CHAPTER 192: CHAPTER 192: THE PERSON BEHIND THE SCENES

The car drove out.

For a moment, the car was very quiet inside.

Morgan Sloan was driving, and Declan Hawthorne sat in the back, looking at his phone.

It contained Florence Lynch’s kindergarten itinerary for the day.

The plan was to organize a trip to a nearby gallery to shape clay vases.

Then use leaves collected in autumn to make some decorations.

Later, there was a half-hour gym activity.

As it got colder, all kindergarten activities were moved indoors.

Declan Hawthorne spoke up, "Morgan, contact Florence’s kindergarten later. From now on, switch the food supplier to one of Sixth Master Shaw’s restaurants, the closest one to the kindergarten will do. I’ll cover the costs later."

"Yes, President Hawthorne."

Ronan Hawthorne’s eyes flashed with a trace of darkness.

He saw that child.

A two or three-year-old girl, very pretty.

But Declan Hawthorne had just gotten married, even if the child was his, she, like him, was illegitimate.

Whether it was Declan’s child was still unknown.

Ronan Hawthorne laughed, "Big brother is truly attentive to Florence."

Declan glanced at him.

Flatly, he said, "Of course, I care about my daughter."

-

During lunch break.

Poppy Hale arrived at the dining place she agreed on with Chloe Archer.

On the way, she had a phone call with Declan Hawthorne.

Once she smoothly arrived at the restaurant, she hung up.

She couldn’t possibly keep a video call going while dining.

Upon meeting, Chloe Archer stood up to greet her.

She couldn’t help but look Poppy up and down.

Poppy was wearing a fitted knit dress, with a slightly high neckline, paired with a pearl necklace, elegant and captivating.

As soon as she entered, she took off her coat, held it on her arm, and walked toward Chloe.

Fitted dresses aren’t something many dare to wear unless they have an extraordinary figure.

Poppy belonged to that category.

Her curves were not fit by the clothes; rather, if the clothing wasn’t well-tailored, it would expose itself before her.

She looked much healthier too.

Last time they met, Anya and Florence had been kidnapped and were in the hospital.

Now, Poppy’s complexion was more than a little better, her face flushed, like a well-nurtured flower blooming perfectly.

"Sorry, Chloe, I was caught in traffic on the way, made you wait."

"It’s fine, my flight is tonight, nothing much going on now, my time is all yours."

"Why didn’t you bring Anya along?"

Poppy also hadn’t expected Chloe would leave today.

Since she’s going abroad, Anya probably wasn’t attending school.

Chloe said, "I meant to excuse him from school today, but he insisted on going to say goodbye to his friends, so I took him."

Between children, there’s always a special kind of friendship.

Poppy looked at Chloe Archer.

She seemed more worn out.

In the past, she thought Chloe was very beautiful and privately wondered why Sean could marry such a pretty wife.

After marriage trials, single parenting, and the fuss caused by Stella Hollis before, Chloe had a few gray hairs at her temples.

Poppy felt a pang of heartache looking at her.

Chloe was not yet even thirty.

"Chloe, have you got everything sorted over there?"

"Yes, I’ve rented a house, and anything else needed I’ll buy once I’m there. I’ve received an acceptance letter from a university; I’m going there as an older student."

Poppy exclaimed in joy, "Really? That’s great!"

"Originally, I planned to go abroad this year, just hadn’t expected so many things would happen. Poppy, I’ve been feeling sorry to you during this period."

Poppy shook her head.

"The past matters, they have nothing to do with you, you’re a victim as well."

Chloe closed her eyes for a moment.

She hesitated for a while before speaking, "I have a cousin, and she used to be your colleague. Do you know her? Her name is Wendy Archer."

Poppy was stunned.

The restaurant was bustling with the lunch crowd.

Customers were constantly moving past Poppy and Chloe’s table.

Poppy asked in surprise, "Wendy Archer is your cousin?"

Chloe nodded, her face showing a bit of conflict.

"Not very close, when I divorced, they thought I was a disgrace, in my old home, divorced women aren’t allowed to return. Once, when I went to pay respects to my parents, I met her. She’s my uncle’s daughter."

"That time, the villagers kicked me out, wouldn’t let me pay respects; she drove by and let me into her car."

Chloe furrowed her brow.

"Originally, she helped me, and I shouldn’t speak ill of her, but then she was on the phone with someone and mentioned your name."

"I don’t know who she was talking to, but she wanted them to pin everything on you."

Poppy took a sip of her tea.

"When was this?"

"Before the Hawthorne Group’s game crisis."

Poppy nodded.

"It’s in the past, Chloe, you don’t need to worry about it, I have it in mind."

Chloe shook her head, "I’ve been conflicted about whether to tell you, I’m also afraid I misheard, since there’s no proof, nothing concrete, and I can’t provide evidence."

When she was in the car, Chloe thought it was just a case of same name.

Moreover, Wendy only mentioned Poppy’s name once.

It’s possible she misheard.

That day, by chance, she saw the Hawthorne Group’s game launch live stream.

That was when Chloe remembered the incident and learned the event’s details, breaking into a cold sweat.

After contemplating for several days, she decided to contact Poppy.

Chloe worried Poppy might think she was just stirring trouble or being a nuisance without evidence.

But if she didn’t reveal it, she’d be uneasy.

The dishes they ordered had now been brought to the table.

Poppy poured a bowl of soup for her, "Chloe, you’re overthinking, causing self-infliction. You care about me, hence think about these things, it’s all past, and I’ve dealt with it, right?"

Chloe gratefully received the soup.

"I told you because I worry Wendy might obstruct you again. It’s good to have some awareness, be on guard. Poppy, you and Uncle are too kind, always thinking the best of people, but there are too many bad people out there."

Poppy smiled relievedly.

"Chloe, you still call my dad Uncle, isn’t that being too kind?"

Chloe was taken aback.

And laughed along.

"It’s different, the kindness Uncle showed me, I’ll always remember."

In past years, her life with Anya was a bit tight, every time she wanted to contact Poppy, she felt she was intruding.

It was because of the children’s schooling that adults reconnected.

After opening up, Chloe felt much better inside.

"The person she was calling was a man, I only know Wendy called him boss."

Poppy nodded.

"Let’s eat, nothing else matters."

Raising her teacup, she clinked it with Chloe’s, "Chloe, I wish you and Anya a smooth future."

Chloe felt grateful, sincerely spoke.

"Thank you, Poppy, the same to your family, give my regards to Auntie."