CHAPTER 200: CHAPTER 200: THE EERIE STEPMOTHER AND STEPSON

"Big brother, the previous project stalled due to immature funding chains and technology."

"I’m confident this time we can secure investment from Vessia. They’ll also send engineers for the technical aspects."

Declan Hawthorne’s eyes were filled with distrust.

"What are you going to use to secure it?"

Ronan Hawthorne cleared his throat.

"Dad is going to Vessia to shoot a movie soon, and I’m planning to request a week’s leave to go with him. The movie’s filming location is exactly where the investors are based."

Miles Hawthorne specializes in shooting art films.

He frequently travels the world for on-location filming.

He’s won numerous awards, but most of the money made gets reinvested into eclectic films that most people can’t understand. The dividends he receives from the Hawthorne Group each year are also thrown into these films.

Declan Hawthorne had watched some of them before.

Below one of the films, there was a review.

"I’m too sober now, won’t understand it without drinking. I’ll come back when I’m drunk and it’ll all make sense."

Declan Hawthorne agreed.

He knew Miles was heading to Vessia for filming.

He also knew the film’s lead actress was that young Evelyn Jules.

Declan Hawthorne’s expression was odd, "You’re going with your second uncle?"

"Yes."

Ronan Hawthorne was going too, meaning he’d be spending all day with Miles and young Evelyn Jules.

Technically speaking, he and she were considered step-siblings.

But in the not-so-distant future, they might become the odd duo of stepmother and stepson.

Ronan Hawthorne probably didn’t know Yasmine Jules’s identity.

But that face was evidently very similar to Evelyn Jules’s.

If Ronan Hawthorne wasn’t uncomfortable with it, Declan Hawthorne naturally wouldn’t say anything.

"Go ahead. If you secure investment, it’ll count as business travel; if not, it’ll just be a vacation."

"Alright, thank you, big brother and sister-in-law, I’ll be off then."

After Ronan Hawthorne left, Declan Hawthorne sighed.

He was about to take a sip from his cup when Poppy Hale spoke up, "Drink less coffee."

Declan Hawthorne got up, resigned to go wash the cup.

Poppy Hale followed him.

They went into the break room.

The Hawthorne Group had already started its day; all its massive cogs were set in motion, and Declan Hawthorne had loads of work to do.

Poppy Hale was too lazy to return to her own office, so she just grabbed her laptop and started working from Declan Hawthorne’s break room.

During the noon break, Poppy Hale looked up and rubbed her stiff neck.

No idea how many spreadsheets she had handled in the morning, but she was feeling dizzy and could use a break.

She closed her laptop and went out.

Declan Hawthorne was still in a transoceanic meeting. The person on the other side was so impassioned, Poppy Hale could almost feel the spray of spittle through the screen.

Declan Hawthorne remained calm, only occasionally saying "no" with a stern face.

This would instantly shut the other person up in frustration.

When his gaze met Poppy Hale’s, Declan Hawthorne called for a pause.

"I’ll be done shortly; why don’t you eat first? I’ll reimburse you."

"Sure, I’ll bring you back a takeaway."

The person on the other side immediately teased, asking in Russian who could make Declan show such a spring-like smile.

Declan raised his hand with a smile, "My wife."

"Oh! Is she the one you mentioned who brought you back to life?"

"Yes."

The other party immediately began to ask for details, but Declan Hawthorne shook his head, steering the conversation back to the meeting.

He had no interest in small talk with them.

Finishing the meeting quickly was more important so he could accompany his wife.

-

In the restaurant.

Poppy Hale was having lunch with Amber Yates and Janine.

The Hawthorne Group’s lunch break was only an hour, so many people opted for takeout, the employee cafeteria, or a quick meal at nearby cafes.

High-end restaurants were almost deserted, and there was no need to wait for a table.

Amber Yates looked at the menu.

"I’ve finally made it to such an expensive restaurant."

"You’re on President Hawthorne’s dime, no need to save."

Amber Yates clicked her tongue, "Poppy Hale, you’re really living it up."

Poppy Hale smiled and took a sip of tea.

"Then don’t eat."

"Eat? If there’s even a dog’s leftovers, I’ll eat! Indulge in the luxury! Mrs. Hawthorne, teach me how to find such a handsome and wealthy husband!"

Poppy Hale drew out an "Oh" in a long tone, "It’s simple. In college, choose the most handsome boy in the classroom, preferably one without much money, and start spending on him, sending him beautiful selfies. You’ll have him in a few months."

Amber Yates and Janine hadn’t expected it.

Poppy Hale really had a tutorial to share.

Amber Yates, "Wait, why without much money?"

"Family motto of the Hawthorne Family: work-study program. Didn’t the forums mention this? At the time, I truly thought he didn’t have money. If I’d known he was from such a wealthy lineage, I might not have been interested."

Poppy Hale was honest.

"A family like the Hawthornes, I could never aspire to join."

"But a poor Declan Hawthorne, poverty is where his charm lies."

If Declan Hawthorne hadn’t been less well-off back then, Poppy Hale doubted she could have gotten him.

Though, he didn’t like her spending on him.

But back then, everyone thought that.

It was Poppy Hale who supported Declan Hawthorne.

At one point, even Poppy Hale believed this herself.

Looking back now, when they booked hotel rooms, they split the cost, and after Declan started working part-time, he also bought her gifts like perfume and lipstick, not expensive, but bought directly from stores.

When it came to money.

The amount spent between them was nowhere near a thousandth of what Declan spends on her now.

But the effort spent was incomparable.

Morgan Sloan appeared in the restaurant and Poppy Hale waved, inviting him to join them for lunch.

He wanted to decline, but Amber Yates and Janine quickly made room for him.

"Secretary Sloan, have a seat."

"Ah, this is too kind."

Morgan grinned shyly and didn’t decline further, sitting down to dine with them.

"Mrs. Hawthorne, did you get your driver’s license yet? President Hawthorne wants to buy you a sports car, and I’m supposed to subtly find out what color you like."

"I got it, but there’s no need to buy a car. I’m not interested in sports cars."

Amber Yates bit her napkin.

"I wish I could say something like that too!"

They sat in a slightly secluded spot.

A few large potted plants blocked the area.

People in the adjacent seats couldn’t see them past the plants.

They overheard a conversation from the adjacent table.

"Who do you think President Hawthorne married? Was it Rachel Rivers from before?"

"I doubt it. Recently, wasn’t Rachel Rivers sued by our company? If she were really married to President Hawthorne, she wouldn’t resort to stealing our game data and getting detained for several days."

"True."

After a moment, the person spoke again, "Is President Hawthorne not planning to sue Matthew Sutton and Rachel Rivers anymore?"

"Definitely suing, our legal team is ready with all the documents. One word from President Hawthorne, and the lawsuit continues. Wendy Archer, isn’t your PR department doing anything?"

Wendy Archer had a headache.

"Not really, the recent focus has been on game promotions, but I’m having a hard time finding suitable artists and illustrators."

"Didn’t you have a classmate who was really good at illustrating game art?"

Wendy Archer gritted her teeth, "She was sued for infringement by Finn Young. I had no idea she was plagiarizing him all along."

She was referring to the game artist from Matthew Sutton’s company, who caused a scene claiming to be Finn Young.

Poppy Hale hadn’t expected that the person was Wendy Archer’s classmate.

Thinking back to when she tried to negotiate with Finn Young, her intent to lower the price had been evident.

Perhaps she had long planned to act dishonestly.