Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right

Chapter 373

"No, he doesn't."

"Honestly, I don't think he looks much like a big boss either," Ron puffed out his chest, standing taller like he was comparing himself. "I mean, come on, look at me. In terms of body and presence, how could he ever compete with this?"

I rolled my eyes. "But, like, he's the one who invested all the money to start the company, right?"

"Yup, he's the real majority shareholder," Ron said. "Me?" He chuckled, "I may look like I run things, but I'm just another glorified employee-same as you and Hayden."

His easy, playful tone actually made him seem pretty down-to-earth.

"Then why doesn't he run the company himself?" I asked, still not totally getting it.

Ron scoffed. "What, are you dense? The guy's loaded. He owns a bunch of companies. Who has the time to micromanage all of them?"

I glanced back at the private room door, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the short, stocky guy inside was some rich business mogul.

I'd spent years around the upper crust with the Johnstons, so I knew the big players. But I'd never heard of anyone with the last name Hart being this powerful.

"You don't believe me, do you?" Ron saw right through me. "You just haven't been around long enough, that's all."

I stayed quiet.

"Our boss is the grandson of Chadwick Hart, one of the old coal barons from West Ridge," Ron continued "He might look older than he is, but he's just over thirty. With the coal business slowing down, the Hart family started branching out. Kylian might not look like much, but he's got brains." Ron tapped his temple for emphasis.

It was all starting to make sense now.

Still, I couldn't help but tease, "West Ridge folks moving in on Seavora, huh? Guess they've really got their fingers in everything."

"Wherever there's money to be made, they're on it. And our boss? He's got investments overseas too," Ron added with a shake of his head. "Bet you didn't see that coming."

"Definitely not," I muttered, biting my lip. "Didn't expect our big boss to be someone else entirely. I thought..."

"Thought what?" Ron asked, grinning.

I thought of Hayden's humble background and decided to keep my suspicions to myself.

Both named Hart, but in terms of looks and smarts? Hayden outshined Kylian by a mile. But when it came to the money? Kylian had the edge, no question.

"Nothing. Let's get back inside before we get fired for making the big boss wait," I joked, and then walked

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Chapter 373

back into the private room.

Ron stopped me. "Ms. Kay, you didn't think Hayden was...?"

"No," I cut him off with a quick smile. "Hayden is just Hayden."

"Hayden's a stock that's bound to rise," Ron tossed out before we headed back into the room.

As I opened the door, I noticed both Hayden and Kylian sitting in silence, staring at each other like they'd just had some intense face-off.

My heart skipped a beat. Had something gone wrong between them already? They barely knew each other!

Sensing the tension, I quickly apologized to Kylian. "Sorry for the interruption."

"No worries, take a seat," Kylian said in his usual laid-back tone. For a supposed secret billionaire, he sure didn't act the part.

2

Ron strolled in behind me, all blunt honesty as always. I gave Ms. Kay a little rundown about you, boss."

I froze.

Seriously? Was he really just going to spill that I'd been asking about Kylian?

Before I could glare at him, Ron was already laughing, explaining to Kylian, "You have no idea how long Ms. Kay has been dying to know more about you. She's been grilling me for ages, just desperate for a glimpse of your brilliance." I was speechless.

"Really?" Hayden's voice cut in, and just those two words sent a chill down my spine.

Ron laughed nervously. "Yep! If you don't believe me, you can ask her yourself."

I wanted to throttle him right there. He seriously had zero tact.

"Let's get the food started. Keira's been starving," Hayden smoothly changed the subject.

Ron shot a glance at Kylian, who gave a small nod, and Ron pressed the button to call for the waitstaff.

That little exchange pretty much sealed it-Kylian was definitely the big boss. But one question still nagged at me.

Why was Ron more deferential to Hayden than Kylian? Like, even though Kylian was the big boss, Ron seemed to treat Hayden with a whole different level of respect.

As I nibbled at my food, I couldn't stop thinking about it. Something about this whole situation still didn't quite add up.

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