NovelOnlineChapter 573 Victoria arched an eyebrow. "So, you refuse?" Hawthorne's lips curled into a faint smile. "It's not about refusing. Your brother is alive and well-you don't need me." Thorpe cleared his throat loudly, a not-so-subtle reminder that he was still in the room. Was respect for elders not a thing anymore? "Has anyone even bothered to ask what I think?" The old man finally spoke. Instantly, all eyes turned to him.
Celia was the first to object. "Grandpa, Gwyn's barely in her twenties! How can you even think about marrying her off so soon? Didn't Mom say she wanted us together for a few more years?" Chris chimed in, just as indignant. "It's not like we're struggling to make ends meet. What's the rush?" And besides, this guy isn't even from Starfall. Chris had always looked down on men from outside their city, though he had to admit, Hawthorne's imposing presence was hard to ignore. There was something about him-a quiet intensity that reminded Chris, just a little, of their own father, even if he was stuck in a hospital bed and barely opened his eyes these days.
Gwyneth might as well have been invisible; no one even glanced her way, their conversation flowing right around her.
"Yeah, Gwyn said herself she wouldn't get married for at least ten years." Celia's eyes glistened with tears. She'd waited so long for her big sister to chome. If Gwyn married and left, who knew when they'd see each other again? "The whole point of this was to find Gwyn a good family if she ever wanted to cback. And now a good family has cknocking on our door, you all start getting picky." Thorpe's gaze lingered on Hawthorne, his approval growing by the second. He prided himself on reading people well, and this young man struck him as the quiet, thoughtful type.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtGwyn never shared her troubles with anyone, but this Everhart fellow seemed discerning, with just the right touch of restraint. A perfect match if he'd ever seen one.
And yet, here in the middle of things, both Gwyneth and Hawthorne seemed entirely out of place-spectators at their own fate.
The old man, Victoria, and the Langford siblings argued on, voices overlapping in a tangle of opinions.
Hawthorne, ignoring the chaos, leaned in and took Gwyneth by the hand. "Didn't you say it was dinnertime? Looks like the food's ready. Why don't we eat first?” Silence.
People always said guests should follow the host's lead, but this was the first tanyone had seen a guest just help himself.
"I've just arrived in Starfall. You'll have to showaround-tellwhat's worth seeing." Hawthorne had noticed over the past few days that Gwyneth rarely touched meat, but she enjoyed seafood and vegetables-a habit fit perfectly with his own tastes.
Gwyneth glanced at her family still deep in their debate, then, anxious but resigned, joined Hawthorne at the table.
Hawthorne began peeling shrimp for her, placing them one by one onto her plate.
A faint blush crept up Gwyneth's cheeks, and her stomach growled at the worst possible moment.
Embarrassed, she started eating a little too eagerly at first-until- "Gwyn!" Chris's indignant voice cut through the room. He'd just realized Gwyneth and Hawthorne had already started dinner.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe arguments ground to a halt. Thorpe announced, "Well, I'm hungry too. Savesome, will you?" Victoria, seeing her father's decision, glanced apologetically at her opel.ne dren. "Celia, Chris, why don't we eat something first?" Celia stomped her foot. "Mom!" Chris scowled, but as everyone took their seats, he gave in.
Celia snatched up her fork, then set it down with a huff. "Mom!" Chris turned to Victoria. "Are you that hungry?"
Victoria, caught off guard, nudged Gwyneth under the table. "So, have you and the content is on ve novelenglish.net! your uncle cto an agreement?" Gwyneth blushed furiously.
Hawthorne answered calmly, "Rather than putting your daughter on the spot, why not just ask me?
I'm not opposed to joining your family, but the Everhart estate has been in Greenvale for over a century.
I can't leave until I appoint a successor. Only then can I move to Starfall."
That was the last straw for Gwyneth. She swallowed her e ar food and stared at Hawthorne stared
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