Chapter 80: The Illusion of a Second Chance

Jordan handed the bracelet back to Diana.

“I won’t take back something I’ve already given away. Besides, I don’t want it to seem like I freeloaded off the Camdens for the past three years.”

The Camdens had housed and fed him, but Jordan never wanted to owe them anything.

Diana nodded and withdrew her hand, keeping the bracelet.

Jordan adjusted Lucky in his arms. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving.”

“Wait,” Hailey called out, her voice soft yet insistent. “I want to talk to you alone. It won’t take long.”

Sylvie stepped in, eager to support her daughter. “Yes, Jordan, you’ve only been here a short while. There’s no need to rush off.”

Diana, too, pleaded on Hailey’s behalf. “You two were married for three years. If you refuse, Hailey might kneel and beg again.”

Jordan’s gaze flickered to Hailey’s bruised kneecaps. He had no desire to see her kneeling again.

“…Fine.”

Hailey smiled faintly, relief evident in her eyes.

Since her legs were still weak, Jordan accompanied her to the elevator. Together, they ascended to the second floor.

As soon as he entered the room, Jordan’s breath hitched for a brief moment.

The room had been decorated meticulously—every detail echoing the apartment he had shared with Hailey in the New City residential estate.

For a fleeting second, it felt like he had stepped back in time.

Hailey sat down on the bed, patting the spot beside her. “There’s no chair. Let’s sit on the bed and talk.”

“I’ll stand,” Jordan replied coolly.

She didn’t insist.

Instead, she lowered her head, hands clasped in her lap, the image of a shy, delicate girl.

“Thank you… for yesterday.”

Jordan frowned slightly.

Hailey was acting exactly as she had when they first met—back when she was a college student forced into marriage with a stranger.

It was then that Jordan had liked her the most.

And of course, this was Rachel’s doing.

Rachel had always believed that the beginning of a romance was the most enchanting. She had likely coached Hailey to mimic her younger self.

Jordan crossed his arms. “You’re thanking me?”

Hailey nodded. “The nurse… told me everything.”

Her cheeks flushed slightly, her tone soft, almost bashful.

Jordan sighed. So the nurse disobeyed me.

He wasn’t surprised.

But there was nothing to hide. He had only carried Hailey inside to keep her from the rain. He would have done the same for a stranger.

Before he could say anything, Hailey looked up at him and whispered, “Jordan, I… I don’t blame you for what you did to me last night.”

Jordan froze.

His mind reeled.

What?

A wave of irritation surged through him. “Are you saying that I—”

Hailey quickly interjected, “No, no, don’t be mad, Hubby! You can do anything to me. Why would I blame you?”

She reached for him, but he recoiled.

“Don’t call me Hubby. Call me Jordan.”

She flinched, hurt flashing in her eyes.

Jordan clenched his jaw. Unbelievable.

For three years, Hailey had treated him like a stranger.

There had been a time when they were test-driving a vintage Porsche with a manual transmission. Because of the car’s layout, Jordan had accidentally brushed her thigh while shifting gears.

Hailey had exploded in rage, calling him shameless, accusing him of taking advantage of her.

Yet now, she was offering herself to him?

Jordan’s voice turned cold. “So now you’re saying you don’t mind if I touch you?”

Hailey bit her lip. “Jordan, I know I made mistakes, but aren’t you at fault too?”

Jordan’s eyes darkened. “Oh?”

“You’re a billionaire’s son, but you lied to me! You had me fooled for three years! If you had told me the truth, I never would’ve looked at someone like Tyler!”

Jordan clenched his fists.

She truly believed money was the problem.

Hailey didn’t regret betraying him—she regretted betraying a rich man.

He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to remain composed.

“You’re right,” he admitted. “I did lie. I should’ve told you the truth.”

Hailey’s heart leaped.

Then, Jordan added, “How about this? Once you recover, I’ll treat you to a meal. To make it up to you.”

Hailey’s breath caught.

Was he… reconciling with her?

Did this mean there was still hope?

Her mind raced. If I marry him again, everything will be mine!

The Maybach. The villa in Phuket. The wealth.

She grabbed his hand, smiling eagerly. “I’m fine! I’m not hurt at all! Let’s go tomorrow!”

Jordan glanced at her injured leg, then nodded. “Alright. Tomorrow.”

“Where should we go? That Chicken and Noodles place?” Hailey asked excitedly.

Jordan smirked. “I’m the president of Ace Corporation now. I can afford better. Let’s go to The Times. Haven’t you always loved that place?”

“Yes!” Hailey beamed.

Her fingers tightened around his.

Jordan let her hold on for a moment before gently pulling away.

“I should go.”

“I’ll see you off—”

“No need. Get some rest.”

Hailey watched as he left, a triumphant smile tugging at her lips.

I still have a chance.

---

Downstairs…

Jordan descended the staircase with Lucky in his arms.

Sylvie immediately frowned. “You’re leaving already? You barely spent any time upstairs. You should stay and chat a little longer.”

Stay?

Jordan knew exactly what they were hoping for.

In their minds, Hailey’s body was the only leverage they had left.

“She and I are having dinner tomorrow,” Jordan said simply.

The room fell silent.

Then—

Sylvie’s face lit up. “Really?!”

Benedict and Diana exchanged glances, their excitement barely contained.

Jordan turned toward the door, uninterested in their reaction.

But just as he reached for the handle, Elle suddenly stepped in front of him.

She crossed her arms, a sultry smile on her lips. “Jordan, I think you and I need some alone time too.”

Jordan didn’t even pause.

“Go play somewhere else.”

He pushed past her, leaving her fuming as the door swung shut behind him.

Jordan had no interest in engaging further with Elle.

She had changed significantly over the years, her once-average figure now accentuated in ways that would make any man notice.

And thanks to Drew’s incessant messages, Jordan had seen pictures of Elle that she had never posted online—photos that left little to the imagination.

He despised Drew for sending them.

Because now, every time he looked at Elle, he felt like the villain.

She was off-limits.

As he stepped into his Maybach setting Lucky down beside him, the engine roared to life, he pulled out his phone.

The little poodle whined softly, as if sensing Jordan’s emotions.

“Butler Frank.”

A respectful voice answered immediately. “Yes, Mr. Jordan, do you have any orders?”

“Is your grandson still in DC? I’d like to arrange a blind date for him. Tomorrow evening.”

“Yes, he’s still there. I’ll have him fly to Orlando at once.”

“Good.”

Jordan had agreed to have dinner with Hailey, but it wasn’t for reconciliation.

It was for closure.

For three years, Hailey had been lied to. As much as he resented her, a part of him acknowledged the unfairness of the situation.

So, he would make it up to her.

By introducing her to a real wealthy man—one from a family far richer than the Camdens.

Butler Frank’s grandson.

The only issue?

He was sexually impotent.

But isn’t that exactly what Hailey wanted?

For three years, she had kept Jordan at a distance, making excuse after excuse to avoid intimacy. If she truly had no physical desires, then this man was perfect for her.

Let’s see if you really love money that much, Hailey.