CHAPTER 14: CHAPTER 14: PUNK, DID YOU BULLY VIVIAN?

"You..." Caden Hawthorne turned his head and glared at Vivian Lynch.

Sure enough, this woman cared only about money and even dared to covet half of his inheritance?

He must have been crazy to let this materialistic woman bear his child.

"Vivian Lynch, giving you a hundred million and a house is already the greatest compensation I can offer. Don’t push your luck," Caden gritted his teeth, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes.

Vivian shrank her neck slightly and muttered softly, "I was just asking!"

Caden grabbed her neck, his tone icy and eyes full of warning, "Even asking is out of the question, Vivian Lynch, don’t even think about it."

Vivian shrank her neck again, letting out a couple of dry laughs, "I was just casually asking, President Hawthorne, don’t be angry."

"Do you really love my money that much?" Caden asked through gritted teeth.

Vivian’s gaze wavered, and she pressed her lips together, "President Hawthorne, as you say, who doesn’t like money?"

Caden let out a cold snort and released her neck, "As expected, you’re just a woman driven by profit."

Vivian rubbed her neck, disgruntledly saying, "President Hawthorne, you were born at the top of the pyramid, with everything handed to you. Naturally, you wouldn’t understand the struggles of us ordinary people."

"Struggles? Are your struggles about finding ways to get more money?" Caden looked dismissive.

He had never been poor, but he knew that a gentleman loves wealth but takes it justly.

Vivian had talent in design and could have relied on her skills, but instead chose to rely on her looks.

At first, he thought she was different.

Now it seemed she was exactly as he had predicted.

This was why Caden despised her; he saw Vivian as a woman who was unscrupulous and driven by profit.

Hearing Caden talk about her this way, Vivian was immediately displeased, feeling a knot in her chest. She couldn’t help but retort, "President Hawthorne, you don’t even know me. On what basis do you judge me?"

Caden crossed his arms, looking disdainful, "A woman like you, wouldn’t you do anything as long as you’re paid?"

Upon hearing this, Vivian’s nose tingled, and her pale face instantly flushed red. Tears of grievance welled up in her eyes as she said, "I may love money, but I have principles. President Hawthorne, I appreciate your help today, but please don’t humiliate me with such words."

With that, Vivian defiantly turned her head, trying hard to hold back her tears. She didn’t want Caden to see her at her wit’s end.

Caden, seeing Vivian in such a state, felt a slight stir in his heart, realizing perhaps he had gone too far.

But he kept a stern face, not offering an apology.

The atmosphere grew incredibly awkward for a moment.

After a long while, Caden finally conceded, breaking the silence first, his voice slightly softened, "Okay, stop crying."

Vivian sniffed, wiped her tears, and tried to calm her emotions, responding with frustration, "No need for President Hawthorne to worry."

Caden frowned deeply, feeling at a loss at seeing her cry.

Vivian turned her head, directly facing him, and said word by word, "President Hawthorne, in your eyes, am I truly so despicable? If so, why did you marry me? From the start, I never expected you to take responsibility. The child could have been aborted, but you insisted on keeping it, and you’re the one who proposed marriage. Saying these things now, don’t you think it’s absurd and laughable?"

Caden was choked by her words, momentarily at a loss for a response.

Sitting in the front row, Bryan Coleman saw this scene and began to sweat on his forehead.

Their President Hawthorne had never dated and didn’t know how to comfort a girl, let alone how to get along with Vivian.

He was truly afraid that in a moment of impulse, Vivian would suggest terminating the pregnancy, and things would become irreparable.

Thankfully, President Hawthorne kept quiet. If the argument continued, Bryan would’ve wanted to slap his boss.

Boss, oh boss, if you don’t speak, no one will think you’re dumb.

"President Hawthorne, we’re here," Bryan said as he pulled the car up to Hartswell Manor.

Vivian ignored Caden, opened the car door, and quickly got out.

"Bang—"

Caden reached out, about to remind her to be careful, but Vivian had already slammed the door heavily.

Seeing this, Caden’s mouth twitched, and he tapped his forehead with a slight headache.

This little girl, looking so tender, seems to have quite a temper recently, and she’s pretty strong, huh!

"My granddaughter-in-law is back!"

As soon as Vivian entered the living room, Old Master Hawthorne quickly rose from the sofa, leaning on his cane to greet her.

"Grandpa..." Vivian called sweetly.

"Good, good, good." Old Master Hawthorne said ’good’ three times in a row, showing how much he liked Vivian as his granddaughter-in-law.

Old Master Hawthorne pulled Vivian to sit down, noticing her red eyes, a clear sign that she had been crying.

He asked with concern, "Vivian, why are your eyes red? Have you been crying?"

Vivian lowered her eyes, shook her head, and softly said, "Grandpa, no, it’s just the wind was too strong, and sand got in my eyes."

"Vivian, you can’t fool Grandpa," Old Master Hawthorne clearly didn’t believe it.

At this point, Old Master Hawthorne directed his attention to Caden, seeing him sitting calmly on the sofa as if nothing had happened, and instantly felt a surge of anger, "You brat, did you bully Vivian?"

Caden frowned slightly, "Grandpa, nothing of the sort."

Sitting beside them, Vivian quickly said, "Grandpa, you misunderstood. President Hawthorne didn’t bully me."

Old Master Hawthorne snorted, "Vivian, don’t defend him. I know this boy too well; it’s definitely his fault."

Caden looked helpless and said, "Grandpa, can you stop jumping to conclusions?"

Old Master Hawthorne glared at him and said angrily, "Still not admitting it? Vivian’s cried like this. Caden, if you don’t treat her well, I won’t forgive you."

Caden sighed, realizing that Old Master was completely taken in by Vivian, and no matter what he said, he’d still believe it was his problem.

At this moment, Vivian spoke to explain, "Grandpa, don’t blame President Hawthorne, it’s just that my emotions have been off lately."

Old Master Hawthorne looked at her with pity, "Vivian, if you feel wronged, just tell Grandpa, and he’ll speak up for you."

Vivian smiled weakly, "Thank you, Grandpa, I’m really fine."

Subsequently, Old Master turned serious, addressing Caden, "You brat, come over here."

Caden, feeling helpless, had no choice but to follow Old Master Hawthorne upstairs.

In the study room, Old Master Hawthorne took out an exquisite box from the drawer and handed it to Caden.

"Grandpa, what’s this?" Caden looked up, face full of confusion, at Old Master Hawthorne.

Old Master Hawthorne sighed, "This is your grandmother’s keepsake."