Chapter 720: On Guard

Although Bernice put on a calm facade, Jacqueline knew her aunt was unhappy and forcing a smile. She could also see that Ethan Hawthorne wasn’t good to her aunt. Their relationship was less like a couple’s and more like that of a boss and an employee.

At home, Ethan Hawthorne was imperious and his word was law. If Bernice displeased him in the slightest, his face would darken. Jacqueline felt her aunt had a difficult life, constantly catering to Ethan. Her aunt’s true personality was anything but gentle and submissive.

But in front of Ethan, her aunt had to feign being a virtuous and gentle woman. Jacqueline couldn’t stand such a life, but she was just like her aunt now—meek and subservient before him, not daring to show the slightest bit of temper.

’Ethan is their breadwinner, after all. It’s only natural they have to grovel.’

’If only I could earn this much money myself, then I wouldn’t have to walk on eggshells around anyone anymore.’

"Time to eat,"

Bernice said faintly. She didn’t have much of an appetite and stopped after eating just one crab and a few bites of rice.

"Just throw out whatever you can’t finish. Ethan only eats fresh food. Wash the bowls three times. I’m going for my afternoon nap."

Bernice gave the instructions listlessly, and Jacqueline agreed to everything. Inwardly, however, she thought Ethan was too wasteful. ’Throwing away so many good dishes... what a shame. I’ll do my best to finish them.’

Although there were four dishes and a soup, the portions weren’t large, so Jacqueline figured she could finish everything. She just couldn’t bring herself to throw food away. ’Not being wasteful is probably one of my few virtues.’

Bernice went to the study first, intending to help tidy up, but it was locked. She didn’t have a key. Her heart sank, and her mood soured even further. ’Ethan is still on guard against me. Is his heart made of ice? All these years, and I still can’t warm it in the slightest. It’s utterly chilling.’

Downstairs, Jacqueline contentedly ate the delicious meal. She polished off three crabs, a plate of pork loin, and a bowl of crucian carp soup. She barely touched her rice, as the main dishes were enough to fill her up. All that remained was some of the vegetable dish. After a few satisfied burps, Jacqueline threw out the leftover greens, washed the bowls, and headed back to her room to read, grabbing a handful of pecans on her way out.

The most satisfying thing about living with the Hawthornes was that she never had to worry about going hungry again. The coffee table was always laden with seasonal fruits, pastries, and an assortment of nuts like sunflower seeds, peanuts, and pecans. The spread was especially lavish during the New Year. Ethan and Bernice barely touched any of it, so the old snacks would be thrown out and replaced with fresh ones every so often. Since Jacqueline’s arrival, however, nothing went to waste; it all ended up in her stomach.

After leaving the house, Ethan Hawthorne took a stroll around the neighborhood before heading to a few friends’ homes to pay his New Year’s visits. He didn’t allow guests at his own home, but he always made sure to fulfill his social obligations. These friends were also his business partners, and he needed to discuss the future of the market with them. If things continued on their current path, that fellow surnamed Tang would snatch away all his business, and they’d all be left with nothing.

Several friends gathered for hot pot, drinks, and conversation. One of them spoke up, "Ethan, a few of your cousins have been asking about you."

Ethan’s face darkened. He sneered, "What are they asking about me for?"

"Probably hoping to patch things up with you? You’re cousins, after all."

"Did they ask you to be their intermediary?" Ethan’s gaze grew colder. ’I can’t associate with this friend anymore.’

"Oh, not at all. They were just asking casually," the friend said with a chuckle. "But if you’re interested, Ethan, I could certainly act as an intermediary." He had no idea that Ethan had already decided to cut him off.