CHAPTER 184: CHAPTER 184: THE DAZZLING POPPY HALE IS HIS WIFE

For a moment, the entire field was silent.

Only the sound of the wind and the clatter of hooves remained.

Poppy Hale, in her brown riding attire, looked gallant and neat. Her black hair blew across her face, and she reached up to brush it aside.

Riding forward on her chestnut horse, someone had already picked up the bouquet to hand to Poppy Hale.

When Poppy Hale looked back, Justin Hawthorne immediately screamed!

"Sister-in-law! You were amazing!"

Shooting arrows on horseback and hitting the bullseye, at that moment, she seemed like a goddess descended from heaven in Justin Hawthorne’s eyes!

The blades of grass on the steppes of Bor were cheering for Poppy Hale, the wind whistling, and the light in Justin Hawthorne’s eyes was also bright and dazzling.

Poppy Hale gave a shy smile and handed the flowers to Justin Hawthorne.

"I practiced when I was young. I had a horse raised on the steppes of Bor. Every year, my dad would take me horse riding, and it was then that the herdsmen taught me archery."

"I was just lucky this time. I haven’t ridden a horse in many years."

Perhaps it was the lack of confidence in Justin Hawthorne’s words that had ignited the flame in Poppy Hale’s heart.

She laughed brightly, cheerful and open.

"If I can do it, so can you. I believe in your design drafts, and you should believe in my judgment too."

Justin Hawthorne was also fired up by Poppy Hale at that moment.

"Yeah! I trust you!"

Serena Sutton watched Poppy Hale, her heart amazed and even more shocked.

She suddenly understood why Declan Hawthorne would marry Poppy Hale.

Not just because of Poppy Hale’s talents as praised by Finn Young, but because of her ever-energetic vitality and bright, passionate affection.

Just the sight of the bouquet in Justin Hawthorne’s arms was enough to let Serena Sutton feel Poppy Hale’s sincerity.

Surrounded by such fiery sincerity, how could anyone not fall?

Someone as aloof and proud as a lone flower like Declan Hawthorne could only be struck down by Poppy Hale and become captivated.

Not far away, several men had witnessed the scene just now.

Declan Hawthorne’s throat was a bit dry.

He suddenly regretted not going horseback riding with Poppy Hale.

Watching Poppy Hale accelerate on horseback, Declan Hawthorne’s palms broke out in a cold sweat, and the next second he saw her let go of the reins, her waist and hips leaving the horseback!

Declan Hawthorne’s heart was in his throat, and just then, she loosed the arrow, striking that bouquet with precision.

Cold sweat dripped from his forehead too.

Poppy Hale was completely unaware of how dangerous it had just been.

When she turned around, her face was all smiles.

Allen Shaw was also stunned, rubbing his eyes.

"I... what? I always thought your wife was the cool, aloof type!"

Owen Donovan, however, was not surprised.

"Poppy Hale was in the archery club when she was in university. It’s just that our school didn’t have much space for the club, so she even invited the club members to her family’s ranch."

"No wonder everyone at school called her Eldest Miss Hale back then."

Declan Hawthorne frowned, "Why didn’t I know about this?"

"You weren’t in the archery club anyway. The club didn’t have many activities and disbanded after a semester."

Arvum University was known for its multitude of clubs.

Over a hundred clubs, with new ones forming and old ones disbanding each year.

The competition in this area was almost fiercer than the academics.

It was because Owen Donovan had an interest in archery during school that he joined briefly and found out Poppy Hale was there too.

It’s normal that Declan Hawthorne wasn’t aware.

Poppy Hale’s skill just now was too impressive.

Declan Hawthorne turned back to look at Ethan Sutton.

"Let’s go back. Have your brother’s lawyer liaise for compensation with Hawthorne Group’s legal team; otherwise, we’ll see each other in court. I have things to do, so I won’t waste time with you."

After saying that, he got up and left.

That flame in his heart had been burning since Poppy Hale launched that arrow.

Not seeing her wouldn’t quench the fire.

Allen Shaw hit a ball.

The look in his eyes toward Ethan Sutton also carried indifference.

He said nothing, but that gaze made Ethan Sutton uncomfortable.

These people were here today just to give him a hard time!

And he couldn’t afford to provoke any of them, let alone so many.

Ethan Sutton took a deep breath and turned to leave.

On his way out, he kicked a trash can, but it was made of special material and unexpectedly hard, causing him to grimace in pain.

Damn it.

Even the trash can was out to get him!

In the field, three people were on horseback.

Not far ahead, Declan Hawthorne came up, reaching out to grab the reins of Poppy Hale’s horse.

"Shall we ride together?"

"It’s not like there aren’t other horses in the stable, go ride your own."

Declan Hawthorne’s horse was a pure black steed, a previous champion in several equestrian events, handsome and elegant, with noble lineage.

When picking her horse, that black steed gave Poppy Hale a look, its long eyelashes fluttering as if smiling at her.

Justin Hawthorne told her that was Declan Hawthorne’s horse, named Edward.

Declan Hawthorne pulled Poppy Hale by the wrist, flipping onto the horse before she could refuse.

"Hey, you..."

Declan Hawthorne whistled.

The chestnut pony, receiving his command, galloped away.

Poppy Hale’s protest was blown away by the fierce wind of the plains.

The mountains surrounding Arvum City had developed into a comprehensive training ground with a natural prairie making it a haven for running horses.

While both rode horses, Declan Hawthorne and Poppy Hale had different styles.

She was cautious and relaxed, worried about hurting or tiring the horse, concerned about injuries.

Declan Hawthorne was bold and uninhibited, as if the world were his playground, radiant and dazzling.

"How come I never knew you could shoot while riding?"

"Learned it when I was a kid. I forgot about it, but the muscle memory kicked in just now."

As a child, she was daring and learned quickly.

Later, she became more apprehensive. If it weren’t for Justin Hawthorne’s pitiful tone sparking Poppy Hale’s courage, she wouldn’t have been so bold.

The pony stopped to graze.

A bit cold, Poppy Hale simply embraced Declan Hawthorne, finding warmth in him.

At this moment, their breath turned to white mist as they spoke.

"I felt so bad seeing Justin lacking confidence; it reminded me of Florence, so I wanted to encourage her."

If Florence ever felt like this.

Poppy Hale thought, she would probably be even braver, pushing through to help Florence find her confidence.

Declan Hawthorne’s Adam’s apple moved.

He leaned down, close, brushing a kiss on Poppy Hale’s lips.

His voice low and enticing.

"Don’t be so dazzling anymore."

"Hmm?"

"Many men are watching you; I’m very jealous."

Who admits to jealousy so openly? Poppy Hale tilted her head to dodge his kiss, further displeasing Declan Hawthorne.

"Why avoid me? Don’t want me to kiss you?"

"Your face has stubble..."

When he kissed her face, it just felt prickly for Poppy Hale.

Declan Hawthorne’s hormones were intense; if he didn’t shave for a day, a faint stubble would grow.

With fingers holding Poppy Hale’s jaw, Declan Hawthorne’s breath mingled with hers, the cold wind kissing them, and everything about winter melted between their lips.

Poppy Hale heard Declan Hawthorne’s low chuckle.

"Thankfully, the one so dazzling is my wife."

Poppy Hale’s arrow hit more than just that bouquet.

It struck him too.