Chapter 409: Chapter 409: Fishing Tactics
How could I reel in this tender and adorable fish, bringing her silently from her small world into my arms without casting a long enough line?
Giving the impression of retreat is also a tactic.
Totally unaware that she was being treated like a fish, Ann Vaughn felt her cheeks burning, a tremor spreading from her heart to every cell in her body.
Seemingly calm, yet only she could feel that inescapable shyness and agitation.
She couldn’t help but cover her face, silently wailing, it’s over, she’s losing control of her heart.
But... was he saying those words to temporarily steady her, or was he sincere?
Ann Vaughn dared not speculate further, steadied her mind, then opened her mouth to ask, "I have something to ask you, last time when I got the call..."
Before she finished, a knock sounded at the door, "President Hawthorne, you have half an hour before your meeting with the General Manager of The Sheridan Group."
Cyrus Hawthorne looked at his watch and commanded in a calm voice, "Prepare the car."
"Yes."
Then Cyrus Hawthorne’s gaze returned to Ann Vaughn, "What did you want to ask just now?"
"No... nothing." Abruptly interrupted, Ann Vaughn couldn’t continue and could only find another opportunity later, "By the way, are you going to meet Elliot?"
"You seem to have a good relationship with him." Cyrus squinted slightly, took her soft little hand, and walked out, his profile slightly indifferent.
Feeling the low pressure emanating from him, Ann Vaughn couldn’t help but swallow, then used her other hand to take out her phone and sent a text to Mark Joyce, asking if everything was ready.
The reply came swiftly: "Everything is set."
Seeing this message, Ann Vaughn felt relieved, letting Cyrus Hawthorne lead her into the elevator, descending all the way.
Cyrus Hawthorne’s expression was cold to the point of faint chill, his thin lips slightly pressed, and the aura exuding from his already sharp and stern features made others wary, unwilling to approach.
In the underground parking lot, Mark Joyce was already waiting beside the car, opening the door and standing respectfully to the side.
After Cyrus Hawthorne sat in the backseat, Ann Vaughn lowered her voice swiftly like a spy and asked, "Are you sure it’s OK?"
"Absolutely sure." Mark Joyce assured.
Ann Vaughn nodded, and when she entered the car, she found Cyrus Hawthorne leaning one hand on his temple, gazing at her dangerously, pondering something.
"What’s up?" Ann Vaughn pretended nothing was amiss and asked.
"Enjoy talking with Mark Joyce?" His Adam’s apple moved slightly, and he asked in a low voice.
In the front seat, Mark Joyce immediately felt like there was a sword hanging over his head, which could fall at any moment!
Heavens could testify, he only said three words to Miss Vaughn, and she hadn’t even laughed!
"Yes, very happy." Ann Vaughn’s eyes curved like crescent moons with joy, thinking about what was about to happen, she felt a bit of anticipation.
Completely unaware of the man’s even lower pressure beside her, which felt as if it was turning the car into a tomb.
"By the way, you can drop me off at the bus stop later, I’ll take a bus to The Chambers Family. Where you’re going probably isn’t in the same direction as me." Suddenly recalling this, Ann Vaughn immediately said.
"On the way." Cyrus Hawthorne looked at the computer in front of him with a cool gaze, instructing the driver, "To The Chambers Family."
"Yes, President Hawthorne." The driver acknowledged, then turned the car around.
On the way? Mark Joyce looked at the correct route already left behind, lost in thought.
"Are you working on the computer?" Ann Vaughn waited and waited for Cyrus Hawthorne to move, eventually giving up and leaned over to ask.
"Mm." He gave a light one-word response.
"Don’t you need a pen to review files?" She persisted in asking.
"Mm."
"..." This conversation wasn’t going anywhere, Ann Vaughn felt the heavenly mischief against her and suddenly regretted her plan.
Just as Ann Vaughn was about to give up, Mark Joyce suddenly handed over a file, respectfully saying to Cyrus Hawthorne, "President Hawthorne, this document requires your signature."
My goodness!
Ann Vaughn was instantly excited, she now unilaterally announced that Mark Joyce would be her good sister in the future!
"Mm." Cyrus Hawthorne took the file without even looking up, his eyes never leaving the data report on the computer, his other hand reaching skillfully for the backup pen in the side compartment.
—The touch was different.
Cyrus Hawthorne retained his calm expression as he picked up the item, only to see it was a midnight blue velvet box, with nothing outwardly discernible.
He opened it to find a finely crafted men’s tie clip inside.
The little one had been subtly leading him to fetch this item?
"Ahem." Cyrus Hawthorne coughed lightly, his lips curving subtly as he looked at Ann Vaughn, who was seated eagerly, with a soft smile in his eyes, "Is this for me?"
Ann Vaughn nodded like a chick pecking at rice, "Do you like it?"
Upon hearing this, Cyrus Hawthorne’s gaze lingered on the tie clip before returning to her soft face, as if holding the faint starlight of an endless universe—deep and distant, yet seemingly within reach.
Ann Vaughn was momentarily dazed by the light in his eyes, then heard him say in a deep, deliberate voice, "I like it."
As if those two words were breathed into her ear, giving her the illusion that he was saying it to her...
"Help me pin it on." Cyrus Hawthorne hid the smile in his eyes, not letting her detect it easily, to avoid scaring her off too soon.
Ann Vaughn took the tie clip, leaned over, and pinned it to the standard position on the tie and shirt side. Just as she was about to sit back, her cheek was cupped by him.
A tender and gentle kiss landed on her eye corner, cheek, and lips.
Unlike the usual stormy force, this kiss was as gentle as a spring breeze and light rain.
In the front seat, Mark Joyce, having just assisted a bit, found the rear turning lovey-dovey again, his face heating up unbearably, his hands trembled as he raised the partition.
The car soon stopped outside the gates of The Chambers Family villa. After getting out, Ann Vaughn waved her little paw at Cyrus Hawthorne sitting in the car, "Quinn, I put something in the trunk. But I have to go inside now, so could you help me get it?"
No one could refuse the sweetie’s coquettish attack, just like Master Kenny learned to cook and do housework since childhood...
"Alright." There was a hint of helplessness in Cyrus Hawthorne’s cool brows and eyes. Without asking why she needed it now, he set down the computer and got out of the car.
However, when the great President Hawthorne went to the back and opened the trunk, seeing the heart-shaped bunch of roses sprawled there, his brow twitched slightly, and his lips tugged subtly.
Already inside the gates of The Chambers Family, Ann Vaughn glanced back at him. Though she couldn’t see his expression, he should be happy, right? After all, she painstakingly crafted that little heart!