CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50: IF YOU DON’T SPEAK, I’LL KISS YOU

As soon as those words were spoken.

A man’s voice came through the headphones, speaking in Chinese.

"Big brother, who are you talking to? Could it be that I’m going to have a sister-in-law soon?"

Declan Hawthorne glanced down at the woman tucked in his arms, silent.

Clearly, she was afraid to make a sound, to avoid any misunderstanding.

Misunderstanding their relationship.

Declan’s grip was like a steel vise, and Poppy Hale tried several times but couldn’t get him to let go.

Across from them, Tristan Hawthorne, however, seemed intrigued.

Everyone knew that Declan Hawthorne was always single.

Because of this, every time Mrs. Hawthorne prayed, it was always hoping for Declan to find a partner and expand the Hawthorne family as soon as possible.

Even if it’s just a daughter, it’s fine.

As long as the Hawthorne family could see some hope for the next generation.

The younger ones even followed Declan’s lead.

Even saying they wouldn’t find anyone until their big brother settled down.

It made Old Master Hawthorne have a headache whenever he saw Declan.

He even wanted to hire a master or Dragon King for some ritual.

But Declan strongly refused.

Using the threat of not visiting the old master, leaving him no choice but to yield, although he kept pressing verbally.

Tristan jokingly said, "Big brother, let sister-in-law say something!"

Declan looked at Poppy Hale who was in his arms and had simply closed her eyes.

He said slowly, "She’s shy."

Tristan, like an overly friendly husky, kept saying, "Sister-in-law, hello, I’m Tristan Hawthorne, the third of the Hawthorne family! Don’t be scared, I’m a good person!"

Who introduces themselves by saying they’re a good person?

Tristan grew up in Hong Kong.

When he speaks Mandarin, he has a very thick accent.

Poppy listened, couldn’t help it, and let out a laugh.

Then quickly covered her mouth, left with only regret in her heart.

Hearing her voice, Tristan got even more excited.

"Big brother, why didn’t you tell the family when you got a girlfriend? Last week, Aunt even started urging me to find someone, it’s terrifying."

Declan’s fingers gently stroked Poppy’s waist.

He even slipped his hand under her shirt.

The skin on her waist was sensitive, and when his fingers touched it, her body flinched slightly, trying to escape, but nowhere to hide.

Trying hard not to speak up, not to scold him for crossing the line.

Declan found himself very infatuated with this feeling.

He interrupted Tristan’s cheerful words, "Alright, it’s the middle of the night here, let’s get to business."

Tristan was very sensible.

Just a little off track in the right direction.

Immediately laughed ambiguously, "Oh, okay, it’s me being inconsiderate, disturbing you and sister-in-law’s time, I’ll just briefly talk about the project progress here, it’ll be quick."

Getting more and more outrageous.

Poppy thought, this meeting was really long.

Half an hour later, after Tristan finished talking about the project, he gossiped, "Big brother, is sister-in-law that heroine who dumped you and went off to explore the world?"

Well, you couldn’t blame him.

In the Hawthorne family, Declan was practically a nightmare for the younger ones.

In front of him, they didn’t dare to act out.

Let alone someone in this world being brave enough to dump Declan without looking back.

No foresight, what was she thinking, this is what they’d say in front of Declan.

In Tristan’s eyes, she was a heroine!

Declan glanced at Poppy, pinching her waist with a bit of force.

"Tristan is asking you."

"Is it you?"

She looked up and glared at him.

As if saying, you know I can’t talk now.

And what does it mean she dumped him, didn’t she already explain it before?

There was only Tristan on the other end.

Declan didn’t mind, "If you don’t speak, I’ll kiss you."

Poppy found herself in a bind.

Watching his face getting closer, his breath almost landing on her face.

She had to speak, "I’m not your sister-in-law, I have nothing to do with President Hawthorne."

When she finished.

Declan’s laughter, even Tristan on the other end, could tell that his brother was very pleased.

Poppy realized afterward and felt regret.

At this time, appearing in Declan’s home.

In such a position.

Saying she had nothing to do with Declan, who would believe it?

Tristan assumed Declan and his sister-in-law had a fight, but Poppy didn’t deny she was that girlfriend from Declan’s college years.

"Sister-in-law, if my big brother makes you angry, just use his card, big brother has plenty of money! Spending more will make you happy."

"Big brother has been faithful to you for these years, without any girlfriends, you have to believe him."

Tristan thought, as a member of the Hawthorne family.

He had an obligation to make Poppy have less misunderstanding about Declan.

When he was talking, big brother didn’t stop him.

That counted as a kind of tacit approval.

Tristan really didn’t see himself as an outsider.

"Sister-in-law, when are you getting married? I’ll come back early to attend your wedding!"

Poppy looked up at Declan.

Pulled his sleeve.

Her eyes were full of pleading.

At this time, whatever she said wouldn’t help, Tristan would just assume they were quarreling.

Declan’s explanation was what mattered.

But the man instead held her hand with a reverse grip, dry and warm, playing with her palm as if it were a toy.

"Tristan, you talk too much."

Scolded by Declan, Tristan calmed down immediately.

Yet he was still excited.

Big brother said he talked too much, but he didn’t deny a word of what he’d said.

Tristan thought for a moment, realizing it wasn’t even dawn in China yet, he’s indeed interrupting his brother’s matters.

Apologized and hung up the phone, still unsatisfied.

Declan took off his headset.

Yet showed no sign of releasing Poppy.

Poppy poked his bicep, but it wouldn’t move.

So she had to speak, "Let me go."

Her tone carrying a faint anger.

Mad at him for not explaining anything, letting her be misunderstood like this.

Mad at him for holding her in such a way that she hardly dared to breathe.

Declan chuckled, handsome and graceful.

His face was indescribably good-looking, elegant, even in loungewear, he looked like a young gentleman.

He rarely showed such a relaxed smile.

Poppy knew, the project progress Tristan mentioned went very smoothly.

Also knew that recently, he was supposed to go abroad, to the overseas department for a while.

Poppy couldn’t understand, why would a boss of Declan’s level let an employee listen to company secrets so casually?

She repeated, "Let me go, don’t pretend you didn’t hear."

"Hmm, I heard you."

Declan’s voice was tinged with a lazy joy.

"My legs are numb, get up yourself."

Said as if she was heavy.

Moreover, his hand was right on her waist, and as soon as she tried to get up, he pressed her down.

The disparity in physical strength between men and women was enormous.

Poppy was someone who typically didn’t like to exercise, not a match for Declan at all.

Struggling a few times, she remained motionless.

Poppy frowned.

Exasperated, she looked at Declan, "You’re doing this on purpose."

Originally thought he would deny it.

Never expected he’d just go along and respond.

"Yeah, finding me for a photo, you have to pay, right? You thought I was free?"