Looking at the siblings, Mrs. Hawthorne was even more puzzled, "Where exactly?"
Riley Hawthorne quickly explained, "It was just by the roadside of the bar. I went out for a walk, and my brother came to pick me up."
Hearing this, Mrs. Hawthorne turned her gaze to Caden Hawthorne, "Is that so?"
"Sort of!" Caden said with a solemn face, indifferently.
Riley let out a small sigh of relief.
Mrs. Hawthorne held Riley’s hand, her tone reproachful, "Riley, in the future, don’t stay out so late, or I’ll worry."
Riley nodded obediently, "Mom, I understand. I won’t do it again."
Mrs. Hawthorne looked at her daughter’s slightly haggard face, her heart full of pity. She gently patted Riley’s hand, "Alright, go take a shower and get a good night’s sleep. We’ll talk about everything tomorrow."
Riley responded and went upstairs.
Caden watched his sister’s back, feeling a bit helpless inside.
"Caden, tell me honestly, is your sister hiding something from me, asking you to cover for her?"
Faced with Mrs. Hawthorne’s questioning, Caden paused for a moment, "Mom, nothing gets past you, does it?"
Mrs. Hawthorne couldn’t help but say, "You and Riley are my own children. Do you think I don’t know you?"
Caden sighed, looking helpless, "Mom, I know you’re worried about her, but she’s already 21 years old. She needs her own space and thoughts. We can’t interfere too much."
Mrs. Hawthorne nodded slightly, "Riley has been sheltered since she was young. I’m just afraid she’s too naïve and easily hurt."
Caden remained silent, knowing that Riley is a sheltered flower, and without them, she’s prone to get hurt.
But they can’t protect Riley forever.
People have to learn to grow up by themselves, don’t they?
"Never mind, as long as she’s back safe." Mrs. Hawthorne thought it through for the moment and didn’t ask further.
Back in her room, Riley took a hot shower. She soaked in the bathtub, looking at the red marks on her body, her mind filled with images of kissing Zachary Sutton, unable to forget.
Yet, thinking of him having a fiancée made her heart ache deeply.
Riley shook her head vigorously, trying to chase away those images from her mind.
She told herself she couldn’t think about it anymore. Zachary already had a fiancée, and there was no possibility between them.
She got out of the bathtub, put on her pajamas, and lay on the bed. Despite being physically exhausted, she couldn’t sleep at all.
Riley tossed and turned, her mind constantly recalling the arrogant face of that woman and the words she said.
She felt foolish, believing all along that Zachary had feelings for her too, only to find out he already had a fiancée.
For a moment, Riley didn’t know what to do.
That night, she was sleepless.
Everett Family villa.
Silas Everett sat on the sofa, holding a financial newspaper in one hand and a glass of milk in the other, reading intently.
At this moment, the housemaid cautiously approached, "Sir, there’s a Miss York who says she wants to see you."
Silas furrowed his brow slightly, not lifting his head, "Let her come in."
A moment later, Yvonne York walked in.
She was dressed in an elegant dress, covered with a coffee-colored trench coat, her makeup exquisite, yet unable to hide the exhaustion and anxiety in her eyes.
"Mr. Everett, hello. I apologize for the intrusion," Yvonne said, bowing slightly and politely.
Silas put down the newspaper, looking at Yvonne, "What can I do for you, Miss York?"
Yvonne bit her lip, seemingly finding it difficult to speak, "Mr. Everett, I was hoping you could do me a favor."
Silas raised an eyebrow, knowingly asking, "Oh? What favor?"
Yvonne took a deep breath, and with a thud, she kneeled in front of Silas, "President Everett, you know our York Family’s current situation, we’re willing to give up shares, just to ask you to save my sister."
"Save her?" Silas couldn’t help but laugh hearing this, "Yvonne York, what makes you think I’d help you?"
"Didn’t you say you’d help us if we gave you the York Family’s shares?" Yvonne looked at Silas in disbelief.
"I did say that, but I’ve changed my mind now." Silas put down the milk and smirked coldly, "I think you don’t want your sister out, do you?"
"What do you mean? I... I don’t understand." Panic flickered in Yvonne’s eyes.
Silas laughed coldly, "Yvonne York, you know exactly what I mean. You’re afraid that once your sister gets out, she’ll reveal what you’ve done. Then you’ll never be able to hold your head up in Aethelgard."
With that, Silas shrugged, "Besides, your sister is charged with attempted murder. Why should I save her? Yvonne York, I’m doing you a favor."
"If my sister can’t come out, my dad will kill me." Yvonne appeared nervous and scared.
Silas spread his hands, smiling arrogantly, "What does that have to do with me? I’ve already decided. When your York Family declares bankruptcy, I’ll acquire you. Then the York’s assets will become the Everett Group’s, and you’ll no longer exist in Aethelgard."
Yvonne clenched her fists, a flash of anger in her eyes, "Silas Everett, you’re despicable!"
Silas remained indifferent, a cold smile still on his lips, "Despicable? Miss York, the business world is like a battlefield; there’s no such thing as despicable. It’s simply about winners and losers. Your York Family is already at the end of its rope, and I’m just hastening your demise."
Silas added, "In fact, compared to what you’ve done, it’s quite mild."
Yvonne trembled with anger, standing up and glaring at Silas. "Silas Everett, you’ve been using me from the start, haven’t you?"
"So what if I have?" Silas sneered, wearing a look that said ’what can you do about it.’ ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭⚫𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦⚫𝘯𝘦𝘵
"Aren’t you afraid I’ll expose everything you’ve done, and go down with you?" Yvonne threatened, "I’ll make sure Vivian knows your true colors."
Yvonne no longer held any value for him, so Silas casually laughed, "Miss York, do you have any evidence? Without evidence, it’s just slander! Besides, I have countless ways to make sure your York Family disappears entirely from this world."
Hearing these words, Yvonne couldn’t help but shiver. This seemingly gentle man was hiding a sinister and cunning heart.
His methods were indeed terrifying.