CHAPTER 205: CHAPTER 205: HERE TO RECONCILE WITH DECLAN HAWTHORNE

Old Master Hawthorne has an extremely serious appearance.

His brows are furrowed.

He is stern and not fond of speaking, with his mouth turned down in a way that terrifies children.

Many children, upon seeing Old Master Hawthorne, can’t resist crying out loud.

Florence remains calm.

This grandfather isn’t handsome, but he didn’t scare her.

As the daughter of Declan Hawthorne and Poppy Hale, Florence has inherited many of her parents’ virtues.

Poppy Hale was lively and cheerful as a child, very active.

Declan Hawthorne, on the other hand, is quiet and sensible, rarely exhibiting intense emotions.

It was Old Master Hawthorne who couldn’t hold back first.

He coughed.

"Hugo, what’s this girl’s name?"

"Florence."

Hugo Hawthorne only mentioned her nickname, not revealing to Old Master Hawthorne her full name.

Initially, they hadn’t planned to invite Old Master Hawthorne today.

It was Ronan Hawthorne who mentioned it during a phone call, leading Old Master Hawthorne to come on his own.

They couldn’t possibly turn him away.

Hugo hadn’t expected Old Master Hawthorne, despite his grievances about Poppy Hale bringing her child into the family, would still come.

Old Master Hawthorne asked casually.

He didn’t care about the girl’s name; he only wanted to gauge Declan Hawthorne’s attitude.

Declan Hawthorne is, after all, the current head of the Hawthorne family.

In a short period, there’s no one who could replace Declan Hawthorne.

The grandsons of the Hawthorne family now:

Zachary Hawthorne is simple-minded and follows the rules, excelling at avoiding mistakes.

Tristan Hawthorne is too lively, spirited, smart in mind but lacks the courage for bold actions.

Ronan Hawthorne is sensitive and introverted, though part of the family, he’s somewhat unimpressive.

Justin Hawthorne, after all, is a girl and will eventually marry out and contribute to the family’s business.

Old Master Hawthorne cannot give up on Declan Hawthorne.

His presence today, as clear as day, is seemingly to attend the birthday party but secretly to reconcile.

Hugo Hawthorne noticed but said nothing.

Holding Florence, "Florence, this is your great-grandfather."

Florence: "Oh. Great-grandfather."

Old Master Hawthorne snorted through his nose, acknowledging with a hum.

Hugo Hawthorne then held Florence and went to the other guests.

Poppy Hale stood by the railing and glanced over; Old Master Hawthorne’s eyes were continually darting upstairs.

She turned around, entered Declan Hawthorne’s study.

"The old man seems to be looking for you."

"Alright, thank you, dear. I’ll go down soon."

Poppy Hale closed the door and reopened it, "Don’t call me that today."

Declan Hawthorne instinctively frowned.

Not even allowed to call her ’dear,’ he might as well be dead.

He quickly ended the ongoing meeting and closed his laptop.

The man stood tall; when he stood up, Poppy Hale felt as if a wall appeared before her.

He grasped Poppy Hale’s wrist, pulled slightly, easily drawing her into an embrace.

"If I can’t call you ’dear,’ what should I call you? Those names from this morning? Baby?"

Poppy Hale’s neck flushed red!

This morning was meant for an early start, but she woke, not to an alarm, but to a man who had woken up unknown to her, teasing her.

Saying something like, the morning is the best time for the day’s plan.

After barely a few hours of sleep, Poppy Hale felt it would’ve been better to stay up all night with Jackie Barrett, preparing anything not yet done.

This "tumbling" left Poppy Hale’s waist nearly unbearable.

As for those names he only uses at certain moments.

Just thinking of them brought Poppy Hale a blush.

Each one is uttered in moments of intense feeling, whispered into her ear.

She’s unable to resist; each time he calls her ’baby,’ she falls back into the depths with him.

Also facing more than she can handle.

Poppy Hale huffed, lightly punching Declan Hawthorne.

"Let’s go down."

After all, many guests are waiting.

Declan Hawthorne kissed her hand, gently placed it to his lips.

His gaze soft and warm as a moon.

"Okay."

As they descended the stairs, Hugo Hawthorne announced the start of the birthday party.

"Today, I’m also officially announcing something; I’m transferring all of my shares to my son Declan, officially retiring from the group to take care of my granddaughter at home. If anyone has useful parenting tips, feel free to share."

Hugo Hawthorne chuckled, openly saying, "Since Declan wasn’t raised by my side, I lack experience in raising children. We’ll rely on everyone here for Florence’s future."

The guests laughed uproariously.

"I have a collection piece, a pair of Golden Silk Jade Glaze Earrings, burial objects of a princess from The Jade Dynasty, donated today to the museum in Florence’s name."

As a renowned collector, Hugo Hawthorne possesses numerous treasures.

Those earrings were sought for an extravagant price last year, yet Hugo Hawthorne didn’t part with them.

Today, however, to celebrate Florence’s birthday, he donated them!

The guests were somewhat shocked!

Hugo Hawthorne looked at Florence in his arms, gently said, "Donating them is also a way to bless our family’s Florence."

People conversed below.

"This isn’t a blessing; it’s paving the way for the little girl. She’s only three years old, just a girl; is it necessary?"

"First Uncle Hawthorne wants it this way; can we change his mind? This child, I thought couldn’t be the Eldest Young Master Hawthorne’s: given this treatment, it’s quite different, isn’t it."

"Have you seen how the little princess resembles Lady Hawthorne? Not a birth child?"

Anyhow.

The Hawthorne family has numerous children.

Biological, and none received this treatment.

Moreover, Florence’s face and Jackie Barrett’s; it’s like copy-paste.

Clear-eyed people would know Florence must be the Hawthorne’s biological daughter.

Except, Declan Hawthorne’s marriage timing shouldn’t be overthought.

Among the guests.

Hailey Hayes’ ears perked at the talk.

The companion knew Hailey Hayes always liked Declan Hawthorne, leaned over, whispering.

"Riley, Florence and Lady Hawthorne resemble each other, and First Uncle Hawthorne’s protection—is Florence truly born of Lady Hawthorne?"

Hailey Hayes’ eyelid twitched.

"Impossible, right?"

"Why not? Considering their age, they surely didn’t give birth themselves; saying it would be shameful. Giving her directly to Eldest Young Master Hawthorne—isn’t it more reasonable?"

Hailey Hayes’ heartbeat quickened.

Indeed reasonable.

Most importantly, Hugo Hawthorne truly dotes on that little girl.

She dares say, even Declan Hawthorne didn’t receive such preferential treatment.

Just now, the shares seemed more like compensation from Hugo Hawthorne and his wife to Declan Hawthorne.

It must be so.

After all, it’s the child’s birthday party.

After introductions, Florence was taken away to play with Iris Quill and others.

A few children came today, around the same age group.

Amber Yates and Janine were also called by Poppy Hale.

Their children went to the children’s room with Florence to play.

Amber Yates walked over, intending to find Poppy Hale.

But heard someone speaking nearby.

The very words called to question Poppy Hale.