The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Chapter 571

Victoria took the long box, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.

Usually, first-time visitors would bring the typical fare-some generic health supplements or expensive tonics. But this man's gift was a mystery, tightly wrapped and giving away nothing.

"It's just a small gesture," Hawthorne said simply, offering no further explanation.

Gwyneth's heart skipped a beat when she caught sight of the box.

"Well, I won't stand on ceremony, then," Victoria replied, curiosity piqued. She was eager to see what kind of present the man who had safely escorted her daughter home had prepared.

The moment Victoria opened the box, she was stunned.

Inside was a landscape painting. As she carefully unrolled it, her eyes landed on the signature at the bottom-and tears welled up instantly.

This was it. The last of her mother's keepsakes the one she had searched for through endless towns and cities, always coming up empty-handed. Never did she imagine it would find its way back to her today.

"What is this?" she asked, voice trembling.

at once. She'd seen this very painting hanging on the wall of Hawthorne's villa-a priceless original by her grandmother. She'd been quietly

had actually given it to her. That could

was visibly moved. Of all the things she'd longed for over the years, nothing mattered more than gathering her mother's works, fulfilling at least

known who she was all along- that's why he'd

painting when she visited my place the other day," he said, glancing coolly in her direction. "In fact, she was

but retort, "I was not! I was perfectly open about

casually offer to buy my nephew's mother's painting for a small fortune. I figured, aside from the eldest Miss Langford of Starfall

then did Gwyneth realize-she'd accidentally let it slip that she

joy, everyone's attention shifted from Gwyneth's fondness for her grandmother's art to a certain word

shot up an octave, nearly cracking in

in front of her children. The look

away

mouth, but the words tangled hopelessly. She hadn't left home

not like that—" she tried

had been