After His Sweetheart Moved In, He Came Home Every Night-Chapter 136: Wyatt Sterling Almost Flipped the Table
Alice was smiling, but to Finn Hawthorne, her expression just seemed cold and aloof.
He’d thought about stopping there, but he was curious to see what other expressions she might make. "It looks to me like you’re not exactly welcome among the Sterlings," he goaded. "Did you only get to join because we came over? I bet an outsider like you doesn’t usually get invited to big family dinners like this, huh?"
Alice’s eyelashes fluttered.
Finn laughed smugly. "Looks like I hit a nerve."
"Finn, that’s enough," Owen warned, his voice low.
If they weren’t at the Sterling residence, the smart-mouthed Finn would’ve already gotten a fist to the face. It was clear Owen was barely holding himself back.
Finn ignored the fury on Owen’s face. "I guess you can’t speak the truth nowadays. Someone’s getting a little defensive."
Owen took a step forward, but Alice quickly grabbed his arm. "Brother, don’t stoop to his level. We’re not the ones who are truly getting defensive."
Owen calmed down and held his ground.
Alice looked Finn straight in the eye, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "The one who’s really getting defensive here is Young Young Master Hawthorne. After all, you still have four shots to go, don’t you?"
"..."
That single sentence was enough to make Finn completely lose his cool.
His face visibly turned livid.
"Six shots total!" he seethed.
"You don’t have to get them," Alice said.
"Crazy," Finn snapped.
The smile on Alice’s face grew visibly brighter. "What’s the matter, Young Young Master Hawthorne? Can’t take it? You’re not looking so well."
"You—"
Finn raised a finger, pointing it at Alice.
The next second, however, Alice slapped his hand away. "If you have something to say, say it. Stop pointing. Did your family not teach you any basic manners? It’s rude to point at people."
"..."
That shut Finn up completely.
Alice turned to meet Owen’s gaze, and his eyes were brimming with amusement.
Finn clenched his jaw. As he walked past Alice, he muttered a warning, "Watch your back. You don’t want to end up in my hands."
Alice maintained her smile. "Oh, that’s never going to happen. Keep dreaming."
A vein throbbed in Finn’s temple. Scowling, he turned and stormed away.
Once Finn was a good distance away, the smile on Alice’s face slowly collapsed, replaced by an indescribable expression.
’Today, I’ve well and truly made an enemy of Finn Hawthorne.’
’I just hope I don’t run into him again.’
’If I see him, I’ll have to go the other way.’
’The only silver lining is that he lives in Arden, so the chances of running into him are probably low.’
"Finn Hawthorne is the most favored grandchild in the Hawthorne family. Old Master Hawthorne dotes on him," Owen’s voice said from behind her.
Alice turned around, her expression uncomprehending. "Why is he the favorite? I’ve heard the Hawthornes have plenty of outstanding descendants, each with their own accomplishments. But this Finn Hawthorne has achieved nothing. All he does is fool around all day."
’It was just hearsay, but it was likely close to the truth.’
Owen shook his head. "Old Master Hawthorne’s favor isn’t based on who’s the most brilliant or who’s accomplished the most."
Alice leaned in. "Then what is it based on?"
Seeing the unabashed curiosity on Alice’s face, Owen couldn’t help but smile. He reached out and gently tapped the tip of her nose. "It’s a case of transferred affection."
Alice subtly took half a step back. ’Owen’s gesture was too intimate. It wouldn’t be right if anyone saw.’
What she didn’t know was that their position was directly in front of the main hall’s doorway. And inside that hall, Wyatt Sterling had seen Owen’s gesture crystal clear.
"Wyatt?"
Seeing that Wyatt was distracted, Old Master Sterling followed his gaze out the door. It landed on Alice and Owen, who were standing together.
A smile spread across Old Master Sterling’s face. "That boy, Owen. He and Alice were always close before he went abroad. I thought they might grow distant after his return, but it seems I worried for nothing."
Wyatt retracted his gaze. "Don’t you think there’s something wrong with that?"
"What could be wrong? They’re brother and sister." Old Master Sterling’s tone was dismissive, as if he hadn’t considered it at all.
Wyatt glanced at him sideways. "It never hurts to be a little more careful."
The smile on Old Master Sterling’s face faded.
Beside them, Vincent Hawthorne chimed in, "Miss York joined the Sterling family with her mother, correct?"
"Yes." Old Master Sterling picked up the teapot and refilled the cup in front of Vincent Hawthorne. "It’s been sixteen years."
Vincent Hawthorne tapped his fingers lightly on the table to show his thanks. "Miss York is so outstanding. It would have been just as well for her to remain with her own family."
Old Master Sterling raised his eyes to meet Vincent’s. Their gazes held for a few seconds before the old master let out a short laugh. "You approve of them?"
Vincent laughed as well. "A brilliant man and a beautiful woman. They’re a perfect match."
The words had barely left his mouth when a teacup was set down hard on the table.
Old Master Sterling and Vincent Hawthorne turned their heads in unison, their eyes falling on Wyatt Sterling’s sullen face.
"And what do you think, Wyatt?" Vincent asked, his smile unfaltering.
Wyatt flicked a finger, and the teacup before him toppled over, sending tea spilling across the table toward Vincent.
Vincent shot to his feet. "Wyatt, what is this?"
A cold, thin smile touched Wyatt’s lips. "My hand slipped. My apologies."
Old Master Sterling quickly intervened to smooth things over, calling a servant to clean up the mess. They then moved to another area to continue their conversation.
「Outside.」
Alice had heard the commotion inside. Looking back, she saw Wyatt’s grim expression but had no idea what had transpired.
She looked away.
"Brother, let’s go for a walk," Alice said, taking the first step down the stairs. "We just finished eating. Walking is good for digestion."
"Alright. As you wish."
Owen descended the steps and fell into step beside Alice.
Alice then returned to their previous topic. "Brother, you mentioned that Old Master Hawthorne’s favor is a case of transferred affection. Is there a story behind that?"
Owen replied, "I only know what’s been in the news. I’m not sure if it’s true."
Alice urged him to go on.
Seeing how genuinely curious Alice was, Owen began to explain in detail. "The story goes that Old Master Hawthorne was deeply in love with his first wife. Because he loved her, he loved everything associated with her, so he especially doted on the children they had together. Old Master Hawthorne later remarried several times, but none of his subsequent wives held a candle to the first. When the children from his first marriage grew up and had kids of their own—a son and a daughter, namely Finn and his sister—the old master’s affection extended to them as well. He lavished all his love and attention on his eldest son’s children."
Alice crossed her arms, pressing a knuckle to her chin. "No wonder Finn is so arrogant. Even Mr. Hawthorne has to walk on eggshells around him."
Owen nodded. "Exactly. And Finn receives a double dose of that affection."
Alice tilted her head. "Why double?"
Owen said, "Finn’s older sister was reportedly kidnapped when she was only a year old. The exact details were never made public, but the Hawthornes have poured all their resources into the search for over twenty years and still haven’t found her."
He paused, seemingly lost in recollection. "The old news reports I read are from a long time ago. Back then, Old Master Hawthorne fell so ill he couldn’t get out of bed. Xavier Hawthorne and his wife were in a similar state. The Hawthorne family nearly turned the entire mainland upside down searching for her."
