Vivian Lynch bit her red lip and nodded slightly. "Yes."
Stella Fletcher furrowed her brows, then softly comforted her, "It’s okay, Vivian, don’t overthink it. That night was just an accident. But what do you plan to do? Are you going to terminate the pregnancy?"
Vivian recalled the man’s handsome face, her heart filled with melancholy, and shook her head in confusion, "I don’t know. I don’t even know who he is, and I promised that I wouldn’t make him responsible for me. So..."
"So you’re not planning to look for him, nor are you planning to tell him you’re pregnant?" Stella followed up her thought.
Vivian silently nodded.
For a moment, Stella didn’t know how to comfort Vivian. She could only pat her on the shoulder, sighing, "Vivian, no matter what decision you make, I’ll support you."
Vivian looked at her gratefully, "Stella, thank you."
Stella chuckled, patting her chest, "Silly, you’re my best friend. If you need money, just tell me. In times of trouble, Stella Fletcher will always lend a hand."
Leaving the hospital, Stella had to rush to work at the company, so Vivian bid farewell to her friend.
At this moment, a black luxury car suddenly stopped in front of her.
The car window rolled down slowly, revealing an elderly man inside. Despite being over fifty, he appeared energetic and benevolent.
He smiled and asked her, "Young lady, are you Vivian Lynch?"
Vivian nodded slightly, "I am. Grandpa, who are you?"
She looked puzzled. Did this elderly gentleman know her?
Old Master Hawthorne stepped out of the car, and the driver from the front row immediately brought over his cane.
Propping his cane, Old Master Hawthorne looked at her gently, his tone somewhat excited, "Child, Grandpa has finally found you."
Vivian looked at him with confusion, "Grandpa, why are you looking for me?"
Old Master Hawthorne smiled warmly, "I am Caden Hawthorne’s grandfather."
Hearing this name, Vivian felt a familiar yet strange sensation, as if she’d heard it before?
Wait, isn’t Caden Hawthorne the prince of Aethelgard?
It is said that Caden Hawthorne, the eldest son of the Hawthorne Family, is ascetic and ruthless, with swift and decisive tactics in the business world. At ten, he became the successor of the Hawthorne Family; at fifteen, he inherited the family business; at eighteen, he became the CEO of Hawthorne Group; by twenty, he was the richest person in The Aethelgard Circle; at twenty-eight, he topped the Forbes rich list, the youngest in history, a figure akin to a god.
Realizing this, Vivian was shocked, "Are you the grandfather of the Aethelgard Circle’s big shot, Caden Hawthorne?"
Old Master Hawthorne was delighted, "Exactly, you do know my grandson. Child, Grandpa knows everything about you and my grandson. Don’t worry, our Hawthorne Family will take responsibility."
Vivian felt utterly confused, "Grandpa Hawthorne, what are you talking about? I don’t even know your grandson. Have you made a mistake?"
What a joke! Is it possible for her to know such a big shot from the Aethelgard Circle?
Even if she tried to fake it, she wouldn’t dare provoke the Hawthorne Family!
Old Master Hawthorne smiled, "Child, I won’t be mistaken. I’ve investigated, and the woman who had relations with my grandson at the Emperor Hotel that night is indeed you."
Vivian’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Could it be that the man that night was Caden Hawthorne?
"Grandpa Hawthorne, how is that possible? You must be mistaken."
Her voice quivered slightly, her thoughts instantly becoming chaotic.
Old Master Hawthorne knew she was reluctant to believe it, so he pulled out his phone and showed her a picture of his grandson.
"Girl, this is my grandson Caden Hawthorne."
Vivian looked at the photo, in which the man wore a suit, his features were well-defined, and that cold, familiar face instantly drew her back into her memories.
The man at the hotel that night!
Vivian’s face turned pale, "Grandpa Hawthorne, is he really your grandson Caden Hawthorne?"
Old Master Hawthorne beamed kindly, patting her hand, "Girl, since the incident has already happened, our Hawthorne Family will take full responsibility."
Vivian took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, "Grandpa Hawthorne, I don’t need the Hawthorne Family to take responsibility. It was just an accident." The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the noveⅼfire.net
That night, she promised she would never hold him accountable. She’s someone who keeps her word.
"That’s not acceptable. You are already one of our Hawthorne Family; you’re the future daughter-in-law of us Hawthorne Family. Girl, are you pregnant?"
Old Master Hawthorne’s tone was gentle, filled with anticipation.
Under Old Master Hawthorne’s gaze, Vivian felt strangely guilty, her eyes evasive, "No, I just don’t feel well, so I came to the hospital for a check-up."
Upon hearing this, Old Master Hawthorne frowned, a disappointed look flashing across his face.
In that instant, he returned to his kindly demeanor, "Girl, whether you’re pregnant or not, you’re the recognized daughter-in-law of our Hawthorne Family. You must get registered and marry my grandson."
Vivian’s face displayed confusion, was Old Master Hawthorne forcing a marriage?
"Grandpa, I’m afraid that’s not appropriate. My relationship with your grandson has no emotional foundation. I also said that I don’t need him to take responsibility. Besides, marriage is sacred, it’s too random , isn’t it?" Vivian might be poor, but she wasn’t poor in spirit. She might love money, but she also had principles.
Old Master Hawthorne sighed, his tone gentle, "Emotional matters can be cultivated slowly. Girl, you can consider it. Our Hawthorne Family won’t treat you poorly."
Vivian politely refused, "Grandpa, thank you for your kindness. I don’t need it. I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll leave first."
Saying this, Vivian intended to leave.
Old Master Hawthorne seemed unyielding, stealthily slipped a business card into Vivian’s hand, "Girl, I’ll give you time to consider. Once you’ve thought it through, call me anytime."
Upon hearing this, Vivian said nothing, nodded slightly, and took a cab away.
Old Master Hawthorne watched the direction of the departing car, smiling as he instructed, "Butler Hughes, go check Vivian Lynch’s medical record at the hospital."
The city lights were beginning to glow, the night was enchanting.
In a luxurious room at Nightfall Bar, under dazzling lights, a rectangular table was set with delicate fruit plates and rows of wine.
The man sitting in the center sofa appeared cold and stern, his eyes deep as stars, crossing his long legs.
He remained seated there, without any drinking companions around him; the Buddha Beads on his wrist were apparent, making him a stark contrast to others around who embraced their companions.
"I say, Master Hawthorne, why are you so out of it when we’re out drinking together?"
Zachary Sutton, seated on the right sofa, embraced his companions while casting a sidelong glance, noticing the untouched red wine before Caden Hawthorne.
Caden Hawthorne returned to his senses, picked up the wine glass before him, gesturing for him to drink first.
Caden Hawthorne symbolically took a sip, then remained silent.
"Master Hawthorne seems to have something on his mind?" Zachary sensed his anomaly, jokingly teased, "I heard from Bryan Coleman that you’re getting more temperamental at the company lately. Why? Did the big man arrive?"