The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge novel Chapter 526

“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.