Chapter 29 Gratification
Surprised by Zachary’s presence, William nervously dropped his jaw.
F&M Apparel wasn’t just popular around the world, but it was also dominating the local market. Anyone in the clothing industry could instantly recognize Zachary, F&M Apparel’s president. After all, the man’s face always made it to the cover page of fashion magazines as the trendsetter for the country’s fashion.
Hastily, William sprung up from his seat and revealed an expression of humility. “I didn’t realize you were here, President Yates.”
Zachary stonily glared at the Andersons. He stayed outside and overheard their conversation, choosing not to get involved to avoid troubling Nicole, only for the conversation to gradually grow overbearing. “My chief designer was being ridiculed right here, and if I pretended not to hear it, outsiders would surely look down on F&M Apparel and its members.” His intonation, his face, and his aura were nothing but cold and belligerent.
On the other hand, with Hayden resting in her arms, Nicole remained silent.
Panicking, William responded with a smile and crossed his hands as he lowered his eyes. “It’s nothing like that. We’re a family, after all. The quarrel you heard earlier was simply a joke.” With such a powerful figure before them, the Andersons wouldn’t dare to oppose Zachary.
“Family?” Zachary’s voice elevated as anger subtly surged in his eyes. Revealing a resentful grin, he stared at their disgusting faces and squinted his eyes, saying, “In the last five years, I didn’t even know Nicole had a family.”
With how Zachary was so protective of Nicole, William intuitively grew anxious, but at the same time, his greed intensified. Judging from Zachary’s words, it was obvious that Nicole was important to him. William thought that if he could draw Nicole back to the Anderson Family, they would be able to receive help from F&M Apparel. Easy-peasy.
With that, William quickly turned to Nicole as he pulled out a jade bracelet from his pocket, ingratiatingly stating, “Nicole, this belonged to your mother. Back then, our divorce was inevitable. It has been so long already, so can you please forgive me?”
Followingly, he revealed a sympathy-evoking face as his eyes glistened with mist, and when he looked at Nicole, he started tearing up and played the emotion card. “I wanted to give this back to you when your mother passed away, but I never could find you after so many years of searching,” he said so earnestly as he reached out his slightly shaking, wrinkled hand, presenting the bracelet to Nicole.
Nicole passed the child in her arms to Zachary and grabbed the bracelet before assiduously studying it, only to find out the bracelet, indeed, belonged to her mother. She pursed her lips wordlessly, thinking that was what William was supposed to do, so she had no obligation to thank him.
Consequently, she put the bracelet away. Although Hayden’s abduction was unquestionably more than met the eye, she received her mother’s will. As she gazed at the Andersons before her, her heart ultimately wavered.
Glaring apathetically at the three, she coldly uttered, “I’ll drop the pursuit of your intentions this time. If this happens again, no matter what your reasons are, I’ll definitely get to the bottom of it!” Having said that, she shot Lydia and Queenie a piercing gaze—developed along the time she spent in the business world—that left the two horrified.
Queenie forced herself to meet her gaze before turning to Zachary and was reminded of the partnership between Gardner Corporation and F&M Apparel. At once, she plastered a grin on her face as she held back her temper and gratifyingly replied, “What are you talking about, sis? Hayden’s so adorable! Dad and Mom love him so much! They just wanted to see their grandson.”
Having no desire to prolong the pointless conversation, after verifying the bracelet was real, Nicole tugged on Zachary’s sleeve and whispered, “Let’s go.”
As she had found her child, she could finally calm her heart and her body down. Thoroughly drained, she couldn’t wait to get home and sleep for a whole week.
Zachary, on the other hand, swept a cold glance past the Andersons as he carried Hayden in his arms before following Nicole out of the residence.
