The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

"No thanks. We're not exactly close."

Leonie had called him "Uncle" out of sheer politeness, nothing more-her upbringing demanded it. If he didn't like it, she could just as easily not say it at all.

As for staying at his place? Not a chance. It was his house, after all, and with the way he looked at her with open hostility, no less-Gwyneth wasn't about to risk

it.

"It's not about being close or not."

Gwyneth really had no desire to spend another minute in his company.

"Mr. Everhart, you've been coming at me since the moment we met. If you've got something to say, just say it. I don't like playing guessing games."

Hawthorne was this close to telling her straight out: stop playing coy with him, he knew exactly who she was. But when the words reached his lips, he held them back.

It had been years since anyone—a slip of a girl, no less—had managed to get under his skin like this. He almost let something slip.

"You have two choices: go back and stay with the Everhart family, or take my place."

Any hope Gwyneth had of escaping vanished in that instant. This man was determined to box her in.

Seriously, what was he so afraid of? He was a high-powered CEO, managing thousands of employees-what could she possibly do to him?

Was it just because she shared his last name, and came from Starfall City? Did he suspect there was a connection with her father?

Gwyneth mulled it over. Maybe he did. After all, back in the day her dad and mom had been quite the force-Leonie had told her that her dad had almost taken the Everharts down for good. It made sense Hawthorne would be suspicious.

But even if her father wanted to, there was nothing he could do now. Was Hawthorne really that afraid of the Langfords?

She shot him a few sideways glances as the car pulled up to the hotel, and forgot to get out for a moment.

Hawthorne took one look at the place and immediately knew it was Langford property. Subtle as a brick.

"We're here."

Resigned, Gwyneth stepped out of the car. From the way he was acting, it was clear he intended to keep an eye on her to the end.

"I'll rent your place," she said flatly.

She had no desire to stay with the Everharts. After what Leonie had told her about her dad's history with them, it would just be awkward.

It was obvious Mr. and Mrs. Everhart were warm, kind people. If they found out she was McNeil's daughter, they'd be disappointed for sure.

She'd never been close to people anyway, and she hated feeling indebted.

It wouldn't have mattered if she'd never known about the feud between the families, but now that she did, how could she shamelessly stay in their home?

At the front desk, Gwyneth picked up her room key and made her way toward her suite. Just as she stepped into the elevator, Hawthorne followed her in.

"What are you doing?" she snapped, her patience wearing thin.

Did he really need to watch her just to grab her things? Did he think she was going to jump out of a window? She was on the eighty-eighth floor, for crying out loud.

"Just seeing if you need a hand," he replied evenly.noveldrama

That took the wind out of her sails. Was he here to keep tabs on her, or to help?

Honestly, the Langford hotel offered

every service imaginable short of spoon-feeding the guests themselves-what help could she possibly need? More likely, he just didn't want her slipping away.

"It's just one suitcase. I've got it."

She didn't have much with her-she was just traveling, not planning on settling down.

After this year, she'd probably move on to another city. Somewhere Hawthorne couldn't find her. She'd handpicked Greenvale, and the thought of leaving already stung.

The elevator doors slid shut, trapping her in the close space with Hawthorne. She felt suddenly claustrophobic.

But if he insisted on tagging along, there wasn't much she could do.

When they reached the executive suite, Gwyneth swiped her card and opened the door.

Hawthorne glanced inside. He'd expected the Langford heiress to book the presidential suite, but she'd chosen an executive one instead. Judging by the staff's casual

treatment of her, she hadn't

ve

announced her identity.

Naturally. If she had come for the Everharts, staying under the radar would be the smartest move.

Not that Hawthorne was entirely convinced she was there for them, but some things were just too convenient. He couldn't afford not to be cautious.

"I don't have much. You don't need to bother," Gwyneth said, rolling her suitcase inside. She hadn't even stayed in the room yet, despite. booking it days ago. She'd chosen it for the view-at night, the whole city of Greenvale would be spread out below her. What a waste.

Hawthorne reached over and took her suitcase without asking.

"Let's go."

Gwyneth sighed. He was tall, with long strides, and in moments he'd disappeared down the hall with her luggage. She had no choice but to follow.

Downstairs, Hawthorne personally loaded her suitcase into the trunk. Off in the distance, Hans watched, jaw nearly hitting the floor.

Was that really their CEO, hauling a young woman's luggage?

He must be seeing things. Maybe he was dreaming.