Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 924

When Hayden arrived at the teahouse, Ron glanced at his watch and tapped it meaningfully before saying in a low voice, "The man's been waiting for half an hour."

"Getting impatient?" Hayden asked casually, his tone devoid of concern. His attire was simple and understated, nothing to draw attention.

If not for his sharply defined features and the naturally aloof aura he carried, his outfit would have rendered him almost invisible in a crowd.

"No, not at all. I'm quite patient," Ron replied with an exaggerated expression of innocence, as though pleading not to be falsely accused. Hayden gave him a glance that seemed to say, Then why bother pointing it out?

"But arriving this late does come across as impolite, doesn't it?" Ron added, his tone that of a model citizen, someone who might have been a class leader or an exemplary student back in the day. "I did it on purpose," Hayden replied, cutting him off with five simple words that silenced

Ron.

Hayden pushed open the door and stepped into the room. The man on the sofa looked up at him but didn't move. Hayden walked over, offering a perfunctory apology. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Half an hour is nothing," came the calm reply, the man's demeanor exuding a quiet dignity.

introduced himself, extending a

reciprocate. Instead, he said evenly, "You should already know who I

11

was none other than Peter Mitchell, the patriarch of the Mitchell family from Windy City. Though he was

the man could easily be his grandfather. The fact that Hayden had deliberately kept him waiting was a breach of etiquette, and the lack of a handshake was a subtle but deserved rebuke. But Hayden's tardiness wasn't without purpose. It was

said, his composure unshaken. Even though

it was.

dominated the room

down, picking up the teapot in front of him and beginning to brew tea. "Mr. Mitchell,

said nothing. Hayden, unhurried, rinsed the tea leaves and

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Chapter 924

woman. If word of this got out, I'm afraid the Mitchell

tone. "If you have questions, ask them plainly. There's no need for all this posturing. You want to know why I've been following that girl, don't you?" The scent of tea began