The Headline Queen: President Hawthorne is Her Die-Hard Fan!-Chapter 454: Conspiracy Theory

Paige Sterling repeated, "I want to see Julian Hawthorne."

Alisa sneered, "Fine, you are determined to see President Hawthorne before you give up, aren’t you? I can arrange that." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Paige was like someone who wouldn’t cry before seeing the coffin. Since that was the case, let her experience what despair really means, lest she continues to think Julian Hawthorne still harbors deep feelings for her unchanged.

Alisa led Paige to the hospital room.

Julian Hawthorne lay on the hospital bed, his eyes open, quickly landing on Paige Sterling.

Alisa said with frustration, "President Hawthorne, I’ve conveyed your intentions to Miss Sterling, but she seems relentless. She insists on hearing it clearly from you herself. I think you shouldn’t keep Miss Sterling waiting. Let today be the endpoint with Miss Sterling."

Seeing Julian Hawthorne, Paige felt a little disoriented. Had she not known in advance that this Julian Hawthorne was a fake, she wouldn’t have been able to tell.

He resembled him so much; no wonder he could fool Alisa.

But deceiving others should be challenging too, thanks to Alisa keeping Julian Hawthorne closely under watch, not allowing any outside visits. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to keep those people restricted for so long.

Paige didn’t know where Julian Hawthorne found this person and was unsure of his awareness, leaving her momentarily at a loss for words. She just feigned a look of surprise.

"Julian Hawthorne, you’ve really woken up?"

Julian Hawthorne said nothing, maintaining a neutral expression.

Alisa said, "Yes, heaven rewards diligent people. President Hawthorne has finally awakened, to your disappointment, Miss Sterling?"

Paige ignored Alisa, took half a step closer to the bed, reaching out as if to touch Julian Hawthorne.

But Alisa stopped her.

Alisa was indignant, as if Paige had crossed into some forbidden territory.

"Miss Sterling, President Hawthorne is my man now. I don’t like other women touching him. Please keep your distance from him."

Paige’s gaze remained only on Julian Hawthorne.

However, Julian Hawthorne showed no reaction, not even looking back at her.

Paige asked, "Julian Hawthorne, what’s wrong with you?"

After a long pause, Julian Hawthorne struggled to utter a few words, "I don’t know you."

Even knowing the person before her wasn’t Julian Hawthorne, hearing those words from a face identical to his still made Paige’s heart skip a beat.

"What did you just say?"

Julian Hawthorne glanced at Alisa, full of trust and reliance, "I want to rest now, please have her leave."

Alisa chuckled, casting a pitiful glance at Paige, "Miss Sterling, believe it now? President Hawthorne’s heart is no longer with you. There’s no point in forcing it. Miss Sterling, please leave."

Paige left the hospital room in despair, and Simon Hawthorne immediately asked, "Sister-in-law, how is my brother?"

"Let’s head back first," Paige said. "We’ll visit him another day. He needs rest."

Seeing Paige like that, Simon had to accompany Paige back.

Back at Silverstream Bay, Paige quickly calmed down and began typing in front of the computer.

The current Julian Hawthorne must be engaged in something more dangerous, and certainly not under the identity of Julian Hawthorne.

To restrain the domestic underworld forces, he had created a fake Julian Hawthorne to divert everyone’s attention.

But this fake Julian Hawthorne evidently knows nothing about it, fearing exposure.

Now she must also assist this fake Julian Hawthorne, not allowing suspicion to fall on him, otherwise, Julian Hawthorne’s side would be in danger.

Paige worked late into the night before finally going to bed.

A few days later, Julian Hawthorne had almost recovered, and Alisa took him back to her home.

Immediately after they returned, a servant came in to report, "President Hawthorne, Miss Sterling is here and wants to see you."

Julian Hawthorne frowned. The last people he wanted to see now were Paige and the Hawthorne family.

He wasn’t familiar with Alisa, making it easier not to slip up in front of her, but it would be impossible to flawlessly maintain the act in front of those familiar with Julian Hawthorne.

Now that the real Julian Hawthorne was dead, he was to become Julian Hawthorne from now on, enjoying all that came with the identity. He wasn’t willing to lose it all.

Thus, Julian Hawthorne said, "Send her away. I don’t want to see her."

He truly had Alisa to thank for having prepared for the break with the Hawthorne family and Paige in advance. Now his actions shouldn’t be seen as breaking character for Julian Hawthorne.

The servant added, "But President Hawthorne, Old Master Hawthorne and Second Young Master Hawthorne have also arrived."

Julian Hawthorne’s frown deepened.

All those familiar faces were here at once, and naturally, he didn’t want to see any of them.

But it wasn’t possible not to meet them, as he would eventually have to return to the Hawthorne family.

Julian Hawthorne couldn’t help but ponder. After all he’d been through, if his personality appeared to have changed slightly due to trauma, no one would likely suspect anything as long as it wasn’t too excessive, right?

Thinking this, he had them invite Old Master Hawthorne and the others in.

Old Master Hawthorne was momentarily stunned upon seeing Julian Hawthorne because this person really resembled Julian greatly.

Soon he regained composure, asking Julian, "Is your body healed?"

Julian Hawthorne immediately replied, "I’m almost fully recovered, Grandpa."

Old Master Hawthorne had a stern face, somewhat angry, "If you’re better, why not return? Have you really decided not to acknowledge your family?"

Julian quickly found an excuse, looking dejected, "Grandpa, mother is still at home. If I return, her seeing me would likely not bring her any joy."

After all, the fact that Mrs. Hawthorne tried to kill her own son was no secret.

If he was heartbroken and unwilling to return to the Hawthorne family because of this, it was understandable, wasn’t it?

"So that’s the reason. I thought you’d really been imprisoned," said Old Master Hawthorne.

Julian Hawthorne’s eyes flickered.

Alisa was indeed his current ally. Alone, he was weak and would need Alisa’s help to secure the Hawthorne family. Naturally, he had to vouch for her.

"Grandpa, you’ve misunderstood. Alisa hasn’t imprisoned me. I just recently woke up and needed rest. She made me close the door to guests for the sake of my health."

Alisa then walked in. Initially upset that these people sought out Julian Hawthorne, she was now pleased hearing Julian speak on her behalf.

Indeed, her efforts were bearing fruit. Now this man’s heart was turning toward her.

Previously Julian Hawthorne ignored her, but only because she had taken the wrong approach.

For Julian Hawthorne, beauty wasn’t the most important thing. What mattered to him was the bond forged through life and death.

Alisa felt fortunate she had traveled abroad back then, accompanying Julian Hawthorne through those difficult times.

Now, in Julian Hawthorne’s heart, she surely held a unique position, incomparable to Paige Sterling.

She entered, saying, "I have only good intentions for President Hawthorne. It’s a pity some people are set on creating trouble with conspiracy theories, thinking I have ulterior motives toward you, President Hawthorne."