The sound of rushing water filled the small room. Leonie''s face waspletely flushed. She spun around, not daring to look in his direction.


    "Alright," Connor said coolly. "Zip me up and help me back to bed."


    Just as Leonie''s hand touched the zipper of his pants, the door burst open and Connor''s rowdy friends barged in, carrying fruit and snacks.


    They nced at the empty hospital bed, then started looking around for him. Hearing noises from the bathroom, they headed over just in time to see thepromising scene.


    "Whoa, Connor! Sorry, sorry! We didn''t mean to interrupt you two... getting busy."


    Good grief, their boy Connor was a real legend. Just a short while ago, he''d been with Hawthorne''s current wife, and now, only a few dayster, he''d managed to snag his little niece. And from the looks of that spicy scene, it wasn''t him forcing himself on her—it looked like she was the one making a move on him! Connor''s charm was undeniable. No wonder he went through girlfriends faster than people change clothes.


    Leonie''s face went pale as she stumbled out of the bathroom, practically scrubbing her hands raw at the sink. "Don''t misunderstand," she said, flustered. "It''s not what you think."


    But exining anything to a group of hooligans was a lost cause.


    Liam, one of the friends, arched a roguish eyebrow. "We''re not thinking anything. Everyone knows how charming Connor is. You don''t have to be shy about it. And tell your aunt of, we''d much rather have you as our buddy''s girl. Right, Connor?"


    Connor, having relieved himself, finally felt a wave of relief wash over him, and his mood improved.


    Right, my ass, he thought. But in front of ady, he held back the profanity. While Leonie''s personality was a million miles from his ideal girlfriend, But when he remembered she was Gwh''s friend, he softened his tone.


    He had absolutely no ulterior motives with her; her straightforward nature made her great friend material, and that was it.


    "Are you guys blind or deaf? Didn''t you hear her say it was a misunderstanding? Stop ying matchmaker when you have nothing better to do. Where the hell were you when I actually needed you?"


    Now that he was feeling better, Connor''s scolding had more bite. If these unreliable friends hadn''t abandoned him with Leonie, he wouldn''t have almost wet himself and caused this whole awkward mess. The idea of dating someone from the Langford family? Don''t insult him. Hawthorne had stolen his childhood sweetheart; he hadn''t settled that score yet.


    Leonie''s blush spread all the way to her ears. "Since your friends are here, I''ll be going."


    She grabbed her bag and fled like the wind.


    Her face was still burning red even after she''d hailed a taxi.


    Behind her, Connor scoffed. “She''s been so unfazed these past few days, hardly acting like a woman. What''s she getting all shy about now? Sheesh..."


    But Leonie didn''t hear a word of it, already long gone.


    ***


    Starfall City


    Gwh descended the stairs, feeling listless. Hawthorne was already up. Their eyes met for a moment, but neither spoke as they walked silently to the dining room.


    After they sat down, Hawthorne served Gwh a bowl of nourishing soup and pushed it in front of her.


    "You drank too muchst night. This will be good for your stomach. You shouldn''t drink so much in the future; it''s bad for your health."


    Gwh wanted to retort with a


    sharp, "What''s it to you?" but the words caught in her throat. Whatever he did was his business. While she wouldn''t y along with his act, she had no desire to respond to him at all.


    She ignored the bowl he offered and served herself from the tureen, taking small, slow sips. The hangover was truly awful, but after a few spoonfuls of the warm soup, she felt much better.


    Hawthorne nced at the untouched bowl. Since Gwh wasn''t having it, he simply pulled it over and began to eat it himself, mirroring her slow pace.


    He finished the bowl in no time.


    "After I meet with the Langford patriarch and the family elders today, I have to go back to Greenvale for some business. Do you want toe with me?"


    Patti Yale had called. She was three weeks pregnant and needed to go to the hospital for a check-up, asking when he would be back. To make his act more convincing, Hawthorne couldn''t pass up this opportunity. It was a chance to make James believe he was deeply devoted to Patti, and to convince him that he was willing to raise another man''s child. The thought that all of Hawthorne''s assets would one day belong to the child in Patti''s wemb Was an irresistible lure for James He could absorb the entire Everhart family''s immense fortune without lifting a finger. A true thief doesn''t need to steal. How could Hawthorne bear not to y along?


    Gwh''s hand, holding the spoon, froze mid-air.


    Just as she''d expected. He couldn''t wait to get back to Greenvale. It seemed that as soon as the wedding was over, he couldn''t even be bothered to pretend anymore. She remembered when he hade to her house to propose marriage; he had stayed with her in. Starfall City for so many days. He Her did return to Greenvale once during that time, but he hade back shortly after.