Chapter 877

The two of them exchanged curious glances before Layne dropped Leonie off and left.

"Gwyneth, I brought her over to stay with you, otherwise she's going to die of boredom."

It was rare for Leonie not to go out and party. Mr. and Mrs. Everhart initially thought she had finally matured, but after seeing her lock herself in her room and sulk for days, they realized she was deeply depressed.

Gwyneth had a pretty good idea it was about Connor. "Alright, go handle your business. Tell Hawthorne and Mrs. Everhart that I'm keeping Leonie here for a few days to hang out."

Leonie wasn't in high spirits, but with Chris and Celia around, the extra company made things livelier.

Celia was very good at reading the room and immediately linked her arm with Leonie's. "Leonie, what are the local hotspots in Greenvale? Take us out to play!"

Chris was a bit less sensitive and definitely lacking in charm. "It's all artificial scenery. What's so fun about that?"

Celia playfully scolded him. "You always ruin the mood. Come if you want, stay if you don't."

She stuck her tongue out, and Gwyneth chimed in, "Leonie, I'm leaving Chris and Celia in your hands."

Having something to do lifted Leonie's spirits slightly. She forced a smile. "I know this place best. I'll show you guys around."

Chris and Celia left with Leonie, leaving Gwyneth alone to paint and occasionally play with the dog.

While she was deeply focused, someone wrapped their arms around her waist. Gwyneth caught the faint scent of sandalwood-Hawthorne's signature scent. "Why are you back?"

He had been coming home incredibly often lately. Gwyneth wasn't even sure if he was actually going to the office anymore.

"I missed you and the kids, so I came back to check on you."

He crouched down in front of her, gently pressing his ear against her belly, and even started talking to them.

"You two better behave. When you come out, you have to protect your mom. No acting out, or Dad won't spare the rod."

Gwyneth didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Her eyes curved into a sweet smile as she chided him, "You can't threaten the babies."

"I have to threaten them, so they know exactly who's in charge of this house right from the start. If they don't listen to Mom, Dad won't let them off the hook."

His hands could feel the movements of the two babies right through her clothes. It was a sensation he had never experienced before. Life was so miraculous that Hawthorne was almost choked up.

"How are things with Patti Yale and James Mercer going?"

Gwyneth knew that Hawthorne and Patti had a completely clean relationship, so she didn't avoid bringing her up anymore.

"Patti Yale got life in prison, and James Mercer is likely never getting out either. His father-in-law and wife have no intention of letting him go."

James Mercer underestimated the wealthy and was far too arrogant.

Every financial transaction at the company had his signature on it. Silas Yeager had used him to launder money, and James took the fall for all of it.

ret

Ultimately, if James hadn't cheated and fathered an illegitimate child, the Yeager family might not have targeted him. But he committed the ultimate taboo trying to scheme against others without having the brains for it. He deserved everything he got.

"What about you?"

"Us?"

Hawthorne gently stroked his slightly stubbled jaw with her hand. "I have all of Silas Yeager's evidence in my hands. The mantis stalks the cicada, but your husband is the bird watching from behind."

If James Mercer dared to cross him,

did that old fox Silas really think he could get away clean? Using this opportunity to take down the Yeager family entirely he had finally,

eturinated the biggest threat to The

Everhart Group in Greenvale.

"Silas Yeager has such powerful backing."

Gwyneth felt a hint of worry, but Hawthorne responded with a deep, rumbling laugh

that left her bewildered. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, you're not wrong."

It was just that Gwyneth wasn't involved, so she didn't fully understand.

To take down Silas Yeager, Hawthorne couldn't do it alone. But Hawthorne had

Stein backing him. Naturally, Hawthorne wouldn't tell Gwyneth this, to save her from worrying.

The faction behind Silas was heavily antagonistic towards Stein; the two were bitter rivals in Echo City. However, Silas's 'good' son-in-law had exploded first Silas wanted to get rid of James, but James knew far too many of Silas's secrets.

No one would let such a perfect opportunity slip by. Hawthorne essentially helped

Stein indirectly, and the two ended up collaborating thoroughly.

"Whatever, I can't be bothered with you men's business."

Hawthorne looked at the nearly finished portrait on her canvas. "Me again?"

She was getting addicted to painting him.

"Yeah, I think you have very distinct features. Look, I put a few of your portraits online, and the orders are pouring in."

Gwyneth proudly showed him her newly opened online store, thrusting her phone right under Hawthorne's nose. Any remaining gentleness on Hawthorne's face vanished instantly.