CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46: SECRET MARRIAGE EXPOSED

Early the next morning, sunlight streamed through the window and into the room.

Vivian slowly opened her eyes, discovering she was lying in Caden Hawthorne’s arms.

Her face turned a slight shade of red as she attempted to get up, only to be held tightly by Caden.

"Just a little longer," Caden’s voice carried a hint of laziness.

Resigned, Vivian lay back down again. After a while, Caden also woke up. He looked at Vivian with gentle eyes.

"Does your stomach still hurt?" Caden asked with concern.

Vivian shook her head. "It doesn’t hurt anymore." Only then did Caden feel relieved.

He got up and dressed, then told Vivian, "I’ll go get someone to bring breakfast over."

Watching his back, a wave of inexplicable emotion filled Vivian’s heart.

She began to ponder her feelings for Caden, wondering whether she should bravely take that step to pursue the happiness she longed for.

When Caden returned with breakfast, Vivian was still lost in thought.

Caden approached her, gently tapping her head, "What are you thinking about? So engrossed."

Vivian snapped back to reality, giving an awkward smile. "It’s nothing."

Caden placed the breakfast on the table, then led Vivian to sit down at the table.

"Eat up. It won’t taste good if it gets cold."

Looking at the sumptuous breakfast before her, warmth filled Vivian’s heart.

She ate breakfast silently, pondering how to voice her thoughts to him.

After breakfast, Caden said to Vivian, "I’m heading to the office. You take good care and rest at home."

Hearing this, Vivian quickly stood up and said, "Caden, wait a moment."

Caden stopped in his tracks, turning to look at Vivian.

"I promised to give you a gift last time. I’ve already prepared it. Wait a moment; I’ll go back to my room to get it."

As soon as she said this, Vivian quickly returned to her room.

Shortly after, she returned holding a delicate box and handed it to Caden.

"Open it and take a look!"

Upon hearing this, Caden opened the box with anticipation, finding inside a string of Buddha beads and a finely crafted sachet.

"The first time I met you, you were holding a string of Buddha beads, so I figured you must like wearing them. So, I made a string for you myself, although it might not be as precious as yours..."

Before Vivian could finish, Caden lifted his head with a face full of delight. "Vivian, I really like it."

Now it was Vivian’s turn to be dumbfounded. Did he say he liked it?

Caden’s gaze turned deep. "This is the most precious gift I’ve ever received."

Vivian’s heart involuntarily started to race, and a blush crept up her cheeks.

"Do you really like it? I was worried you might find it too crude."

Caden gently held Vivian’s hand, his gaze incredibly earnest.

"This is a gift you prepared for me with care. How could it be crude? It’s more precious than anything I own."

Feeling the warmth from Caden’s hand, Vivian felt as if a stream of warmth had been injected into her heart.

"And this sachet, it’s filled with some calming herbs. I hope it helps you relieve fatigue when you’re busy with work."

Caden picked up the sachet, noticing the words "Peace and Joy" embroidered on it. He couldn’t help but sniff it gently, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"I didn’t expect you to be so considerate, knowing how busy I’ve been lately."

Hearing this, Vivian lowered her head a little sheepishly. "I just wanted to do something for you."

Looking at the shy Vivian before him, Caden’s heart was full of tenderness.

"When I get back tonight, I’ll take you out for dinner."

After saying that, he turned and left, his steps carrying a hint of lightness.

Vivian watched Caden’s departing figure, her heart filled with anticipation. Was he planning to take her out on a date?

While Vivian was lost in thought, Mrs. Hawthorne walked in.

She looked at Vivian with a comforting smile on her face.

"Vivian, how did you sleep last night?" Mrs. Hawthorne asked.

Vivian’s face flushed slightly as she was at a loss for how to respond.

Mrs. Hawthorne seemed to notice her embarrassment and laughed. "I just saw Caden leave looking very happy. It seems like the two of you had a pleasant time last night."

Hearing this, Vivian couldn’t help but lower her head, her cheeks slightly red.

At this point, Mrs. Hawthorne continued, "Caden has never really dated before. He can be a little clueless when it comes to relationships. Vivian, he’s just stubborn sometimes, but his heart is in the right place. You need to understand him more."

Vivian nodded. "Mom, I know."

Mrs. Hawthorne moved to Vivian’s side, holding her hand. "Vivian, I’ve noticed that Caden has feelings for you. Don’t feel inferior because of your background. You are a kind, brave girl, and you deserve to be loved."

Upon hearing Mrs. Hawthorne’s words, Vivian was filled with warmth.

She knew Mrs. Hawthorne sincerely hoped she and Caden would be happy.

"Mom, thank you." Vivian said gratefully.

Mrs. Hawthorne smiled. "No need to thank me. As long as you two are well, I can rest assured."

After saying this, Mrs. Hawthorne got up and left the room.

Vivian sat on the bed, contemplating Mrs. Hawthorne’s words.

She decided not to avoid her feelings any longer and to courageously pursue her own happiness.

She believed that as long as she and Caden loved each other, they could overcome any difficulties.

Soon, the photo of the marriage certificate Mrs. Hawthorne had shared appeared online.

Instantly, everyone in Aethelgard knew about the marriage of their Buddhist Crown Prince of The Aethelgard Circle, though they didn’t know who was the lucky one who became Mrs. Caden Hawthorne.

Speculations ran rampant online, with guesses about who Caden’s wife might be. Some said she had to be a wealthy heiress, a marriage between powerful families.

Others said this Mrs. Hawthorne came from a rich family, truly climbing up to the Hawthorne Family.

In any case, no one believed that the dignified Crown Prince of The Aethelgard Circle had actually married in secret.

The Hawthorne Group.

As soon as Caden Hawthorne arrived at the company, he noticed something peculiar about the employees. Their eyes were odd, and privately, they were whispering about him, silencing themselves immediately when he appeared.

Finally, Caden could no longer bear it and called Bryan Coleman to the president’s office.

"Assistant Coleman, explain why everyone is giving me strange looks today?"

"Master Hawthorne, you still don’t know? You’re trending online again."

Hearing this, Caden frowned slightly. "This time, what for?"

"The news about your secret marriage somehow got exposed, and even the marriage certificate was posted."

Pausing here, Bryan continued, "Also, some netizens caught you previously accompanying your wife for a check-up, speculating if it’s a shotgun wedding."

Hearing this, Caden put his hands on his hips, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes. "Who leaked this? And do those online photos show a clear picture of Vivian’s face?"

"Sir, rest assured, they only captured the lady’s back and your side profile. They still don’t know that Vivian is Vivian Lynch."

Caden let out a small sigh of relief, then his eyes sharpened. "Immediately investigate who leaked the information. I don’t want this happening again, and find a way to suppress the trending topics."

Bryan lowered his head, speaking in a low voice, "Sir, the marriage certificate photo came from your wife’s social circle. Someone blurred it before posting it online; that’s how news of your secret marriage spread."