StartNovelChapter 566 If this had been back in Greenvale, Hawthorne would never have agreed to such an invitation. But Victoria's sharp gaze pinned him in place, a look that felt equal parts threat and scrutiny, as if she were silently weighing whether he was safe enough to be around Gwyneth.
He'd always been the one doing the evaluating, not the other way around. Yet the Langford couple-Victoria and her husband-were clearly cut from the scloth, making him feel distinctly uncomfortable.
Confronted by Victoria's face, he found himself suddenly at a loss for words.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe looked so much like Gwyneth that it was impossible to muster any real resentment.
"If you're willing to stay, that's fine. And if you aren't, I'll leave with you." Gwyneth blurted this out right in front of Victoria, who by all rights should have been upset -but instead, she looked as if she might laugh or cry.
Victoria grabbed Gwyneth's hand. "You just got home, and now you want to leave? Or is it you don't want us to have guests at all?" Victoria was determined not to let Gwyneth slip away again.
Gwyneth looked at Hawthorne, hoping he'd say something.
"All right," he replied.
Victoria let out a relieved sigh, while Gwyneth choked on her own disbelief. Was this really the sman she'd always thought of as her uncle Leonie's reclusive younger brother? Where was his pride, his backbone? "Thorpe's stronger than he lets on. If you ask me, he's going to be just fine," Hawthorne said, leaving Victoria momentarily embarrassed by his bluntness.
He'd spelled things out so clearly-if Gwyneth still didn't get it, she'd be letting down both her parents. Gwyneth turned to her great-grandfather lying in the hospital bed and, in a voice soft yet tinged with childish indignation, called out, "Grandpa, how could you trick your own family?" Thorpe kept feigning confusion, then finally cracked open an eye and glanced between Gwyneth, Victoria, and Hawthorne. The shrewdness in his gaze was barely concealed as he yawned. "Gwyn, you're still here? And Vicky's here too." Gwyneth was speechless. How could her great-grandfather be like this? He was perfectly fine! "Mom-" Gwyneth started, wanting to ask Victoria if she'd been in on the schto lure her home. Victoria cleared her throat and, avoiding Gwyneth's eyes, focused instead on Hawthorne.
"So, Uncle, was it? Is there anything you particularly like to eat? I'll have something prepared right away," she said, heading out as she spoke.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHawthorne's lips curved in a faint, polite smile. "I'm not picky. I'll eat whatever's put in front of me." Victoria immediately pulled out her phone, scrolling through her contacts as she called for help, all while still chatting warmly to Hawthorne. "Here in Starfall City, we love our seafood. I'm a decent cook-you really ought to try it. Gwyn, take care of our guest. I'll go get things started." ef Thorpe, meanwhile, swung his legs off the bed with surprising agility, completely forgetting his cane. "Doctor said I ought to rest at home. When you're old, you get cautious-don't want to drop dead somewhere unfamiliar. I'd rather be at home, where it's peaceful." He was clearly anxious to make a quick escape, but Hawthorne called out, "Hey, old man-your cane."
Thorpe shot him a glare. "You may be older than our Gwyn, but in terms of generation could be your grandfather. Mind your manners, boy." Hawthorne couldn't help a dry, almost amused scoff. This was him being polite.
"Grandpa, lethelp you." Gwyneth forced down her irritation. It was one thing to trick her into coming home, but faking illness to push her into marriage? That was another level entirely. Thorpe grinned. "Ah, my Gwyn's always the sweetest." Hawthorne's gaze never left Thorpe. The old man moved with remarkable speed; that ornate cane was clearly just for show.
Thorpe might live life on his own terms, but Hawthorne's own om family-the Everharts were long gone. Even his father had died in the turmoil that tore their family apart. He had every reason to resent Thorpe. Just then, the old man turned and jabbed a finger at him. "Ferris Everhart-what's he to you? Is he doing all right?" At the mention of his grandfather, something dark flickered in Hawthorne's eyes- an instant, sharp flash of anger.
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
