CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66: BRINGING HER BACK AS YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER

Mrs. Hawthorne opened the picture and looked at it several times.

The more she looked, the more she liked it.

She couldn’t help urging Declan Hawthorne beside her.

"If you really don’t plan to get married, just find a girl and have a child, and then you can be as busy as you want."

Declan Hawthorne was amused and said, "Mom, I’m a person, not a breeding tool."

"Besides, didn’t I tell you, just bring this little girl back, and let her be your granddaughter."

Mrs. Hawthorne rolled her eyes.

Seeing Declan Hawthorne get up and go upstairs, she remembered the serious matter from earlier that evening.

"What were you talking about just now? What do you mean you missed it?"

"Do you like her or not?"

If this wasn’t cleared up, Mrs. Hawthorne felt she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.

Declan Hawthorne was already heading upstairs, and hearing this, he looked back at Mrs. Hawthorne.

Half of his face was in the light, the other half hidden in darkness.

He said plainly, "Mom, I don’t want to talk about this."

He didn’t want to mention his affection to people who had nothing to do with it.

That word ’like’ was buried deep a few years ago, with no chance to be uttered.

Be it the pride of the Hawthorne family descendants who disregard all...

Or the fear that she couldn’t accept him, thus subconsciously choosing to maintain a lie...

Harsh words in arguments, ill-intentioned bets, and countless ’don’t likes’...

In the past, those things were like needles piercing Poppy Hale’s heart.

Now they were like boomerangs, all landing on him.

Turns out, they hurt.

Declan Hawthorne lowered his eyes and quickly went upstairs.

Seeing him like this, Mrs. Hawthorne had to close her mouth.

Just then, Mrs. Hawthorne’s sister, Ms. Valerie Barrett, came out of Iris Quill’s room and asked, "What’s up with Declan?"

Mrs. Hawthorne explained it.

"I think you shouldn’t bother. Declan’s willing to go on blind dates, which shows he cares about the girl, which should be enough, right?"

"Besides, I think Declan, like your husband, is a tight-lipped person. Getting them to say they like someone is as hard as landing on the moon tonight."

Comparing it like this, both Mrs. Hawthorne and Ms. Valerie Barrett felt...

Landing on the moon was simpler.

-

In the hospital.

Mrs. Hale was doing well after the surgery.

Seeing Florence Lynch, she looked pleased.

The patient in the next bed also showed a rare expression upon seeing Florence Lynch.

Glancing occasionally at her own son, she pouted her lips.

Hinting at Nolan Zane to make a move.

Really useless.

If it weren’t for her gender and age, she would have taken matters into her own hands.

Nolan Zane smiled subtly and crouched down to talk to Florence Lynch.

Trying to make his eyes level with Florence Lynch’s.

"Hello there, little one, I’m Uncle Nolan."

"Hello, Uncle."

Florence Lynch reached out, wanting to shake hands with Nolan Zane.

Nolan Zane extended his hand but then retracted it, apologizing, "Uncle’s hands are dirty. I just wiped a bed and haven’t washed them."

He couldn’t risk spreading germs to Florence Lynch.

Not many young people are this considerate nowadays, making Mrs. Hale more satisfied watching this.

Nolan Zane was also good-looking, with a decent education and job.

Most importantly, it was obvious Nolan Zane had some interest in Poppy Hale.

That subtle look, perhaps Poppy Hale hadn’t noticed it.

But as someone who’s been around, Mrs. Hale caught the shift in Nolan Zane’s gaze when Poppy Hale entered.

If it could develop, it wouldn’t be bad.

Mrs. Hale discussed it with Poppy Hale.

"Poppy, Aunt Alden and I were thinking of hiring two caregivers, one for the day and one for the night. You keep working, taking care of Florence, and don’t have to keep running to the hospital."

Poppy Hale had visibly lost some weight these days.

Mrs. Hale felt bad.

Neither she nor Mrs. Alden liked too much commotion. Hiring two caregivers and each paying half was reasonable.

After all, this illness required a hospital stay of more than half a month.

Having Poppy Hale running back and forth continuously wasn’t sustainable.

Poppy Hale thought for a moment and agreed.

Nolan Zane, having washed his hands, also washed a bunch of grapes and handed them in a bowl to the little girl.

Florence sweetly said, "Thank you, Uncle."

"You’re welcome. Miss Hale, I’ve already paid for the caregiver’s fee. I’ll send you the bill, and you can just transfer the money to me. If there are any issues down the line, we can contact each other anytime."

"Okay."

Nolan Zane was also busy with work, so Poppy Hale arranged with him to each come a few days a week.

Florence still has school tomorrow.

Catching the last subway home, Mrs. Hale hurried them away.

Mrs. Alden winked at Nolan Zane, "Go and see them off!"

Nolan Zane scratched his head, awkwardly saying, "I didn’t drive today."

Mrs. Alden: "..."

Useless thing.

-

The weekend arrived quickly.

Poppy Hale took her daughter downstairs; the man’s car was already waiting there.

The neighbor walking their dog back saw them and smiled, "Family outing? How’s your mom doing?"

"Recovering well."

"That’s good. Go on, your husband has been waiting for you a long time."

Poppy Hale had dressed up a bit today.

She put on light makeup and wore earrings.

She was wearing a denim sleeveless jumpsuit she had bought on a previous shopping trip, which, when tied with a belt, highlighted her slender waist.

Wearing five-centimeter heels, she added a touch of mature charm.

The exposed skin was fair and radiant.

Iris Quill waved at them.

"Aunt Poppy, Florence!"

Florence trotted up with a few steps.

She sat in the car seat meant for her.

Poppy Hale leaned in for a look, noticing it’s different from the previous car seat, this one was obviously more fitting and newer.

Iris Quill boasted, "I chose this for Florence! Isn’t the color nice?"

Such a cute pink seat, only he could pick it.

In Iris Quill’s world, little girls should use pink.

He and his uncle searched countless stores to find the right color, and now seeing Florence using it, Iris Quill’s face was all smiles.

He’s really remarkable.

Poppy Hale patted Iris Quill’s head, saying helplessly, "Thank you, Iris."

"Mhm mhm mhm!"

With two child seats in the back, Poppy Hale could only sit in the front passenger seat.

The car started.

Poppy Hale turned her head and asked, "Where are we going today?"

"I have a dinner party to attend first, just join me."

"Isn’t it inappropriate to bring them to a dinner party?"

After all, both Iris Quill and Florence were still young, and attending a dinner might tire them out.

"It’s fine, just having a meal among friends."

Since he said so, Poppy Hale didn’t ask further.

"Why did you buy a new car seat?"

"The previous one was left over from Iris Quill’s use."

Declan Hawthorne frowned slightly.

He didn’t like seeing Florence use things left over from others, even if they belonged to Iris Quill.

Perhaps it was that peculiar desire lurking in his heart.

Or maybe it was related to the matter he was investigating, which had yet to respond.

Poppy Hale didn’t understand what that had to do with anything.

Not to mention, the previous car seat was still very new, and given how little Florence rode in Declan Hawthorne’s car, what was the point of buying a new one?

Or perhaps that was simply the lavish life of wealthy people?

As the car drove on, the two children in the back fell asleep.

Very quiet, very well-behaved.

Poppy Hale’s phone chimed, and despite the discomfort of motion sickness, she took it out for a glance.

It was a message from the landlord.

Saying they plan to sell the house.

She asked Poppy Hale to find a time within three days to move out.