Refusing to Remarry: Mr. Hawthorne, You Are Out-Chapter 33: Are You Jealous?

His footsteps stopped instantly.

Jonas Hawthorne’s grip tightened slightly, a trace of displeasure darkening his deep black eyes.

She fainted?

Suddenly, the image of her crying so heartbreakingly last night flashed through his mind, and somewhere deep inside, a subtle pang of pain surfaced.

Following beside him, Leo Keane poked his head over, "What are you looking at? So absorbed?"

Then, with one glance at the headline, his eyes nearly popped out!

At the same time, Jonas Hawthorne opened his mouth, "Leon Grant has too much free time?"

"Uh... I heard he came back to take over the entire Grant Family business. He should be super busy, right?" Leo replied.

The Keane and Grant families did have business dealings; the last few projects had all stalled, supposedly waiting on Leon Grant’s signature.

So, it made sense—Leon Grant was the opposite of idle.

If he wasn’t idle, but still kept circling around Raine Sinclair, then surely... he had some deeper intention.

Lost in thought, Leo Keane heard Jonas Hawthorne start dialing, "Aaron, you used to be close with Leon Grant? Good, find a time to invite him out."

Just that one simple sentence. Done, he hung up, quick and clean, not one wasted word.

Leo Keane was left dumbfounded, "You want to collaborate with the Grant Group?"

Jonas Hawthorne gave a cold laugh, didn’t answer, and strode forward.

Leaving Leo Keane standing there trying to figure it out for ages, "Wait—are you jealous? Hey, slow down!"

Hospital.

Leon Grant had no idea he’d already become someone’s secret target.

He gazed at the silent woman lying on the bed, and asked again, "Does Jonas Hawthorne know?"

Raine Sinclair frowned, remaining silent.

"Probably not." Leon Grant read her expression and paused before continuing, "The doctor told me privately. Even Mason Sullivan and Easton Yancy don’t know yet."

"Thanks." Raine finally glanced at him. "I don’t want too many people knowing."

"Don’t worry." Leon Grant nodded; he wasn’t the type to blab.

Raine waited a moment, but Leon Grant didn’t keep probing. Somewhat curious, she asked, "Why aren’t you asking more?"

Leon Grant lifted his gaze to her, "If I did, would you even answer?"

"Better not." Raine closed her eyes, clearly not inclined to continue.

Seeing her like that, Leon Grant just smiled a little.

He stood and straightened his clothes, movements elegant yet carrying a trace of aristocratic flair.

Raine quietly listened to the sounds he made, thinking he’d step out of the room, when suddenly she heard him say, "If you need anything in the future, just ask."

His voice was gentle, like moonlight streaming over mossy stone and running water, clear and soothing, flowing straight into the heart.

When she heard the door close, Raine slowly opened her eyes.

She didn’t get up, just stared blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought for a long time.

Unconsciously, she gently touched her abdomen.

She honestly didn’t know how much longer she could keep it secret.

Lately, she’d noticed her belly gradually growing whenever she put on pants, so she could only pick out loose dresses whenever possible.

Paper, after all, can’t conceal a fire.

——

Raine had almost finished resting when Mason Sullivan came in with hot water, and Easton Yancy followed behind.

"Ms. Sinclair, everything’s been sorted out—the announcement is released, the hospital’s given proof the little boy’s allergy wasn’t related to the Sinclair Group. You can rest easy now," Easton reported first.

Mason Sullivan nodded enthusiastically as well, "Yeah, yeah! Don’t worry about a thing! Your health comes first!"

Just remembering how Raine suddenly fainted left Mason’s heart pounding in fear.

Raine propped herself halfway up and, after sipping some water, said, "While we’re at it, send samples from all our children’s clothing brands to the public quality inspection bureau for comprehensive testing. Make it open to the public."

Since the incident had blown up, might as well seize the moment while things were hot—it’d be perfect free publicity for Sinclair Group.

Easton froze for a moment, then hurriedly nodded, "Ms. Sinclair, you’re brilliant! I’ll get right on it!"

"Also, get some top industry influencers to write about today’s incident. Push the topic to the top of trending searches," Raine added.

"Yes!" Easton instantly grasped the strategy and replied promptly, leaving the room looking fresher and more spirited than ever.

Mason Sullivan, listening, idly picked up the apple from Raine’s bedside table to toy with.

"Raine, I never expected you to be this clever! Anyone else would be terrified or panicking after something like this. You literally fainted and still handled PR so calmly? I bet Sinclair Group’s stock is gonna shoot up tomorrow!"

Finishing his words, Mason didn’t hesitate at all—he chomped noisily into the apple.

Didn’t care whose apple it was; first come, first served!

Raine heard the crisp biting sound, turned around, and saw the apple that Leon Grant had just brought in—now Mason had bitten a big chunk out of it.

Right then, a young nurse came to remove Raine’s IV. The instant she saw Mason with the apple, she seemed to recognize it, and her eyes turned red on the spot—she covered her face and ran away crying.

Mason was startled, turning to Raine uncertainly, "What was that? Don’t tell me she’s my secret fangirl?"

Raine also froze, remembering her own joke when Leon Grant carried the apple in—did she accidentally predict the future?

She couldn’t help but laugh, "Yeah, guess she got hurt."

Though the one who really broke the nurse’s heart wasn’t Mason after all.

This world is just that quirky—an apple meant for someone could circle around and end up in an unrelated pair of hands.

——

Outside the hospital room.

Leon Grant hadn’t left yet.

He’d just finished dealing with that stubborn pack of reporters with Easton, when Aaron Jacobs called him.

"Leon, you come back to Sedonia and don’t even look me up? Some brother you are!"

"Been busy lately, didn’t get the chance. How are you?" Leon replied, keeping it polite.

He and Aaron Jacobs were childhood friends.

Before going abroad, they were always together; Aaron did a few years studying overseas too, and they even went to school together during that time.

But later, the Jacobs Family had some issues, and Aaron returned home ahead of time.

They hadn’t been in close contact for a few years, but the brotherhood was still there.

"Man, once you’re married, freedom’s gone. Got any free time? Let’s get together; I’ll introduce you to a couple of friends." Aaron’s tone had a nostalgic note.

He used to be a wild one in his younger years, but after marriage, his wife kept him on a tight leash, and it’d been ages since he’d hung out like this.

Leon Grant raised his brows, "What friends?"

"Duh, the movers and shakers of Sedonia! Aren’t you planning to develop your business here now? Knowing more people can only help!"

"Another day." Leon Grant didn’t decline, just didn’t have time today.

"Tomorrow?" Aaron pounced on the opening. "It’s settled, then! Bring a date. I’ll have my wife with me—otherwise she’ll be calling to check every hour!"

"Okay." The moment Leon Grant put down his phone, his gaze unconsciously drifted to Raine Sinclair’s hospital room door.

Date, huh...