Chapter 45 Zachary Leaves the Country
Nicole didn’t tell Zachary about what Sabrina had said. After all, having gotten sick of hearing such rumors at F&M Apparel, she was already able to take a calm attitude toward them these days, so she didn’t take Sabrina’s words to heart.
Zachary had wanted to spend the mid-winter holiday with Nicole and Hayden in the country. That night, however, he suddenly got a phone call, which seemed to be about something urgent.
Seeing the ghastly expression on Zachary’s face, Nicole figured that the matter had to be quite serious. Therefore, when Zachary told her he had to leave the country, she expressed her understanding, saying, “Just go and deal with the matter first. Wherever Hayden and I are, it doesn’t make any difference.”
Looking at the considerate Nicole before him, Zachary heaved a soft sigh with a look of regret. “It’s a rare opportunity for us to spend the mid-winter holiday together in the country. I never thought I’d have to go back.”
Hearing the note of regret in Zachary’s words, Nicole replied with a laugh, “It’s okay. There’ll still be many mid-winter holidays in the future. If you’re free next time, you can still spend the holiday in the country.”
Zachary’s handsome face creased into a hurt look as he listened to Nicole’s deliberately naive reply. “It doesn’t matter wherever I’ll be spending the mid-winter holiday. The point’s just that I wanted to spend the holiday with…” he said, before breaking off mid-sentence under her stare. After lowering his head to glance at Hayden, he reached out and ruffled Hayden’s hair, saying, “It’s just that I wanted to spend the holiday with Hayden.”
Hayden was a smart boy. Pouting his lips, he looked at Zachary and replied seriously, “That’s not true, Mr. Yates. I know you wanna spend the holiday with Mom. All you know is to use me as an excuse.”
Zachary didn’t feel embarrassed when Hayden revealed what he really wanted. Instead, he nodded with a faint smile, saying, “That’s right, you smart little boy.”
Nicole didn’t ask Zachary what the matter was. If the matter was about the company, Zachary would have told her about it without her having to ask him. Judging from how things looked at the moment, Nicole surmised that the matter had to have something to do with Zachary’s family.
Nicole knew a little about Zachary’s family. His parents were divorced, and his father remarried after that, whereas his mother remained single to this day. Most importantly, both his father and mother were wealthy and domineering. It was rare for Zachary to be able to have such a good temper after being raised in such an environment.
Having finished his sentence, Zachary began packing his bags.
Glancing at the dark sky outside, Nicole asked with worry, “Is the matter urgent? It’s dark already.”
Hearing the concern in Nicole’s voice, Zachary smiled happily. His previously clouded expression vanished. As he packed his bags, he replied, “It’s quite urgent, or I wouldn’t have to leave overnight. I’ll come back as soon as I finish dealing with it. Let’s hope that I can make it before the end of the mid-winter holiday.”
The end of the mid-winter holiday? That’s almost half a month later. Seems like the problem he’s come across this time is really quite tricky, thought Nicole to herself. Without asking anything else, she nodded, saying, “In that case, be careful on your way home.”
“Uh-huh,” Zachary replied. After packing his things, he left all the stuff at home to Nicole.
The villa was located in an upscale neighborhood. There were specially-hired bodyguards keeping watch outside the villa, and the surveillance network nearby was very intensive, so no outsiders would be able to get into the villa at all. Moreover, there were servants in the villa, so Nicole didn’t have to worry about Hayden’s safety.
Listening to Zachary’s detailed instructions, Nicole couldn’t help but interrupt him, saying, “Hey, you don’t have to worry about unnecessary things. I’m an adult, so I at least know these things. Just deal with your own stuff.”
Zachary didn’t hide his innermost feelings either. Looking into Nicole’s eyes, he said, “Okay. I’ll see you again when I get back.” Having packed his suitcase, he left the villa that night.
Looking at his mother, Hayden said mischievously, “Mom, if you like Mr. Yates, just go after him.”
His words snapped Nicole out of her thoughts. Looking down at her son, she replied with a straight face, “Stop talking nonsense. I don’t like him. How can I take care of someone else when it’s tiring enough for me to look after you?”
