After the party, Gilbert and Marigold's relationship evolved to an awkward phase. They were no longer as cold as before, yet they were not close, either. It was an uncomfortable feeling.They both knew what the problem was. However, neither seemed to want to solve it.It was Marigold's first time in Hawthorn Inc. "Hello. I'm here to see Mr. Hawthorn," Marigold said softly at the front desk. There was a warm lunchbox in her hands. She'd come here to bringdinner to Gilbert.The employee didn't recognize Marigold, but she thought she looked familiar. However, she didn't intend to let her in. "Do you have an appointment?""An appointment? I don't." She shook her head. She didn't know that she needed an appointment to see Gilbert.When the employee heard that she didn't have an appointment, she thought of her as yet another one of Gilbert's fans. "I'm sorry. I can't let you in without an appointment."Although Hawthorn Inc was still not at the level of the Ten Elites, it was advancin
Marigold didn't know what the assistant was thinking. If she did, she might have blushed again. Her relationship with Gilbert wasn't exactly evolving.After their kiss, things grew a little warmer between them. Although no one had pointed it out yet, Marigold felt that Gilbert might have some feelings for her. At least, things were different from before. However, she was too afraid to confront him about it.She could wait it out. As Jenny said, Marigold would be nice to him and let him get used to having her around. She cheered herself on inwardly. Then, when the elevator sounded, she grew anxious again.As long as she was in front of Gilbert, she would grow nervous."Miss Wagner, Mr. Hawthorn is in the office. You can open the door and go in." Greg brought her to the door, not intending to go in. He didn't want to get in their way.Marigold nodded and smiled at him. "Alright. Thank you."Greg was dazed by her smile. He hadn't recovered even after Marigold had gone in. How coul
Gilbert began eating. Although he wasn't hungry, he felt incredibly satisfied.As he ate, Marigold accompanied him by his side. Even though she was doing nothing, watching him was enjoyable enough. This was the man she liked. He was handsome even while eating.If only they could be together.She couldn't help feeling hopeful as she thought of that. Judging by how things were going, it wasn't impossible.Halfway through the meal, someone knocked on the door. Greg walked in. "Mr. Hawthorn, someone named Octavius Crawley is looking for you."Octavius Crawley? Marigold didn't know this person. However, Gilbert's expression shifted. He probably knew who that was."Bring him to the meeting room," Gilbert said, continuing with his meal.The assistant murmured in response and left the office.Marigold could feel that Gilbert's emotions were shifting. Before, she could feel that he was in a pretty good mood. Now, he was in a terrible mood."Who is Octavius Crawley?" she couldn't help a
As he was deep in thought, the door to the meeting room opened. He looked over instinctively.Gilbert, who was in a navy suit, walked into the meeting room. His gaze was calm, and he looked at Octavius emotionlessly. He sat on the couch, then finally glared at him. "What are you here for?" he said in an unpleasant tone. That was to be expected. He didn't feel very warmly toward the Bradshaws.Octavius snapped back to reality. He looked at the total stranger of a son before him, suddenly at a loss for words. He no longer saw that child on Gilbert's face. He was a stranger, an intimidating one at that.He took a deep breath and said, "I…You know that I am your father, don't you?"If he could investigate Gilbert, Gilbert could investigate him, too.Gilbert didn't answer. He asked, "I don't care who you are. Why are you here?"Octavius paled, not expecting Gilbert to be this rude. "Son, you truly wandered off and got lost back then. Your mother and I have tried to find you all these
Bradshaw Operations?Gilbert seemed to be considering Octavius' words. Octavius' eyes lit up, feeling that he had piqued Gilbert's interest."Besides the property that everyone thinks we have, we have a lot of property hidden under the radar. If we were to compare, the Bradshaws would not be worse off than the Fausts," Octavius said.Gilbert smiled lightly. He looked at Octavius in amusement. "You seem very interested in Bradshaw's property."Octavius went quiet. Frankly speaking, why would he willingly marry into that family if it weren't for their property? Despite his courteousness to Esther all these years, he was still not respected in the Bradshaw family. Their inheritance had nothing to do with him.Outsiders thought he was living the good life, but Octavius knew he was no more than a rug to the Bradshaws.He knew he had no hope, but he didn't want to give up. He would be happy to see Bradshaw Operations falling into Gilbert's hands in the end. No matter what, Gilbert was
Octavius said nothing. He knew Gilbert thoroughly researched his standing in the Bradshaw family. He didn't have to worry about anything in that family, but he had not married into their family to simply not be worried."Are you sure that you can take control of the Bradshaws?" Octavius was moved, but he doubted Gilbert's abilities.Gilbert smiled. Things seemed to be going smoother than he expected. He hadn't expected Octavius to go against the Bradshaws so easily. He thought he would have to work to convince him.The corners of his lips curled upward. "I can't do it alone, but I have the Walters and the Fausts backing me up. With their combined forces, don't you think I'd be able to do it?""If you count them in, you'd be able to. But are you sure they wouldn't plunder the Bradshaws for themselves once everything is settled?" Octavius had heard that Gilbert was close with Jenny, but no one could be trusted in the face of profit.Gilbert sneered, not taking him to heart. "This is
When Octavius returned to the Bradshaws, Esther was already sitting in the living room. Eli was sitting there, too, and was looking at his phone."Back already?" Esther glanced at him. "What did Gilbert say?"At the mention of Gilbert, Eli took his gaze away from his phone and looked at Octavius. He had no idea that Octavius had gone to see Gilbert. Did he really want Gilbert to come back so much?Eli couldn't understand why they were still so hung up on Gilbert, even though he was the one who grew up with them. They even wanted to hand the family over to Gilbert. Was Eli that useless in their eyes?Hatred brewed in his heart, and he couldn't vent it on Esther and Octavius. He could only direct it toward Gilbert."He refused." Octavius went to the chair and sat, sighing.Esther frowned, displeasure written on her face. "He has the nerve! Does he think Hawthorn Inc is that incredible? He doesn't know where he stands!" A plan was already forming in her head. Since Gilbert was so at
As he watched Eli leave, Octavius' gaze dimmed, bearing a hint of disdain. Even his son refused to respect him.If Gilbert could ruin the Bradshaws, it would be a good thing for Octavius.…Gilbert knew nothing about what was happening in the Bradshaws. He was already in his villa. It wasn't very late when he returned, but Caleb was already asleep. He didn't go to bother him. At first, he thought Marigold had already fallen asleep. But then, when he passed her room, her door was ajar, and her lights were on. She was obviously still not asleep.He knocked.Marigold got up. She was surprised to see Gilbert at the door. He would never go to see her after work."You're back. Are you hungry?" Marigold asked."I had dinner," Gilbert answered, reminding her of what had happened.Marigold smiled lightly and nodded. "I know. But you've worked for so long after dinner. You might be hungry again.""I'm not a glutton," Gilbert said, speechless. He didn't have such a huge appetite."Nothi