"I came to see you two. How does it feel, Hawthorne? Enjoying having it both ways?"


    James watched from the side, thoroughly entertained. He was usually the one getting caught by his wife; it was a rare and delightful treat to see someone else suffer the same fate. And for that someone to be Hawthorne? He couldn''t have been more pleased.


    "Gwh—no, Mrs. Everhart—that''s not fair of you," James chimed in. “It''s inevitable for a man to have some fun on the side. Besides, the second Mrs.


    Everhart and our dear Hawthorne were childhood sweethearts. Hawthorne is a man of passion; he can''t let go of his first love, nor can he let go of you. How about I y mediator? What if you twodies just learn to coexist peacefully?"


    Hawthorne knew James was just stirring the pot, but he had to swallow his anger and endure it.


    Lanny, swaying slightly, emerged from the room, and his eyes lit up the moment he saw Gwh. In all his years of carousing, he had never seen a woman so breathtakingly beautiful. Her face was delicate and exquisite, the size of his palm. Her nose was perfectly sculpted, as if carved by an artist, yet it showed no trace of cosmetic work. In contrast, Patti, while pretty, had a face that seemed unnaturally plump, a clear product of fillers and procedures.


    Lanny''s eyes gleamed as he approached and pointed an usatory finger at Hawthorne. "Brother, you''ve got it all wrong. If I had a wife this beautiful at home, I''d be doting on her every second! And you, James, you should be talking some sense into him, not just standing there."


    Lanny was drunk and emboldened, his mind set on Gwh. James understood immediately; Lanny was trouble. But James was also wary of the Langford family of Starfall City. Lanny, despite the alcohol, was still coherent enough to know he could only flirt with his words and not dare to take any real action.


    James gave a dryugh. "This is Mr. Everhart''s family business. How could I possibly interfere?"


    Though he said that, he made no move to leave, eager to see how Hawthorne would handle the two women. Even if hended the project, and even though Hawthorne maintained a seemingly loving rtionship with Patti, James remained skeptical. Would a man so decisive and ruthless in business truly be so hopelessly romantic? Especially when Gwh was backed by the Langford family of Starfall City, a connection countless people would kill for.


    It was a shame he, James, was


    older and not as handsome as Hawthorne. Otherwise, if he had


    married Gwh, he would havet


    be a totalpdog, shamelessly sucking up to her and the Langford family. Unlike now, where he had to hustle for his own deals despite his father''s power and resources. If he couldn''t convert that power into money to honor his father, he knew he''d fall out of favor.


    Gwh''s eyes turned red as she took in their intimacy. She stared at Hawthorne, then her gaze dropped to Patti''s stomach. "I just want to ask you one thing. Is the baby in her belly yours?"


    Cornered by Gwh''s direct


    question, Hawthorne''s heart


    tightened, With James and Lanny


    watching him like hawks, he couldn''t


    possibly tell the truth. But lying wquid wound “Gwh deeply. H? was trapped.


    Patti''s hand remained on Hawthorne''s arm, and Hawthorne didn''t dare move his own hand from her waist. Instead of answering Gwh, he instructed Hans, who stood nearby.


    "I have another engagement with Miss Yaleter. You can escort Mrs. Everhart home first."


    Hawthorne was clearly trying to get rid of her, but Gwh, overwhelmed with emotion, refused to leave. "Hawthorne, tell me, is the child in my belly yours or not?" she pressed, her voice trembling.


    Patti, emboldened, leaned in and whispered an apology to Hawthorne. "Hawthorne, this isn''t working. James will definitely get suspicious. Let me handle this."


    Hawthorne''s silence was his consent.


    "Mrs. Everhart," Patti said, adopting a magnanimous tone, "Hawthorne has a business meeting here. Some things are better discussed in private. This really isn''t the ce. Why don''t we find a quiet spot to sit down and talk things over calmly? What do you say?"


    Patti put on a show of being incredibly gracious, pretending she wanted to lead Gwh away, but in reality, she hoped Gwh would stay and cause an even bigger scene.