Chapter 221

Rose Manor. After the three of them left, Mr. Hawthorne’s mood lifted almost instantly, as if nothing had happened earlier. He held onto Alice Sterling’s hand with a smile. "Alice, why don’t you and Edward stay the night? Head back tomorrow." Alice hesitated, lips pressed together, but when she met the old man’s hopeful eyes, she gave a small nod. That made Mr. Hawthorne beam. He chatted with the two of them for a long while, not stopping until he finally felt sleepy and waved them off to rest. Alice stood up first. Once Mr. Hawthorne’s door had closed, the smile on her face vanished. Without even glancing back, she said quietly, "You’re taking the guest room tonight." With that, she turned and headed upstairs without a backward glance. Edward Hawthorne stood still, watching her back with a complicated look. Only after the door slammed shut did he finally close his eyes briefly and head to the study. Just as the study door closed, the downstairs bedroom opened. Mr. Hawthorne, now in hi