She clutched her mug, unable to put it down for a long time.


    Gwh had barely sat down when her phone rang.


    To her surprise, it was her great-aunt calling. She answered immediately.


    "Gwyn, where are you right now? Your grandfather''s very ill. You shoulde home-this might be yourst chance to see him."


    A chill shot through Gwh. Her hands shook so badly, she nearly dropped the phone.


    Why hadn''t her mother mentioned this when they spoke earlier?


    "Where is he?" Gwh''s voice trembled, as if saying it aloud would make it more real.


    "He was just rushed into the ER. Your mom''s already there. Gwyn, get back as soon as you can—I''m heading over right now. We''ll talkter."


    Emily Turner hung up and hurried off to the hospital with Celia and Chris to see Thorpe Langford.


    For years, Thorpe''s health had held steady, just the asional cold or headache. The family doctor visited every month for routine checkups. But today-no one knew why-he''d eaten an extra slice of cake and suddenly couldn''t breathe. Thankfully, the butler noticed in time and got him to the hospital.


    Ever since McNeil slipped into aa, Thorpe had never quite recovered. He spent his days tending to the old manor''s garden or asking Victoria to bring Gwh, Celia, and Chris over to keep himpany.


    No one mentioned McNeil in front of him anymore; everyone knew just how much it hurt.


    If McNeil never woke up, Thorpe''s pain would be no less than a father burying his own child. The thought was heartbreaking.


    Still reeling after her call with Emily, Gwh was frantic. She didn''t bother with packing—she just bolted out of Hawthorne''s estate. She assumed he''d left for work, but to her surprise, he was still in the foyer.


    He nced at her rushed, pale face. "What''s wrong? I told you to get some rest."


    "I have to go back to Starfall City. My grandfather''s very sick."


    Right now, she didn''t care if Hawthorne figured out who she really was. Ever since Leonie told her about the Everhart family''s feud with the Langfords, she''d suspected Hawthorne might have guessed her true identity. Why else would he watch her so closely? A man of his stature wouldn''t worry about an ordinary young woman unless he thought she was a spy sent by his rivals.


    But the truth was, her run-in with the Everharts had been pure ident, nothing


    more.


    Hawthorne studied her face, saw the desperation there, and stubbed out his cigarette. "I''ll go with you."


    Gwh hesitated, a flicker of disbelief in her eyes.


    Was he reallying with her? Back to Starfall City?


    "I know you''re McNeil''s daughter. If your grandfather''s this ill, I''ll go with you. I can''t let you travel alone."


    She didn''t have the energy to question his motives. All she could think about was her grandfather.


    "Fine," she managed, swallowing hard, fighting back tears.


    Hawthorne was already on the phone, ordering his private jet to be readied on thewn. Ten minutester the roar of engines echoed across the estate.


    "Do you need to bring anything?"


    Gwh shook her head. There


    were clothes back home, and this et


    wasn''t the time for gifts. She just wanted to see her grandfather.


    "Then let''s go."


    He walked beside her, slowing his pace to match hers. As the ne came into


    view, Gwh''s eyes filled with tears.


    Grandpa, please be okay. Gwyn''sing home.