It was the first time Patti Yale truly grasped just how terrifying Hawthorne could be.


    She never imagined that the n she and James had put together-so seamless, so well thought-out-could be seen through in an instant. From the very beginning, Hawthorne had set a trap for her, one so deep and borate that she was only now realizing howpletely she''d been ensnared.


    Her hands trembling, Patti tried to stand, but her legs gave out almost immediately and she crumpled right back to the floor. No matter how she willed them, her knees shook uncontrobly.


    Hawthorne stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable, eyes sharp as ss. That cold, razor-edged stare would haunt her for a long time.


    When she first started dealing with Hawthorne, Patti had scoffed at the rumors about him. People called him brilliant and unppable, a once-in-a-generation business prodigy. But wasn''t he just another man, ultimately brought to his knees by her charm?


    That was before she''d felt his hand around her throat, before she''d tasted the panic of being utterly powerless. Only then did Patti realize she had crossed someone she should never have provoked.


    And in that moment, she also understood that she had missed her one chance at someone truly extraordinary—someone she''d never meet again, not in this lifetime.


    But it was Hawthorne''s ruthless, vengeful streak-his utter disregard for past affection—that sent chills through her every time she thought about it.


    ***


    Hawthorne left the apartment just as a video from Leonie appeared on his phone a clip of Gwh.


    He settled into the back seat of his car, a cigarette bnced between two fingers. The window was cracked open, letting in the damp night air and carrying the faint glow of his cigarette ember. Smoke curled in the confined space, filling it with its bitter scent. Lost in thought, Hawthorne watched the video over and over, the rest of the world seemingly faded away.


    It had been nearly two weeks since he''dst seen his little dove.


    Once all of this was over, he promised himself he''d make it up to her. James had always been his fiercest rival in Greenvale; for years, neither man had managed to best the other. On the surface, things remained civil-they''d kept to their own sides, never crossing the line.


    But this time was different. James had made the first move, encroaching on his territory. This, Hawthorne couldn''t forgive.


    "Mr. Everhart, we''re here..."


    Hans''s voice brought him back. The car rolled to a stop in front of the estate, but Hawthorne lingered in the back seat.


    It was the rainy season in Greenvale,


    l.ne


    and mist clung to the windows, leaving beads of moisture on the ss. Outside, the drizzle was relentless, the air thick and he On wthorne''s phone, Gwh looked tired, almost forlorn.  s


    Leonie''s camera lingered on her face, etching her image in his mind.


    He sat there for a long time, Hans silent in the driver''s seat, understanding his employer''s mood required patience. Ever since Mrs. Everhart had passed away, the man had never quite been the same.


    When the cigarette burned down, the sting in his fingertips pulled Hawthorne out


    of his reverie. He stepped out of the car, tall and straight-backed, striding through the rain with a quiet,manding presence.


    He entered the house and paused, surprised by the sight of the two people seated on the living room sofa.


    "Philip? Margaret? What brings you here?" he asked, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.


    His elder brother and sister-inw stood up in unison as he entered.


    "Hawthorne, where''s Gwh?" Margaret''s voice betrayed her worry, unable to hide the anxiety on her face.<fn3544> This update is avable on f?ndnovel</fn3544>


    Leonie had mentioned she''d be staying with Gwh for a few days, but Margaret had been skeptical. She suspected her sister-inw was falling in with the wrong crowd, vulnerable to being taken advantage of.


    After all, Hawthorne and Gwh were newlyweds, still in the honeymoon phase. The thought of Leonie barging in on them seemed out of ce unless Margaret thought, perhaps somethingo wrong between the couple.  s


    Philip and Margaret were more than just family; they were ten years his senior, and despite being his brother and sister-inw, they''d always treated Hawthorne almost like a son. More than anyone, they worried about his marriage.  s


    The Everhart family had dwindled over the years; among their generation, there were barely any left. Layne was the only child, and Hawthorne thest Everhart man of their line.