Chapter 23: AN UNCARING HUSBAND (II)
HAYLEY
The next morning, I come downstairs to meet everyone already gathered in the living room, speaking in hushed tones.
Goosebumps roughen my skin as I take in their troubled expressions.
The air is thick with tension and heavy with the promise of trouble.
Something’s not right. Something has gone horribly wrong.
Their whispers cut off when I arrive, and I can feel the suspicion in their gazes as they stare at me.
Choosing to ignore everyone until I’m personally addressed, I walk past with my head held high, not bothering to say a word.
“Hayley,” Edward calls, “Come here. I need to talk to you.”
I pause. Then turn slowly, raising a brow in clear disdain.
He did not bother to acknowledge or even return my calls yesterday, nor did he offer an apology for wasting my precious time.
“I am not a dog that you can address however you want, Edward. Say the magic word.”
His eyes flash with rage and for the second time, I notice the dark circles.
Is it due to work stress? Or all the nights he’s spent awake pleasing his mistress? Not that I care.
“This is not the time to throw your little tantrums.” Aunt Susan snaps.
I give them my back, prepared to continue on my way to the kitchen, when Victoria's fake, angelic voice stops me.
“Please, Hayley. This is urgent.”
I face them once more, plastering a smile so wide, they all know it’s fake.
“Fine. Since Victoria begged so politely.”
I approach, ignoring their eye rolling.
“What’s going on?”
Our eyes meet briefly as Edward hands me his iPad. Something in those icy depths tells me that this situation is more serious than I thought.
“Read it.”
And I do.
“BREAKING NEWS: BELLAMONTE GROUP LAUNCHES THE ILLUSION PRO 360.
This car is set to take the automobile market by storm, showcasing new technology such as AI co-pilot that learns and adapts to the driver’s habits, a solid state battery technology with an 800-mile range on a single charge, a biometric entry complete with face recognition, and so much more…”
I turn to him.
“Is there a reason you’re showing me this?”
“Yes, Hayley. There is.” He backs away and I can finally breathe.
“BellaMonte Group is our biggest rival in the automobile market. What you’ve just read is the proposed plan for their latest project. But there’s a problem.”
His gaze finds mine, dripping with suspicion.
“That entire idea, including the proposed name for their vehicle, belongs to my company.”
My lips part in surprise;
“What?”
“You heard me.
The IllusionPro 360 is a 5th generation electric car that my company has been developing for the past two years.
All of a sudden, our hard work and sweat is being claimed by another company as theirs. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“I understand, but what has that got to do with me?”
“Why were you in Victoria’s office yesterday?” He deadpans.
I pause, trying to understand what I’ve just heard.
“Excuse me?”
Rage flickers in his gaze, although his voice remains calm and controlled. And somehow, I would have preferred if he was shouting instead.
“Don’t act dumb, Hayley. How much did BellaMonte pay you for those blueprints? How much did they pay you to betray me?”
Silence.
For a second, I genuinely think I misheard him. The accusation is so obscene, my brain refuses to process it.
Then something shifts inside me. Something cold and angry.
“What exactly are you accusing me of, Edward. State it clearly.”
There’s a storm brewing in his eyes, and it mirrors the war already going off in my brain.
“Those blueprints were embedded in the computer that Victoria left in her office yesterday. According to the staff, you’re the only one who went in there.
You sold my designs to BellaMonte, didn’t you?”
I let out a small breath, almost a laugh. Which is a stretch because there’s no humour in being accused of theft.
“FYI, I never went to Victoria’s office yesterday.
The receptionist told me that your main office was under renovation, so I was directed to your makeshift office.”
“That’s the most obscene thing I have ever heard.” Victoria cuts in. “You don’t have to lie against our staff, Hayley. We have CCTV footage of you going into my office yesterday.”
I open my mouth and shut it, my brain swirling with confusion.
“The last time my office was under renovation was last year.” Edward adds, his tone laced with urgency, “how then did a receptionist on my payroll tell you it was under renovation yesterday?”
“Well, she did!” I snap. “She specifically asked me to go to room 56, a floor directly below yours. How was I supposed to know the office belonged to Victoria?!”
I hate this.
I hate their stares of disbelief and the weight of accusation in their silence.
“Let’s say we believe you,” Edward says, “can you identify the receptionist who gave you those instructions.”
“With my eyes closed.” I say defiantly.
“Fine then, let’s go to the office.”
I try to walk past Edward but he grabs my arm, his fingers digging into my skin.
When he speaks, his words send shivers down my spine.
“For your sake, I hope you’re telling the truth, Hayley. If not, you will be going to jail for a long, long time…”