CHAPTER 198: CHAPTER 198: MISTAKEN A CREEP FOR THE HAWTHORNE GROUP

It’s perfectly reasonable for him to ask this.

Declan Hawthorne living in the main building is even more fitting than Hugo’s residence here.

There’s no need to move.

Jackie Barrett’s eyelids twitched, but her face remained composed, exuding an air of elegance and authority.

"Declan and Poppy are newlyweds, after all. Living with us two old folks isn’t much fun. Your uncle and I also need some space."

"Originally, these buildings are your respective properties. The issues with your parents stem from our generation’s mistakes. Now the houses are yours. How you divide them is up to you behind closed doors; it’s not my place to interfere."

Jackie, after all, has been Mrs. Hawthorne for many years.

The poise and regal authority in her tone indicated she was issuing a statement, not seeking their opinions.

Jackie firmly stated, "From now on, your lives are yours to live. Just know, if you commit any disgraceful act, the Hawthorne family has its own rules for punishment."

"If you need your uncle and me, feel free to come back to the main house anytime."

All the younger ones got up and acknowledged with a ’yes.’

Thus, the matter was settled.

Jackie switched the topic.

"Ronan, your grandpa wants you to visit at noon. He’s invited Grandpa Hayes and his family. Don’t forget to tidy up."

Everyone paused.

They suddenly remembered that on Old Master Hawthorne’s birthday, Grandpa Hayes brought Hailey Hayes and had a long conversation with Ronan.

This was clearly setting Ronan up with Hailey.

The Hayes Family is in the medical sector.

In earlier years, their reputation wasn’t great, with many medical incidents at several of their hospitals.

They still face many lawsuits.

In truth, the Hawthorne Family generally wouldn’t consider such in-laws.

But for the Hawthorne’s second house, it was somewhat an appropriate match.

Tristan and Justin Hawthorne said nothing, just continued eating their breakfast in front of them.

After all, it was arranged by the Old Master.

Ronan was momentarily stunned but then nodded, "Okay, I understand. Thank you, Auntie."

The dining table was full to capacity.

But the atmosphere was heavy and dreary.

Even Florence, sitting in the child’s seat, felt it.

She quietly spoke to Poppy Hale.

"Mom, I miss Iris."

Jordan Barrett had moved out with Iris Quill, intending to stay long-term in Arvum to look after his daughter and grandson.

Heather Underwood had been taking Iris around for elementary school interviews these days. It had been days since Florence last saw her little chubby friend.

Jackie Barrett smiled, "It’s Florence’s birthday this weekend. Your brother, Iris, will be there too, so you’ll see him then."

"Okay. Then I want to give him the cookies Grandma Big Bear bought me yesterday. Is Grandma Little Bear coming too?"

"Yes, she’ll come. Didn’t Grandma give you a box of cookies yesterday? Didn’t you finish them?"

Florence shook her head.

"Mom says I’m a little kid who needs to protect my teeth. I originally wanted to eat just one piece and save the other for Iris, but it smelled so good I couldn’t help but keep inhaling it and ate it all myself!"

All the adults were amused.

Hugo Hawthorne also softened his tone.

"Florence, do you like Iris?"

"Yes, Iris has passed my test, and we’re good friends."

Florence’s thinking was clearer than the average three-year-old.

She expressed herself fluently, sometimes not clearly articulated, but her logic was intact.

Florence sought Poppy Hale’s opinion.

"Mom, are we moving?"

"Yes, we’ll first move across the street. After your birthday, we’ll move with Grandma to another place, which will be much closer to your future school."

"After we move, can Iris and Aunt York come play at our house?"

Poppy Hale found this amusing and asked the child, "Why?"

"Aunt York and Iris are both lonely. I have Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma Big Bear, Grandma and Auntie, but Aunt York and Iris don’t."

Florence looked up at Poppy.

"Just like before, we were happy but a little bored."

Poppy Hale’s heart fluttered slightly.

Looking into her daughter’s pure, innocent eyes, full of concern for Iris and Heather Underwood.

Previously, their family of three was in the same situation as Heather’s.

Although still young, children sometimes understand everything.

Poppy Hale patted Florence’s little cheek and smiled tenderly.

"Alright, but don’t you want to ask Dad when he comes back?"

"Okay."

Ronan glanced at Florence.

She wore a red cape edged with plaid, dressed like Little Red Riding Hood, with the cap trimmed with fluffy rabbit fur, making her look artfully adorable.

Clearly a cherished and well-nurtured child.

In the past, he never had such moments.

Because at the old house, Old Master Hawthorne prohibited speaking at the dining table.

They weren’t allowed to talk during meals.

When Florence spoke, Poppy Hale would also gently stop her.

But it was always in a gentle voice, reminding her to eat first and talk later.

Whenever the kid spoke, Poppy would instinctively respond softly, "Mom’s here."

Hugo Hawthorne and Jackie Barrett watched them smilingly.

The warmth in their gaze burned the dark recesses of Ronan’s heart, causing a vague, painful decay.

-

In the morning at Hawthorne Group, the employees sighed in chorus.

Amber Yates yawned as she clocked in, when someone pressed close behind her, "Amber, let me swipe the card with you."

The turnstile at Hawthorne Tower required a card to enter.

Amber’s drowsiness was cut in half, almost ready to jump up and say there was a pervert.

Once past the turnstile and seeing the familiar face, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Poppy, you scared me to death! What are you doing here so early?"

"I came to bring breakfast to my husband. He worked overtime all night and didn’t come home."

Amber’s mouth twitched, feeling a wave of helplessness from the public display of affection.

In the morning, when Morgan Sloan was about to leave, Poppy specifically said it was unnecessary, and Justin Hawthorne escorted her out.

She turned around and came directly to Hawthorne Group.

Amber noticed the lunchbox in Poppy’s hand as they stood side by side, waiting for the elevator.

For a moment, both were taken back to the days of squeezing into elevators in the morning.

Amber, "Why aren’t you using the exclusive elevator for the higher floors?"

Poppy replied honestly, "I don’t have a card. Others in the company don’t know about Declan and I getting married."

Imagine that.

Does anyone in this elevator crowd know they’re crowding in with the president’s wife?

She knows, is she showing off?

She’s not.

Amber remarked jealously, "I haven’t had breakfast either. If I had a wife bringing me breakfast every day, I would want a wife too. I could pay a bride price and even have kids."

Poppy responded with a neutral ’oh.’

As Amber was about to step out, Poppy took a portion from the lunchbox and stashed it into Amber’s arms.

"It’s for you and Janine. Remember to give the child my surname and transfer the bride price to me via WeChat after having the kid."

While Amber was still dazed, the elevator doors closed and went up.

Amber: "... Huh?!"

The elevator opened at the executive office floor.

Poppy carried the lunchbox and strode into Declan Hawthorne’s office.

Seeing her, Morgan Sloan quickly approached.

"Ma’am, President Hawthorne is in the lounge; he should be freshening up."

"Alright, you can carry on with your work."

Inside the lounge, water flowed gently from the faucet as a man scooped water to wash his face.

His upper body was bare, with scars left on his waist and abdomen, remnants of a healed knife wound.

Poppy leaned against the door, admiring the handsome man in his cleansing ritual.

She whistled.

"Hey, handsome, mind adding me as a friend?"