Chapter 704

His tone was calm, devoid of any threat or transactional implication. He was simply negotiating with her.

Gwyneth found his reasoning plausible, even if she privately scoffed at the idea that Everhart couples never lived apart. It was all for show, wasn't it? Still, for her grandfather's sake, she had to compromise.

"Fine, I agree."

It was just a matter of living under the same roof, she reasoned. Hawthorne's villa had plenty of rooms. She could pick one, and if she didn't want to see him, it would be easy enough to avoid him. It reminded her of old stories about sprawling manors where a lord and his lady could live for years without ever crossing paths if one fell out of favor.

Hawthorne's villa was absurdly large. The idea of living together yet entirely separate was not unacceptable.

Seeing her nod, Hawthorne let out a quiet sigh of relief and started the car again, driving them the rest of the way home.

She hadn't been back in nearly half a month. When the butler saw Gwyneth, the old man's face lit up with genuine surprise and delight.

Previously, his expression had always been as cold and distant as a traditional butler. Gwyneth had even wondered if he'd had professional training in expression management.

"Mrs. Everhart, you're back!"

Seeing the elderly man welcome her so warmly, Gwyneth found she couldn't ignore him. She gave a slight nod. "Butler Parham."

Butler Parham looked as happy as if he were greeting his own granddaughter-in- law. He was so excited he almost stumbled, and Gwyneth felt a flicker of emotion.

After composing himself, the butler led the way inside.

“We've put fresh sheets on your bed, and the maids have been airing them out in the sun every day. The room is all ready for you. It's so wonderful to see you back."

Butler Parham, usually a man of few words, chattered on about the household chores.

Hawthorne walked beside Gwyneth, pulling her suitcase behind him. When a maid came to take the bag, the butler realized he had forgotten his own duties.

“Butler Parham, thank you for all you've done for me."

She could be cold to Hawthorne, but she couldn't bring herself to be callous toward an old man.

"Mrs. Everhart, what would you like to eat today? I'll have the kitchen prepare it It's just so good to have you home. Mr. Everhart hasn't been eating or sleeping well. I can tell how worried he's been aboutyoudts normal for a young couple to argue, but please don't let it get to you. I've watched Mr. Everhart grow up. He's not a man of fancy words, and he doesn't know how to make a girl happy. Please don't take anything he does to heart or hold it against him."

Butler Parham was pleading Hawthorne's case so earnestly that Gwyneth was

almost overwhelmed. Hawthorne just gave the butler a gentle look.

“Butler Parham, just prepare a few of Mrs. Everhart's favorite dishes."

The butler actually raised a hand to wipe away a tear.

Gwyneth felt a sense of helplessness.

"Which room do you want your luggage in?" Hawthorne asked her.

After the butler's heartfelt display, Gwyneth swallowed the words she had been about to say. He had clearly prepared the master bedroom meticulously. If she chose. a different room now, she imagined Butter Parham would be weeping under the moonlight.

"Take it to the master bedroom."

Hawthorne nodded and instructed the maid behind him to do so.

"Don't worry," he added quietly to Gwyneth. "I won't sleep there. I'll be in the study."

If he had insisted on sharing a room, Gwyneth would have felt deeply uncomfortable. But with his assurance, she had nothing more to say. Returning to this place felt surreal. She never thought she'd come back. The flowers and trees in the courtyard looked vibrant and full of life.

"Do you still want to go to the company?" Hawthorne asked.

Gwyneth's brow furrowed. She remembered a message from a colleague saying

Hawthorne had brought Patti Yale to the office.

“No, I don't think I'll be going back."

She didn't want to run into his little

flame. Besides, she was only

agreeing to the Thanksgiving wedding for her grandfather's sake. Their Connection, she thought,

wouldn't last much longer Once her

grandfather and the rest of her

family were ready, she would

officially divorce Hawthorne.

Hawthorne had anticipated this. With Patti Yale now at the company, he had to go

all-in to play the long game and reel in a big fish like Danny Oakes.