CHAPTER 181: CHAPTER 181: WITH A TAGALONG CHILD

From childhood to adulthood, Declan Hawthorne has always been outstanding.

Whether in school, competitions, or events held at the compound, he was always first.

But the Hayes Family has always thought, just wait and see.

The Hawthorne Family has four grandsons, all around the same age, who can predict who will stand out in the end.

Moreover, at that time, the Hawthorne Family was in turmoil, with scandals one after another.

The Hayes Family did not have high hopes for the Hawthorne Family.

Nor did they have high hopes for Declan Hawthorne.

Hailey Hayes’s gaze shifted, staring at the intertwined hands of Declan Hawthorne and Poppy Hale.

Now, Declan Hawthorne is red-hot, a new rising star favored by everyone in the circle.

Hailey couldn’t understand, aren’t people like them supposed to use their marriages as a bargaining chip to gain more benefits?

She secretly loved Declan Hawthorne for ten years.

During these ten years, she thought she knew him better than anyone else.

She didn’t believe that Declan would marry a woman who was unremarkable, only beautiful, and even had a child.

Do the Hawthorne Family members not care at all?

Judging from Elder Chambers and Elder Silver’s appearances, the Hawthorne Family was aware of Poppy Hale having a daughter.

Just now, Jackie Barrett stopped Hailey Hayes from probing into Poppy Hale’s family background.

That very likely meant that there was no background.

Hailey suppressed the subtle inquiry in her heart.

Holding a wine glass, with a dignified smile, she walked towards Old Master Hawthorne.

First, she wished him well, then said heartily, "Grandpa Hawthorne, when did Declan get married and have a child? I didn’t hear a thing."

Old Master Hawthorne’s hand holding the teacup paused slightly, lifting his eyelids, he looked at Hailey with an unchanged expression.

Then he glanced at Hugo Hawthorne standing beside him.

Blowing away the tea leaves on the surface of his cup, he said lightly, "I’m an old man, young people’s matters are not clear to me."

"Declan got married without notifying me either."

Hailey maintained a smile, not letting anything show.

Old Master Hawthorne shifted his gaze, "Young lady from the Hayes Family, are you dating anyone? If not, you could consider getting to know our Zachary or Ronan."

"Not yet, I want to focus on work for a few more years, matters of the heart can wait."

"That’s fine. You young people these days are different from our time, having your own ideas is a good thing."

Hailey kept wondering about what was going on with Declan’s child.

Having been abroad for several years, she had never heard about Declan having a child, and from Old Master Hawthorne’s attitude, she couldn’t glean any information.

If she could establish some connection with the Hawthorne Family, she might be able to get more information about Declan Hawthorne.

Hailey obediently agreed.

Old Master Hawthorne smiled with satisfaction, calling over the butler, "Tell Ronan to come down."

"Yes, sir."

Ronan Hawthorne had just returned to the country recently and was resting upstairs.

At the banquet, Old Master Hawthorne first thanked the guests for coming, then turned his gaze to the young members beside him.

"The Hawthorne Family’s younger generation will need your care in the future. Ronan is about to start working at the Hawthorne Group, Declan, guide your brother more."

Declan Hawthorne’s gaze paused briefly on Ronan’s face, he nodded.

"Alright, understood."

Old Master Hawthorne looked at Justin Hawthorne, "Justin, I’ve arranged a date for you, find some time to meet and tell Grandpa which one you like."

It sounded democratic.

But everyone knew that Old Master Hawthorne probably had already picked someone.

Just waiting for Justin to meet and finalize things.

This was to make up for failing to intervene in Declan’s marriage, looking to find some solace with Justin.

Justin did not retort, calmly saying, "Grandpa, who did you pick for me? If they’re not good-looking, I’m not going!"

Three parts spoiled, three parts willful, and just the right amount of playful complaint made the guests laugh.

Old Master Hawthorne also laughed.

"You little girl, I’ve spoiled you! Naturally, I picked someone good for you, the Sutton Family’s eldest son, Ethan Sutton, what do you think?"

Justin’s expression instantly darkened.

She didn’t want to have any ties to the Sutton Family.

But previously, it was already agreed that Declan Hawthorne and Serena Sutton would get engaged, but because they both resisted, both families felt humiliated.

So they chose family members who were easier to control.

Justin’s eyes showed panic, looking to Declan Hawthorne on the opposite side for help.

Declan Hawthorne, peeling shrimp for Poppy Hale beside him, didn’t even lift his head.

"There’s a gathering in the afternoon, Ethan Sutton will also be there, you can go with me."

Justin nodded quickly, "Okay."

Someone beside them joked, "Isn’t it meddling for the eldest brother to care about the lady’s marriage?"

Declan Hawthorne placed the shrimp on Poppy Hale’s plate, leisurely wiping his fingers with a napkin.

"Justin is my only sister, of course, I should do my best for her marriage. Not just anyone can become a son-in-law of the Hawthorne Family."

Old Master Hawthorne nodded, intending to give Declan Hawthorne a slight admonishment.

"Getting along well is good, but everything should have its limits."

"Don’t worry, Grandpa, it’s just a friendly gathering with friends like Yio and Luen. I’ll also ask Ethan Sutton to bring his sister, not as a blind date, just meeting as friends."

This arrangement was considered well-balanced.

Old Master Hawthorne couldn’t find any faults with it.

Declan Hawthorne picked up the communal chopsticks, serving Old Master Hawthorne some green vegetables, brushing the garlic off.

"Grandpa, you don’t like vegetables, must dislike the garlic on them, nothing to do with you."

The implication of his words, Old Master Hawthorne understood.

If Justin didn’t like Ethan, it would definitely be Ethan’s issue, he wouldn’t make Old Master Hawthorne look bad in front of the Sutton Family.

Old Master Hawthorne chuckled, looking at Declan Hawthorne with unspeakable satisfaction.

The Hawthorne Family these past years, to have an heir like Declan Hawthorne, truly is a blessing from the ancestors.

But when his gaze shifted over to Poppy Hale next to Declan, he felt another irritation.

Initially, he thought, at least Declan found a girl from a normal family.

Not one of those small celebrities on TV cozying up to male stars.

But what’s the matter with bringing this child?

Yet Declan and Hugo, all of them, seemed so content.

Old Master Hawthorne wanted to ask, but someone came up to toast, forcing him to swallow his words.

It was only as the banquet was about to end that he had the chance to catch Declan Hawthorne.

"Come upstairs with me, to the study."

Jackie Barrett waved his hand, "Go ahead."

Then turned, pulling Poppy Hale toward the garden.

Justin followed them.

Declan Hawthorne followed Old Master Hawthorne upstairs.

Upon entering, Old Master Hawthorne got straight to the point, "That Poppy Hale, how come there’s a child? A man like you can find any wife you want, why insist on one who has a child?"

Declan Hawthorne spoke calmly.

"I like her, and I like her child too. She and her child, like me as well, is there a problem?"

Is there a problem.

This is a big problem!

Old Master Hawthorne was so frustrated he nearly choked on his words, feeling his head spinning with tension.

Declan Hawthorne is perfect in every way.

But when it comes to relationships, he’s just clueless!

Old Master Hawthorne gathered himself, uttering a few words.

"I do not agree!"