The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Chapter 685

Hawthorne had a reputation in their social circles as the consummate, self- disciplined bachelor-wealthy, reserved, and famously unattached. Rumors about his recent marriage were swirling everywhere, and people couldn't help but speculate about the kind of woman who could possibly win his heart. The incident at the gallery only fueled the gossip, and Leonie's phone hadn't stopped ringing with friends eager for details.

She kept thinking it must've all been a misunderstanding. But now, her aunt had suddenly left home-could these things be connected?

Years ago, Leonie vaguely remembered hearing that her uncle might've dated someone for a while. But he'd never brought the woman home or even mentioned her to the family. Everyone assumed it was just a fleeting romance, nothing worth remembering.

Surely, she thought, her uncle and aunt weren't wrapped up in one of those melodramatic "first love" soap opera plots?

"Uncle," Leonie blurted, "you don't have some old flame Auntie just found out about, do you?"

Her words landed like a sledgehammer on Hawthorne.

His brow furrowed so tightly it looked like he might tie it in a knot. "How many times have I told you to focus on your studies and stop filling your head with nonsense? Those trashy romance novels are rotting your brain."

her at such length;

behind his back. Honestly, it didn't seem likely anyway. For as long as she could remember, the Everhart men had a reputation for being devoted husbands—her great-grandfather, her grandfather, all the way down. None of them were known

and me-stop imagining things. If you manage to get in touch with her, help me keep

first words reassured Leonie, but the second part made her nervous.

her aunt to ask any more questions. She'd always felt her aunt truly adored her uncle, and he'd always spoiled her. How had things gone so

"Alright..." she mumbled.

to Gwyneth.

but no one picked up. It was obvious: Gwyneth had

now, she

then, Hans called. The

we still haven't found Mrs. Everhart. We've checked

relieved him or made him more