?Chapter 998:


    “Consider it done,” Jack affirmed with a deferential nod, relief washing through him as Noah’s volcanic temper cooled to manageable levels.


    A hint of reassurance eased Noah’s shoulders as he approached his waiting vehicle, yanked open the door, and slid into the leather interior.


    At that precise moment, a gleaming ck sedan crept up the driveway, purring to a halt before the vi’s grand entrance.


    The sedan’s door swung wide, revealing Forest as he emerged with practiced grace. His eyes instantly locked onto Noah, and his features transformed with a beaming, calcted smile.


    Forest’s mind raced. Patrick visiting Hailey? Perhaps his worthless daughter had finally maneuvered her way back into Patrick’s good graces after all.


    Anticipation surged through Forest as he hastened forward, eager to intercept Noah before his departure.


    “Patr…” The word died on his lips as the Maybach’s engine snarled to life, tires spitting gravel as it elerated past him without acknowledgment.


    A cloud of dust engulfed him, particles stinging his eyes and coating his expensive suit, his smile vanishing as quickly as the departing vehicle.


    Confusion clouded his thoughts. Something was terribly amiss. Patrick’s behavior didn’t align with that of a man reconciled with Hailey!


    Bewilderment etched deep lines across Forest’s forehead as his gaze darted toward the vi’s entrance. A familiar chill of foreboding crawled up his vertebrae. Without wasting another moment, he rushed inside, bracing for whatever scene awaited.


    Forest entered the living room and was greeted by the sight of his daughter slumped on the floor, looking utterly devastated.


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    Her disheveled appearance told him all he needed to know—things had ended badly.


    Forest’s brows knitted into a frown.


    What a worthless fool Hailey had proven to be! Patrick had even shown up in person, but she still failed to make him stay.


    Forest’s lips curled into a sneer. He let out a derisive snort before walking upstairs without another backward nce.


    Hailey balled her hands into fists, her heart burning with resentment. Why was this happening to her? She had been by Noah’s side for three whole years! What had Sadie done for him in all that time? Nothing, and yet, he still ran back to that shameless bitch in the end. Noah had almost killed her—all for Sadie’s sake.


    Hailey gritted her teeth. She wasn’t about to sit back and do nothing.


    But it was far too risky to go after Sadie head-on. Noah had made it painfully clear that he would do anything to protect that woman. If Hailey pushed her luck, she might just end up destroying herself.


    No, there had to be another way.


    Hailey racked her brains for another option. Then it hit her—perhaps it would be best if Sadie somehow backed off on her own.


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