Alice York was also curious to see how Finn Hawthorne would handle this.
’Maybe he’ll drop the act and show his true colors?’
"Finn, let tell you, I just ran into Alice York."
Jean Hawthorne had just gotten through to Finn Hawthorne on the phone.
"You know, Alice York from the Sterlings of Silvanus. The woman whose cat bit your hand and made you get all those shots."
"I never expected to run into her here, but don’t worry, I’ve got her cornered. You’d better thank properly."
Jean Hawthorne rattled on, smug and self-satisfied.
But the other end of the line was silent.
"Finn? Are you listening, Finn?" Jean Hawthorne’s tone beca more subdued.
Finn Hawthorne’s voice ca through the receiver. "I’m here too."
Jean Hawthorne, being rather dense, didn’t catch on. "What a coincidence! You’re eating here too? Which room are you in?"
Alice York called out, "Miss Hawthorne."
Jean Hawthorne suddenly looked over at her.
A smile played on Alice York’s lips as she tilted her chin. "The person you’re looking for is right behind you."
Alice York had seen Finn Hawthorne the mont he appeared.
He was still holding his phone to his ear, but he was striding toward them with the speed of a sudden squall.
His usual devil-may-care attitude was gone, replaced by a sense of urgency.
Jean Hawthorne turned around and saw Finn Hawthorne walking toward them.
"Finn!" Jean Hawthorne waved her phone in the air. "Over here!"
As Finn Hawthorne approached, Jean Hawthorne imdiately started showing off. "Aren’t my eyes sharp? I recognized this woman in a single glance. Don’t forget to praise , okay?"
Finn Hawthorne shot her a look of annoyance. "Get out of the way."
Jean Hawthorne’s face fell, and she said, displeased, "Do you have to speak to your older sister that way? I’m still..."
"My sister? You think you’re worthy of the title?" Finn Hawthorne showed her no courtesy whatsoever, shoving her aside.
Publicly humiliated, Jean Hawthorne’s face turned livid with rage. Once she regained her balance, she pointed a finger at him. "Finn Hawthorne, you—"
Before she could finish, Jean Hawthorne’s eyes widened in astonishnt.
Finn Hawthorne walked right up to Alice York. Far from putting on airs, he bent down, lowering his head to ask her with a nervous look, "Did she lay a hand on you? Are you hurt?"
Alice York furrowed her brow. ’The first thing this kid does when he gets here is worry about ...’
Seeing Alice York’s frown, a surge of anger rose in Finn Hawthorne. He whirled around and pointed at Jean Hawthorne. "You touched her?"
The blunt accusation left Jean Hawthorne completely stunned.
"I... I didn’t! I just ran into her. If you don’t believe , ask her."
Jean Hawthorne had wanted to ask Finn what was wrong with him and why he was protecting that woman. But his accusatory tone was so frightening that she didn’t dare, and instead rushed to clear her own na.
Finn Hawthorne warned Jean Hawthorne in a cold voice, "Listen up. Alice York is under my protection now. If you dare to touch her, you’re dead."
Jean Hawthorne’s eyes grew even wider.
’What did I just hear? Finn Hawthorne is warning ** to protect Alice York?!!’
"Finn Hawthorne," Alice York called out.
Finn Hawthorne imdiately spun around, his expression instantly changing to a smile. "I’m here. What is it?"
Alice York didn’t want to make a scene. Nothing had really happened, and besides, she hadn’t expected Finn Hawthorne to take her side the mont he arrived.
She explained, "Miss Hawthorne didn’t do anything to . We were just chatting."
"You don’t have to make excuses for her. I know what she’s like," Finn Hawthorne said, as if he could see right through Jean.
Jean Hawthorne, both furious and feeling wronged, couldn’t stop herself from snapping, "Finn Hawthorne, what’s gotten into you today?!"
Finn Hawthorne turned back to her. "Are you yelling at ?"
