Chapter 17

Just then, Hayden appeared. He rushed over and pulled Ophelia into his arms. His voice filled with concern as he asked, "Are you okay, Lia? Are you hurt?" Ophelia said nothing. She looked at Hayden with a pained expression as if she had found her knight in shining armor. "I'm fine. Let's go." Hayden noticed her reddened eyes and turned to me with a cold gaze. "Thaddeus, what did you say to upset her? What made Lia cry?" I couldn't find the words to defend myself. As I remained silent, Hayden continued, "Even after all these years, haven't you done enough to hurt Lia? She had to bear the burden of the Smith family and has finally made it through. It hasn't been easy for her." Of course, I knew how much she had suffered. To single-handedly resurrect a failing family and make it stronger took an incredible amount of courage and sacrifice. She had once been carefree and happy, but now, she had turned into a stoic businesswoman. I couldn't find the right words to refute Hayden, but