Chapter 85: This Reeks of Desperation!

“Mr. Jordan!”

Greyson and Butler Frank tensed when Hailey splashed the glass of water onto Jordan’s face.

As subordinates, they felt responsible for failing to protect their master.

Butler Frank immediately bowed his head. “It’s my fault. I’m too old and powerless, and Greyson… well, he can’t exactly get up either.”

Jordan chuckled as he wiped his face with a napkin.

“I’m fine,” he said coolly. “I expected her to do that.”

He had intentionally provoked Hailey. He wanted to make one thing absolutely clear—she would never get back together with him.

---

The Camden Estate

After leaving The Times restaurant, Hailey called Rachel in a blind rage.

Rachel, who had just driven off, made a U-turn and picked Hailey up to take her to Diana’s villa.

The moment Hailey stormed inside, Sylvie rushed over. “How did it go?”

Hailey slammed her purse down on the coffee table.

“That bastard set me up on a blind date!” she seethed. “With a cripple!”

Sylvie gasped, furious on her daughter’s behalf. “Jordan has really gone too far! How could he set you up with a disabled man?”

Herman, however, smirked and crossed his arms.

“I don’t think it’s such a bad deal,” he said. “Butler Frank only has one grandson, and the Reyes family has billions. If Hailey married Greyson, she’d be set for life.”

Drew burst out laughing.

“Yeah, Hailey, you’re twice divorced and still picky? Jordan was actually being considerate. You should be thanking him.”

Elle jumped in as well.

“You should just give up on Jordan already,” she scoffed. “Honestly, he should have never been married to you in the first place. I should have been his wife.”

“That’s enough!”

Diana’s voice silenced the room.

It wasn’t the first time she’d seen the family fighting over Jordan.

In the past, Benedict and Herman had competed for the Camden fortune.

Now, it was their daughters fighting over the Steele fortune.

She turned to Elle. “Elle, you know I’ve always doted on you. It’s not that I wouldn’t support your pursuit of Jordan—but as you can see, he’s been giving you the cold shoulder lately.”

“He still sees you as a child, which means your chances with him are even smaller than Hailey’s.”

Hailey smirked. Finally, someone was defending her.

But then she turned to Diana with a pleading look.

“But Grandma,” she asked hesitantly, “since Jordan tried to set me up with another man… does that mean he doesn’t love me anymore?”

Diana huffed.

“He was in love with you for three years. You think he can stop just like that?”

Her sharp gaze landed on Hailey.

“Even if he doesn’t love you anymore… he may still lust after you.”

Hailey’s heart pounded.

Diana continued, “A man who spent three years without consummating his marriage—it’s a massive insult to his pride. It’s a regret he’ll carry forever.”

“And remember—when you passed out kneeling in the rain? He took liberties with you. That proves he’s still attracted to you.”

Hailey bit her lip, suddenly hopeful again.

Sylvie caught on immediately. “So, you mean… we should create an opportunity for them?”

She hesitated. “But Jordan has been avoiding Hailey. If it weren’t for Lucky’s injury, he wouldn’t have even come to our house the other day.”

Diana nodded. “It’s true, Jordan is ruthless, but that doesn’t mean we have no chance.”

Then, she turned to Hailey.

“You still remember your Grandaunt Lily, don’t you?”

Hailey blinked.

“Of course, I remember. She adored me and Jordan.”

Then, Hailey’s expression darkened.

“On the day I went to the hotel with Tyler…” She hesitated before continuing, “…Jordan actually wanted to drive me to see Grandaunt Lily because he’d heard she was seriously ill.”

Grandaunt Lily—Lily Camden—was the younger sister of Hailey’s grandfather.

She had moved to South Daytona after getting married.

Diana sighed.

“I just got a call from her son,” she said. “She only has three days left.”

The room fell silent.

Even with all their greed and scheming, they still cared about family.

“She won’t make it?” Hailey whispered.

Sylvie immediately caught on.

“I see what you’re thinking, Diana,” she said. “You want to invite Jordan to the funeral! Lily has always been kind to him, so he definitely won’t refuse.”

Diana’s eyes flashed with anger.

“You stupid woman!” she snapped. “No wonder you couldn’t hold onto such a perfect son-in-law!”

Sylvie flinched.

Diana’s voice turned sharp. “What’s the point of just asking him to attend the funeral? He has his own car and chauffeur. He knows where Lily lives! He’d show up, pay his respects, and leave. How would that help Hailey?”

Sylvie fell silent.

Diana’s mind was racing.

“Hailey,” she said. “Lily was the only one in this family who never looked down on Jordan.”

“I used to think it was because she was just kind to everyone… but after thinking about our past conversations, I realized something.”

Diana’s gaze sharpened.

“She knew the truth.”

Everyone froze.

Drew’s jaw dropped. “You mean—Grandaunt Lily knew Jordan was a billionaire?”

Diana nodded.

“She must have found out from your grandfather.”

Elle’s face contorted with jealousy.

“Then why didn’t she tell me?” she whined. “If she knew, she should have made Jordan marry me instead!”

Diana’s voice was firm.

“She didn’t tell any of you because your grandfather wasn’t allowed to.”

Drew hesitated. “Wait, didn’t Jordan say Grandpa wasn’t allowed to tell anyone?”

Diana smirked.

“Lily had been married for decades. She wasn’t a Camden anymore. That means she wasn’t included in that rule.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Hailey’s hands clenched.

“So… what should we do next?” she asked.

Diana’s eyes gleamed.

“If Lily knows the truth… the last thing she’d want before she dies is for Jordan and Hailey to be divorced.”

Hailey lit up.

Diana continued, “For the past three years, Lily has adored Jordan. And Jordan knows that.”

“So, all we have to do is tell Jordan to pretend he and Hailey are still married.”

“He won’t refuse.”

Hailey nodded eagerly.

Jordan had been closer to Lily than she was.

“But after we pretend, he’ll still leave me,” Hailey said, suddenly feeling uncertain.

Diana smiled knowingly.

“This time, we’ll all be going to South Daytona. We’ll be staying there for a while.”

“And since you’ll be pretending to be husband and wife…”

Diana’s voice lowered.

“You’ll be sharing a room.”

She smirked.

“The rest… is up to you.”

Hailey’s heart pounded.

This was her last chance.