his hands.

    “Ste, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to leave you hanging. I’ve just had some things on my mind, but bit /bbhas /bbnothing /bbto /bbdo /bbwith /bbyou/bb,/bb” /bbhe /bbsaid /bbsoftly/bb. /b

    Ste finally let out the breath she’d been holding, her nerves settling atst.

    b1/3 /b

    “What are you talking about? I really don’t mind, honestly. I’m just d you’re back,” Ste said, smiling up at bhim/b.

    Jordan had no idea what Le might’ve said to Ste, but he did care a lot about how Ste felt.

    “Don’t listen to whatever that woman said on the phone. I never let her touch my phone. I just went to take a shower and forgot to bbring /bbit /b

    with me. That’s all,” he exined.

    She saw he was still in his workout clothes and asked, “Where’d you go? Can Ie with you

    He gave her aplicated look, then nodded. “Anywhere you want to go, I’ll take iyou/i.”

    Ste could tell he meant it, and that made her feel better. “Great.”

    They watched TV together after that.

    Mary saw they were back to normal and felt relieved.

    next timeb?/bb” /b

    After all, what couple didn’t have their ups and downs? Maybe a little argument was even good for them–it could bring them closer.

    Everything was back to normal.

    But something just didn’t sit right with Ste, and she couldn’t even put her finger on why.

    She kept telling herself not to dwell on it. No matter what, she just had to trust Jordan and herself.

    The next day, N told her there was a meeting in Seavale she needed to attend.

    Ste knew about it; it was a workshop for young entrepreneurs. She’d gotten an invite, so of course she was going.

    Since things were quiet at work, she decided to go to the workshop.

    Ste was still thinking about calling Jordan to see if he’de along when someone tapped on her car window. It was Kevin.

    Ste got out of the car. “Kevin, you’re here early,” she said.

    “Not really. I just got here myself and saw your car. Are you here alone? Didn’t Jordane with you?” Kevin asked.

    “He had somethinge up this morning, so he left early. I just came on my own,” Ste replied.

    “You didn’t know he wasing today?” Kevin asked, a bit surprised.

    After Jordan got backst night, neither of them mentioned it. Honestly, if N hadn’t brought it up, Ste would have forgotten all about it.

    Kevin looked a little uneasy. “How’s he been treating youtely?”

    “Don’t worry. Things are good between us.” Ste reassured him with a smile.

    But her smile was a bit forced; she couldn’t help but think about how Jordan had hardly been around these past few days.

    Kevin had known her for years, so he could tell something was off. But since Ste didn’t seem like she wanted to talk about itb, /bhe bdidn’t /bpush.

    “Let’s head inside,” he said instead.

    Ste nodded.

    b213 /b

    They walked in together.

    Ste recognized some of the people inside and just nodded hello to them.

    The seating chart was already set up, and as Ste walked over, she saw she’d been ced next to someone named Le.

    The name didn’t ring a bell. Ste had never heard of her before.

    Kevin was sitting right in front of her, so Ste asked him, “Do you know Le?”

    “Yeah, she’s the mayor’s daughter. Honestly, she doesn’t really belong here, but with a dad like hers, who’s going to stop her?” Kevin replied,

    Ste hadn’t expected to be seated next to this woman. She wasn’t sure if it was ba /bgood thing or not. But since she was here, she might as

    well roll with it.

    People trickled in, and soon Le arrived.

    Le took the seat beside Ste, shed her a smile, and said, “Howe I don’t remember seeing you before?b” /b

    Ste kept it polite and offered her hand. “I’m Ste Hayes, owner of Hayes Group.”

    Le suddenly remembered. “Wait? You’re the owner of Hayes Group? Wasn’t it Max running things before?”

    Ste didn’t feel like getting into her family drama, so she just said, “Management changed, so now I’m in charge.”

    “What about Max? Is heing today?” Le asked, already scanning the room.

    “He won’t. I’m in charge of Hayes Group from now on,” Ste replied.

    “You?” Le said, not even bothering to hide her attitude. “You just seem kind of different from the rest of us, you know?”

    When Ste realized Le had ino /iintention of shaking her hand, she awkwardly withdrew it and didn’t bother to answer.

    Even Kevin, sitting in front of them, was left speechless by Le’s blunt question.

    As soon as Jordan walked in, it wasn’t Ste who lit up; it was Le.

    AD

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