Declan remained silent for a moment before gently pulling Hailey's hands away from him.
He turned to face her. "Ms. Lambert, do you think I'm a charity project for you?"
Hailey shook her head. "No, that's not what I meant. I believe in your ability and talent. I want—"
Declan smirked. "You want? Everything you've said has been about what you want. You're forcing your ideas onto me."
Hailey shook her head again. "Declan, I really didn't mean it like that…"
"Don't deny it. You want to control me! But I understand. You're a wealthy heiress. In your eyes, you've never truly seen me as your equal. You think you have the right to decide my future."
Upon hearing his ice-cold, ruthless words, Hailey's eyes reddened. "Declan, I told you, that's not true. Is that really what you think of me?"
She was just worried about him. She felt for him.
She didn't want him to stay in a place like this. He had so much potential—he could go further, reach higher.
But he wouldn't listen. He didn't even try to understand her.
Did he really think she was such a selfish person?
Declan saw the tears pooling in her eyes, glistening under the dim lights. She looked so hurt, so vulnerable.
His fingers curled into fists by his sides. "Hailey, just leave. We are from two different worlds. You already have Ewan by your side. He seems to have turned over a new leaf. Perhaps you should be with him. Even if not him, you have plenty of better options."
Hailey blinked rapidly, and large tears rolled down her cheeks. "Declan, why do you always push me away? Aren't we together? If there's a problem, we can talk about it."
"Together?" Declan chuckled mockingly. "Who said we were together?"
Hailey was taken aback. "Then… everything between us…"
Declan shrugged, his eyes running over her in a way that was both lazy and taunting. "We were just having fun."
Hailey froze. "Fun?"
"Yeah. It wasn't like I forced you. You were the one who threw yourself at me. You're a rich young woman, beautiful, easy-going… and you came to me willingly. It didn't cost me anything, so why not enjoy it?"
Hailey gasped, her breathing growing unsteady. "Declan, is that really what you think?"
"What else?"
Ewan pointed at Declan and shouted, "Declan, Hailey likes you! You should be grateful for that! Do you even know your own worth? You come from nothing, and now you're just another street thug. Go take a good look in the mirror. You don't deserve Hailey!"
Hailey's face turned pale. "Shut up, Ewan!"
Ewan shook off Hailey's grip and moved to punch Declan again.
But this time, he didn't land a hit.
Declan easily caught his fist mid-air and shoved him backward.
Ewan lost his balance and staggered a few steps before falling hard to the ground.
Hailey quickly stepped in front of Ewan. "Declan, that's enough!"
Declan looked at her. "Consider me taking that punch as returning the favor I owed you."
If he hadn't let it happen, Ewan would never have been able to touch him in the first place.
Hailey was momentarily stunned.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Divorce Prescription (Celina and Adam)
So annoying...
Tired of this writer!! Does it make sense!! You get d lotus and you give him away!!! Such stupid thing! Why can’t she even say it to Jonah!...
Why does hailey has to meet joanne alone can't he tell jonah so they can both deal with her?? Stupid hailey!...
What about Adam & Celine's story?...
No new uploads?...
Only Celine can treat Declan. When will Hailey learn the truth, is this gonna be a long story again?...
From the way the story goes expect expect more chapters still about Hailey & Declan's...
Why is the author dragging Hailey and Declan’s story…...
Jonah is Declan...
That was Adam & Celine's plan,they just didn't mention the reasons from the previous chapters Fiona & Nigel were part of it...