At seven weeks pregnant, her belly waspletely t.


    Her business attire gave her a style entirely different from Gwh''s-one was youthful and bright, the other was sultry and provocative.


    Patti Yale''s entire presentation screamed anything but a respectable woman.


    Since her arrival, the office gossip had intensified, particrly due to her frequent visits to Hawthorne''s office, which were enough to make everyone stare.


    "In the office, you will call me Mr. Everhart. The same goes for when we''re in private," Hawthorne''s voice was frigid.


    "Unless it''s a special asion, you are not to use my first name."


    That was a privilege reserved for his family.


    Every time Patti said his name, she did it with a deliberately breathy voice that sounded intimate and full of desire, making anyone who overheard them assume they were involved.


    While Hawthorne wanted to put on a show for James, he had no intention of making it too convincing for anyone else.


    He knew Gwh had spent time at thepany and had a good rtionship with her colleagues.


    He also knew they would surely gossip to her.


    Patti instinctively flinched when she met Hawthorne''s gaze.


    The arrogant air she had walked in with instantly vanished.


    Since joining thepany, she had deliberately unted her position, making sure everyone in every department knew who she was.


    She was even more overbearing than Yvette had been.


    When Yvette was around, everyone knew that as long as they did their jobs well, she wouldn''t bother them and would even grant rewards, promotions, and raises.


    But with Patti Yale, everyone was on high alert, because she would attack anyone without discrimination.


    If someone failed toplete a task she assigned on time, they would be immediately called into her office for a "talk."


    A light reprimand was the best-case scenario; a severe one meant termination.


    Hawthorne had already heard all about this from Hans, whom he had tasked with keeping an eye on Patti.


    He was fully aware of everything she was doing.


    Yet, he chose to turn a blind eye, letting her run wild.


    Bet


    Only by letting rumors of his infatuation with Patti spread could he make James''s circle of gossips and his sycophantic advisoRS overestimate her importance.


    Hawthorne also knew about Patti''s own schemes.


    She was either trying to y both sides or preparing to cut her losses.


    But no matter what her n was, Hawthorne was the ultimate hunter.


    For now, they were all just prey, blissfully unaware they were about to be caught.


    "Yes, Mr. Everhart." Faced with his


    cold stare and icy tone, Patti wilted


    fike a deted balloon, Voice


    losing its energy.


    "I just wanted to ask when you''ll have time toe with me to my prenatal check-


    up."


    She had mentioned it to him yesterday, and he had flown back immediately, so she came to his office to follow up today.


    She figured that if they spent more.


    time together and deepened the


    interactions, it would only be natural for their old feelings to reignite.


    "In a couple of days. I have a few things to take care of first."


    Hawthorne''s gaze dropped to the high heels on her feet.


    The fact that she could still wear them meant her pregnancy was stable.


    "Secretary Mark," Hawthorne said, pressing the speakerphone button on his desk phone and summoning his secretary from outside.


    "Mr. Everhart." Seeing Patti Yale, Secretary Mark felt a pang of anxiety.