Gwh was speechless.


    "So he ns to keep tabs on me twenty-four-seven?"


    Seriously, was he really that bored? She''d already said she was leaving-did he honestly think she''d try to kill Leonie?


    Hans''s expression didn''t change. "Miss Langford, this is the CEO''s instruction. Only you and he know the exact circumstances."


    Only they knew, huh? The only one who really knew was Hawthorne himself. Gwh had no idea why he hovered around her like a specter, refusing to let her go and conveniently assigning her work-obviously just another excuse to keep her under surveince.


    "Miss Langford, finding a good job isn''t easy. Please don''t make things difficult for me."


    That was a bit much, Gwh thought. Hans was just being polite-if she really tried to run, what was Hawthorne going to do, fire his own assistant? Still, Hans wasn''t someone you could easily shake off. She probably wouldn''t get away that easily.


    She had no choice but to ept her fate.


    "Fine. I need to stop by the hotel to grab my things."


    Hans followed Gwh out to the front of the building, where Hawthorne had already pulled up the car.


    No chauffeur-he was behind the wheel himself.


    Without a word, Gwh opened the back door and slid in.


    Hawthorne nced at her and was just about to pull away when someone rapped on the window.


    Yvette''s face appeared in the partially lowered ss. She clearly hadn''t expected to find anyone else in Hawthorne''s car.


    Hawthorne''s brow creased slightly, but Yvette was so surprised she forgot what she''d nned to say.


    "Is there something you need?" Hawthorne''s tone was cool-he made no move to open the door.


    "Hawthorne, I need a ride. My car''s in the shop for maintenance today; can you drop me off somewhere?" Her words were phrased like a request, but there was no hint of uncertainty.


    Spotting Gwh in the back seat, Yvette''s difort was obvious. She knew Gwh was just Hawthorne''s niece''s friend, but that didn''t stop the sting. After all, she''d known Hawthorne for ages and never once been in his car.


    Gwh spoke up instinctively, "If you need to give her a lift, I''ll just call a cab. No sense going out of your way."


    Hawthorne didn''t hesitate-not even a hint of conflict in his expression.


    "It''s not on the way. You''ll have to get a cab," he said, addressing Yvette. She watched, stunned, as the window slid up in her face.


    Gwh


    the one left behind. She''d alle het nd fully expected to be


    nned to settle her bill at


    and


    start looking for a ce to rent.


    She never imagined Hawthorne would ditch his rumored girlfriend instead.


    Yvette stood frozen on the curb, staring after the departing car in disbelief.


    Even Gwh was caught off guard, taking a moment to process what had just happened.


    "You''re not giving your girlfriend a ride?" she asked, incredulous.


    Hawthorne''s hands tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles standing out sharply.


    "Girlfriend?"


    "I mean Miss Yvette. Isn''t she supposed to be your girlfriend? You sure you want


    to leave her behind? She''s probably going to be mad."


    Gwh wanted nothing more than to put as much distance as possible between herself and this man.


    "She''s not my girlfriend. Hans said you needed to go to the hotel?"


    "My stuff''s there. Don''t worry, I''m not going back to the Everhart estate. I''ll rent somewhere else-I promise I''ll stay far, far away from Leonie Everhart."


    Hawthorne focused on driving, ignoring her sideways logic.


    When they pulled up in front of Gwh''s hotel, Hawthorne''s mind was already made up.


    The Langford family, checking into a five-star hotel in Greenvale. What a little liar -did she really take the Everhart family for fools?


    "Twenty minutes. I''ll wait," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    Gwh had no choice but to get out. She collected her room key from the front desk and hurried upstairs to pack her not-so-numerous belongings.


    Hawthorne watched as she came out with her suitcase and loaded it into the car. He restarted the engine.


    "So, where are you nning to stay?" he asked.


    Gwh shrugged. "Haven''t figured it out yet."


    Hawthorne nodded, then spoke after a few seconds.


    "I happen to have an apartment that''s empty for months.


    there for now-if you want


    newbenovated. You could


    rent it."