The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 287

Although she split all the income from the “Sugar Buddies” account with Hayden, he always insisted on taking only a small fraction of it.

Seeing her silence, Hayden pressed on. “Don’t you even think about it. If you leave, I’ll take it as a personal betrayal. Besides, the kids call me Uncle Hayden. I see them as my own family. Acting like a stranger is just hurtful. Now, hurry up and tell me the second thing.”

A weary smile touched Suzie’s lips as she rubbed her temples and nodded. “Alright. In that case, the profit-sharing stays, but you have to start charging me rent for my office and the streaming room.”

Hayden just chuckled in resignation, a silent agreement.

Suzie paused, then continued, “The second thing is personal, and I need your help. Um… it’s about Oliver. I feel like he…”

Before she could finish, Hayden snapped his fingers. “I get it. He’s chasing you, you don’t want to say yes, and you need me to be your shield.”

Suzie’s eyes widened in surprise.

Hayden shrugged. “Don’t look so shocked. A blind man could see that guy is into you.”

“Is it… really that obvious?” she murmured to herself.

“Look, Suzie, I heard you two grew up together,” Hayden said. “If you’ve known him this long, you must know his character is solid. He’s handsome, and his family background is decent. What’s wrong with considering him? Or… is there someone else?”

Suzie shook her head. “To me, Oliver is just like you. I see you both as family.”

Hayden crossed his legs, his fingers tapping a rhythm on the armrest of the sofa. He thought for a moment, then said, “Got it. What do you need me to do? Just say the word.”

“Whenever he’s around,” Suzie said directly, “just pretend to be my boyfriend.”

“Easy enough. No problem. By the way, have you had dinner?”

Suzie stood and walked to her desk to grab her bag. “I have. I’ll let Mia handle the live stream with the team. I’m heading home to be with the kids. Stella and Oliver are coming over tonight, so you should stop by too when you’re done here.”

Standing beside him, Aaron watched with a worried expression.

For how long had he been like this? For countless days. When he wasn’t burying himself in endless work to numb the pain, he would sit in his office, smoking and staring into space.

The sky outside had already darkened, but he hadn’t allowed the lights to be turned on.

Without an order, Aaron didn’t dare to leave.

After a long hesitation, Aaron finally broke the silence. “Mr. Baylor, if you’re not feeling well, I can call a doctor for you.”

“No need,” Jamie’s hoarse voice rasped through the dim room. “Keep an eye on those contracts from today. The Vice President is looking to stir up trouble.”

“Yes, Mr. Baylor.”