The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

"Alright, I'll definitely go."

Just then, Yvette's assistant managed to get her on the line.

"Miss Yvette, Mr. Everhart would like you to come to his office."

Mr. Everhart looked visibly displeased-though no one seemed to know why.

When Yvette hung up, her face was practically glowing. She immediately shared her plan with her grandfather, who agreed without hesitation to personally arrange a meeting with Hawthorne that very day to discuss their engagement.

She could hardly wait. Even though Gwyneth and Hawthorne weren't involved, who could say there wouldn't be a second or third "Gwyneth" down the line? She was nearly thirty-not exactly young anymore. Hawthorne had never made their relationship official, and as the years slipped by, her sense of security dwindled.

She knocked on the door. Hawthorne was sitting in a leather chair, watching as Yvette approached with careful poise, his gaze cool and unreadable.

"Hawthorne, you wanted to see me?"

Yvette was convinced her grandfather would talk Hawthorne into an engagement that very evening. In her mind, she was already the future Mrs. Everhart, the lady of the company. It was time, she thought, to stop calling him "Mr. Everhart❞—that just sounded too distant now.

But when she called him "Hawthorne," his brow furrowed tightly.

Yvette missed the warning in

know, Mr. Everhart. Did you just get

looked at him with eager anticipation. Hawthorne had no idea what she was so happy about, and frankly, he

"I did."

shall we go

Hawthorne's frown deepened, his voice colder than

for her grandfather—after all, it was his first

you and my grandfather are practically family already. Don't go overboard with the

almost girlish expression. For the first time he felt an intense dislike-whatever she was imagining, her contrived tone was enough to make

with had arrived. Yvette took the hint and left, closing

her, her

het

that of a

in a daydream as

Gwyneth there, completely absorbed in

circled behind her and suddenly presented a

today!" Gwyneth's surprise was written all over her face-it was barely past

I've got plans tonight. Thought I'd come