Chooses Madness 185

Chapter 185 

If Kayla wanted financial independence and freedom from the Sexton family’s control, she needed to earn a substantial income. 

At home, Jackson and Tristian watched her every move. Even with Bailee’s help, getting caught was always a 

risk. 

But working with Caleb could change everything. 

Caleb and Jackson couldn’t stand each other. The chances of him ratting her out to Jackson were practically 

zero. 

Plus, although Caleb looked intimidating as hell. Still, somehow, he felt more trustworthy than Jackson with his fake–nice act and manipulative bullshit. 

Yeah, she’d take her chances with Caleb. 

A low chuckle escaped from Caleb’s throat. 

“Business? You?” he snorted. “Kid, you’re still in high school. What kind of business could you possibly have to offer me?” 

Kayla had expected this reaction. At her age, anyone would be skeptical. 

Kayla was already thrilled that Caleb hadn’t kicked her out on the spot. 

She pulled out the proposal she’d prepared–had been working on for days–and slid it across his desk. 

Caleb took it with obvious skepticism written all over his face, flipping through the pages casually at first. 

But the further he read, the more his expression shifted. He glanced up at her–once, twice, three times–like he was seeing her for the first time. 

The careless attitude melted off his face. “You wrote this?” His tone had changed completely. 

Kayla shrugged. “Of course I did.” 

Caleb set the proposal on his desk with deliberate precision, then fixed his gaze on Kayla. The scrutiny in his eyes was unmistakable–he was assessing her, measuring her worth without bothering to hide it. 

His presence weighed heavily on her. The silence stretched between them as he waited, watching for any sign of weakness, any flicker of doubt. 

When she met his stare without flinching, something shifted in his expression. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I underestimated you, girl.” 

Internally, he couldn’t help the bitter thought that followed. ‘How the hell did a fake like Jackson end up with a daughter this sharp? No way it came from Jackson’s side. Had to be Bailee–sweet, foolish Bailee. Her ancestors must’ve been looking out for her.‘ 

 

He frowned. ‘If she and I had ended up together all those years ago–would we have had a daughter like this?‘ 

The thought lodged somewhere deep in his chest, an ache he couldn’t quite shake. 

“So what kind of partnership are you proposing?” Caleb forced the regret down and redirected his focus to business. His tone had changed–less dismissive now, edged with genuine interest. 

Kayla didn’t hesitate. “I’m still young. I can’t be involved in day–to–day operations yet, so the capital investment and personnel management would fall to you, Mr. Hayes. I’m not asking for much.” 

She held up one hand, fingers splayed. “Five percent of the annual profits. But I want twenty percent equity.” 

Kayla had run the numbers. This project would generate around twenty percent profit. 

But Caleb was fronting all the manpower, resources, and capital. She couldn’t ask for too much of the profits. 

The equity stake, though–she knew she was being greedy there. 

This project represented the future of the industry. If it took off the way she expected, twenty percent equity would be worth more than any amount of cash could measure. 

So she’d lowballed the profit split on purpose, hoping Caleb would give ground on the equity instead. The question was whether he’d go for it. 

She lifted her gaze to meet his, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her jacket. The small movement betrayed her nerves. 

Caleb had spent years navigating the business world. He saw through her strategy immediately. ‘Smart girl. She was giving ground to gain leverage.’ 

Then he noticed her hands worrying at her jacket, and something in his chest softened. A quiet laugh escaped him. 

He smiled, ‘Just like Bailee. Even their nervous habits were identical.‘