Chapter 59
Chapter 59
Just thinking about it made her cheeks flush with warmth.
Thank goodness Justin was away on business.
She couldn’t even imagine how awkward things would be if he were here
now.
Waving her hand, she said, “No need to make breakfast for me, and please tell Mr. Hawksley not to go out of his way to drive me home. I can go back on my own.”
With that, Edith hurriedly darted out of the bedroom.
As she hurried downstairs, she spotted Mr. and Mrs. Hawksley sitting in the drawing room, sipping their morning tea.
Her steps slowed instinctively. Mustering a polite smile, she greeted them, “Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Hawksley. Thank you for everything last night. I’ll be heading home now.”
Why did she suddenly feel like a teenager caught sneaking out by her boyfriend’s parents?
Sarah stood up and gently caught Edith by the arm before she could escape. “Edith, if you won’t let Justin drive you, at least let our driver take you home. Otherwise, when Justin gets back, he’ll throw a fit.”
“A fit?” Edith blinked, genuinely confused. Why would he be upset about
that?
But Sarah didn’t bother to explain. She simply led Edith out to the garage. The driver climbed into the car while Sarah opened the rear door for Edith with a warm smile. “I’m sure your mother was worried last night. Be sure to reassure her when you get home.”
Edith nodded politely. “Thank you, Mrs. Hawksley. Goodbye.”
As the car pulled away, Benedict-still holding his teacup-wandered outside. Watching the autumn leaves swirling in the wake of the car, he
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Chapter 59
remarked, “Why does she still call us Mr. and Mrs. Hawksley?”
Sarah stifled a laugh. “Oh, you should be thankful! Latonia just told me she still calls Justin ‘Mr. Hawksley. The fact she hasn’t called you ‘Old Mr. Hawksley’ is already a blessing. You should count your lucky stars.”
Benedict shrugged. “You’re right. We haven’t even given her the family’s traditional welcome gift yet, and we’re already expecting her to use more familiar terms. Maybe we’re being a bit greedy.”
Sarah grinned and teased him, “Exactly! So, have you prepared the
welcome envelope? Don’t forget, the Hawksley family can’t lose its sense of tradition.”
Benedict puffed up with pride. “I took care of it days ago. I even sent the butler to the bank to withdraw some cash just for the occasion.”
As they chatted, Justin’s car finally appeared at the end of the drive.
He rolled down the window and called out, “What’s this about a welcome
envelope that needed a special trip to the bank?”
Speaking, he stepped out of the car, glancing up at the windows of the
guest room.
“Don’t bother looking,” Sarah said with a smirk. “Zack already drove Edith
home.”
Justin’s face fell. He looked to his father, “Dad, how much cash did you have the butler take out? Don’t go overboard, or you’ll scare Edith off.”
Benedict put on an innocent face. “Your mother just said we can’t be stingy with the family’s traditions.”
Sarah shook her head, half laughing, half exasperated. “But I never said you needed to bring out wads of cash! Edith isn’t the flashy type. If you scare her off, this one here”-she gestured at Justin-“will lose his mind!” Benedict chuckled, giving Justin’s shoulder a few hearty pats. “Fine, fine. I’ll keep it simple. If I do scare her away, my lovesick son will be
heartbroken for years!”
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Justin flushed, embarrassed by the teasing. Trying to be stern, he protested, “Dad, don’t talk like that. You make me sound pathetic.”
Sarah jumped right in, grinning, “Well, you are our little lost cause!”
Justin grinned and threw up his hands, “If I’m a lost cause, then you two are to blame for raising me!”
In that moment, he was nothing like the sharp, decisive CEO everyone
knew at the office.
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Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.