Chapter 229

But before she could say anything, she heard Alice's gentle voice call out, "Grandpa Hawthorne." Jessica Lane: “…” Great, she totally misread the vibe. Over at the Rose Manor, Mr. Hawthorne was sipping tea from a fancy sandalwood teapot while tending to his roses. The moment he got Alice’s call, his whole expression lit up. “Emily, what a surprise! Haven’t seen you on TV lately, taking a break?” “Grandpa, I need a favor.” “No need for that 'favor' talk—just tell me what’s going on!” Mr. Hawthorne immediately set the teapot down, his face turning serious. On the phone, Alice calmly explained the situation. Her soft voice remained steady, but every single word made Mr. Hawthorne’s heart race. By the end, she quietly said, “Sorry, Grandpa. I wouldn’t have disturbed you if I had any other choice.” “You—why didn’t you tell me sooner? This is huge,” Mr. Hawthorne sighed, clearly frustrated. Once he hung up, he turned to Mr. Thornton. “Get the car. We’re going to the office. I need to know wh