CHAPTER 244: CHAPTER 244: THAT BLUSHING, HEART-RACING FEELING

Time drifts slowly.

This night was destined to be tumultuous.

Countless people were clamoring to refund their tickets, Julian Lawson sat back in his car.

In the passenger seat lay the teddy bear costume he had just worn.

He didn’t know how he felt at the moment.

All he knew was that his heart felt hollow.

"Buzz buzz buzz..."

The phone kept vibrating incessantly until he finally stepped on the brake, picked up the phone, and answered the call.

It was Jude Chaucer calling.

"President Lawson, how should we handle the matter with Miss Vera Hansen?" Jude Chaucer asked, "People have already arrived at The Lawson Corporation."

Julian Lawson lowered his eyes slightly and said, "Proceed according to the plan we prepared earlier."

"Yes." Jude Chaucer immediately took action.

Julian Lawson put down the phone and gazed at the night sky above.

A bright moon hung high at the edge of the sky.

But it wasn’t a moon that belonged solely to him.

...

Meanwhile.

Silas Hawthorne was driving Serena Sterling back to the rented house.

Seraphina was already asleep, nestled in Serena’s arms.

The tiny figure was very cute, with a hairpin decorated with a big-eared dog in her hair.

As Silas Hawthorne stopped the car and opened the rear door, he saw Serena looking down at Seraphina with a gentle profile.

Though he hadn’t drunk that evening because he had to drive, at that moment, he felt somewhat intoxicated.

Serena, hearing the movement, raised her head and saw Silas Hawthorne smiling at her.

His eyes held an overwhelming amount of emotions, causing her to pause for a moment.

But then, she also smiled.

"Let me hold Seraphina," Silas Hawthorne said, reaching out.

"Mm." Serena shifted slightly; Seraphina snuggled further into her arms, resembling a small pig.

Serena chuckled again at this.

Silas Hawthorne came around and reached out to take Seraphina from Serena’s arms.

Seraphina opened her eyes drowsily, then upon seeing Silas Hawthorne, she turned her head and burrowed into his arms.

Silas Hawthorne held Seraphina properly, patting her back, while still able to carry her bag with one free hand.

"Let’s go upstairs," Silas Hawthorne said.

Serena nodded, stepping out, and closed the car door.

Once outside, Serena noticed something in Seraphina’s hand.

It was a string.

A balloon was tied to it.

The teddy bear had given it to her, and Serena had naturally let Seraphina hold it.

The balloon was now floating above.

Silas Hawthorne followed her gaze, smiled, and said, "Looks like Seraphina really likes this balloon; she hasn’t let go of it yet."

"I feel she might actually prefer a Peppa Pig balloon," Serena commented as they walked into the building.

They talked softly, discussing various recent events.

And their plans ahead.

All the way back home.

Silas Hawthorne placed Seraphina into her small bed and took off her shoes.

Serena brought a basin of hot water and cleaned Seraphina’s face, hands, and feet.

Watching, Silas Hawthorne knew Serena had some reservations, so he headed to the living room.

It was only then that Serena changed the water to clean Seraphina’s body and dress her in pajamas.

When she came out with the basin, he took it from her.

Serena just stood there observing as he disposed of the water, washed the cloth, put it away, and wiped the water stains left on the sink with the nearby rag.

His expensive suit, the Patek Philippe on his wrist, and perfectly styled hair seemed out of place in the rented house.

Yet, strangely, it added a sense of warmth.

Making her think that even if he weren’t the eldest of the Hawthorne Family, just an ordinary man, he would still be a great father and husband.

He set everything in place, turned around, and saw her still standing there, asking, "Is something wrong?"

Serena lowered her gaze, smiled, shook her head, and said no.

The next moment, he took her hand.

She raised her head, and then he kissed her.

His breath was scorching.

Holding her waist, he made his way to the sofa, lingering on her lips.

He pressed her onto the sofa, kissed her once, calling her, "Serena."

"Mm?" Serena responded.

He kissed her again, calling her once more.

Serena was dizzy, feeling as though everything was spinning.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through.

"Snap!"

The item placed on the table beside them was blown to the ground by the wind from outside, interrupting everything.

Serena blinked and looked at Silas Hawthorne before her.

His eyes were filled with aggressive desire.

Serena felt a bit shy, averting her gaze from his.

She reached out to push him.

"Silas, I... I’m not ready yet," she said.

She already felt the change in his body, but the sudden wind made her unable to continue.

Yet he still didn’t get up.

The sound of the heart thumping was close, his hot breath near.

Serena’s face flushed slightly.

She pushed him again.

Only then did Silas Hawthorne exhale deeply, remove his hand from under her clothes, gently pat her back, and say, "I won’t act recklessly, Serena, let me hold you, okay?"

"Mm." Serena responded softly.

Then he embraced her.

Like a giant plush toy, enveloping her completely.

A warm, fluffy feeling.

"I found a housekeeper; she’s already staying in the adjacent building." He held her for a while before speaking softly in her ear.

"Tomorrow, I’ll have Mrs. Walsh come over and help you and Seraphina pack, to move in with me."

His chest vibrated, speaking softly, "Rest assured, until I have your permission, I won’t act rashly."

Serena nodded, agreeing softly.

This was something they had discussed earlier.

Silas Hawthorne raised his head, kissed her lips again, then stood up, tidied her clothes, and sat beside her.

Serena also got up and sat properly.

The wind continued to blow gently, slightly awkward in this situation.

Trying to find something to do, Serena went to pick up the items that had fallen to the ground and put them back.

Meanwhile, Silas Hawthorne had already stood up.

"Well, I’ll head back now," Silas Hawthorne said, lightly patting her head.

"Mm." Serena nodded, stealing a glance at him before quickly averting her eyes.

But Silas Hawthorne had already noticed.

He chuckled softly.

"Don’t worry about it." Silas Hawthorne said with a smile, his voice still sexily hoarse.

"I want you, but I don’t want to force you."

He added, "I believe that one day, you’ll willingly choose."

His straightforward words made Serena blush even more.

Unable to listen further, Serena pushed him out.

Causing Silas Hawthorne to laugh more.

Only after closing the door, watching him return to his car below and waving at her, did she return to the living room.

Her heart was pounding, her face burning, Serena hurriedly went to the bathroom to wash her face with cold water.

Lifting her head, Serena looked at the mirror before her.

The reflection showed her with a flushed face, eyes carrying a hint of shyness.

Serena reached out to touch her face.

Is this really her?

How long had it been since she felt this way, flushing and heartbeat racing?