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.

quickly looked away, ducking her head and shoveling a mouthful of food as if she could hide behind

were you all talking

the silence, an

before fixing their attention on their son. Mrs. Everhart gave Layne a subtle nudge, urging him to answer his uncle's

the truth. "Her boyfriend's made it impossible for her to

him not to mention it, but the pressure from Hawthorne

a noncommittal, "Oh," and idly picked up a piece of braised pork with his fork,

furrowing slightly. "How old is

on her water, trying to hide her unease behind

the urge to cough,

them-the whole table seemed to freeze. Mr. and Mrs.

sun rising in the

today? Hawthorne, usually

vel

a girl be barely knew, and with

face went pale, then

We dated for a few months, that's