If it was just a fling-


    Gwh Langford jolted, her heart pounding. It had been her first time with Hawthorne Everhart, and he''d told her she was his first as well.


    Should she believe him?


    But then again, everyone says there''s no such thing as a faithful cat.


    Her mind was a mess, tangled and anxious.


    Meanwhile, her colleagues had started gossiping about Patti Yale.


    "Was that really Mrs. Everhart? Her behavior today was so tacky."


    "Seriously. It''s her own family''s gallery-what''s with the bodyguards? Is she afraid people won''t recognize her?"


    "Take it from someone who''s seen a thing or two-she''s definitely not the real wife."


    Gwh''s knees nearly buckled. She stared at the colleague who kept clicking her tongue in disapproval.


    "What do you mean by that?"


    "Come on. The real Mrs. Everhart wouldn''t make a spectacle of herself like that. Besides, Mr. Everhart would be by her side if she really was his wife. She''s probably someone he''s keeping on the side. And I bet it''s all on purpose-didn''t you notice someone filming her just now?"


    The younger staff looked confused, but the older ones exchanged knowing nces.


    "So isn''t that a p in the face to the real Mrs. Everhart? Mr. and Mrs. Everhart haven''t even had their wedding yet."


    "Well, who knows what goes on in the world of the rich?"


    The more Gwh listened, the worse she felt. Was that really the kind of man Hawthorne was?


    "Forget it, let''s just enjoy the exhibit. This is none of our business anyway."


    The little scandal didn''t dampen anyone''s mood-except Gwh''s. She couldn''t shake a strange difort as she watched Patt Vale, a feeling that unsettled her


    even more than when Yvette had


    openly tried to provoke her


    belongs to s


    It was as if she could see a connection between Hawthorne and this woman.


    Patti Yale, meanwhile, had assumed


    ??????


    her fabricated identity would win her some support, but no one cared enough to defend her. Once the bodyguards moved outside and she stood alone, people barely even nced her way.  s


    Even the security staff ignored her protests. Frustrated, she gripped her purse, her mood growing sour.


    But she quickly reminded herself why she was here. She''de to take photos.


    James Mercer wanted them—James, Hawthorne''s business rival for years, would never have gotten into this event himself.


    Patti had tried using the "Mrs. Everhart" card to make things easy, but it had backfired. Left with no other choice, she started sneaking photos on her phone, but still got caught.


    “Excuse me, ma''am," a staff member said, drawing everyone''s attention again. "The gallery is for viewing only-photography is not allowed."


    Face flushed, Patti protested, "This


    ?<fne0a9> The source of th?s content is Find[?]ovel</fne0a9>


    is a public exhibition, isn''t it? I just wanted a couple of photos to remember it by. It''s not like I''m taking


    nything home with me. what''s the harm?"  s


    She stood her ground, but the staff weren''t having any of it.


    "Everyone received a copy of the exhibition rules at the entrance. It clearly states that photography is prohibited. Please delete the photos you just took while we watch."


    Patti refused. She wasn''t afraid of anyone telling Hawthorne-she always had an excuse ready.


    A few photos wouldn''t make Hawthorne suspect she was here to steal information.


    "And if I don''t delete them?" Patti challenged. "What, are you going to call Mr. Everhart himself down here to scold me?"