Flash Marriage With Mr. Sheffield: Go Away, Cheap Man!-Chapter 98: High Society Gossip

"So you became Julian Hawthorne’s assistant to build a relationship with him?"

Anabelle Spencer shook her head like a rattle, "No, no, no, I had never seen Julian before. I had to go through quite an effort to find out he works at the Sheffield Family. I became his assistant purely out of curiosity, and besides..."

Saying this, Anabelle paused subtly and looked at Clara Sterling meaningfully.

Besides, Julian Hawthorne likes you.

This was only her guess, Anabelle didn’t say it outright; she just said, "Julian is very opposed to arranged marriage. Three years ago, he left the Hawthorne Family and started working at Sheffield to resist such marriages."

Clara’s face was filled with disbelief, her almond eyes brimming with shock.

"I really didn’t expect President Hawthorne to have such a background."

Anabelle took a sip of water, speaking teasingly with a smile, "Yeah, the fourth son of the Hawthorne Family, the dream man of countless elite women in Ardendale."

"So why isn’t he your dream man? You said you hadn’t seen him before. Why? Aren’t you both from wealthy families in Ardendale?"

"Because I was always studying abroad. I went abroad to study when I was twelve, while Julian was the opposite. He spent his childhood in Montania and returned to the country as an adult. The Hawthorne family is quite complicated."

Clara couldn’t help but grow curious, "How so?"

Anabelle began recounting the gossip, "Julian’s father, Vincent Hawthorne, has four children. Julian and his elder brother, Connor Hawthorne, were born to the same mother, the elder President Hawthorne’s original wife, Catherine Montague. She was the second lady of the Montague Family and childhood sweethearts with Vincent. Later, Vincent and Catherine’s relationship turned sour, and they divorced."

"Catherine took Julian abroad to Montania, while the eldest, Connor, stayed with the Hawthorne Family."

Clara furrowed her brows as she asked, "Wait a minute, isn’t Julian ranked fourth? He and his brother share the same mother, so that means the second and third Hawthorne children weren’t born to Mrs. Hawthorne?"

"Exactly!" Anabelle was excited to share the gossip, "That’s precisely why Mrs. Hawthorne divorced the elder President Hawthorne. The second and third Hawthorne children are illegitimate twins. The son is Henry Hawthorne, and the daughter is Jessica Hawthorne."

Clara understood.

"So Julian’s father had an affair. No wonder his parents divorced. But why did Julian and his mother return to the country when they were living well in Montania?"

Anabelle said mysteriously, "This involves the love-hate relationship between Vincent and Mrs. Hawthorne."

"I heard Vincent didn’t actually have an affair back then. He was drugged and accidentally had a one-night stand with someone outside."

"The woman ran off back then, secretly had the children, and only brought them to the Hawthorne Family for recognition when they were five."

"Vincent and Mrs. Hawthorne were famous for having a good relationship. They were an exemplary couple in their circle. Vincent didn’t know anything about having illegitimate children outside. When the woman brought the children to the family for recognition, the old Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne accepted the children, saying they should be raised under Mrs. Hawthorne’s name."

Clara empathized with Mrs. Hawthorne, getting strongly emotional, "How could she tolerate this? It’s outrageous!"

"Of course she couldn’t. So Mrs. Hawthorne requested a divorce right away."

"It was a sensation in the social circle at the time. My aunt and several wealthy ladies loved discussing it over tea and Mahjong. I simply heard about it from them."

"But I heard Vincent was adamantly opposed to the divorce. Eventually, elders from the Montague Family intervened and found the old Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne, forcing Vincent to agree to the divorce."

"It’s said in the years Catherine was in Montania, Vincent visited her annually, and the woman outside couldn’t find a way into the Hawthorne Family. Vincent never remarried all these years."

"Then, a few years ago, Vincent managed to win Catherine back through some means, and she returned with Julian to remarry Vincent."

Clara commented after hearing this, "President Hawthorne’s parents really have a fascinating love-hate story."

Anabelle asserted, "Absolutely, the secrets of wealthy families are quite fascinating."

Clara asked, "Your family is also wealthy. Any gossip to share?"

Anabelle was even more eager to share, "Definitely, my uncle and aunt were also in an arranged marriage. They do their own thing. My uncle has several lovers outside that I know of—one is a minor star, the other is an executive at his company."

"My aunt also has lovers—one is a college student, a young puppy-looking one and quite a playboy, the other is an online celebrity. They were photographed having a wild time together, but my uncle paid to keep the photos sealed."

"That’s explosive!" Clara’s eyes widened in shock, "How do you know about this?"

"Because my grandparents prefer having everyone living together. Even though my uncle and dad are married with kids, we all still live together at the old family mansion. I overheard my uncle and aunt fighting, though I didn’t see those photos myself."

"It’s really explosive." Clara was full of disbelief.

Thinking about how she saw the middle-aged couple this afternoon—him in a powerful suit, her magnificently adorned, she never expected they played such games privately.

Truly, never judge a book by its cover.

Anabelle nudged Clara with her elbow, "So, am I a good friend? I told you all my family’s gossip and scandals. As an exchange, share something about yourself with me."

Clara: "My family has no gossip."

Anabelle paused in her gaze at Clara’s eyes, "I remember you said you’re from a single-parent family. Tell me about your mom." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Mentioning her mother, Clara’s eyes softened.

"Since I can remember, it’s just been me and my mom relying on each other. We used to live in a tiny rented apartment. Mom earned money to provide for me by selling breakfast at a stall. She woke up past three every morning, spent all her earnings on me, hardly spending on herself."

At this point, Clara felt a pang of sadness, her eyes reddening.

"Later, my mom saved up to open a small restaurant. She never remarried for my sake and raised me alone. Now she’s seriously ill, and I actually came to Veridian to get her treated."

"What illness?" Anabelle asked.

This time, Clara didn’t hide, she answered truthfully, "Stomach cancer."

Anabelle’s mood turned heavy immediately, "Sorry, Clara, I didn’t mean to, I really apologize..."

Clara shook her head, "It’s okay. My mom’s surgery was very successful, and she’s much better now. Her condition has stabilized."

Actually, Clara still worried deep inside.

Even with a successful surgery, it’s uncertain how many more years her mom might have.

What if one day she suddenly leaves her?

Clara dared not think about it.

Anabelle said, "Can I visit your mom? If it’s convenient."

Clara frowned.

Her mom was now staying at the Sheffield Family, and if Anabelle visited, it meant going to Silas Sheffield’s place.

Clara refused, "Sorry, it’s not convenient for now."

Anabelle understood, "Alright, no worries, I’ll get some tonic for you; you can bring it to your mom. It’s the same."

Clara sincerely thanked, "Thank you."

"No need for politeness, we’re like sisters now, right?" Anabelle deliberately changed the topic to avoid Clara’s low mood persisting, "I’ve revealed all my family’s gossip to you."

Clara smiled, "Of course."