Chapter 14

The first thing he saw was Hannah talking to a man in a baseball cap holding a

camera.

He recognized the getup instantly: a paparazzo.

He wasn't in the entertainment industry, but he had recently been getting the celebrity treatment, with paparazzi constantly snapping pictures of him. He had assumed they were tailing Hannah, but he never imagined she would hire them herself.

Theobald said nothing, his cold eyes fixed on Hannah as the light glinted off the black rosary beads on his wrist.

A profound sense of pressure washed over Hannah, making her scalp tingle. "Theo, [.....”

Theobald must have overheard her conversation with the photographer. How could he have been there at that exact moment?

Her mind raced. Hannah bit her lip, her large eyes gazing up at Theobald, shimmering with unshed tears. "Theo, I admit it. I called the photographer. I just wanted a little more exposure to help me get better roles."

"I used you, Theo. I'm so sorry."

She was just an ambitious girl trying to build her career.

The cold aura around Theobald dissipated slightly.

Just as he was about to say something, his phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen. It was a message from Marguerite.

[She's just trying to make Joshua jealous!]

Was Marguerite still nearby?

Theobald looked around but saw no one else.

Then he tilted his head up and saw a small, pale face peeking out from the

branches of the large, crooked tree by the entrance.

Theobald's mouth twitched. He looked down and typed a reply: [Sis, you really think so?]

Perched in the tree, Marguerite rolled her eyes.

She had to admit, Hannah was beautiful. In her white dress, she looked slender and fragile, inspiring a protective instinct.

Theobald sent another message: [Why are you here?]

Marguerite couldn't very well admit she had come specifically for this She replied: Just taking a walk. I'm leaving now, bye!

Fixing a love-struck fool wasn't easy. Marguerite was ready to give up.

Theobald frowned. [What do you mean, leaving? Stay for dinner.]

Marguerite: [Do I look like a third wheel? I have things to do.]

Theobald: [What things?]

Marguerite: [I'm going to check out our old house. I know who owns it now. I'm going to see if he'll sell.]

Theobald: [I'll go with you.]

Hannah's tears were about to rival Niagara Falls, but she realized no one was

watching her performance.

Theobald was completely absorbed in texting someone.

Who could possibly be on that phone?

She leaned in for a peek and saw the contact name.

Hannah wiped her tears and called out softly again, “Theo.”

Theobald looked up at her. “I understand. Let's call it a night. I have to go.”

Hannah's eyes widened, her voice losing its delicate tone. "What? You have something to do again?"

Theobald's brow furrowed slightly.

Hannah swallowed and modulated ་་། mean, aren't you going

her voice

to have dinner Theo Skipping meals is bad for your stomach

Theobald read her concern and a

small smile touched his cold face. "If

you're hungry go ahea

not."

and eat I'm

Marguerite's sleep was a priority that needed to be resolved immediately.

He turned and walked away, a new determination in his step.

Hannah was left standing there, stunned. The nearby paparazzo was equally dumbfounded.

He remembered seeing Theobald completely smitten with Hannah. Had the Northpine Wraith recently taken a vow of celibacy?