Hailey and Grandpa Hai made it to the airport in no time.
Soon, the plane took off—soaring into the sky.
Staring out the window, Hailey's thoughts drifted.
Maybe by the time I return… Ethan will finally be ready to sign the divorce papers.
C City – The Dongfang Corporation Headquarters
In the sleek glass-paneled conference room, Ethan Yu sat at the head of the long table.
Unlike his calm demeanor earlier that morning, his face was now clouded with a cold, stifling intensity. The air in the room felt suffocating. No one dared to breathe too loudly, let alone speak freely.
Each executive gave their report with trembling voices, praying they wouldn't accidentally poke the bear.
No one really knew why their boss was in such a foul mood. But they definitely didn't want to be the reason it got worse.
Finally—mercifully—the soul-crushing meeting ended.
One by one, everyone filed out of the room, until Ethan was the only one left.
He sat there, unmoving, his gaze lowered.
But his mind… his mind was still replaying what happened at lunch.
Hailey had embarrassed him. In public. She'd rejected him without hesitation, like he meant nothing.
That damn woman!
Ungrateful. Unreasonable.
She didn't deserve the kindness he'd tried to show her.
Just as his thoughts boiled over, a soft knock came at the door. A voice followed.
"President Yu…"
It was Lin Xin'er.
Ethan looked up, his tone icy and clipped. "What is it?"
Lin Xin'er stepped forward with a small, polite smile. "I ran into Mr. Chai during lunch. He said he was looking for you. It seemed important."
"I see." Ethan's response was brief, disinterested, like her words barely registered.
Lin Xin'er's smile faltered.
Still, she didn't leave. Instead, she took a breath, then asked with cautious concern, "You seem… stressed. Should I make you a cup of coffee?"
Ethan's pitch-black eyes locked onto her, emotionless.
"Team Leader Lin," he said flatly, "are you really that free? Did you forget the task I just assigned you?"
His words hit like ice water.
Lin Xin'er's lashes trembled. Her heart sank. She hadn't expected him to be this cold.
He didn't used to be like this.
Back then, he had at least shown a little warmth. A little attention. But now… it was like she was a stranger.
Biting her lip, she lowered her head and mumbled, "I'm sorry. I'll get back to work now."
She turned and walked out quickly, hiding the sting in her chest.
Ethan didn't spare her a second glance.
All he could think about was Hailey Tang.
He had tried—actually tried—to be nicer to her today. And what had she done? Spat it right back in his face!
Ethan Yu had never been humiliated like that. Not in business. Not in life.
And certainly not by a woman.
That woman… Hailey Tang… was infuriating beyond belief.
She had the nerve to ignore his efforts? To act like his goodwill was a burden?
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.
Though if he were being honest, he didn't even understand why he was so upset.
Why did it bother him this much?
He didn't have an answer. All he knew was that the feeling wasn't going away.
Even after the workday ended, his mood hadn't improved.
That evening, he returned to the villa.
As he stepped into the spacious living room, his eyes immediately scanned the area. Empty. No sign of Hailey.
His expression darkened.
"Where's Hailey?" he asked coldly, turning to the housekeeper.
Aunt Zhang looked startled. "Miss Hailey left earlier. Said she was going out with the old master. Didn't she tell you, sir?"
"Out?" Ethan's voice dropped, dangerously quiet.
Aunt Zhang shifted nervously under his gaze. "Y-yes… she left not long after returning at noon."
"Call her," he said. "Tell her to come back."
"Yes, sir…"
Ethan didn't wait for a response. He unbuttoned the top of his shirt and strode toward the dining room.
Dinner was already served.
He took a few mechanical bites, chewing without tasting.
Aunt Zhang returned quietly and stood beside the table.
"Well?" Ethan asked, not looking up.
"She… she said she went to B City with the old master. She won't be back for a few days."
Ethan froze, chopsticks midway to his mouth.
His eyes slowly lifted, sharp as blades. "B City? A few days?"
Aunt Zhang nodded nervously. "Yes… she said she's accompanying the old master to visit an old war buddy. She didn't say exactly when they'd return."
Ethan stared at the table, jaw clenched.
She left.
Without telling him.
Again.