CHAPTER 107: CHAPTER 107: THEIR FEATURES ARE SOMEWHAT ALIKE

Chloe Preston lifted her head to look at him.

The man had a handsome and refined appearance, with a sharp jawline and a high nose bridge. He was wearing a dark grey suit, and the small tear mole at the corner of his eye was very alluring.

Chloe Preston recognized him. He was Nathan Hawthorne, a cellist famous both at home and abroad.

She ventured, "Are you Mr. Hawthorne?"

Nathan Hawthorne smiled slightly. "You recognize me?"

Chloe Preston nodded. "I’ve heard you play the cello. It’s beautiful. You could say I’m a bit of a fan."

"Really?" Nathan Hawthorne said. "Then I am honored."

Chloe Preston lowered her gaze to the shattered gemstone brooch in her hand. "I should compensate you for this."

Nathan Hawthorne’s voice remained gentle. "There’s no need. I quite like you, so consider it a gift."

With a polite smile, he turned and walked away.

Chloe Preston didn’t linger either, heading off to find Cecilia Miller.

As she passed a room with a partially open door, she heard crying from within.

Chloe Preston knocked. "Cecilia, is that you?"

When the crying continued, Chloe Preston pushed the door open and walked in to see a young woman curled up in a corner, sobbing her heart out.

She quickly went to her, pulled her to her feet, and soothed her. "Cecilia, why are you crying so hard?"

Cecilia Miller wiped her tears, her eyes red and swollen. "Sis, I’m fine."

Chloe Preston thought for a moment before asking, "Is it because of the woman who had her arm around Adrian?"

At the mention of this, Cecilia Miller started crying again, stomping her foot in anger. "That annoying Shirley! She’s always clinging to Adrian!"

"Do you have feelings for Adrian Rhodes?" Chloe Preston asked suddenly.

Cecilia Miller nodded. "Even if I do, it’s useless. He only sees me as a child who hasn’t grown up." As she spoke, she turned to the dressing room and picked out a very conservative gown.

Chloe Preston asked softly, "Is Adrian Rhodes usually very strict with you?"

Tear stains still marked Cecilia Miller’s fair face as she nodded vigorously. "Yes. He’s nice to everyone else, but he loves to control me."

He wouldn’t let her dye her hair or nails, wear heavy makeup, or dress in shorts, short skirts, or tank tops. He forbade her from drinking or dating, she had to report her whereabouts to him, and she had to be home by seven in the evening.

Chloe Preston’s fine brows furrowed slightly. "And that Shirley you mentioned... who is she?"

Cecilia Miller’s cheeks puffed out in anger as she gritted her teeth. "She and Adrian were high school classmates. She’s been sticking to him for years."

Seeing that Cecilia was about to change, Chloe Preston decided not to stay any longer and left the dressing room.

「In the hall.」

Donovan Xavier was lounging on the sofa, swirling a glass of wine as he chatted idly with Leo Sterling.

"Adrian!" a deep, gentle voice called out from the front.

Adrian Rhodes looked up and rose to his feet with an air of natural elegance. "Nathan," he greeted, walking over to him.

Nathan Hawthorne approached, a smile in his eyes. "I just visited your grandfather, so I came over to say hello."

"Come, have a seat," Adrian Rhodes said, patting his back.

As Nathan Hawthorne walked over, he noticed Donovan Xavier nearby. He smiled and extended a hand. "Mr. Xavier, long time no see."

Donovan Xavier stood and returned the handshake. "Good to see you’re well," he said in a deep voice. "How has your older brother been lately?"

"He’s doing well," Nathan Hawthorne replied. "He’s at a conference abroad, so he couldn’t come."

The Hawthorne family was a renowned and respected clan in Portdrey. They had long-standing ties to the Rhodes family and maintained regular business collaborations with the Xavier Group. In terms of wealth and influence, they were in no way inferior to the Xavier family.

Just then, Chloe Preston arrived with Cecilia Miller.

Cecilia Miller walked up to Adrian Rhodes, the corners of her eyes still slightly red. She did a little twirl. "I’ve changed."

Adrian Rhodes was very pleased. "That’s much better."

When Chloe Preston walked over and saw Nathan Hawthorne, she was slightly taken aback. "Mr. Hawthorne?"

Hearing her voice, Nathan Hawthorne looked over, a hint of pleasant surprise on his face. "It’s you."

Seeing this, Donovan Xavier stepped forward and took Chloe Preston’s somewhat cold hand. "You two know each other?"

Chloe Preston explained, "I bumped into him in the hallway. I accidentally knocked his sapphire brooch to the ground, and it broke."

"Don’t worry," Donovan Xavier said. "I’ll handle it."

Nathan Hawthorne glanced between the two of them and asked, "Mr. Xavier, this lady is...?"

Donovan Xavier smiled. "My future wife."

Nathan Hawthorne laughed warmly. "In that case, Mr. Xavier, remember to send the Hawthorne family an invitation to the wedding. We’d love to share in the joyous occasion."

"Of course," Donovan Xavier replied.

He then pulled Chloe to sit beside him on the sofa and instructed a servant to bring her a glass of juice.

Chloe Preston leaned in and whispered, "Are you good friends with him?"

Donovan Xavier shook his head. "Not really friends. I have a lot of business dealings with his older brother, who is a very sharp man."

Chloe Preston nodded. "Oh."

Nathan Hawthorne moved to the side to sit, picking up a glass of wine and taking a light sip.

A large hand snaked out from behind, slinging an arm around his neck as a figure leaned down. "Bro!"

Startled, Nathan Hawthorne turned his head and glared at the newcomer. "Show some respect! You have no sense of decorum for an occasion like this!"

Jasper Hawthorne scratched his head, letting out a dashing, unrestrained laugh. He walked over and flopped lazily onto the sofa.

Nathan Hawthorne glared at him again. "Where are your manners? Don’t you know you’re supposed to greet people?"

Jasper Hawthorne immediately sat bolt upright and looked at the group. "Hello, everyone."

Then, he flopped back into his lazy posture and looked at Nathan. "See, Bro? I greeted them."

Nathan Hawthorne was left speechless.

Donovan Xavier studied him for a moment, then glanced at Chloe Preston, his brow furrowing slightly.

Chloe Preston noticed. "Donovan, what’s wrong?"

"Nothing," Donovan Xavier said. "I just think the two of you look a bit alike."

"Now that I look closely, your chins are also quite similar. How interesting."