The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Chapter 518

Mr. Everhart relinquished his seat at the head of the table to Hawthorne, who took

it without the slightest fuss, as if this was how things had always been.

Gwyneth couldn't help but whisper to Leonie, "Did your uncle save your entire family's life or something?"

By age and seniority, Hawthorne should never outrank Mr. Everhart, yet the Everharts treated him with an almost reverential respect. It was baffling.

Leonie's face fell, her expression bleak.

"Pretty much. I told you before the only reason the Everhart family business has survived this long is because of my uncle. My dad hates business; he's content to live off the house our grandfather left and his shares in the company. The family firm is all on my uncle's shoulders."

Gwyneth fell silent. No wonder this man commanded so much authority.

Layne, who'd been holding court just moments ago, suddenly went quiet and stared down at his plate, eating in silence.

The housekeeper brought out a place setting for Hawthorne. Gwyneth found her gaze drifting to his hands-elegant, cool, and almost translucent in the dining room light-then followed the line of his wrist up to his sharply defined Adam's apple.

Almost as if on cue, Hawthorne's throat bobbed with a swallow. His eyes met Gwyneth's across the table, sharp and unexpectedly direct.

as if she could hide behind it. Her

all talking

cut through the silence, an

Mrs. Everhart exchanged a quick glance before fixing their attention on their son. Mrs. Everhart gave Layne a

not daring to fudge the truth. "Her boyfriend's made it impossible for her to find a job

mention it, but the pressure from Hawthorne was too much

and idly picked up a piece of braised pork with his

brow furrowing slightly. "How old is Miss Langford?

on her water, trying to

urge to cough, while Leonie

seemed to freeze. Mr. and Mrs. Everhart and Layne all stared at Hawthorne

sun rising in

today? Hawthorne, usually

vel

suddenly interrogating a girl be barely

went pale, then flushed

living together. We dated for a few