CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 56: ALWAYS CALLING YOUR NAME

Everyone fell silent.

Even Allen Shaw, whom they had just met, looked at Mason Rivers with a strange expression.

Mason Rivers scratched his head. "That’s not what I mean. She has a family. I’m just appeasing my mom so she won’t nag me every day."

Obviously, the group of rich second-generation were not convinced.

"If you needed a stand-in, couldn’t you find someone else? Why a married woman?"

Mason Rivers shook his head, sneaking a glance at Declan Hawthorne’s expression.

Seeing him remain composed, Mason breathed a sigh of relief.

Thinking Declan didn’t like Poppy Hale either, he wouldn’t care about what he said.

"Isn’t it easier with someone you know? If I bring home someone with a kid this time, my mom will definitely object. Next time if I bring home a young celebrity, she’ll probably accept it."

The group of rich second-generation burst out laughing.

"True, who would be interested in a woman with a kid!"

In the darkness, Declan Hawthorne’s gaze flickered towards that person.

The person stopped talking, bewildered from being glanced at by Declan Hawthorne.

Allen Shaw had drunk quite a bit and started slurring his words while looking at Declan Hawthorne.

"Declan, I found out about that man you asked me to investigate. There’s news."

Declan Hawthorne continued drinking, not intending to speak.

Allen Shaw continued, "He is getting married."

Mason Rivers followed up in confusion, "Declan, which man are you investigating?"

Could it be that Declan is really interested in men?

Mason Rivers suddenly felt nervous.

Declan Hawthorne put down his wine glass and casually said, "Poppy Hale’s ex-husband."

Ex-husband.

Mason Rivers felt half of his drunkenness sobered up instantly.

He sat up straight, moving his phone and wine glass aside.

"Ex-husband? She’s divorced?"

His tone carried a hint of surprise that even Allen Shaw could detect.

It didn’t sound like congratulating a friend on their divorce.

More like implying something deeper.

Declan Hawthorne looked at Mason Rivers.

With eyes so bright and sharp, Mason felt like prey caught by a ruthless predator in the dark night, left without a place to hide.

He shivered all over.

Those deep secrets buried in his heart began to grow upwards through the cracks.

Mason Rivers tentatively asked, "Declan, don’t you dislike Poppy Hale?"

Hearing Mason gossip about Declan Hawthorne.

Everyone perked up their ears to listen.

This was Declan Hawthorne.

Even in the same circles, they rarely called upon Declan Hawthorne, and this was one of the few times he joined them for a drink.

Most of the previous gatherings he had declined.

Besides Allen Shaw, who knew some details, everyone else was very interested.

Declan Hawthorne casually loosened his tie to breathe.

Even a lazy gesture carried an irresistible aura of nobility and confidence.

He took a sip of his drink.

"Who said I didn’t like her."

Mason Rivers’ heart skipped a beat, and he couldn’t help but swallow while meeting Declan Hawthorne’s penetrating look.

He awkwardly laughed to cover up, "Declan, you used to say in college that you didn’t like her..."

Mason’s words made Declan Hawthorne recall that day at the office.

She said she didn’t like such people.

In romantic relationships, she disliked people who were condescending.

The glass, filled with ice to the brim, exuded a chill, almost numbing his fingers.

Frozen liquid shimmered with light and ripples as the drink touched the ice.

A frozen sensation seeped through his limbs.

Holding the glass tightly, Declan Hawthorne even felt that his hand lacked any sensation.

Lighting a cigarette and holding it between his fingers, his voice was hoarse amidst the swirling smoke.

"Not liking someone precludes having a relationship."

Also present at the gathering was their college roommate.

Upon hearing Poppy Hale’s name, Owen Donovan was surprised, "Declan, you actually like Poppy Hale? Doesn’t she have a bad temper?"

Mason Rivers nudged Owen Donovan with his elbow.

"She’s nice in front of Declan."

"Oh, so that’s why Declan... likes her?"

In any case, the notion that Declan Hawthorne was genuinely interested in Poppy Hale felt surreal to them.

No matter how they saw it, they couldn’t believe Declan was serious about her.

Declan Hawthorne took a drag on his cigarette.

He extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray.

"It’s not because of her personality."

Her demeanor was pleasant in front of him.

But it was all an act.

Even during those years, her affection for him was probably feigned.

Declan Hawthorne pondered.

His life had been smooth sailing, never having encountered setbacks.

Only in front of Poppy Hale, did he trip, and it happened twice.

Curiously, both times, he was performing a solo drama.

Declan Hawthorne tilted his head back, taking a large gulp of alcohol.

Observing this, Mason Rivers switched topics.

"Declan, before when you went abroad, which country did you go to?"

"Vesperia, spent some time in Solara."

Mason Rivers: "Poppy Hale is also in Solara, didn’t you two bump into each other?"

After saying it, he realized he had misspoken.

He downed a few more glasses as self-punishment.

Solara is such a big place, it’s normal not to meet.

His damn mouth.

Declan Hawthorne took a sip of his drink.

Having not eaten, the strong drink combined with ice only left a burning sensation as it settled in his stomach.

It seemed as if his internal organs were aflame.

Yet that pain paled in comparison to the suffocating feeling emanating from his heart.

No one knew that he went to Solara to find someone.

He drank several more glasses, with no one daring to stop him.

Allen Shaw patted Declan Hawthorne, accompanying him for a couple more drinks.

The burning sensation in his stomach grew stronger.

Propped up by Allen Shaw, Declan Hawthorne stood and, pressing his lips together, said, "Please contact my assistant, going to the hospital."

Allen Shaw hadn’t yet reacted.

When Declan suddenly clutched his stomach and fell.

After a hectic commotion, Declan Hawthorne was sent to the hospital.

Allen Shaw, not having drunk much, tagged along, and Morgan Sloan drove them both to the hospital.

Half an hour later.

In the same hospital.

Having just settled Mrs. Hale, who was undergoing surgery tomorrow, Poppy Hale greeted Florence Lynch, who was resting at Amber Yates’ home, over the phone.

Poppy Hale apologized, "Amber, I’m really sorry for causing you trouble. I’ll pick Florence up tomorrow."

"No problem! My kid absolutely loves Florence and can’t get enough of her! Focus on taking care of your mom, don’t worry about anything else."

Opening her mouth to question why Poppy Hale’s husband wasn’t involved with the child, she stopped herself.

Everyone has their difficulties.

Poppy Hale was strong and calm, she wouldn’t send her daughter to someone else if it wasn’t necessary.

Amber Yates was tactful and didn’t press further.

Just as she hung up the phone.

The phone rang again.

Declan Hawthorne’s call came through, and before Poppy Hale could say hello to President Hawthorne, she heard an unfamiliar voice.

It was a man.

"Miss Hale? Hello, I’m a friend of Declan’s. He’s in the hospital now, can you come see him?"

Poppy Hale was puzzled, "President Hawthorne is hospitalized, what can I do?"

Allen Shaw hesitated.

A moment later, he placed the phone in front of Declan Hawthorne.

He was unconscious, on an IV drip, intermittently murmuring Poppy Hale’s name.

Saying she was a liar.

"Poppy Hale, you’re a liar, you tricked me."

"You said you would love me forever."

"Is your forever just six years."