CHAPTER 182: CHAPTER 182: EMOTIONS ARE ALSO A FORM OF PROJECTION

In the study room.

For a while, no one spoke.

Declan Hawthorne took a bite of the pomelo from the fruit platter. It was fragrant and sweet, the juice bursting in his mouth.

Poppy Hale would probably like it.

This morning, he heard Florence Lynch and Truth Hale cough a bit; some pomelo should do them good.

Hugo Hawthorne hesitated several times to speak.

He wanted to say that actually, Florence is Declan Hawthorne’s child.

But since Declan hadn’t said it himself, he couldn’t grasp Declan’s intention.

If by any chance, Old Master Hawthorne discovered that Florence was a child of the Hawthorne Family, he might make a fuss over the surname and the family tree. And what if he wanted to raise her himself?

Not to mention, it would be life and death for Poppy and her husband.

He wouldn’t let him and Jackie Barrett live, either.

Hugo thought carefully.

Letting Old Master Hawthorne believe Florence isn’t a child of the Hawthorne Family actually has its benefits.

Just a bit unjust to Poppy Hale.

Thinking it’s for Florence’s good, Poppy could understand.

Hugo spoke, "Dad, they’re married already. It’s really not up to you. How about Declan gets divorced and after you pass on, they marry again?"

"Hugo! I’m your father, and you talk to your old man like that?"

"Dad, how about I donate a temple for you to become the matchmaker there since you’re of quite the age now."

Old Master Hawthorne calmed himself.

"Stop joking around with me, I’m not agreeing to this! Declan, do you want people pointing fingers at you?"

Declan Hawthorne remained steady, his tone calm.

"Grandpa, at the moment, besides you, no one opposes me."

Old Master Hawthorne took a deep breath.

His hands trembled.

Three generations of the Hawthorne Family were here.

After a moment, he let out a deep sigh.

"Have your wife bear you a child quickly. It’s your business if you want to raise someone else’s child, but you can’t end up childless yourself!"

Old Master Hawthorne chose to compromise.

He knew.

He was old now.

Declan Hawthorne would no longer listen to him.

The bond between grandfather and grandson shouldn’t just disappear; it wasn’t worth it.

Old Master Hawthorne conceded, with the sole condition that Poppy Hale and Declan Hawthorne have a child of their own.

Declan Hawthorne stood up, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to Old Master Hawthorne.

"Have some tea, Grandpa."

-

In the courtyard.

The well-manicured roses bloomed, and there were a few century-old welcoming pines in the yard.

Jackie Barrett pointed to an apple tree ahead, "Declan used to love climbing trees. This tree never bore fruit, and was going to be cut down, but his grandpa saw he loved climbing, so he kept it."

Poppy Hale listened and found it amusing.

"Grandpa wasn’t completely strict with the kids."

"Old Master’s way of educating had issues, but he wasn’t harsh with those few. Keeping this tree became a way for the old man to manipulate Declan."

"If he didn’t score well, if homework wasn’t finished, or if he didn’t excel in his lessons, the old man threatened to cut down the tree."

Jackie looked at the tree, eyes glistening with tears.

Justin Hawthorne continued beside her.

"We used to have a small dog, a stray dog from this area. I begged my big brother to secretly keep it, until Grandpa found out."

"That day, Grandpa made my brother practice calligraphy and wouldn’t let him out until he finished."

"The dog was stuck up the tree, too scared to come down. My brother wanted to rescue it, but Grandpa wouldn’t allow it, watching as the dog fell and died. After that, my brother never climbed trees again."

Even Jackie Barrett didn’t know this.

She looked down, secretly wiping the tears from her eyes.

She tightly gripped Poppy Hale’s hand.

"Poppy, don’t worry, no one can take Florence away from you, no one."

Her tone was emotional.

Gripping Poppy’s hand tighter.

Her voice choked.

In her youth, she was timid and didn’t protect her child well.

Declan Hawthorne didn’t have a good childhood, no one nurtured him well when he was young.

Jackie’s heart ached.

Poppy let her hold on, calming her emotions.

"Mom, I know."

Justin also went up and held Jackie’s arm, "Auntie, my mom wants to come back home this New Year."

Jackie’s attention was immediately caught.

"Really? But your Grandpa will definitely disagree."

"I’ve already talked to my brother, he said he’d think of a way back."

Declan didn’t object to Adrian Hawthorne and Yvonne Vance leaving the manor.

"I’ll discuss it with your brother later."

-

On the way back.

Jackie remembered what Justin mentioned.

"Declan, are you planning to have your uncle and aunt come out for New Year?"

"Yes, New Year’s approaching, and I noticed today that Grandpa misses his younger son."

Old Master Hawthorne had always been resolute and uncompromising.

But now he was old.

As people age, they start missing their children.

Especially the ones not by their side.

Today, when Justin and Tristan happened to talk about matters concerning the family estate, Old Master Hawthorne was eavesdropping, pretending nothing was happening.

Declan spoke, "On one hand, gauge the atmosphere. Justin and Tristan will get married and leave the Hawthorne Family in a few years; my uncle and aunt need to come out and socialize."

"On the other hand, give Grandpa something to do. If he’s busy, he won’t have time to bother Poppy and me."

Both Jackie and Hugo agreed with that logic.

Hugo talked about his plans.

"Poppy, it might be unfair to you."

Poppy shook her head, "Even if Grandpa knew Florence was my flesh and blood, it wouldn’t change his view of me, it doesn’t matter."

Anyway, in Old Master Hawthorne’s eyes, Poppy Hale was already a seductress who bewitched Declan.

Whether the little fox brought by the vixen was Declan’s or not, it didn’t matter.

After all, Florence was a daughter.

Thankfully, a daughter.

Hugo, seeing how open-minded she was, also sighed in relief.

"Declan is right, your grandpa is just too idle. I’ll go and bring your uncle and aunt back tomorrow."

-

In the evening, as the clouds cleared and the fog dispersed, the sunset painted the sky with beauty beyond words.

Declan Hawthorne drew back the rod, applause ringing around him.

Ethan Sutton came up, "President Hawthorne, that shot was impressive, a hole-in-one!"

Declan handed the rod to Morgan Sloan beside him, taking a sip of mineral water.

"Hmm."

The attitude was indifferent.

Ethan Sutton could tell Declan wasn’t particularly interested in talking to him.

So he cursed a bit in his heart.

Being arrogant.

If not for Matthew Sutton’s incident, he wouldn’t bother inviting Declan.

Still, he put on a smile, approaching Declan.

"President Hawthorne, regarding Matthew’s incident, it was indeed a failure on our family’s part in not educating him well. Little Mu already knows his mistake; I can have him come apologize to you?"

Declan chuckled lightly.

"Ethan, are you feigning ignorance on purpose? Your brother’s lack of restraint caused Hawthorne Group actual losses."

"Shall I send the invoice to you?"

Because of that gaming accident, the Hawthorne Group worked overtime to modify plans, invite new artists and art teams, continuing without rest for several days.

They sacrificed countless resources for the press conference.

All these were the Hawthorne Group’s losses.

A simple apology from Ethan was likely not enough.