When facing others, she always behaves differently.
An inexplicable annoyance surged up.
"Mason Rivers’ private life is a ss."
Poppy Hale was baffled.
Declan Hawthorne wasn’t the type to gossip behind others’ backs, let alone comnt on soone’s private life right in front of her.
Poppy looked at him, "And then?"
Not to ntion Mason Rivers’ life; what does it have to do with her?
Even if it was Sean, Poppy wouldn’t concern herself so much.
Moreover, she’s not a church priest who can purify Mason Rivers and guide him back on the right path, right?
These thoughts were rely complaints in Poppy’s heart.
Facing Declan Hawthorne, she couldn’t remain completely indifferent.
In the past, she always cared about his feelings, prioritizing him in everything.
Worried that he’d be unhappy.
Even the slightest frown made Poppy anxious; she wished she could find dozens of fortune tellers to help her figure out what Declan Hawthorne was thinking at all tis.
Trying to speculate Declan Hawthorne’s thoughts made Poppy feel tired.
She’s not soone who’s overly sensitive.
But because she has always been at a disadvantage in the relationship, she can’t help but think about him.
Now she doesn’t want to feel so exhausted.
Most of the ti, she can tell when Declan Hawthorne is a bit unhappy, but she pretends not to know.
There is no position to show concern.
Declan’s expression carried a trace of gloom.
"Mason Rivers is interested in you, don’t you know?"
Poppy was silent for a mont.
She repeated, "And then? President Hawthorne wants to remind that Mason Rivers’ private life is chaotic, not a suitable match? What does that have to do with ?"
Her tone was sowhat stiff.
"Not to ntion Mason and I are just classmates, not necessarily even friends. Even if he has any interest, do I have to take it to heart?"
Poppy really hadn’t noticed if Mason Rivers had any thoughts.
Back in college, Mason Rivers never lacked girlfriends.
Even if he was interested in Poppy, it was just like an illusion, fleeting.
Not even lasting longer than a traffic light.
Those hidden feelings were like traffic lights, appearing periodically, seeming important during the wait.
Afterward, where would it leave any impression?
Poppy has always seen through these matters clearly.
But Declan Hawthorne surprisingly cared about such things.
Even if it was to remind an employee, it seed to be overstepping too much.
The road ahead was clear.
The car suddenly accelerated, scaring Poppy into gripping her seatbelt tightly.
After all, it was in the city center, and racing wasn’t feasible.
The little girl in the back seat was sleeping soundly.
Declan drove on for a while.
Poppy’s response clearly showed she didn’t care about Mason Rivers.
But the fire in his heart still burned, unable to be extinguished or even show signs of dying down.
Because he knew.
She didn’t care about Mason Rivers, nor did she care about him.
Gripping the steering wheel tightly, Declan’s fingers turned pale.
He chuckled in frustration.
"Poppy Hale, do you really not understand what I’m saying? Mason Rivers likes you, is interested in you, wants to be your daughter’s stepfather. Can’t you see that?"
Poppy felt like they were discussing the sa thing yet not the sa thing at the sa ti.
"I won’t be with Mason Rivers. If President Hawthorne is worried about a friend, you can rest assured."
As for her personal life, the company has no say over it.
The man didn’t say a word.
But he grew even more silent.
Was he concerned about Mason Rivers?
Which eye of hers saw him caring about Mason Rivers?
Even if he did care about Mason Rivers, would Mason Rivers dare to accept it?
Poppy’s phone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number, but the location was Arvum.
Poppy usually didn’t answer unknown numbers, but sotis calls from Arvum were from couriers or manufacturers.
Once she answered, a woman’s frantic voice ca through.
"Poppy? It’s Chloe Archer. Can you help with sothing?"
Poppy was startled, recognizing the urgency in the voice, "Chloe, what’s wrong?"
"Anya was picked up. The teacher said it was by his father. I tried calling Sean, but he didn’t answer. Can you ask him for ?"
Anya is the son of Sean and Chloe Archer.
After the divorce, Chloe completely severed ties with Sean.
This ti, for so reason, Sean knew Anya was at Florence’s kindergarten and took the child without letting the mom know.
Chloe was anxious.
Worried that Sean wanted to fight for custody.
So, the call reached Poppy. She had Poppy’s number from so old, chance encounter but had never contacted her.
Chloe was at her wit’s end.
Tearfully, "Poppy, please, can you help ? I can’t lose Anya. Sean is already remarried and doesn’t need this child."
As a single mother too.
Poppy understood Chloe’s feelings.
She comforted, "Chloe, don’t worry. I’ll call my brother right away."
After hanging up, Poppy imdiately called Sean.
After a few rings, no one answered.
She switched to another number.
It was picked up quickly.
Sean seed a bit surprised, "Poppy, what’s up?"
Basketball sounds could be heard in the background.
Poppy frowned, "Sean, did you go pick up Anya?"
"No, I took him out for dinner last week; I haven’t been there this week."
Sean was baffled.
Poppy roughly guessed what happened, "Chloe said she called you, but you didn’t answer. Anya was picked up by your uncle and aunt. You should give them a call."
Sean himself wasn’t aware of this.
He quickly took out another phone.
Only to find a bunch of missed calls.
"My parents didn’t tell either. Poppy, hold on a second; I’ll go ask."
He hung up the phone.
About ten minutes later, just as the car entered Poppy’s ho parking lot.
Chloe called back.
She sounded a bit weary.
"Poppy, I got Anya back. His grandparents picked him up. Thanks for this. I’ll treat you to dinner next ti."
"No problem, Chloe. You and Anya have a good rest."
Since their children were in the sa kindergarten, it wasn’t impossible for her and Chloe to et again in the future.
Besides, too much had happened tonight.
Chloe also sounded utterly exhausted.
"I’m sorry to have troubled you with this."
Poppy comforted her, "I understand. If soone tried to take Florence, I’d fight them too."
Fortunately, Eugene and his family just wanted to see their grandson.
They didn’t intend to fight Chloe for custody.
Even if they wanted to, they wouldn’t dare ntion it.
Chloe, grateful but exhausted, chatted a bit more before hanging up.
Declan parked the car.
He had heard everything Poppy said earlier.
"What if Florence’s dad cos to fight for custody?"
Poppy suddenly turned her head to look at him.
The parking lot was dimly lit.
The car lights were off, too.
Poppy couldn’t read Declan’s expression or understand his intention behind the question.
Also unsure if he had found out sothing.
Poppy’s heart skipped a beat.
"What does President Hawthorne an?"
Declan pressed his lips together.
He didn’t turn on the lights, trying to hide the tension on his face.
"What I an is, have you considered finding a new dad for Florence? Even if your ex has any ideas, at least soone would be there to help."
This new dad needs to be very reliable, capable, and well-connected.
For example, soone like him, Declan Hawthorne.
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