Chapter 69

"This is ridiculous. How does he expect us to discuss such trivial matters with a woman, Marina no less?" Mr Hawthorne clicked his tongue with a sour expression on his face as he halted at Marina.

"Gentlemen, please take your seat." Marina had a broad smile on her face. At first, she thought that she had gotten good at faking her smile with people around but after her husband had placed a soft kiss on the top of her forehead, she knew that this smile wasn't forced.

It was genuine, the type of big broad smile you give to your enemies when they're totally at your mercy.

"Are you serious?" Mr Hawthorne stared at her wide-eyed as she stared back, not breaking eye contact.

The first rule she had mapped out in her head was: Stare back till they lower their gaze first.

"I know how much it injures your pride to state your problems to a woman, me no less," she nodded as she could totally relate to what they were feeling, "I don't know if it's because I am the last that your son here, Jayden re