Ten minutes later, he was already in his car, planning to go look for Leonie. He texted Mrs. Everhart, saying Leonie had fallen asleep at his estate, which finally put Mrs. Everhart's mind at ease.
In reality, Hawthorne had no idea where Leonie had gone. Her phone went unanswered the whole time.
Finally, Hawthorne managed to have someone track Leonie down to a bar, and later found out she had run off crying.
In the middle of the night, Hawthorne used his connections to pull the security footage along the road until he found Leonie, sobbing uncontrollably on a highway.
The black car pulled up beside Leonie. The moment her swollen eyes saw Hawthorne, she completely broke down.
"Why are you still out this late? Do you know how worried your parents are about you?"
Hawthorne's tone was strict the moment he saw Leonie, but her swollen, tear-filled eyes made his heart ache.
This niece was someone he had doted on since childhood. With only a small age gap between them, Hawthorne was always the one cleaning up Leonie's messes whenever she got into trouble.
"Hawthorne, he doesn't want me. He doesn't like me. He only likes Gwyn, what am I supposed to do?"
Leonie had no idea that she had already fallen deeply in love with Connor. That stupid man was arrogant, proud, and completely full of himself. She didn't even know what she liked about him, but she had fallen for him hopelessly.
Hawthorne gently stroked Leonie's head. "If he doesn't love you, he's not worth your love. Silly girl, a man's love is simple. You can see it in a single look or expression. You're not a child anymore, there's no need to cry over someone who doesn't have you in his heart."
Even though she knew it made sense, Leonie simply couldn't snap out of it.
"Hawthorne, what does it look like when you love Gwyn?"
Right now, she truly envied Gwyneth for having Hawthorne's wholehearted devotion, as well as Connor's lingering affection.
"Everyone reacts differently. Don't listen to Connor's nonsense. He might not actually be in love with Gwyn, it's probably just his competitive ego acting up."
The early morning streets were terrifyingly quiet, and the cold, damp weather made it even more daunting. A young woman like Leonie naturally didn't dare linger outside any longer, so she obediently got into Hawthorne's car.
After finishing his drinks at the bar, Connor stepped outside, the alcohol having dissipated enough that he was mostly sober.
He hired a designated driver, tossed him the keys, and slumped into the passenger seat.
As the car drove on, he thought the alcohol would have improved his mood, but he only found himself growing increasingly frustrated.
His mind was entirely occupied by Leonie's tear-streaked, makeup-ruined face. He clearly felt nothing for her and only found her annoying, yet he couldn't stop thinking about her now.
Finally, in a fit of irritation, he dialed a number just to see if Leonie had made it home.
He convinced himself he was just fulfilling his duty as a friend. After all, she was basically family since she was tied to Gwyneth, and he was childhood friends with Gwyneth.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge
I can’t even read this sickening story anymore, this couple didn’t even get a chance to be really happy before their marriage was torn apart. It had been dragged out long enough....
If Gwyn gets an abortion I am going to stop reading this story, I believe in pro-choice but come on. Why can't he just tell her what he is really doing with Patti instead of letting her think she is a mistress....
Why no updates? It’s been so long! Pls update....