CHAPTER 5: CHAPTER 5: HE WAS THE ONE WHO GOT DUMPED

During university, Rachel often went to Arvum University to find Declan Hawthorne.

Each time she used her brother, Mason Rivers’ name as an excuse.

It was also during that time she frequently saw a woman who was always by Declan’s side, tall, with a striking figure, dressed brightly, her whole person like a blazing sun, radiant and graceful.

Clearly, she was pampered from a young age.

Rachel learned from Mason that the woman’s name was Poppy Hale, Declan’s girlfriend from the Academy of Fine Arts.

No one would have thought someone as cold and noble as Declan, with a demeanor like the moon, would be with a seemingly vulgar and spoiled rich girl.

Mason said that since Declan was poor, Poppy probably showered him with money, and Rachel believed it.

Later through a collaboration, Rachel found out Declan was actually the eldest son of the Hawthorne Family, the future heir of the group.

Rachel then knew that Declan and Poppy were probably just playing around.

She later heard from him himself but inexplicably, Rachel wasn’t happy about it.

Declan raised his eyes, looking over coldly.

Rachel shivered.

Declan had already put down his chopsticks, stood up, and said, "I’m going upstairs. In the future, if you want to send flowers, don’t use me as an excuse."

Mrs. Hawthorne let out a huff, unable to hide her displeasure, "What do you mean by this? Me giving Rachel a bouquet and you’re unhappy about it?"

Declan was already heading upstairs.

Rachel watched Declan’s departing figure, filled with unwillingness in her eyes.

Mrs. Hawthorne took Rachel’s hand, soothed her with a few words, and then asked, "Rachel, who is this Poppy Hale you mentioned?"

How come I’ve never heard of this name?

Rachel realized she misspoke earlier, having finally gotten to see Declan only to make him leave in anger.

"It’s nothing, just an old classmate. Auntie, I forgot to tell Declan I wanted to intern at the Hawthorne Group. He won’t oppose it, will he?"

"What about it, it’s a small matter. I’ll talk to him in a moment."

"Thank you, Auntie."

-

Upstairs, in Declan’s study.

The company’s financial reports were scrolling across the computer, with each project team’s information clearly displayed.

Declan’s gaze involuntarily fell on the Poppy Hale team, which showed the greatest increase in proportion.

Seeing her during the day, he just felt she had lost a lot of weight. She used to be of standard build, but now her shoulders and back seemed only as wide as an A4 paper, so thin.

He admitted that when he saw the name Poppy Hale on the project proposal as a person in charge, he had a subtle feeling.

How could anyone have this name?

He didn’t expect it to really be her.

Poppy Hale was an art student who never liked to study. In school, she’d always say she wouldn’t work in the future, as her family money would never run out.

Now, not only is she working, but she’s also at Hawthorne Group, which surprised Declan.

What surprised him further was that her proposal was the best among several teams.

At first, getting together with Poppy was a gamble.

Coupled with Poppy’s persistent pursuit, Declan agreed.

Back then, he thought after graduating and returning to Hawthorne, he’d break up with Poppy.

But slowly, the nature of this gamble changed.

She was enthusiastic, cheerful, like a resilient flower. Just seeing her would make him smile.

The otherwise proud Hale family heiress was gentle and obedient in front of him.

They indulged themselves countless times, and Declan was surprised to find that Poppy could perfectly satisfy all his quirks.

He was addicted, unable to let go; he liked her.

He planned for the future, even thinking of breaking up after graduation, then confessing to Poppy in a new role.

If she didn’t forgive him, he’d give Poppy lots and lots of money and lots and lots of love.

Previously, Poppy’s only solution to problems was money. She’d hire someone to attend class, write her assignments, even pick up her parcels.

In her eyes, money could buy everything.

She even arrogantly said she could pay him to date her.

However, even ten Hale family fortunes couldn’t compare to a year’s trust income from Hawthorne.

But in the end, he was the one who got dumped.

Poppy left cleanly and decisively.

Blocked all his contact info, her things were moved out, it was a cliff-like breakup.

Declan found out from someone that Poppy went abroad.

She just left like that, without leaving him a word.

Even Mason knew about her going abroad; she even sold her fully decked-out gaming account to Mason.

Declan found it laughable.

She was the one who sought him out, doing everything possible to break into his world, and now she just left.

It’s utterly absurd.

Who was Declan Hawthorne? The campus prince of Arvum University, heir of Hawthorne Group, always the center of attention. He didn’t believe Poppy would just up and disappear.

He looked for Poppy; all the messages he sent were like stones sinking into the sea.

He even thought something might have happened to Poppy, planning to use the Hawthorne family network to find her.

Only to hear Mason quietly mumbling into the receiver next door, answering a call.

From Poppy.

At that moment, a wildfire of resentment consumed Declan’s heart, nearly burning him up, igniting his sanity.

That call seemed to mock Declan openly.

Afterward, no one brought up Poppy’s name again.

Taking over the company was long planned, Declan just didn’t expect Poppy to be part of his company.

The moment he saw her, Declan was stunned.

Seeing her now, living worse than before, did not bring Declan any satisfaction, instead, it felt like a thorn was stuck, causing unease.

She was married.

Right around the time they broke up.

Declan even suspected she hurried to break up because she was marrying another man.

She even had children.

Poppy used to often say she didn’t like kids, preferring to enjoy life as a couple before considering children.

She probably didn’t like having Declan’s kids, but immediately gave birth when it was someone else’s.

Declan felt a stone blocking his heart, leaving only an inexplicable sense of suffocation, and he lifted his foot, kicking against the table leg.

Poppy Hale, you really are something.

-

The study door was knocked on, as Mrs. Hawthorne entered carrying a tray.

She got straight to the point, "You don’t like Rachel? I see you get along well with Mason, even thought it would be good to keep it in the family."

Leaving without even eating, even Mrs. Hawthorne felt sorry for her son. Any family would struggle with Declan’s personality.

Mrs. Hawthorne and Declan weren’t close.

As a child, Declan was raised by the family’s patriarch, then as an adult, he was busy with work.

Over the years, with Declan in charge, he gained an imposing sharpness; Mrs. Hawthorne actually feared her son a little.

Declan picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of food, and said, "It’s not that I don’t like her, I dislike her."

Declan was used to seeing such women, whose desire for him was blatantly clear in their eyes, undisguised, repugnant.

Unintentionally, he thought of another pair of eyes, once gentle, now cold, causing Declan’s heart to sink, leaving it cold as ice.

"Next time there are guests at home, let me know in advance."

When there are guests, he simply won’t come back.

"What do you mean by this? Even if you don’t like her, show her some face at least!"

Leaving with such a dour expression brought shame to Mrs. Hawthorne as well.

Declan hummed, "You have to choose between guests and me, it’s up to you."

Mrs. Hawthorne’s anger brewed in her chest, neither releasing nor swallowing.

After a moment, she said, "With that bad temper, not many girls can tolerate you, and Rachel likes you, yet you’re still not satisfied?"

Declan put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth.

"Yes."

Mrs. Hawthorne noticed marks on Declan’s neck, "Your neck, what is that..."