Chapter 46: New Encounters

Hailey shoved Jordan aside and stormed out of the meeting room.

But as soon as she stepped into the hallway, she froze.

Victoria Clarke stood right outside.

“Miss… Miss Clarke.”

The last time they met, Victoria had slapped her. Hard.

Hailey still burned with resentment, but she was also at Ace Corporation now, Victoria’s territory. They would be working together frequently, and Hailey was smart enough to know when to put her emotions aside.

Victoria gave her a polite nod. “Miss Camden.”

Without another word, Hailey hurried down the hall.

Back in the meeting room, Jordan clenched the contract so tightly it nearly tore.

He had told himself that he didn’t care about Hailey anymore.

They were divorced. She had betrayed him. She meant nothing to him.

But when she mentioned having dinner with Tyler Collins, an unsettling anger twisted in his chest.

Victoria, watching him carefully, smiled slightly. “If Hailey Camden made you angry, why not just tear up the contract and walk away?”

Jordan exhaled sharply, loosening his grip. “I won’t go back on my word.”

Victoria admired his integrity. It was one of the things that set him apart from the other powerful men she had known.

Still, she saw an opportunity.

“Mr. Steele,” she began, her tone casual, “I overheard you mentioning a restaurant earlier. You know how much I love food, and I’m always interested in trying new places. Will you take me there?”

She knew exactly what she was doing.

Men were impulsive. When hurt by a woman, they often sought out another to distract themselves.

And sure enough, Jordan nodded. “I’ll take you.”

---

A Familiar Meal

An hour and a half later, Jordan pulled up on the quiet outskirts of the city.

The street was lined with small, unassuming restaurants—nothing fancy, but clean and welcoming.

As he stepped out of the car, he glanced at Victoria. “This isn’t a five-star place. Just a simple restaurant. You might not like it.”

Victoria smiled warmly. “Good food isn’t about the price. I love street food just as much as fine dining. I’m not a spoiled brat, Mr. Steele.”

Jordan smirked. She had worked her way up in the business world without relying on family wealth, and he respected that.

As they approached the entrance, Victoria suddenly slipped her hand into his.

“Careful, there’s a puddle,” she said smoothly.

Jordan hesitated for a moment but didn’t pull away. Instead, he gave her hand a light squeeze and walked inside with her.

For three years, I wanted to walk into this restaurant holding Hailey’s hand, he thought bitterly. But she never let me. Not once.

Victoria suddenly winced. “Mr. Steele… you’re squeezing too hard.”

Snapping out of his thoughts, Jordan quickly let go. “Sorry. And… just call me Jordan when we’re not at the office.”

They took a seat, and Jordan ordered his usual—chicken noodles, a few side dishes, and tea.

Victoria watched him curiously as he stared out the window, lost in thought.

“You’re thinking about her, aren’t you?” she asked.

Jordan poured himself a glass of water. “It’s nothing.”

But his grip on the glass tightened.

Hailey is probably having a candlelit dinner with that scumbag Tyler right now, he thought.

The idea alone made his blood boil.

For a brief, dark moment, he considered calling Pablo and having Tyler’s manhood permanently taken care of.

But no.

The problem wasn’t Tyler.

Hailey had made her choice. And if it wasn’t him, it would’ve been someone else.

No one could stop a woman from being unfaithful once she decided to be.

---

Games at Starbucks

Meanwhile, in a busy Starbucks downtown, Hailey sat by the window, stirring her coffee absentmindedly.

“Rachel, over here!” she called.

Rachel Quinn strutted over, linking arms with a tall, striking young man—easily in his early twenties. He was athletic, sharp-jawed, and had the confident smirk of someone who knew exactly how attractive he was.

“Hailey, meet my new boy toy,” Rachel said, sliding into the seat.

The young man smiled politely. “Nice to meet you, Hailey.”

Hailey grinned. “Hello, handsome.”

Rachel waved him off. “Go grab me a coffee, then take a walk or something. We have girl talk to do.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The man smirked and left to place her order.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Hailey leaned forward. “Who is that? A new one?”

Rachel flicked her nails smugly. “Of course. Had him last night.”

Hailey’s eyes widened. “Rachel! This is your third one since you got married!”

Rachel held up four fingers.

Hailey gasped. “Four!?”

Rachel laughed. “Oh, sweetie, you were the idiot who stayed loyal to one man for three years. Meanwhile, I’m having the time of my life.”

Hailey pouted. “I wasn’t loyal. I tried to be, but Jordan never…”

She trailed off, swirling her coffee.

Rachel arched a brow. “He never what?”

Hailey sighed dramatically. “We were married for three years, but he never even touched me.”

Rachel’s jaw nearly hit the table. “Are you serious?! Three years and he never—?”

Hailey nodded, biting her lip. “I thought it was because he didn’t love me enough.”

Rachel scoffed. “Or because he respected you. Either way, he’s gone now. So tell me… have you finally had some fun with Tyler?”

Hailey hesitated. “Not yet.”

Rachel rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on, Hailey! You finally got rid of your boring husband. Why are you holding back?”

Hailey bit her lip. “I don’t know… I just feel like I want something more. Something bigger.”

Rachel smirked. “Then, honey, you need to aim higher.”

And Hailey knew exactly who her next target would be.