CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: HE’S HARASSING HER

Justin Hawthorne let out a derisive laugh.

Expressing disbelief.

If it were true, Declan Hawthorne wouldn’t be calling at this time.

It’s still the middle of the night on her side, and for Declan Hawthorne, it’s probably daytime. Calculating the time difference, luckily Justin Hawthorne is used to staying up late, otherwise, he wouldn’t get to see this side of Declan Hawthorne.

"Big brother, do you like her?"

Justin Hawthorne asked an important question.

Declan Hawthorne remained silent.

Looking closely, the tips of the man’s ears were slightly red.

He stood in front of the glass window, overlooking the city, just awakening and beginning its daily operations like a vast machine.

The Hawthorne Group, standing at the pinnacle of this city.

A single word from Declan Hawthorne could even drive the economy of this city.

Since childhood, he never really endured hardship. Even during his college years, when required to balance work and study, there was still a considerable trust fund in his bank account for entrepreneurship.

Since young, Declan Hawthorne, along with several descendants of the Hawthorne Family, was raised by Old Master Hawthorne.

From a very young age, he wasn’t allowed to say he liked something.

Old Master Hawthorne believed this would make the descendants indulge in playthings and lose their ambition.

Initially, it was because he liked it without realizing it.

Later, his heart was moved, he sank into it, but silently, she left him.

Now.

Declan Hawthorne wearily closed his eyes and mockingly remarked, "So what if I am? And so what if I’m not?"

Justin Hawthorne replied lightly, "If not, then what you’re doing is harassment. Oh, to be precise, if she already doesn’t like you, even if you like her, you’re harassing her."

Harassment.

Yes, he was harassing her.

Judging by her reactions, she really didn’t like him getting close.

Including last night, she kept refusing him.

But Declan Hawthorne didn’t want to admit it.

Justin Hawthorne teased, "Big brother, you’re really not cut out for love. If I had a boyfriend like you, I’d definitely slap you."

The man was silent.

Poppy Hale, slap him?

He never thought about it.

But if she could be a bit more lively in front of him, even if she slapped him in anger when no one else was around, he wouldn’t be unable to accept it.

Last time in the storage room.

Poppy Hale slapped him in anger.

Declan Hawthorne thought, he seemed to have never said he wouldn’t get angry at her temper.

But he also never said anything more to give her a sense of security.

So she decisively found someone else.

Declan Hawthorne recalled what Poppy Hale said to Mrs. Hale in the kitchen.

She wanted to find a man who loved her.

Declan Hawthorne wanted to laugh coldly.

Where in this world is there so much love?

Wasn’t the love Poppy Hale once gave fake as well?

Justin Hawthorne continued, "So, does this mean you don’t like her anymore? Then why stay together for nearly four years? I heard recently, Aunt wanted you to go on blind dates, and you refused. Why remain faithful to someone you don’t like? It’s not your style."

His tone had a hint of tease.

"...She’s different from others." Declan Hawthorne’s voice was a bit dry, his tone lowering.

"When we were young, at Grandpa’s, we’d get scolded for eating even one more slice of pizza. When I was with her, I just glanced at the pizza, and she gave me the whole thing and even cut it up."

It’s not that that slice of pizza was hard to come by.

But just because Declan Hawthorne glanced at it, Poppy Hale gave it all to him, even though she hadn’t eaten either.

"I’ve never seen such pure and unconditional love. People say her temper is bad and unruly, but in terms of character, I’m not as good as her."

"She’s not good at studying, but she has a talent for art. I’ve seen her art exhibition, far superior to the artist we saw together last month."

"She’s a fool; she got into an argument online and ended up crying when she realized the person across was a child in poor circumstances, and she decided to sponsor the kid’s schooling. It turned out she used her pocket money to support an entire village’s poor children, and now the school in that village is named after her."

It’s called Four Seasons Hope Elementary.

All year round, they have hope.

It also symbolizes that throughout the seasons, Declan Hawthorne would be with her.

Charity isn’t unusual for the Hawthorne Family.

But what’s special is Poppy Hale’s sincerity.

She would cry for people unrelated to her, and seeing articles about middle-aged women divorced after a lifetime of domestic violence, knowing they’re parallel lines that would never intersect with her.

But that honest kindness and love illuminated Declan Hawthorne, brightening the dim corners of his heart.

He wanted to claim that love as his own.

He wished the moon shined solely on him.

He was dark, unreasonable, possessive to the extent that even when Poppy Hale wore new clothes that he didn’t get to see first, it would make him angry.

Those emotions couldn’t stand the light.

He restrained and hid them, not wanting to frighten her.

Poppy Hale hid her own nature before him.

He did the same.

Justin Hawthorne was silent for a moment.

And then said, "Big brother, you’re beyond saving."

Upon hearing those things, she had never heard Declan Hawthorne speak in such a manner.

To know the other’s strengths like the back of his hand.

Even as an outsider, hearing Declan Hawthorne mention those things made Justin Hawthorne want to fall for Poppy Hale.

Being also a Hawthorne descendant, she knew such a woman was alluring to the Hawthorne Family.

Justin Hawthorne was certain if her big brother told that lady these things directly, she wouldn’t leave him.

Declan Hawthorne smiled wryly.

"Perhaps."

But he already promised to stay away from her.

And he won’t break his promise.

-

Workstation.

Amber Yates looked at the glaring red mark on Poppy Hale’s neck and teased, "Has a man over twenty-five become a twenty-six-year-old again?"

Poppy Hale reached up to touch her neck.

She took a mirror out of the drawer to see if it was really that noticeable.

Opening it, she found the word "Bitch" written on the folded mirror with lipstick.

Poppy Hale was startled, goosebumps rising all over her body.

Who went through her personal items?

There were many confidential projects in the drawer, fortunately securely locked; no one had touched the other side where it was locked.

If that data leaked from her hands, not only would she lose this job, but she might also be blacklisted in the entire industry.

Cold sweat broke out over Poppy Hale, goosebumps covering her arms.

Handing the mirror to Amber Yates, Poppy Hale whispered, "I’ll go apply to check the surveillance. We can’t afford to let the company suffer a loss."

"Alright, you go first. If anyone asks, I’ll say you’ve gone to the bathroom."

Poppy Hale stood up.

Holding the mirror, she went to the secretary’s office to find Morgan Sloan.

Morgan Sloan was also shocked.

Could such a thing occur within the company?

This kind of thing, if considered minor, might be employees’ retaliatory prank, but if something major, it could indeed be malicious competition from rival companies.

Morgan Sloan was more worried that someone wanted to poach Poppy Hale and created such a disgusting event deliberately.

It needs to be taken seriously.

After reporting to Declan Hawthorne, Morgan Sloan covered the earpiece.

"Young Hale, President Hawthorne wants you to go to the president’s office."