Chapter 710: Chapter 710: Fainted Here
The secretaries, however, informed her that Cyrus Hawthorne hadn’t been to the company today.
Recalling the last incident, Ann Vaughn asked them suspiciously, "We’re all like family here, are you really not lying to me?"
The young secretary cried out aggrievedly, "Even if I had my mouth sewn shut, I wouldn’t dare use it to deceive you!"
Ann Vaughn: "...That’s not necessary. So, where did Cyrus Hawthorne go?"
But since the matter concerned Cyrus Hawthorne’s private itinerary, apart from Special Assistant Joyce, no one else knew, and they all looked helplessly at Ann Vaughn.
Because they were unaware, Mark Joyce dared to falsely claim to Ann Vaughn that Cyrus Hawthorne was at the company...
With this thought, Ann Vaughn’s bright eyes turned slightly cold. Without another word, she turned and left.
After she departed, the young secretary shivered and asked her colleague in a trembling voice, "Did I say something wrong just now? Miss Vaughn’s expression was terrifying!"
"It’s all because our espionage work isn’t thorough enough! We need to step up, sisters! Disappointing a beauty is a massive shame for those who appreciate appearances!"
"Step up!"
For a moment, every employee passing by the secretarial office was filled with confusion.
Did they accidentally wander into some cult base??
...
After accompanying Old Master Hawthorne for a game of chess at Cloudmere Manor, Ann Vaughn drove down the mountain.
The frustration she felt after leaving Hawthorne Group gradually subsided, but instead of returning to Number 8 right away, she turned in another direction.
Half an hour later, gazing at the European-style villa nestled halfway up the hill, Ann Vaughn couldn’t help but arch her eyes, a gentle twinkle in her gaze betraying a hint of nostalgia.
It seemed to be here that she was momentarily outwitted and caught by Cyrus Hawthorne, completely exposed, and had to abandon her plan to spend the night with him. Ahem...
Thinking back now, she was indeed quite bold, and Cyrus Hawthorne really indulged her.
Otherwise, given his methods, she would’ve been done for long ago.
Yet she still couldn’t figure out why her incense had no effect on him...
Thankfully, the villa’s password hadn’t been changed, and Ann Vaughn strolled inside without issue.
Unlike last time, besides a gardener napping in front of the herb garden, the villa was otherwise void of servants, exuding an eerie quietness.
Ann Vaughn first took a turn upstairs. The light in the master bedroom was somewhat dim, but she could still vaguely make out its outline.
Many things remained just as they had been the first time she saw them here, unchanged.
The only difference was perhaps the lush and vibrant green of the herb garden visible beneath the floor-to-ceiling screen in the room.
Eyeing the tempting green herb garden, Ann Vaughn murmured in irritation, "You tricked me! See if I don’t pluck your garden bald and break your heart!"
And once she thought of it, the lingering frustration surged within, prompting Ann Vaughn to turn around and leave the room immediately.
However, just as she turned around, she noticed someone appearing to lie on the carpet beside the dimly lit bed.
Ann Vaughn felt a jolt in her heart and hurriedly approached to turn on the desk lamp, finally seeing who was before her.
"—Quinn!?"
The man lay on his side on the carpet, eyes tightly shut, his strikingly handsome face slightly pale, lips almost devoid of color. Though clearly at his limits strength-wise, he still exuded an aloof, cold aura.
Ann Vaughn hurried to help him up, but the next second, her wrist was suddenly gripped tightly, startling her into raising her eyes.
She saw the man had somehow opened his eyes, his cold, dark eyes fixated on Ann Vaughn’s face. Upon realizing it was her, the murderous intensity in his gaze gradually dissipated.
"What are you doing here?" Cyrus Hawthorne lightly furrowed his brows, releasing Ann Vaughn’s slender wrist with a slight touch, his slightly coarse fingertips gently brushing her reddened skin in a comforting manner.
Hearing his hoarse, low voice, Ann Vaughn frowned tightly, "I just came by casually... How did you end up fainting here?"
At her words, Cyrus Hawthorne’s eyes lifted slightly, his long arm reaching past Ann Vaughn’s face to click off the bedside lamp with a "click".
The previously bright view was plunged into darkness, causing Ann Vaughn to involuntarily close her eyes from the sudden change.
At that moment, she felt herself lift from the ground for about two seconds before falling into a cool embrace.
The man naturally rested his chin against her shoulder, looped his arms lightly around her small frame, his firm chest pressed closely against her delicate, soft body, creating an instinctively intimate pose.
Ann Vaughn was momentarily stunned, her cheeks warming with a flush.
What was happening?
Why was this man suddenly seeking a hug from her?
Aha, it was him throwing himself into her arms, not her seeking a sensual display!
"Tired from working, accidentally fell asleep." After a long pause, Cyrus Hawthorne’s lazy voice softly crossed Ann Vaughn’s ear.
Upon hearing this, the annoyance in Ann Vaughn’s heart over Mark Joyce deceiving her vanished without a trace, replaced gradually by a sour ache.
Unable to resist, she lightly patted his back as if soothing Kenny, and softly said, "Sleep then, I’ll be here guarding you."
When she had helped him up earlier, she had checked his pulse; it was normal.
Probably because the room didn’t have heating, and he had slept on the carpet for who knew how long, it was normal for his temperature to be a bit cool.
"Good girl." Cyrus Hawthorne’s thin lips curved slightly, holding the small woman in his embrace as one would cradle a doll, the piercing headache eased at that moment, no longer as unbearable.
The warm breath brushed over her neck, causing Ann Vaughn’s ears to involuntarily heat, restraining the urge to smile, she feigned composure with a soft "hmm".
The two nestled together like this until dusk, the room growing darker with the fading light.
Ann Vaughn drowsily opened her eyes, only to find herself lying on the bed.
Feeling the arms wrapped around her waist, Ann Vaughn lifted her head, gazing upwards to see a face still in the depths of sleep, as impeccably handsome as ever.
The visual impact from the proximity caused her to blink her eyes, sneakily extending her hand to carefully trace his chiseled features.
Every chance to indulge in this form of closeness mattered— once he awoke, she’d be lucky to even manage a crumb.
"Why should you be the only one taking advantage?" Ann Vaughn mumbled softly, suddenly emboldened, leaning forward to plant a stealthy kiss on Cyrus Hawthorne’s thin lips!
"Hehe..." Her face blossomed into a contented grin.
No wonder Cyrus Hawthorne always enjoyed taking liberties with her—unexpectedly, such deeds inflated one’s brazenness and brought immense satisfaction!