CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 69: PROTECTING HER FOR THE HAWTHORNE FAMILY’S REPUTATION

Because everyone knew full well, Cyrus Hawthorne had the power and means to ensure someone never spoke again.

If they had known that Cyrus wasn’t completely indifferent to his wife, they wouldn’t have dared to speak such defaming words in his presence.

Even Ann Vaughn couldn’t have imagined that Cyrus would step out to help her.

She had thought he would stand by indifferently or show the cold smile she was familiar with, watching her get attacked from all sides.

But...

He didn’t.

Ann Vaughn’s eyes flickered slightly as she looked at Cyrus Hawthorne’s tall and distinguished figure, unable to speak for a long while.

"Sister, if you had stayed home obediently today and hadn’t come here, wouldn’t everything have been fine? Now you’ve implicated Cian, and you’ve lost not just your face, but also the Hawthorne’s."

Cynthia looked at the scene, with contempt in her eyes towards Ann Vaughn, "Cian isn’t doing this for you, but for the Hawthorne’s reputation."

Hearing this, the gratitude in Ann Vaughn’s eyes diminished, replaced with calmness, "I know that already, no need for your reminder."

"What happened?" Mrs. Whitlock and Director Whitlock heard the commotion and came over to inquire about what was going on.

Upon learning the reason, Director Whitlock immediately instructed the security to escort the person out and add them to the Whitlock’s blacklist.

His wife had finally gotten such hope, and these oblivious ones offended Ann Vaughn, as if they wanted to take his wife’s life, which he absolutely couldn’t tolerate!

Seeing this, others kept their mouths shut tight; although they still looked down on Ann Vaughn in their hearts, they dared not utter another disrespectful word.

No one knew what kind of magic this woman possessed, to have President Hawthorne and Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock wrapped around her finger.

"Mrs. Whitlock, my sister just told me she wants to perform a piece for you as a birthday gift. Do you happen to have any instruments she knows how to play here?"

Ann Vaughn thought the matter was over, who knew Cynthia would suddenly cause more trouble.

Ann Vaughn had never performed classical music in front of The Vaughns, nor had she had the opportunity.

Thus, Cynthia and their parents always assumed she was capable of nothing, except burying herself in medical books.

But saying such things in this setting, one could imagine the malicious intent behind Cynthia’s words.

"Is that true?" Mrs. Whitlock looked at Ann Vaughn with a smile, she always thought Ann Vaughn had an inexplicable classical charm about her.

Not to mention her tea art was so outstanding, she figured her musical skills wouldn’t be bad either.

"Of course, my sister always keeps her word, and her talents are so impressive, even I have to concede," Cynthia spoke sweetly, her voice sugar-coated with backhanded compliments, yet unnoticed by others.

Cyrus Hawthorne, who was leisurely wiping his fingers with a wet towel, slightly furrowed his brows upon hearing Cynthia’s words.

Ann Vaughn knew well Cynthia’s intention, if she truly were a clueless country girl, she might have fallen for Cynthia’s ploy and made a fool of herself publicly.

But she wasn’t.

Ann Vaughn’s gaze fell on the guqin already placed on the stage, and she said to Mrs. Whitlock, "I came in a rush today and didn’t bring a gift for Mrs. Whitlock. I hope you won’t mind a short performance."

Mrs. Whitlock certainly didn’t mind; in fact, she was delighted.

Having achieved her aim, Cynthia smiled even more brilliantly, her beautiful eyes filled with malice unnoticed by others.

She awaited Ann Vaughn to make a fool of herself, to become a laughingstock!

Not to mention playing the guqin, she probably didn’t even know the basic techniques.

Under everyone’s gaze, Ann Vaughn sat down in front of the guqin, her bright eyes lowered as her slender fingers plucked the strings, releasing a melodious and pleasant tune from her fingertips, striking the eardrums of everyone present.