On the weekend, the employees of the Hawthorne Group boarded a bus heading to the island.
The island’s azure waters sparkled with rippling light, and the vast ocean healed the hardworking souls.
Seated on the bus, Florence and Iris Quill were reading a picture book together.
Amber Yates, sitting in front, looked back in surprise and said, "Wow, Florence, you can even read English picture books now?"
"Yeah!"
Previously, Uncle Hawthorne had taught her. Even though she couldn’t read aloud, she understood it all.
She really liked Uncle Hawthorne.
But on the bus, she hadn’t seen him after looking around for a long ti.
Florence didn’t ask either.
Upon reaching the island, a man stepped out from the front vehicle.
Declan Hawthorne still wore that black trench coat, paired with a black silk shirt and a tal necklace, exuding a suave elegance.
Usually, they only saw Declan in a suit, and rarely in such a casual style.
Quite a few female employees on the bus blushed.
Florence shouted, "Uncle Hawthorne!"
Poppy Hale turned her face away.
Watching Declan Hawthorne co over, he picked up Florence with one hand and Iris Quill with the other, frowning, "You’ve gained weight again."
Iris Quill was displeased.
Before Florence, couldn’t Uncle spare so face for him, the little handso guy?
"I’m growing!"
Declan kept a stern face, "No one’s body grows sideways. When we get back, I’ll have your mom feed you less."
Iris Quill’s face was streaked with tears as wide as noodles.
Twisting his body, he pitifully gazed at Heather Underwood standing next to Poppy Hale.
Heather turned her face away, pretending not to see.
Declan carried Florence and Iris Quill directly into the hotel booked by the Hawthorne Group.
Amber Yates nearly popped her eyes out, patting Poppy Hale’s hand.
"Hey, I didn’t see it wrong, did I? President Hawthorne seems familiar with Florence?"
Poppy Hale lowered her gaze and calmly said, "Iris Quill is Florence’s classmate. They had so conflict before, which President Hawthorne handled."
Everyone had the sa expression on their face.
No wonder.
No wonder Heather sat next to Poppy Hale as soon as she got on the bus.
Amber Yates clung to Poppy Hale, showing an infatuated expression, "I never realized, President Hawthorne is quite nice! A man who’s patient with kids can’t be that bad!"
Poppy Hale nodded and raised an eyebrow with a smile, "Oh, so does Amber want to consider joining the legion pursuing President Hawthorne?"
Amber quickly shook her head and waved her hands.
It’s fine to joke usually.
But now with Justin Hawthorne and Heather Underwood coming off the sa vehicle, Amber knows her limits.
"Nope, being with President Hawthorne would be a loss for . After all, I have a husband, and he doesn’t."
The won around laughed heartily.
There was a children’s area in the hotel.
Declan Hawthorne sat at a booth nearby, with Morgan Sloan standing beside him.
The man’s gaze lowered, watching the two children playing with toys in the kids’ area.
Other employees’ kids were playing along too.
The tall, lush palm trees cast shadows over Declan’s expression.
Just sitting there, he drew attention.
No one realized his focus was on Florence all the ti.
They all assud he was watching over Iris Quill.
An employee admired, "President Hawthorne is so good to his nephew."
Heather Underwood wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Calmly, she said, "It’d be even better if Declan had his own children soday."
As she spoke, she glanced at Poppy Hale, who remained silent the whole ti.
At another entrance of the hotel, a woman entered.
Wearing high heels and a pink short skirt, she stood several ters away from Declan Hawthorne and called out.
"Brother Declan."
Declan Hawthorne looked up, slightly furrowed his brows, his expression icy.
"And you are?"
Serena Sutton’s face turned pale, her body trembling involuntarily.
"Su-Serena."
She had worked at the Hawthorne Group for a few days, yet hadn’t seen Declan Hawthorne.
Initially, she felt lucky not having to see him, but the Sutton Family insisted she co to this island outing, saying it would help her get closer to Declan.
Serena had always feared Declan Hawthorne since childhood.
No child who grew up with him in the compound didn’t fear Declan Hawthorne.
He probably didn’t even know her na, and they had no interaction when they were young, but Serena just feared him.
Each ti she saw Declan, it felt like seeing her strict high school principal.
Stern and frostily distant.
In high school, Serena and Declan attended the sa school but were in different grades.
Education in Arvum was infamously rigorous.
Back then, many students couldn’t handle the pressure and jumped off buildings.
Once, a student free-fell from the school building, landing less than a ter away from Declan.
The blood splattered across Declan’s face.
From the crowd, Serena saw him calmly wipe his face and turn away when the teachers arrived.
At that ti, his deanor, composed yet icy, unnerved Serena more than the fallen student.
She dared not speak.
She didn’t want to get engaged to Declan at all; the thought of being with such a terrifying man made Serena shiver uncontrollably.
But the Sutton Family was eager to make the engagent happen.
This marriage would benefit both the Hawthorne and Sutton Families if it succeeded.
Old Master Hawthorne personally reached out to Old Master Sutton.
No one asked Serena if she agreed.
Probably in their eyes, Declan Hawthorne was outstanding, with thunderous talents and a limitless future.
What’s most comndable is his clean personal life, with nearly a blank romantic history.
To the Sutton Family, he was the perfect son-in-law.
What could Serena possibly object to?
Declan’s gaze shifted, scanning the crowd until he found Justin Hawthorne.
"Justin."
Justin imdiately dashed from the dessert area, and warmly linked arms with Serena, walking off together.
The man’s gaze returned to Poppy Hale.
She didn’t look back.
Approaching Florence, she wiped the sweat off her forehead over the play equipnt, bowing her head to speak softly with her.
The exposed neck was fair and delicate, almost reflective under the light.
Like porcelain, pure and flawless.
The side profile was gentle, emanating a soft glow.
Many male employees present noticed.
Morgan Sloan noted Declan’s slightly displeased expression and cleared his throat.
He suggested everyone return to their rooms, either relax or form groups to play gas.
In small groups, people dispersed.
A man approached from behind Poppy Hale with surprise, "Poppy, you are here too?"
Poppy Hale turned to look.
It was the son of the buyer from a few days ago who purchased an old mansion. At that ti, they exchanged a few pleasantries.
Unexpectedly eting here, the other party was very surprised.
"Are you an employee of the Hawthorne Group? Our company previously collaborated with the Hawthorne Group on a project and was also invited this ti. Didn’t expect to et you here, what a coincidence!"
The straightforwardness made Poppy Hale slightly uncomfortable.
She maintained a polite distance on her face.
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