CHAPTER 11: CHAPTER 11: THE NEW LEADER IS HER HUSBAND

"President Hawthorne, this is our company’s design department."

The middle-aged man on the right walked with an enthusiastic smile, introducing their company to Caden Hawthorne with a flattering expression on his face.

Vivian Lynch froze the moment she saw Caden Hawthorne appear.

The new leadership turned out to be her newly wedded husband?

Caden Hawthorne also noticed Vivian Lynch at her post, his brow slightly furrowed. Why was she here?

"Miss..." Bryan Coleman also noticed Vivian Lynch, about to greet her, but chose silence as Caden Hawthorne cast him a frosty look.

Caden Hawthorne glanced at Bryan Coleman, then at Vivian Lynch, realizing that Bryan had mentioned she was interning at a small company, which turned out to be this company.

Quickly, Caden Hawthorne regained his composure and stopped looking at her.

"President Hawthorne, this is my son, Sean Sinclair." Chairman Sinclair pointed to Sean Sinclair beside him, signaling him with persistent glances.

"Sean, why are you still standing there? Hurry and greet President Hawthorne!"

Sean Sinclair snapped out of it, swiftly extending his hand with a pleasing smile, "President Hawthorne, hello! I’m Sean Sinclair from Sinclair Group. I’ve heard about Master Hawthorne for a long time, and today’s meeting indeed proves to be extraordinary."

Jessica Hart gazed at Caden Hawthorne with a lovestruck expression, surprised that the new leader was none other than President Hawthorne from The Aethelgard Circle, handsome and rich, a dream man for all women.

Caden Hawthorne looked at Sean Sinclair in front of him, finding the name familiar, while Bryan Coleman tiptoed nearby, whispering something in Caden’s ear.

Immediately, Caden Hawthorne’s face darkened, his gaze at Sean Sinclair chilled further. He stood there, indifferent, showing no intention of shaking hands.

The atmosphere grew strange, and Chairman Sinclair sensed the tension, quickly trying to smooth things over, "Well then, President Hawthorne, let me take you to see the other departments!"

Caden nodded silently and followed Chairman Sinclair discreetly, continuing to inspect the work.

Seeing Caden act as if he didn’t know her, Vivian Lynch tried to remain calm, returning to her seat and focusing on her work.

"President Hawthorne, please let us know if there’s anything our company needs to improve."

After showing Caden Hawthorne around the company, Chairman Sinclair took him to the office for a rest, instructing the assistant to prepare coffee.

Caden Hawthorne leaned against the couch, his expression indifferent, "Overall, it’s quite good, but some details need further optimization."

"President Hawthorne is right." Sean Sinclair nodded repeatedly, showering compliments, "It’s truly an honor for Sinclair Group to have President Hawthorne grace our company with a visit."

Jessica Hart stood outside the door peeking in, her eyes sparkling as she watched the man speaking so eloquently inside.

Vivian Lynch approached with a folder, intending to report work to Sean Sinclair but was stopped by Jessica Hart.

"Vivian Lynch, President Sinclair and they are discussing matters with Master Hawthorne inside. Do you think you can just barge in?"

"And what’s Secretary Hart doing standing at the door listening, then?" Vivian Lynch scoffed, having noticed earlier that Jessica Hart was practically drooling. Could she be eyeing her husband again?

Although she and Caden Hawthorne were only married due to pregnancy, they were legitimately wed.

So she absolutely wouldn’t allow women like Jessica Hart to covet her husband.

"I was..." Jessica Hart began to retort, but Chairman Sinclair’s assistant arrived with the coffee.

Jessica Hart quickly snatched the coffee from the assistant’s hand, "Let me take the coffee!"

"But..." the assistant hesitated.

"I’m President Sinclair’s personal secretary. What’s wrong with delivering coffee?" Jessica Hart cast a provocative glance at Vivian Lynch, a smug expression on her face.

"Secretary Hart is truly dedicated, personally delivering coffee to President Sinclair." Vivian Lynch deliberately raised her voice, making sure those inside heard.

Upon hearing noise from outside the office, Caden Hawthorne’s thin lips curled slightly.

Sean Sinclair’s expression changed, hurriedly standing up to open the office door.

"We have distinguished guests in the company today, and here you two are making a racket. What are you thinking? What if you offend President Hawthorne? Can you bear the consequences?"

As soon as he emerged, Sean Sinclair lectured them sternly.

Jessica Hart pouted in grievance, mumbling, "President Sinclair, I just wanted to bring you coffee."

Sean Sinclair looked at Vivian Lynch, "What about you?"

Vivian Lynch glared at him, then promptly tossed the folder at him before turning away.

Sean Sinclair caught the folder hurriedly. Seeing Vivian Lynch’s attitude, he was about to get angry when Chairman Sinclair’s voice questioned from inside, "Sean, what’s going on?"

Sean Sinclair took a deep breath and signaled Jessica Hart with a look.

Understanding, Jessica Hart smiled and entered the room with Sean Sinclair.

"Dad, it’s nothing, just an employee being difficult, which I’ve handled." Sean Sinclair returned to his seat with an awkward smile.

Caden Hawthorne sat there with a stern, handsome face, remaining silent.

"President Hawthorne, your coffee." Jessica Hart placed the coffee down accordingly but personally handed his cup to Caden Hawthorne.

Caden did not accept it, instead giving Jessica Hart a cold glare.

Was she the mistress trying to seduce Sean Sinclair?

With that thought, Caden Hawthorne’s gaze became icier.

Jessica Hart was startled by Caden Hawthorne’s icy look, her hand trembling and spilling coffee onto his trousers.

Witnessing this, Chairman Sinclair turned pale with fright, and Sean Sinclair grew tense.

"I’m very sorry, President Hawthorne, I didn’t mean it..." Realizing she had spilled coffee on Caden Hawthorne, Jessica Hart broke into cold sweat, quickly pulling out tissues to wipe it clean.

Caden Hawthorne promptly stood, not giving Jessica Hart a chance, his expression abruptly chilling, "Is this how your company treats guests?"

Seeing Caden angered, Chairman Sinclair broke into a cold sweat, hurriedly apologizing, "I’m sorry, President Hawthorne, the new employee is unskilled, clumsy, dirtying your clothes. We’ll fully compensate."

Jessica Hart realized she was in trouble, quickly lowering her head.

Sean Sinclair couldn’t help but facepalm, wondering what got into Jessica Hart today: daring to offend President Hawthorne, courting disaster?

"Secretary Hart, if you can’t even handle this small thing, why don’t you hurry and leave?" Sean Sinclair signaled Jessica Hart to prompt her to leave.

Seeing Sean Sinclair helping her out, Jessica Hart felt relieved, nodding quickly and exiting.

"Compensation isn’t necessary; your company has significant issues in talent selection and training." Caden Hawthorne spoke in the calmest tone, expressing the harshest words. "I don’t think your company’s talent is very impressive."