After His Sweetheart Moved In, He Came Home Every Night-Chapter 179: A Proper Goodbye

"My apologies, I misread the situation." Alice made a move to get up.

The moment Finn Hawthorne saw her stand, he flared up. "I said we’re not moving, so you’re just going to leave?"

Alice didn’t want to offend him. "No, I’m just going to the restroom."

As soon as she finished speaking, Finn Hawthorne immediately stood up and pointed. "It’s that way. Want me to go with you?"

"Thank you, but that’s not necessary." Alice offered a polite refusal before turning and quickly leaving her seat.

Finn Hawthorne stared longingly in her direction, only looking away once she was out of sight.

He turned his head to look at Nathan Sterling, who was enjoying his food next to him, and asked, "Did you skip class to be here, kid?"

Nathan Sterling had very proper table manners and barely made a sound as he ate.

Hearing Finn Hawthorne’s question, a slight blush crept onto his young face. "Of course not."

Finn Hawthorne said, "It’s Thursday."

Nathan Sterling stopped chewing. "I’m free."

Finn Hawthorne leaned back and crossed his arms. "Free? You mean you can go to school when you feel like it and skip when you don’t?"

"None of your business."

Nathan Sterling became visibly downcast.

’Compared to his peers, he had the most freedom with his time, but that was only because of his poor health.’

「In the restroom.」

Alice wanted to stay in there a little longer before going back out. Finn Hawthorne was too difficult to handle, and Felix Hawthorne clearly disliked her. She felt incredibly awkward sitting at that table.

Just as she was wondering how to kill some time, a message notification popped up. It was a voice message from Seraphina Sheridan.

Alice played the voice message—

Alice, have you had dinner yet? I wanted to let you know, my work here is finishing up tonight. I’m so grateful for your referral. It’s the only reason I got this job. I was wondering when you might be free? I’d like to treat you to a meal.

After listening to the message, Alice typed back: Have things been going well these past few days?

Seraphina had messaged her right after the successful interview.

Seraphina must have been looking at her phone, because she replied in seconds: Extremely well! Are you free to talk right now? If so, I can call you.

Instead of replying, Alice called Seraphina directly.

She picked up on the other end.

Seraphina’s voice sounded noticeably cheerful. "Alice, have you had dinner?"

Alice replied softly, "I just ate. What about you?"

She stepped out of the restroom and walked around to a quieter area to take the call.

Seraphina said, "I also just ate a little while ago."

"How’s Yael?" Alice knew Yael was an active child, always hopping and skipping about.

Seraphina said, "Yael’s already asleep."

Surprised, Alice pulled her phone away from her ear to check the time. "It’s only six-thirty. The little one is asleep this early?"

"She didn’t take a nap today, so she was exhausted. She was dozing off while eating dinner and fell asleep before she could even finish." As Seraphina said this, her tone unconsciously softened.

Then Alice said, "It seems Yael really connected with you."

The line suddenly went silent.

After a long moment, Alice heard Seraphina’s voice again. It sounded like she had composed herself, but there was a suppressed quality to it, though Alice couldn’t be sure if she was imagining it.

"Today..." Seraphina tried her best to make her voice sound casual and normal. "Today, I told Yael I wouldn’t be coming back tomorrow. She just hugged me and cried and refused to take her nap."

Alice was taken aback.

Seraphina said something that only she could truly understand: "Yael really seems to like me."

’As expected of the child I carried for ten months.’

’From the very first day, she was unusually attached to me. And now, she’s crying and making a scene, not wanting me to leave.’

"That’s fate for you," Alice mentioned. "How about I ask Mr. Dalton if he needs someone long-term? The only thing is, if he does, you might have to go to Washington. I’m not sure if you’d be willing to do that."

"I... I don’t have any plans to move to another city right now."

Seraphina said slowly.

’The Quinn Family is watching my every move. I can’t go anywhere.’

Alice was understanding. "In that case, make sure to say a proper goodbye to Yael. Don’t just slip away quietly. Children are sensitive, and they’ll remember it for a long, long time."

Seraphina’s rueful voice came through the phone. "To be honest, I was actually thinking of just leaving quietly. Without a formal goodbye, as long as Yael doesn’t see me, she won’t be so sad. She’ll forget about me in a few days."

Alice fell silent.

’That method might work, it’s true.’

’But it could also cause long-lasting emotional trauma for the child.’

"Well, you should decide what’s best," Alice said after some thought, choosing not to interfere with Seraphina’s plans. "If another suitable job comes up, I’ll contact you."

"Thank you, Alice. I’m truly grateful," Seraphina said, her voice filled with sincerity.

’Although she had hesitated at first, even wanting to run away when she found out it was for Julian Dalton, after she actually took the job and spent every day with Yael, she realized how precious this encounter was.’

’After giving birth to Yael, she hadn’t even had a chance to see her before the Quinns took her away.’

’She had thought that even if she saw Yael, she wouldn’t feel any emotional stirrings. But the moment she truly saw her, she knew that was all just a foolish assumption.’

Alice smiled. "We’re friends now. You don’t have to be so formal."

Just as she said that, a questioning voice called out from in front of her—

"Alice York?"

Alice lifted her gaze and met Jean Hawthorne’s eyes.

Once their eyes met and Jean confirmed it was her, she strode over. "It really is you, Alice. What are you doing here? Who did you come with?"

Alice covered the mouthpiece of her phone. "I’m here with a friend. Is there a problem?"

"No problem at all," Jean Hawthorne said, her expression haughty. "I’m just surprised to see you in Arden."

Alice gave a faint smile. "I’m also surprised to run into you."

Jean Hawthorne laughed. "All of Arden belongs to the Hawthorne Family. There are Hawthornes everywhere. Running into me means it’s your lucky day."

Alice remained silent.

’This woman was not someone to be trifled with. She had learned that much during their first meeting at the old residence.’

"Seraphina, something’s come up. Let’s catch up when I get back. I have to go now," Alice whispered into the phone to Seraphina Sheridan.

Not knowing what was happening on Alice’s end, Seraphina agreed, "Okay, let me know when you’re back, and I’ll treat you to dinner."

"Okay."

Hanging up the call, Alice turned off her screen, put her phone away, and turned to leave.

"Wait!"

Jean Hawthorne suddenly stepped forward, blocking Alice’s path. "Last time, your cat bit our Finn’s hand. He still has several shots left to get."

Alice’s tone was calm. "Young Master Hawthorne will get his shots on schedule."

Jean Hawthorne’s face was cold. "And what about you? Nothing happened to you at all. Finn actually let you off the hook just like that? That doesn’t fit his usual style."

Hearing this, Alice furrowed her brow.

’It seems the Hawthornes were all well aware of Finn Hawthorne’s methods—he seeks revenge for the smallest slight. He’d sent people after her in Rhovan the very next day to harm her.’

’Based on Jean Hawthorne’s reaction, she probably didn’t know what had happened in Rhovan.’

"Running into each other is fate. And since you’ve come all the way to Arden, I’ll naturally have to take good care of you!" Jean Hawthorne’s smile was laced with malice as she pulled out her phone and quickly dialed a number. "You just wait. I’ll call Finn and let him know you’re here."

’Once Finn knows, he’ll definitely come storming over here to deal with this woman.’

Alice looked at the gloating expression on Jean’s face. "Fine by me, Miss Hawthorne. Take your time. I’m in no hurry."