CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: DRIVEN MAD BY JEALOUSY

Painting Declan Hawthorne.

For Poppy Hale, it’s not difficult.

In fact, she even found it quite manageable.

In the past, she had sketched Declan Hawthorne numerous times, though they were just rough drafts. When he saw them, he wasn’t very pleased, so Poppy didn’t proceed to color them.

However, when she first practiced drawing human figures, she had a thick sketchbook filled entirely with drawings of Declan Hawthorne.

The complexity of this picture made Poppy feel a bit guilty about accepting so much money. Declan Hawthorne didn’t know she had drawn him many times.

Poppy herself also never mentioned it.

Later on, during Declan Hawthorne’s professional classes, Poppy, feeling bored, doodled on his books.

It was Declan Hawthorne.

Next to it, she drew a simple sketch of a little girl, which was Poppy herself.

The two little figures were side by side, with a heart symbol in between.

It looked quite silly.

She hugged the book and laughed for a long time.

When Declan Hawthorne saw it, he chuckled too, probably at her childishness.

Declan Hawthorne allowed Poppy to doodle in his textbooks, tacitly approving those scribbles that, without being told, wouldn’t reveal who made them.

Poppy replied, OK.

On the other side, Declan Hawthorne finished his last two puffs of cigarette, stubbed it out, and threw it into the trash can. Standing in the breeze to dispel the smell from his body, he walked back.

Opening the car door, two children looked at him with wide eyes.

Declan Hawthorne, one in each arm, picked the two children up.

Poppy Hale followed behind.

"Any requests?"

"I’ll let you know then."

He was tall, with the two children firmly held on either side; both were very well-behaved.

When they entered the elevator, Poppy asked a question.

"Why paint portraits?"

Declan Hawthorne glanced at her, suppressing his hoarse voice, "I like it."

He wasn’t sure if Poppy Hale had noticed.

Mason Rivers’ profile picture had never changed.

It was always the portrait he’d paid for.

From the beginning, it wasn’t meant for gifting; it was Mason Rivers’ private collection.

Those past desires that couldn’t see the light, growing like weeds, and darkly voyeuristic, had become an indelible shadow in Declan Hawthorne’s heart.

Admit it, Declan Hawthorne.

More than anyone, you care about all the men who have ever appeared by her side.

Even someone like Mason Rivers, with a one-sided love, managed to leave an impression on you.

Not to mention her former husband.

He was almost maddeningly jealous.

Inside the private room.

A few people had already arrived, waiting there.

Seeing Declan carry in two children, Allen Shaw raised his eyebrows, spotting Poppy Hale following behind.

A hint of playful understanding flashed in his eyes.

Tristan Hawthorne first took hold of Iris Quill, lifted her up and weighed her.

"Iris, you’ve gained weight again!"

Iris Quill, looking like a chubby marshmallow, twisted and complained, "Uncle, you speak too harshly!"

Tristan Hawthorne laughed heartily.

His gaze turned to Florence Lynch, sitting on Declan Hawthorne’s lap.

He then glanced at the unfamiliar woman sitting next to Declan Hawthorne.

This setup confused Tristan Hawthorne.

"Brother, who’s this?"

His big brother was now holding a little girl.

This scene was simply unbelievable to Tristan Hawthorne.

Has the world ended?

Or does this little girl have some unknown leverage over his big brother?

Allen Shaw smiled and asked, "Miss Hale, we meet again. Is this your daughter?"

Poppy Hale nodded.

"Florence, say hello to the uncles."

"Hello, uncles, hello, aunt."

Aunt?

Poppy Hale looked up to see Heather Underwood and an unfamiliar woman pushing the door open and entering.

Seeing Poppy Hale, Heather Underwood was pleased.

But her gaze lingered on the unfamiliar little girl in Declan Hawthorne’s arms, feeling something was off.

Declan Hawthorne didn’t even like holding Iris Quill, yet here he was, holding an unfamiliar little girl?

Heather Underwood’s eyelids twitched, and she took the initiative to introduce.

"This is a classmate of Iris from school, Florence Lynch, and this is Florence’s mom."

Stiffly, Poppy Hale greeted the others.

Sitting down, Heather Underwood then realized what was off.

She leaned in to whisper to Justin Hawthorne, "Justin, isn’t this a family dinner? What’s your brother doing?"

Allen Shaw was there only because he grew up with the Hawthorne children. Allen Shaw’s grandmother and the Hawthorne elder were siblings.

They were somewhat related, practically family.

Poppy Hale’s presence was quite intriguing.

Justin Hawthorne covered his mouth, "Do you know her?"

"Yes, Iris bullied Florence."

Justin Hawthorne: "..."

He wanted to say something more.

Declan Hawthorne had already spoken.

"This is my cousin, Tristan Hawthorne, you’ve met him."

Tristan Hawthorne frowned, "When was that? Ah! During the meeting I attended with my brother!"

Poppy Hale looked embarrassed, her toes digging into the ground.

Declan Hawthorne interrupted him.

"Stop making a fuss, have some manners."

Tristan Hawthorne had no choice but to close his mouth, though his gaze was still filled with curiosity at Poppy Hale.

"This is my cousin, Justin Hawthorne, you’ve met them too."

This time, it was Poppy Hale’s turn to be confused.

She didn’t remember meeting anyone other than Tristan Hawthorne by coincidence.

Declan Hawthorne calmly said, "You thought she was my junior that time. Justin studies winemaking; that time, I drank too much."

Justin Hawthorne’s eyes widened.

Looking at Poppy Hale, her memories resurfaced, she covered her mouth and extended her hand, "You were the one who came to pick up my brother that day, his girlfriend?"

Poppy Hale hadn’t looked closely at Justin Hawthorne’s face that day.

Upon hearing the voice, she remembered.

But she didn’t understand what use there was in bringing this up now.

Poppy Hale lowered her gaze, "That was then, I am not now."

Without hesitation, she distanced herself from Declan Hawthorne.

The room sank into silence, no one daring to speak.

Declan Hawthorne, as usual, calmly picked several bites of food that Florence liked and fed her.

Oddly enough, there wasn’t any sense of discord.

Heather Underwood was shocked by the news.

She also recalled what Declan Hawthorne had said earlier, that Poppy Hale could contact him anytime.

It seemed Declan Hawthorne hadn’t quite moved on.

But then again, she had a child...

Heather Underwood put away her wild thoughts and found a topic to chat about with Poppy Hale.

"Florence’s mom, do you want to apply for the national child allowance? It’s not much, 3600 yuan a year for three years, but you could take Florence out for fun!"

As she spoke, Heather Underwood enthusiastically pulled out her phone, about to teach Poppy Hale how to apply for the benefit.

"You upload the child’s birth certificate, the parents’ identity information, and your marriage certificate, bank card, and you’ll get it."

The words "marriage certificate" made the room fall silent again.

The Hawthorne younger generation glanced at Declan Hawthorne’s expression, holding their breath.

He lowered his gaze, tapping on the screen.

Calmly, he said, "A divorce certificate works too."

Appearing completely unfazed.

Heather Underwood, seeing this, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Divorce was good.

Divorced, Florence’s mom was single, allowing for a possible rekindling with Declan Hawthorne.