CHAPTER 402: CHAPTER 402: COURTESY

Mrs. Hawthorne also stood up, her gaze falling on Paige Sterling, "So this is Paige? She’s really beautiful, no wonder Julian is so crazy about you."

That wasn’t a compliment.

Julian Hawthorne’s eyebrows furrowed, but he heard Paige say, "Mrs. Hawthorne, you’re quick to compliment. Actually, I don’t just rely on looks to make him crazy about me; I also rely on my talents."

Mrs. Hawthorne chuckled lightly, looking at her gentle face; it’s really hard to imagine she’s someone who can lock up her son and abuse him, even inject him with unknown substances.

"Paige is really interesting. But now that you’re married into the Hawthorne Family, shouldn’t you call me mom?"

Saying this, she glanced at Julian, wondering how Julian would perceive Paige if she didn’t even call her mom.

However, Paige didn’t need Julian to handle this for her.

Almost as soon as Mrs. Hawthorne’s words fell, Paige shed two tears.

Her appearance left everyone present stunned.

Why did she suddenly start crying?

Mrs. Hawthorne’s face dropped, feeling somewhat displeased.

Everyone said Julian married a strong woman, but now she seemed more like an exquisite flower?

"Why are you crying? I did nothing to you, and yet you start crying as soon as you step in the door. Are you trying to make everyone think I, as your mother-in-law, am mistreating you?"

Paige shook her head, "Mrs. Hawthorne, you’ve misunderstood. That’s not what I meant."

After all, coming from the entertainment industry, acting was second nature to Paige.

"My mom passed away shortly after I was born, and every time someone talks about mom, I can’t help but shed tears. Not only that, but I also can’t bring myself to say ’mom.’ Otherwise, I won’t be able to control my tears. Mom, to me, are the most heartbreaking words..."

Mrs. Hawthorne, "..."

That’s something that makes her cry whenever it’s mentioned. How can she have the audacity to insist on being called mom?

Moreover, her mom really did pass away; you can’t accuse her of lying.

Mrs. Hawthorne sneered inwardly, "Since you can’t call me that, don’t. I don’t particularly love being called mom anyway."

Paige was back with the intent to gather some information from Mrs. Hawthorne. In no way could she afford to spoil her relationship with Mrs. Hawthorne, whether on the surface or underneath.

So, regardless of Mrs. Hawthorne’s repulsion, she casually ran over and hooked her arm around Mrs. Hawthorne’s.

"Auntie, you’re back. Julian was very happy, so we decided to move back to the Hawthorne Family. This way, we can foster our relationship."

Mrs. Hawthorne’s face stiffened, "You’re moving back?"

"Yeah, Auntie, aren’t you very happy?", Paige’s face beamed with filial affection, "Julian said you’ve been abroad recuperating, and he hasn’t had much time with you. Now that you’re back, he wants to spend more time with you..."

Mrs. Hawthorne chuckled inwardly. If she didn’t know how cold Julian usually looked at her, she might have actually believed Paige’s words.

The question arises: originally, Julian and Paige lived outside, but now that she’s back, the two plan to move here.

Julian must be well aware of her hostility towards Paige; bringing Paige back now, what’s his intention?

Could it be that Julian is tired of Paige and wants to use her, his mother, to deal with Paige?

Or are the couple preparing to join forces against her?

Regardless of which, this couple isn’t coming with good intentions.

But it also gives her an opportunity; with them close by, dealing with Paige won’t require much effort.

Especially since she has the status of mother-in-law, tormenting Paige comes justifiably.

Unable to exact revenge on Jared Sullivan, she’ll torment Jared’s daughter, wanting Jared to watch as his only biological daughter gets tormented!

That’s why revenge truly isn’t too late, even after ten years.

Hasn’t she finally caught the opportunity now?

Thinking of this, Mrs. Hawthorne brightened, "Alright, you can move back. I also want to get along well with my good daughter-in-law and foster our relationship."

Finding out Paige and Julian are moving back shocked Old Master Hawthorne too.

He called Julian separately to the study and asked the reason.

Julian pursed his lips, unwilling to trouble the elderly master, revealing such things would only distress him.

Therefore, Julian didn’t tell the truth to the old master.

Old Master Hawthorne discerned his grandson didn’t want him to worry, so he said nothing.

He left it be and only said, "Julian, no matter what you do, Grandpa supports you."

Their return to the Hawthorne Family at this moment indeed targets Mrs. Hawthorne.

Mrs. Hawthorne must have done something, likely significant.

Compared to Mrs. Hawthorne, Old Master Hawthorne evidently trusts Paige and Julian more—unconditionally.

"Thank you, Grandpa."

Julian left the study and returned to their bedroom, only to find Dora Upton there too.

Dora snorted defiantly, "Don’t think I don’t know who you are. I’ve heard much about your deeds; you’re truly terrifying!"

Paige sat on the sofa, writing and sketching.

Dora, seeing she was ignored, grew more furious.

"Hey, how can you be so rude? Are you listening to me when I talk to you?"

Paige glanced at Dora, "The manners you learned abroad are quite unique, barging in and shouting?"

"You..." Dora glared at Paige, "I only show manners to certain people. To someone like you, why should I be polite?"

Even abroad, news about Paige was flooding everywhere.

Initially, Dora thought what she read online was true and admired Paige.

But after hearing from Mrs. Hawthorne that the online reports were mere hype, she completely lost any fondness for Paige.

Her honorable cousin was deceived and intimidated into marrying this woman; it’s truly pitiful.

She, Dora, must stand up for her cousin!

"A woman like you, with nothing but a pretty face, is rough and vicious. My cousin couldn’t possibly like you. Threatening and intimidating him to be with you, such a forced marriage will never be happy. Why bother?"

Paige wondered where Dora got these peculiar views.

She came to the Hawthorne Family not to bond with Dora, so she had no interest in engaging with her.

She put aside the pen and paper and clenched her fists.

The sound of cracking joints echoed as Paige looked cold as ice, "What did you just say to me?"

Dora, seeing her demeanor, recalled the terrifying rumors about Paige, retreating a bit.

"Don’t think I’ll be afraid of you. I’m telling you, I won’t be scared. I will definitely save my cousin from your evil grasp!"

"Who told you all this?", Paige asked.

Dora, "I found it myself. Hmph! You think acting great in front of others means no one knows your deeds? My cousin is such a person; how could you ruin him? No matter what, I won’t yield. I won’t stand by as you keep tormenting my cousin. Someday I will save him; you just wait!"

Paige smiled, approaching Dora, "Knowing I’m a terrifying witch, you still come here to rant? Are you begging me to torture you?"

Dora was cornered, with no way out, and the next moment was lifted up by Paige.