CHAPTER 690: CHAPTER 690: COLD-BLOODED TO THE BONE

Moreover, the director of The Imperial Capital Medical Research Institute hinted to her that they won’t miss this chance to catch J Country’s weakness.

Even if it’s a reconciliation, J Country Research Institute can’t solve the issue easily without shedding some skin.

"Sweetheart, you’re truly mommy’s little lucky star! Everything feels better when I see you!" Ann Vaughn’s eyes were full of joy, as she lovingly nuzzled Kenny’s little cheek.

The Little Dumpling cradled his cheeks, smiled indulgently, and then softly asked, "So, in mommy’s heart, do you like the little darling or The Archfiend best?"

Cyrus Hawthorne wasn’t here now, so Ann Vaughn’s answer was undoubtedly—

"I like the little darling most!" Ann Vaughn was so charmed by his blushing little face that she squeezed him tightly, feeling bubbles of happiness.

Unbeknownst to her, the silent figure of The Archfiend was standing outside the room, hearing: "..."

Thus, this declaration undoubtedly became the main reason why Ann Vaughn felt so mistaken when night came.

Rain Vaughn had just stopped, yet the room was still filled with a faint, intoxicating musky fragrance that made one blush.

At the corner of the bed, a small hump curled up, stubbornly hiding its head under the blanket, leaving no gap at all.

Cyrus Hawthorne walked out of the bathroom holding a clean, soft towel. As soon as he saw the scene, he raised his eyebrows and sat at the edge of the bed, bending his long leg slightly.

"Didn’t I allow you to fight back? Still angry?"

"..." There was no reaction from within the small hump.

Cyrus Hawthorne attempted to pull the blanket off her head, but she sensed it and pressed it tightly, giving him no chance to get closer.

"If you keep acting like this, you know what will happen." Cyrus Hawthorne was not angry at all; however, his deep voice carried a hint of meaning.

From inside the small hump, an angry retort came: "You said you’d give me a chance to fight back, but then it just meant flipping over and changing positions!"

And her?

She happily thought she could finally overpower him once, but ended up just being eaten in a different way!

What difference is there between eating grapes whole and peeling them first?

A low chuckle slipped from Cyrus Hawthorne’s lips. He used a bit of strength and pulled the small hump away, revealing the flushed-cheeked darling, full of frustration.

Ann Vaughn didn’t have time to react before one of her wrists was seized by him. As he drew closer, the cedar-like scent became even clearer around her nostrils.

With a single raise of her head, she could see Cyrus Hawthorne’s ink-black narrowed eyes as he bowed, leaning his forehead against hers.

"Little ancestor, be reasonable." He flicked his finger lightly at the corner of Ann Vaughn’s forehead. "Who was it that felt tired and didn’t want to move during the counterattack and begged for me to take over?"

The term "little ancestor" seemed inherently tempting, pressing gently on Ann Vaughn’s heart.

A tremor ran through.

Ann Vaughn bit her red lip in shame and anger, then turned around, lying on the white pillow, puffing up angrily without acknowledging him.

Cyrus Hawthorne let a trace of a smile slide through his eyes as he laid the towel over her head and gently began to wipe.

"If you want me to forgive you, it doesn’t come without conditions." After a moment, Ann Vaughn spoke muffled into the pillow.

Though uncertain why it’s her being forgiven when she didn’t successfully fight back, Cyrus Hawthorne didn’t contradict her words. He responded warmly, "Go ahead."

Ann Vaughn proceeded to explain Bella Hawthorne’s suspicions and her intentions, worried that Cyrus Hawthorne might disagree, she quietly added, "I think it’s not a bad thing if Vera can stand up again through this."

"Okay." After listening, Cyrus Hawthorne merely responded blandly, his attitude unclear.

"Would you oppose?" Ann Vaughn turned her head to see his expression, but her face was wrapped in the soft towel. "Ugh."

A bloodthirsty coldness flashed across Cyrus Hawthorne’s narrow eyes. Despite the gentle towel, he discreetly maneuvered her head back.

"That man’s information is on the second bookshelf in the study. When she figures it out, you let her go retrieve it herself."

Ann Vaughn hurriedly asked upon hearing this, "You’ve already investigated thoroughly? Who is that man?"

Since Bella Hawthorne’s incident, Ann Vaughn had been secretly investigating clues about the car, but the gathered information was vague, mostly false.

The only known fact was that the man was by no means ordinary.

Vera, alone against such a man... how it will end remains unknown.

"I haven’t looked at it."

Ann Vaughn’s gaze paused, suddenly understanding the meaning behind Cyrus Hawthorne’s words, she softly asked, "Are you worried that if you see it, you won’t resist stepping in before Vera gets to act?"

Considering Cyrus Hawthorne’s swift and decisive methods, knowing that man’s identity, he surely wouldn’t easily spare him.

Yet, he hadn’t acted quickly.

"You anticipated that Bella would choose to do this, so you didn’t intervene, right?"

At this point, Ann Vaughn’s scalp slightly tingled.

When had he foreseen this and acted?

Perhaps even before Bella Hawthorne had made up her mind, while she always claimed her brother didn’t care, he had quietly paved the way for her, just waiting for her to step on it...

Ann Vaughn couldn’t help but tremble her shoulders, "Opposing you is too miserable."

She had heard before about how Cyrus Hawthorne treated enemies in business, strategizing, decisive in killing, determining life or death on the negotiating table in moments... Only now Ann Vaughn realized there wasn’t a hint of exaggeration in those rumors.

Cyrus Hawthorne raised an eyebrow and pinched her petal-like cheek, "I just gave her choices, and which path she takes is entirely up to her."

He had countless ways to make that man wish for death without a trace.

But avenging with satisfaction could only come from Bella Hawthorne handling it herself, not relying on external support.

From the moment she painfully decided to let go of that child, Cyrus Hawthorne anticipated that she’d choose this someday.

For within the Hawthorne Family’s bones, cold-bloodedness is born.

Ann Vaughn’s eyebrows drooped to escape the heavy topic: "Besides, I heard Jane Sheridan is planning to bring Jade Shepherd and Howard Vaughn back from Mordane, did you know about this?"

"Who told you that?" Cyrus Hawthorne’s long fingers ran through Ann Vaughn’s soft hair, feeling it’s dry enough, he casually asked as he put the towel down.

Ann Vaughn thought for a moment before uttering Elias Hawthorne’s name.

Cyrus Hawthorne’s narrow eyes deepened, "Don’t worry, they’ll never leave Mordane in this lifetime."

Upon hearing this, Ann Vaughn relaxed, nestling against the pillow.

Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, she suddenly heard Cyrus Hawthorne speak gravely, "No matter the time, don’t be alone with him, got it?"