CHAPTER 4: CHAPTER 4: ACTING LIKE A SEDUCTRESS

"Cynthia!" Cyrus Hawthorne ignored Ann Vaughn completely, striding over to Cynthia Vaughn. His expression was grim yet full of pity as he looked at her bleeding wound, a fierce glint flashing in his eagle-like eyes.

"It’s okay, just a minor injury. It doesn’t hurt," Cynthia Vaughn forced a delicate smile at Cyrus Hawthorne, "My sister was just careless, don’t be mad at her..."

Careless?

Cyrus Hawthorne’s icy gaze swept over to Ann Vaughn, who was leaning against the table, her face pale. Disgust surfaced on his handsome face, "Ann Vaughn, do you have a death wish?"

"It wasn’t me, she cut herself, I..." Ann Vaughn bit her lip, trying to explain.

"Enough!" Cyrus Hawthorne cut her off sharply, impatience practically spilling from his eyes, "Ann Vaughn, look at yourself in the mirror and see that ugly venomous face of yours; Cynthia is your own sister!"

How could anyone injure themselves for no reason? Especially someone as pure and kind as Cynthia.

This woman lies without even trying!

"I really didn’t. It was only because half a year ago Cynthia Vaughn ran away from the marriage after hearing false rumors about you not having long to live, not because I designed it to replace her!" Ann Vaughn fought against the trembling pain in her teeth, her bright eyes filled with hope, staring steadily at Cyrus Hawthorne.

She just hoped he could believe her, even if just once.

Cynthia Vaughn leaned weakly against Cyrus Hawthorne’s arms, a faint trace of ridicule flashing across her face as she heard Ann Vaughn’s words.

How could Cyrus Hawthorne believe her?

Since childhood, she had made sure Cian knew that the one who lied incessantly and bullied her sister was "Ann Vaughn."

"If it happens again, I won’t let you off, get out." Cyrus Hawthorne’s voice was as cold as ice, not even sparing Ann Vaughn a glance, immediately ringing the bell for someone to tend to Cynthia Vaughn’s wound.

Ann Vaughn stood there, devastated, watching the scene before her. It was as if her heart had been hollowed out and filled with cold wind.

From head to toe, she felt chilled.

She curled her lips into a smile, half mocking and half disbelieving.

Time could truly change a person so completely.

-

Ann Vaughn returned to the Hawthorne Residence utterly exhausted, lacking any appetite and heading straight upstairs.

Her mother-in-law, Laura Quinn, happened to walk by, dressed elegantly and tastefully. Her well-maintained face showed no signs of aging, full of noble grace.

Ann Vaughn stopped in her tracks, softly calling, "Mom."

"Do you not know the Hawthorne Family has a curfew? What kind of shady business are you up to outside to come back at this hour?" Laura Quinn glanced at Ann Vaughn, her lips curling in a sneer.

"I’ll pay attention next time," Ann Vaughn replied, unbothered by the sudden curfew she hadn’t heard of, her expression unchanged.

"Furthermore, with Cyrus busy with work every day, it’s fine that you can’t help as his wife, but don’t always pester him with those things. You’re not a courtesan to behave like some vixen."

Laura Quinn was alluding to the noises from last night, just the thought was enough to make her uncomfortable.

This woman, known since high school for her unsavory dealings and notorious reputation with rogues and thugs, marrying into their Hawthorne Family—it’s hard to know how she managed such luck.

If not for the old master holding onto old friendships and refusing to let Cyrus divorce this woman, she would have been kicked out long ago!

Ann Vaughn bit her lip, her eyes slightly red, her throat choked, unable to utter a word.

She doubted Laura Quinn was unaware that since their marriage, Cyrus Hawthorne had only been with her last night.

Suddenly, Ann Vaughn no longer felt like enduring. She looked at Laura Quinn and said, "Mom, if such behavior is disgraceful, then the continuation of the Hawthorne lineage might be difficult, wouldn’t you say so?"

"You—"

Laura Quinn was about to scold her when Ann Vaughn gave a slight nod and went straight upstairs.

Laura Quinn didn’t expect the always submissive and easy-to-control Ann Vaughn to dare retort, storming downstairs in anger.

Just then, Mrs. Lynch came out of the kitchen, and Laura immediately repeated her usual orders with a stern face, "Remember to make sure she drinks her milk, understood?"

Thinking she has the right to carry on the Hawthorne line? Ha, she should see if she’s even qualified!