CHAPTER 119: CHAPTER 119: DECLAN HAWTHORNE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Poppy Hale was utterly speechless.

She suddenly realized that her previous understanding of Declan Hawthorne was far too limited.

His family and his personality, what he had shown her was just the tip of the iceberg.

Perhaps like Old Master Hawthorne, Mrs. Hawthorne, and Mr. Hawthorne, there was also a very stubborn part of his character.

Once he decides on something, it’s hard to change.

This version of Declan was something she had never seen before.

So persistent it bordered on shamelessness.

Countless times, Poppy wanted to ask, how can you be like this?

Yet each time, Declan managed to do something even more unbelievably audacious.

She even wondered if she was meeting Declan for the first time.

Poppy gently pushed Declan’s chest.

She avoided the topic from before.

"I made some food for you. Once you finish eating, I’ll leave."

Declan finally released his hold on her.

He sat up, kissed Poppy on her face before she could react, and then stood up to go to the dining room.

He picked up chopsticks and started eating the noodles in his bowl in large bites.

They had been left for a while, so the noodles were a bit soft, breaking apart easily into noodle soup.

Declan, however, ate them all up.

Poppy stood there, waiting for him to finish eating so she could take the bowl back.

Her face felt a bit warm as well.

She reached out to touch it, always thinking the spot he kissed felt like it had been warmed by his touch.

A bit hot to the touch.

After finishing the noodles, Declan got up and went to the kitchen to wash the bowl. He wiped it dry and handed it to Poppy.

She reached out to take it, but he didn’t let go.

The two of them were like they were playing tug-of-war with a porcelain bowl.

Declan looked down at her.

Having just taken his shirt off and not yet put it back on, his arms and stomach were splattered with water droplets from washing the bowl, clinging to his muscles, exuding an undeniable masculinity.

The look in Declan’s eyes held an expectation that Poppy couldn’t ignore.

"Isn’t there anything else you want to say to me, Poppy?"

Like stars, like summer fireflies, just there, watching her.

Poppy looked down, avoiding the bright anticipation, and took the bowl.

"No."

The stars in Declan’s eyes dimmed instantly, leaving only a slightly self-mocking smile.

Poppy quickly walked to the door, opened it, and when she was about to close it and leave, she finally made up her mind.

After a moment of struggle, she whispered, "Declan... happy birthday."

Then she closed the door, fleeing back to the next room.

The light in Declan’s eyes was rekindled in an instant.

-

The Hawthorne Family.

For Declan’s birthday, the Hawthorne Family prepared a dinner party. Originally, Mrs. Hawthorne intended to invite guests, but Declan refused.

So it was just the family gathering for a meal and then dispersing.

Old Master Hawthorne sat at the head of the table.

The younger generation sat below, each pretending to be invisible at the dinner table.

Even the usually talkative Tristan Hawthorne kept his mouth shut, fearing Old Master Hawthorne might catch him and start questioning.

Only Declan remained calm and collected.

He picked up a glass of wine, intending to take a sip, but then remembered something and set it down.

Justin Hawthorne laughed, "Big brother, why aren’t you drinking?"

"I’m not feeling well today. I took some medicine, so it’s not convenient to drink. You guys go ahead and enjoy."

Mrs. Hawthorne promptly expressed her concern, "What’s wrong? Have you been working late again?"

"No, just gastritis."

Hearing the birthday person had gastritis, that simply wouldn’t do.

In an instant, all the greasy dishes in front of Declan were replaced with plain congee and side dishes, and a bowl of longevity noodles.

He didn’t pick up his chopsticks.

Old Master Hawthorne glanced over, "Does it not suit your taste?"

"No, I already had a bowl of longevity noodles today, so I won’t eat anything else."

Old Master Hawthorne snorted coldly.

"Can anything outside compare to what’s made at home? What kind of chef caught your fancy?"

"The taste was ordinary, and the noodles were left out too long. But I like them, so naturally, they caught my fancy."

This was the first time Declan ate something Poppy made.

Before, the Eldest Miss Hale hardly needed to dirty her hands with cooking.

Today, this bowl of noodles was also beyond what Declan had expected.

Mrs. Hawthorne, not wanting to see her son in a difficult situation, smiled and asked, "Did Florence get discharged from the hospital?"

"Yes, she did. She said she wanted a puppy."

Indeed, as soon as the words were out.

Mrs. Hawthorne immediately clapped her hands, "I’ll buy it! I’ll buy it! What breed does Florence like? If there’s nowhere for it at her house, it can stay with us, and she can come play on weekends!"

Mrs. Hawthorne had it all planned out.

With a puppy Florence liked at the house.

That surely meant she would visit more often!

Iris Quill mumbled on the side.

"Auntie, I told you before I wanted a bunny, and you didn’t buy one for me."

"Bunnies are too smelly and dig holes; they’re not good. We’ll get a puppy!"

Faced with such blatant favoritism from Mrs. Hawthorne, even Tristan found it astonishing.

Raising an eyebrow at Declan, he whispered, "Aunt really likes Miss Hale’s daughter."

Declan chuckled softly.

He took a sip from the spoon and then set the bowl down, occasionally moving his chopsticks.

Old Master Hawthorne looked around at his children and grandchildren.

He announced, "Declan, your Uncle Sutton’s daughter is coming back from Vesperia this month. When she’s back, you’ll get engaged."

At the dining table, all noise suddenly vanished.

The silence was deafening.

Declan calmly ate a few more bites, ignoring Old Master Hawthorne’s arrangement.

Since he didn’t speak, Old Master Hawthorne also didn’t continue.

Grandfather and grandson were locked in a stalemate.

It was Old Master Hawthorne who first relented, taking the initiative to speak.

"Say something—do you agree or not?"

Declan replied calmly, "I don’t agree. If Grandpa insists on this arrangement, I’ll spare no effort to bankrupt the Sutton Family. At that point, I’ll certainly inform the Sutton Family that it was all Grandpa’s idea."

Old Master Hawthorne: "..."

A surge of anger welled up in his chest.

It was a challenge to Old Master Hawthorne’s authority and control.

Furious, he said, "Declan! Are you growing wings? Don’t forget who nurtured you to where you are today!"

Declan lazily replied, "If Grandpa loves nurturing so much, perhaps I should open a kindergarten for you. Parents will surely send you banners of gratitude."

Tristan and Justin stifled their laughter.

Their faces turned red from holding it in.

Only big brother would dare speak to grandpa like this.

Old Master Hawthorne tightened his grip on his cane, tapping it heavily on the ground.

"Declan! This matter is non-negotiable. Once your Sutton cousin returns, you’ll get engaged!"

Mrs. Hawthorne frowned, seeing her father-in-law’s icy demeanor.

Mr. Hawthorne tugged at her sleeve.

"Trust Declan. Don’t get angry. He won’t marry anyone into this house he doesn’t want."

Mrs. Hawthorne took a deep breath, not reacting immediately.

Declan first sliced a piece of steak for Mrs. Hawthorne, then slowly wiped his hands.

"I recall Grandma Carrington is widowed for many years, and she and Grandpa are a suitable match, a godsend. If Grandma in the afterworld knew, she wouldn’t stop it. Grandpa, what do you think?"

Old Master Hawthorne was so infuriated, his face turned the color of a liver.

For suggesting he get Declan engaged, and Declan suggesting he should remarry!

What an unfilial descendant!

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