Chapter 934

After all, it was his sister-in-law. But if the news distracted him and caused an accident on his journey, Gwyneth knew she would never forgive herself.

So she had to keep him in the dark. The rest of the family felt the same way, refusing to let the tragic news reach Hawthorne.

The media blackout meant the Everhart estate's nightmare remained a tightly kept secret.

Connor stared at Gwyneth.

"Fine, I'll go clear your discharge with the doctor. But let me ask you something- how many enemies do the Everharts have in Greenvale?"

The question completely stumped her.

She had no idea who Hawthorne's enemies were. But given that the Everharts and the Langfords were both apex predators in the business world, they naturally had countless rivals.

There was no shortage of people desperate to watch them plummet from the top of the pyramid.

Gwyneth shook her head. "I really don't know. We've only been married a few months, and he never really talks about having bad blood with anyone."

Connor frowned. "Forget it. Maybe this is still blowback from Dorian. That bastard is dead and still dragging people down with him."

He spoke with venom, but his underlying terror for Leonie's safety was completely genuine.

No man was going to speak highly of the guy who had stolen the woman he loved.

Connor stayed by Gwyneth's side through a battery of tests to ensure the babies were safe, then drove her straight home. She hadn't even been through the door for two minutes when Hawthorne's video call lit up her phone.

Breaking out in a cold sweat, she quickly answered. Seeing her safely at home, Hawthorne relaxed and chatted with her, though Gwyneth's eyes were still visibly bloodshot.

Luckily, the camera quality masked the worst of it, but her voice was unmistakably hoarse from crying.

Hawthorne caught the subtle shift immediately. "Is everything alright?"

Gwyneth bit her tongue, swallowing the truth. She blamed it on a sore throat and bad allergies.

Hawthorne immediately switched into protective mode, telling her to rest, drink honey water, and offering to send the family doctor over if she didn't improve.

Terrified the doctor would blow her cover, she quickly waved it off. "No, it's fine. I just need a nap."

Hawthorne's tone slowed down, hesitating as if weighing his words.

Sensing the shift, Gwyneth asked, "Do you have something to tell me?"

Hawthorne nodded. "We're about to enter The Great Basin Wilderness. The signal out there is practically non-existent. I won't be able to stay on video calls with you like this every day."

Instead of feeling sad, a massive wave of relief washed over Gwyneth.

With Mrs. Everhart gone, she had

planned to invite Leonie over to stay, into the Everhart

or even move or her. The gir

estate to watch over her

was a wreck, and with Connor

completely shut out, she had no one to lean on.

Gwyneth had been terrified for her.

"Oh. Well, please be careful. I've heard that wilderness is incredibly dangerous."

Her response was casual, almost completely unbothered. Hawthorne immediately picked up on the disconnect.

When he had first left, Gwyneth had been absolutely inconsolable. He had been so worried the stress would harm the babies that he made sure to video call her every single day to prove he was safe.

Now, hearing that he was heading off the grid, she seemed completely distracted. A flicker of suspicion crossed Hawthorne's face as he watched her furrow her brow.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice tightening.

"Nothing. The twins are just acting up today, kicking my ribs."

She lied through her teeth. The sheer panic of leaving the hospital was still making her stomach clench, but mentioning the babies instantly derailed Hawthorne's train of thought.

"Get some rest. I'm going to hang up soon. Once we cross the boundary, I'll be totally unreachable for a while.

If yat don't rear for me do

If you don't hear from me do not

panic. I promised you I would come

back alive, and I will."

Gwyneth nodded obediently. They talked for another half-hour before reluctantly ending the call.

Gwyneth let out a breath, a dull ache radiating through her abdomen from the near- death experience in Connor's car. But Hawthorne entering the wilderness was actually a blessing in disguise.

Gwyneth preferred it this way. With Hawthorne off the grid, she could keep the secret hidden until he returned safely.

Meanwhile, back at the Everhart

estate, Leonie was entirely catatonic. Mr. Everhart was a walking ghost Layne was the only one holding the family together, bearing the crushing weight of his mother's murder while ruthlessly managing the crisis.

By the time he returned to his private residence, he was completely drained. The

red string bracelet on his wrist caught the light.

Standing at his door, he finally exhaled. Before he could even press his thumb to the scanner, the door swung open, revealing a stunning, delicate woman.

She flashed him a soft, deeply affectionate smile and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Welcome home."