Chapter 272 Let Hayden Choose
Colton lowered his head and smiled. He countered, “Do you think I’m joking?”
Nicole looked at Colton seriously. He didn’t look like he was joking.
Can it be that he really likes me?
Nicole stared at Colton and she accidentally looked into his dark eyes. Those eyes were as dark and deep as a bottomless lake, making it hard to guess what he was thinking.
Nicole was startled and she quickly averted her gaze. With her head lowered, she muttered, “President Gardner, stop teasing me. I am financially independent now. I can raise Hayden well by myself. Moreover, your aunt will not agree to it.”
Colton looked at Nicole, who denied the offer. Hence, he smiled and said in a low voice, “We shouldn’t care what others think about us.”
Nicole didn’t expect Colton to say such a thing. She froze for a moment before standing up.
“President Gardner, there is nothing between us. Although we had… skinship five years ago and Hayden is your son, there is nothing between us!”
Looking at the emotional woman before him, Colton felt a fire light up in his heart when he heard her trying hard to distance herself from him.
He squinted and he scanned her with a meaningful gaze.
He knew Nicole was not trying to play hard to get. She simply didn’t want to get involved with him.
He paused and said, “My mother told the reporters I have a son, so the Gardner Family will definitely take Hayden away. Otherwise, the Gardners will be embarrassed.”
Because of this, Anna chose to announce the news at Wendy’s 18th birthday party.
This was the only way to force Colton to recognize Hayden. However, Anna had overthought things. If Colton knew Hayden was his birth child, the man would be willing to acknowledge Hayden if Nicole agreed.
Presently, Nicole was silent, but she knew that Colton was right. Every reporter would be eyeing this case since Anna had spoken at the party. They could not drag it on.
Nicole closed her eyes. The cooperation between F&M Apparel and the Gardner Corporation… This would never happen if I had listened to Zachary and did not visit the Gardner Corporation.
Now, I can’t even keep my son.
“However, Olivia will not agree to this. If I give Hayden to you, I don’t think he can live in peace.”
Nicole pursed her lips and raised her eyes to look at Colton.
It was apparent Olivia refused to recognize Nicole and Hayden. She looked at them like the plague. Nicole didn’t mind Olivia complaining to Benedict, but she was afraid the woman would hurt Hayden.
“Aunt has already married into the Schumacher Family. She can’t control the affairs of the Gardner Family,” Colton said firmly.
However, Nicole still didn’t want anything to do with Colton, and it showed on her face.
“If you want to ask for my opinion, then I want to maintain the previous relationship and go with the flow.”
Colton didn’t show any surprise at Nicole’s words, as her rejection was in his prediction. In the end, he grinned.
“Then, did you tell Hayden that I’m his father?”
Nicole was stunned. Of course, she didn’t tell Hayden this fact.
Colton also predicted that, so he continued, “Hayden has the right to choose his father. Nicky, you might as well tell Hayden about this news and let him choose if he wants me as his father.”
Nicole stayed silent as she didn’t know how to respond to this. She knew that Hayden longed for fatherly love, though he had never shown it.
There was no way for Nicole to pretend to be intimate with Colton. Although they had an absurd one-night stand, she still couldn’t convince herself.
