Hawthorne''s words and the dial tone that followed left Patti staring at her phone in disbelief. She had gambled her unborn child for Hawthorne, helped him so much, and gotten her face beaten to a pulp by McNeil''s men. Her cheeks were now swollen like a balloon, and he didn''t even believe her.
“Hawthorne, I''m not lying to you! It really was McNeil! He did this! If you don''t believe me, let''s video call! I''ll show you my face. It''s aplete mess—” Before she could finish, Hawthorne had already hung up.
Patti''s face was still throbbing with pain. Staring at the disconnected call, she screamed in frustration, "Hawthorne, how could you not believe me!" When she tried calling back, he didn''t answer.
His thoughts werepletely consumed by Gwh on the second floor. Her bedroom door was closed, but he had distinctly seen her walk out onto the balcony for a moment before disappearing. He walked to her door and knocked gently. When there was no response, he spoke softly through the door. “Butler Parham told me you''ve been eating a lottely. Is something wrong? Should I take you to see a doctor?"
He knew that what happened with him and Patti had a huge impact on Gwh''s emotional state. He had read articles about people developing stress responses after a family crisis. Some would lose their appetite and refuse to eat, while others, like Gwh now, would overeat. Both were symptoms of a psychological issue. When Butler Parham told him about it, he had been very worried and wanted to check on her, but she kept her door shut tight, refusing to let him in.
Hearing his words, Gwh''s heart began to pound. She knew perfectly well her increased appetite was because of the pregnancy. She was afraid Hawthorne might figure it out. These seasoned veterans of the business world could deduce a thousand things from a single nce or gesture. Gwh didn''t dare take that risk. Fortunately, Butler Parham had just brought her another meal ten minutes ago, and she was full. Her best bet was to just lie down and sleep. That way, another day would pass. All she had to do was hold out for three more months until after the wedding, and then she could leave.
Hawthorne knocked for a long time without any response. Just as he was about to ask Butler Parham to force the lock, the door finally opened. “Is there something you need?"
Gwh''s cold face appeared before him. Aside from her unfriendly expression, she didn''t look unwell at all. Her face was rosy, her figure full and rounded. She actually looked much healthier than before, likely due to eating and sleeping well. Hawthorne''s dark eyes lit up as he took in her glowing, radiant appearance.
"No, I just wanted to see you."
Gwh''s voice remained cold.
"You''ve seen me. You can go now." She tried to m the door in his
face but Hawthorne blockedit with his foot.
"Your father..." he began, trailing off after just three words. Gwh heard him.
"What?"
Hawthorne himself found it absurd.
How could he trust a word Patti
said? McNeil had been sick for so many years. The idea of him suddenly appearing in Starfall and beating someone up on Gwh''s behalf sounded like a myth from a forgotten century. If McNeil had really woken up, Gwh would have been the first to know. He also understood that the Langford family had agreed to this marriage so quickly because Gwh had moderate depression. After being with him, her personality had brightened, and her previous symptoms had disappeared.
He decided to test the waters. "Someone told me they saw your father in Starfall City. I just wanted to ask if he has woken up." Hawthorne didn''t dare call McNeil ''Dad Given his current strained rtionship with Gwh, the word felt wrong, and he was afraid she wouldn''t like it. He had at least that much sense of boundaries. Reading people was a strength for any businessman.
The baffled look Gwh gave him was all the answer he needed. He immediately
understood that whoever Patti saw, it couldn''t have been McNeil.
"When you speak, please don''t joke about my father. I know you two have bad blood, but please show some respect for a sick man."