She called them out directly—before meeting each other, both of them were as


    cold as ice. Who would''ve believed that the collision of two ciers could


    somehow turn into a roaring firece?


    Hawthorne replied with a soft, almost amused tone, "There you go making things


    up again. I''ve always been friendly and warm—when have I ever not smiled?"


    Leonie nearly rolled her eyes. Seriously, did her uncle even know what he was


    saying? Maybe he should take a good look in the mirror.


    As far back as she could remember, she''d never seen him crack a smile.


    "My meeting endedst night, but I left early," he continued.


    Truth was, he missed his wife terribly. The moment he saw that news article, he


    couldn''t sit still. If he waited any longer, someone might just swoop in and steal


    her away.


    After thinking it over, he decided it was better toe home and keep an eye on


    things. As long as she was under his watchful gaze, he''d like to see who''d dare


    Gwh was both surprised and a little worried. She''d seen in the news that he


    was the president of the Echo City Business Association.


    "Is it really okay to leave early? Won''t that cause problems?"


    Hawthorne gave a softugh. If only Leonie weren''t still hanging around getting in


    the way, he''d have scooped his wife up and kissed her already.


    "Of course not."


    The two of them just stared at each other, lost in their own world. Leonie opened


    her mouth, wanting to say something, but realized she didn''t stand a chance of


    being heard.


    "Alright, Uncle," she sighed, "it''s been a while since you and Auntie spent time


    together. I''ll leave you two alone."


    She knew when to make herself scarce—their eyes were practically shooting


    sparks at each other. As Gwh was about to invite her to stay, Hawthorne beat


    her to it.


    "Alright. I''ll have Hans drive you back."


    Leonie shot her uncle a resentful look. It had taken her ages to get close to


    Gwh, and now he''d snatched her away, leaving Leonie all alone again.


    Without another word, Hawthorne swept Gwh into his arms and carried her


    upstairs, entirely unconcerned about what Leonie might think.


    Leonie grabbed her purse and stormed out, fuming as she walked.


    Those two—so wrapped up in each other, they''d forgotten all about her. Didn''t


    they care about her, their perpetually single friend, at all?


    Gwh and Hawthorne spent a passionate night together. The next morning,


    Gwh woke to find the space beside her empty.


    She frowned in mild displeasure—she never liked waking up alone after sharing a


    bed with him.


    But then her eyesnded on the clock hanging on the wall. It was almost eleven.


    Shocked, she sat up instantly.


    Her phone buzzed with a message from Hawthorne.


    "How are you feeling? Did I hurt youst night...?"


    Just reading the first line made Gwh''s cheeks turn scarlet. Scrolling down,


    she saw that Hawthorne had already arranged for Hans to call HR and take care


    of her leave for the day. She could rest at home—no need to go into work.


    Gwh was mortified. Who takes a day off for something like this? But as she


    lifted the covers and tried to get out of bed, her legs nearly gave out and she


    almost toppled onto the carpet.


    Alright, she had to admit—Hawthorne really was impressive. Maybe she did need


    a day off after all.


    She hurried through her morning routine, applied a touch of makeup, and let her


    waist-length hair tumble down. Feeling refreshed and pretty, she practically


    skipped downstairs for breakfast.


    The butler watched Gwh bounce


    into the dining room, looking nothing


    like a dignifieddy of the


    house—more like the girl next door.


    He couldn''t help but knit his brows.


    Was a woman like this really suited


    to spend a lifetime with the master?


    He said nothing, though, simply instructed the staff to serve breakfast and went


    about his duties.


    After eating, Gwh wandered


    about, bored. Leonie''sst message


    still sat unread on her phone. She''d


    asked howst night went, but


    Gwh was too embarrassed to


    share any details. She replied with a


    few vague words, then headed out


    to the koi pond in the garden to feed


    the fish.


    She''d noticed that the estate''s


    architecture had a distinct, almost


    old-world charm to itsyout.


    Hawthorne''s koi were pampered and


    plump, glidingzily among the


    rocks and greenery. Some of the


    older ones were practically the size


    of footballs, while the new arrivals


    were vibrant and striking—perfect


    for admiring on a slow morning.