Jean Hawthorne flinched but bravely pressed on. "If not, then why have you suddenly beco her lackey? You were never like this before. Don’t tell ... she put a spell on you?"
The mont the words left her mouth, Jean Hawthorne regretted them.
She knew Finn Hawthorne’s temper better than anyone—he was petty and incredibly vengeful. Everyone in Arden knew that whoever crossed him was in for a world of trouble, and that included his own family.
"A spell? A lackey?"
Finn Hawthorne repeated the words, his tone unreadable.
Jean Hawthorne swallowed nervously, about to apologize, when she saw Finn Hawthorne turn back to Alice York and ask in a dead-serious tone, "Do I look like your lackey?"
Alice York: "..."
Finn Hawthorne raised a hand to his chin. "Actually, I’m starting to suspect you put a spell on , too."
The corner of Alice York’s mouth twitched. "Young Young Master Hawthorne, you should watch your words."
"I’m just ssing with you." Finn Hawthorne grinned, flashing a set of pearly whites. "I consider you a friend, so of course I’m going to treat you well."
Alice York replied politely, "Thank you for considering a friend, Young Young Master Hawthorne. It’s my honor."
"..." Finn Hawthorne’s face fell again. "Alice York, can you stop being so formal with all the ti?"
Alice York glanced at him. "Thank you, Young Young Master Hawthorne."
Finn Hawthorne: "Still too formal."
Alice York took a breath. "Thank you."
Finn Hawthorne: "I just don’t want to hear you say those two words."
’This guy is unbelievable...’
’Forget it.’ Alice York decided she didn’t want to deal with him anymore and started to walk away.
Finn Hawthorne matched her pace, falling into step beside her. "You full?" he asked.
Alice York stopped in her tracks and turned her head. "Are you insulting ?"
The color drained from Finn Hawthorne’s face. "No, no, no! That’s not it! I phrased that badly. I just ant to ask if you’d eaten your fill."
"I don’t know, it really sounded like you were taking a veiled jab at ." Alice York pressed her lips together, pretending to be offended. "I don’t like being friends with insincere people. Let’s just leave it at that. Stop following ."
"..."
With that, Alice York quickened her pace and walked on ahead.
"Alice York, listen to —" Finn Hawthorne wanted to explain, but he was afraid stopping her would only annoy her more, so he froze in place.
He slapped himself on the mouth. "This stupid mouth! Why can’t I say anything right!"
Just then, Jean Hawthorne appeared at Finn Hawthorne’s side like a ghost. "Finn, be honest with . Does she have so kind of dirt on you?"
Finn Hawthorne shot her a sideways glance. "Mind your own business."
"So I was right?" Jean Hawthorne grew even more certain of her theory. "So you *are* protecting her because she has sothing on you! No wonder. It all makes sense now. But what could she possibly have on you? You’re the Hawthorne family’s fearless little tyrant!"
"Jean Hawthorne!"
Finn Hawthorne warned her, "What happened between and Alice York before was all a misunderstanding. From now on, she’s my friend. So you’d better be polite when you see her. If I find out you’ve been giving her attitude behind my back, I’ll make you pay!"
Jean Hawthorne was stunned by his warning. "Wait, are you being serious?"
"What, you think I’m joking?"
With that, Finn Hawthorne turned and walked away, his face cold.
...
Now, only Wyatt Sterling and Felix Hawthorne remained at the dining table.
Nathan Sterling had slipped out right after Finn Hawthorne left.
"Your family’s patriarch has certainly shown his sincerity in building a relationship with our Hawthorne family this ti," Felix Hawthorne said as he poured wine into Wyatt Sterling’s glass.
Wyatt Sterling’s hand rested at his side. He didn’t move, listening in silence.
Felix Hawthorne set down the bottle. "I hear the woman you brought with you is part of that sincerity your patriarch has prepared."
Reviews
All reviews (0)