Chapter 873

Ten minutes later, he was already in his car, planning to go look for Leonie. He

texted Mrs. Everhart, saying Leonie had fallen asleep at his estate, which finally put Mrs. Everhart's mind at ease.

In reality, Hawthorne had no idea where Leonie had gone. Her phone went unanswered the whole time.

Finally, Hawthorne managed to have someone track Leonie down to a bar, and later found out she had run off crying.

In the middle of the night, Hawthorne used his connections to pull the security footage along the road until he found Leonie, sobbing uncontrollably on a highway.

The black car pulled up beside Leonie. The moment her swollen eyes saw Hawthorne, she completely broke down.

"Why are you still out this late? Do you know how worried your parents are about you?"

Hawthorne's tone was strict the moment he saw Leonie, but her swollen, tear-filled eyes made his heart ache.

This niece was someone he had doted on since childhood. With only a small age gap between them, Hawthorne was always the one cleaning up Leonie's messes whenever she got into trouble.

"Hawthorne, he doesn't want me. He doesn't like me. He only likes Gwyn, what am I supposed to do?"

Leonie had no idea that she had already fallen deeply in love with Connor. That stupid man was arrogant, proud, and completely full of himself. She didn't even know what she liked about him, but she had fallen for him hopelessly.

Hawthorne gently stroked Leonie's head. "If he doesn't love you, he's not worth your love. Silly girl, a man's love is simple. You can see it in a single look or expression. You're not a child anymore, there's no need to cry over someone who doesn't have you in his heart."

Even though she knew it made sense, Leonie simply couldn't snap out of it.

"Hawthorne, what does it look like when you love Gwyn?"

Right now, she truly envied Gwyneth for having Hawthorne's wholehearted devotion, as well as Connor's lingering affection.

"Everyone reacts differently. Don't listen to Connor's nonsense. He might not actually be in love with Gwyn, it's probably just his competitive ego acting up."

Leonie looked at Hawthorne with tear-filled eyes.

"Is that really true?"

Hawthorne sighed. "Why don't you try being with someone else?"

Leonie shook her head. "I only like him, I don't want anyone else."

Hawthorne chuckled. "Be with someone else, and maybe you'll find out if he really likes you. Human nature is flawed like that."

Leonie seemed to understand something after hearing this, but at the same time, she looked completely bewildered.

Hawthorne didn't explain any further. He opened the door and let her into the car.

"Let's go to my place first. I'll tell Gwyneth you're staying with her, and you can go back tomorrow."

The early morning streets were

terrifyingly quiet, and the cold, damp

weather made it even more

daunting. A young woman like

Leonie naturally didn't dare linger

outside any longer so she

obediently got into Hawthorne's car.

After finishing his drinks at the bar, Connor stepped outside, the alcohol having dissipated enough that he was mostly sober.

He hired a designated driver, tossed him the keys, and slumped into the passenger

seat.

As the car drove on, he thought the alcohol would have improved his mood, but he only found himself growing increasingly frustrated.

His mind was entirely occupied by

Leonie's fear-streaked,

makeup ruined face. He clearly felt nothing for her and only found her

annoying, yet he couldn't a't stop

thinking about her now.

Finally, in a fit of irritation, he dialed a number just to see if Leonie had made it

home.

He convinced himself he was just

fulfilling his duty as a friend. After all, she was basically family since she wassted to Gwyneth and he was childhood friends with Gwyneth.