CHAPTER 196: CHAPTER 196: THE SECOND BRANCH’S ABSURD AFFAIRS

Poppy Hale admitted.

Being with Declan Hawthorne initially started because of his looks.

If it weren’t for that face, Declan might not have caught her attention when college first started.

Truth Hale sighed, "Oh, you child."

"Mom, don’t worry about this. I understand what you mean. Although our family can’t compare to the Hawthorne Family, you and Dad made sure I grew up happy and without worries about food and clothing."

"Remember Aunt Spring from next door when I was little? She signed a bunch of agreements before marriage, yet during the divorce she didn’t get a cent and even took on a heap of debt. Forgotten that?"

Truth Hale heard this and was somewhat moved.

Poppy was talking about their former neighbor.

Her family background was about the same as the Hale Family back then, so naturally, precautions were taken before marriage.

They signed a lot of prenuptial agreements, and the woman signed them all to show she wasn’t after money.

Yet, when they divorced, she found that extracting the last drop of blood from you is easy for the rich.

Many women find themselves trapped like this, and can only leave after being skinned alive.

"Even when families are a good match, it’s the same. Remember my friend from elementary school? Their wedding even made the newspapers."

"How could I forget? Their divorce was an ugly mess."

That classmate of Poppy’s had parents from prestigious families.

On the wedding day, the bride’s dowry was measured in pounds of gold.

Yet when they divorced, neither wanted the child, and the groom’s family even tried to swipe the bride’s family’s wealth.

Truth Hale understood Poppy’s point.

She knew her daughter had her own mind, so she said no more.

"How’s the company doing lately?"

"It’s going well, just Dad’s former employees want to return to work. I haven’t assigned them positions yet, so they’re just working the assembly line for now."

Truth Hale frowned in thought, nodding slowly.

"Alright, you handle it."

"Oh, by the way, Mom, I’m going on a business trip this week, so I’m leaving Florence with you."

Poppy tilted her chin, looking at the two people in the living room.

The big one and the little one were arguing about something.

Declan Hawthorne was very serious, with no intention of letting young Florence win easily.

He respected his daughter’s every opinion.

Florence was also very earnest, trying hard to express her thoughts with her limited vocabulary.

Truth Hale snapped back to reality, raising an eyebrow with a smile.

"Florence isn’t really my concern now. Young Hawthorne’s parents, the childcare teacher, and several nannies are there, no need for you to worry."

"I see how Young Hawthorne pays much attention to Florence. As soon as she wakes in the morning, he goes in to pick her up, takes her to wash up, and even praises her good bathroom habits."

Remembering this, Truth Hale couldn’t help but laugh.

Poppy propped her chin, "I always wanted to marry a man like Dad. Now, look, haven’t I found one?"

Truth Hale thought for a moment and then put on a stern face.

"Not exactly, Young Hawthorne and your father are different."

She adjusted her glasses seriously, as if delivering some profound conclusion.

"Young Hawthorne is much more handsome than your father!"

Poppy: "..."

Mother and daughter exchanged a glance and then burst out laughing.

-

As lunchtime neared, Justin Hawthorne strolled into Poppy Hale’s office.

"Sister-in-law, what are you having for lunch?"

The company only had an hour for lunch, so Poppy, even though she was the boss, followed the strict rules and didn’t bother going home.

"Declan told the maid to deliver food, there’s a portion for you, I forgot to tell you."

"Great! I don’t need to order takeout!"

While eating, Justin began talking about the screenshot Poppy sent her last night.

"There’s always gossip about our family online, it’s normal. What you mentioned yesterday was about the Second Uncle’s family, both Second Uncle and Second Aunt are in the entertainment industry, so there’s a lot of gossip."

"It wasn’t the maid who found out about Second Aunt’s affair, but Second Uncle himself and Aunt."

Poppy listened intently.

"Second Aunt claimed she was pregnant and went home to rest. Aunt brought supplements to visit, and Second Uncle took Aunt upstairs, catching Second Aunt with a male actor at it..."

"The child was DNA-tested after birth, it truly wasn’t my Second Uncle’s."

"Later, forced by Grandpa, Second Uncle divorced Second Aunt. But Second Uncle wasn’t willing, saying even if Second Aunt strayed, she would always be his muse, his goddess in film. He was willing to stay with the actor and Second Aunt, all three together."

Justin shrugged, "Mom said when Second Uncle walked in on them, he let them continue because he got an idea for a movie scene. It was Aunt who couldn’t stand it and informed Grandpa."

Poppy: "..."

Miles Hawthorne truly was carefree.

But this was too much.

Justin continued.

"Later, Second Aunt got pregnant again, bringing back Ronan. Grandpa checked and confirmed he was Hawthorne’s child. But still, Grandpa insisted on getting a vasectomy for Second Uncle so he wouldn’t mess around anymore."

Poppy was a bit curious.

"Doesn’t the old man like having more grandsons?"

"He does, but with Uncle and Aunt’s genes, it’s good, while my parents and Second Uncle and Second Aunt’s genes, Grandpa says they’re unworthy of passing on."

"Yet Aunt only had Big Brother."

Poppy couldn’t help but chuckle.

Justin shrugged, "So Grandma wanting to raise us herself is not unimaginable."

Simply put, it’s to prevent the grandkids from being led astray by their ridiculous parents, turning them into good-for-nothings.

The Hawthorne’s second family is as dramatic as a soap opera, similar to the third family.

The deep waters of wealthy families come with plenty of absurdities.

-

At night, Declan Hawthorne called, saying he had to work late.

Morgan Sloan came to pick up Poppy Hale.

On the road, Poppy discussed with Morgan, "In a few days I’ll be driving myself, so you don’t have to make this trip specially."

"Part of the job. Oh right, Madam, a few from the secretary team want your autograph."

Poppy was slightly surprised, "Mine?"

"Finn, Secretary Anna is a die-hard Finn fan but doesn’t want to disturb you."

"Alright, I’ll print some of my illustrated work next time and autograph them for you."

Morgan smiled warmly, "Great!"

Morgan drove steadily, not pursuing speed, when a car quickly overtook Poppy’s and then slowed down beside them, before speeding up again.

Morgan frowned.

"Who’s that, acting crazy!"

He honked several times.

The car continued like this, repeatedly slowing and speeding next to Poppy’s car, weaving like a worm beside them.

Poppy rolled down the window, identified the license plate, and reported it to Morgan.

"Do you know whose car it is?"

"It sounds familiar, let me think."

A moment later, Morgan spoke, "Madam, it’s Young Master Ronan’s car."

Young Master Ronan Hawthorne.

Poppy’s eyes narrowed slightly.

What was Ronan Hawthorne’s car doing tailing her?

She wasn’t familiar with Ronan; though they were under the same roof recently, their schedules and spaces never overlapped, so they hadn’t met.

Poppy calmly said, "Accelerate, pass him, just ignore it."

"Yes, Madam."