CHAPTER 150

Chapter 150

Hayden’s house was just a short drive from the company, leading to a grandiose Epean palace–styled mansion that stood tall and magnificent. The mansion was complemented by a broad, verdant lawn that stretched out, offering a sense of spacious tranquility.

As everyone parked their cars and approached the mansion, they treaded carefully on the stone steps, their strides naturally becoming more measured.

The happiest among them was Jeremy, clinging to Becky’s hand as he eagerly anticipated entering the mansion.

The butler, Joshua Oswald, emerged promptly from the mansion. He approached them, bowed deeply, and offered a respectful greeting, “Welcome back, Mr. Hoggard, Jeremy.”

Hayden hummed a brief acknowledgment and quickly instructed, “We’re shooting an endorsement video at the mansion. Coordinate with the team and handle all the necessary arrangements.”

At first, Joshua instinctively nodded, ready to agree. Suddenly, something dawned on him, causing his words to catch in his throat. His eyes widened in shock as he looked up at Hayden, but the moment passed quickly. Regaining his composure. Joshua nodded firmly. “Understood. I will do my best to cooperate.

Hayden turned to the Hoggard Technologies staff trailing behind him and commanded coolly, “Follow Mr. Oswald inside. I expecta finalized shooting plan by 3 p. We begin filming after that.”

Stacey pulled out her phone and saw the time was 11:30 am, which meant the group had three and a half hours to the plan

work out

Daniel from the planning department exhaled deeply, relieved. He thought, “Thank goodness we have three hours. There’s still time to tweak the shooting plans

Jeremy glanced at Hayden, then at Daniel, and pulled out his writing tablet once more. His fingers flew across the screen as he scribbled a few words. Approaching Daniel, he held up the tablet, displaying his message: [I want to join. Let’s shoot together.]

led by Jeremy’s note, Daniel stood frozen, unsure whether to give his consent. And so, he nervously looked over at

Hayden.

Hayden’s brows furrowed as he fixed his gaze on Jeremy. He wondered, “What is that brat up to again?

Standing off to the side, Joshua swiftly read Jeremy’s writing boafil. He then hurriedly conveyed the message to Hayden, “Mr. Hoggard, Jeremy wants to participate in the filming”

Stacey stood frozen in surprise as she stared at Jeremy, who, in turn, looked back at Hayden eagerly.

“You can’t act,” Hayden remarked with a disapproving scowl.

Angered by the remark, Jeremy wrote hastily on the tablet. Then, he raised the tablet, challenging It can!]

Hayden locked eyes with Jeremy, who held his gaze firmly. After a moment, Hayden turned to the staff and instructed. “Let him join.”

Everyone was speechless.

“Okay, Mr. Hoggard. We’ll arrange it right away, Daniel agreed hurriedly.

As Stacey observed Jeremy, she couldn’t help but find him more adorable with each passing moment. She waved at him, and seeing her friendly gesture, Jeremy’s face lit up. He hurried over her, writing tablet in hand.

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Stacey crouched down and unable to resist, planted a kiss on Jeremy’s cheek, smiling warmly as she said, “How can you be

so cute?”

Jeremy’s whole body went rigid, particularly the spot on his cheek where it was kissed. ‘Aunt Becky actually kissed me! he thought to himself.

The sight didn’t faze Joshua. Instead, his curiosity about her grew, and he couldn’t help but cast a few more covert glances toward her.

Hayden’s gaze lingered on the scene, his dark eyes betraying a spark of surprise. So, Becky has taken quite a shine to Jeremy, huh?‘ he mused.

The kiss from Stacey left Jeremy in a trance, and he clung to her with renewed fervor, his fingers curling around her large hands as he guided her into the mansion. Hayden, with a casual case, turned and followed suit into the mansion.

Stacey followed Jeremy into the living room and was immediately captivated by its lavish, palace–inspired design. Absolutely breathtaking! she silently admired.

The employees of Hoggard Technologies, trailing behind Joshua entered the opulent hall with bated breath. Overwhelmed by its grandeur, they thought in astonished whispers, Wow, we’re actually in Mr. Hoggard’s home! To see such beauty in person… It’s like stepping into royalty! Hahaha!

Jeremy led Stacey to the second floor, opening the bedroom door, and stepping inside. Moments later, he emerged holding a wooden duck, which he presented to Stacey. She examined the duck with curiosity, thinking. The little duck looks quite aged and worn. Why would Jeremy play with it?”

Hayden strolled over and said, “This is actually your favorite childhood toy. Stacey’s eyes widened in shock as she looked from Hayden to the wooden duck in Jeremy’s hands. “It even has the teeth marks from when you used to chew on it,” Hayden continued.

Feeling a pang of discomfort, Stacey took the duck with a complex mix of emotions. As she inspected it, she saw the countless bite marks that marred its surface. “Is this for real? Why on earth would my childhood toys end up in your house? Stacey asked as she struggled to process the situation.

Hayden explained, “You used to come over to my place when you were little. Remember?” Stacey was stunned into silence Hayden added, “Grandpa made this duck for me, but you always fought with me over it whenever you came over. You even chewed on it so much that you broke it.”

Her hand quivering, Stacey shot back without hesitation, “I didn‘” She insisted to herself, Absolutely not! There’s no way I’d ever do something like that!

Hayden cast a fleeting look at the duck and said, “Whether you believe it or not is entirely up to you,” Stacey was left stunned, unable to respond.

“Is there anything special you’d like for lunch? Just let Joshua know, and he’ll arrange for the kitchen staff to prepare it,” Hayden offered next.

Still reeling from the revelation, Stacey shook her head slowly and said. “I… I’ll just go with whatever

While Hayden’s eyes remained fixed on her, Jeremy pulled out his writing tablet and scribbled: (Meat]

Hayden looked at the tablet, and Stacey noticed it as well Jeremy, though young and still mastering his vocabulary, had a firm grasp of the alphabet. His spelling was clear enough for anyone to read, especially since Stacey was a meat enthusiast and understood immediately.

What’s causing this odd, unsettling awkwardness in my gut? Why do I feel ashamed? she pondered.

“That’s what Grandma shared with him. Whenever he visited our hometown, she would always recount stories from your childhood,” Hayden explained.

09.25 MOI, JUI 29

Chapter 150

Hayden kept silent about his ex–wife who had tricked him into marriage and then cloped with someone else. Since then, Melissa had often lamented that if Becky hadn’t disappeared, she might have married Hayden. This would have prevented him from being betrayed or losing his wife so young and spared Jeremy the pain of growing up without a mother.

As a result, ever since childhood, Jeremy had always thought of Becky as a figure who might return to become the mother The had always wished for, one who would remain with them and never walk away.