Chapter 522 Baffling Circumstances
Victoria arrived early at the Hawthorne Group with Billy to meet with Gabriel Hawthorne and Genevieve Ashbourne.
An hour and a half later, they were being warmly escorted downstairs by Gabriel and Genevieve.
Gabriel looked at Victoria with undisguised admiration.
"Miss Kennedy, you're truly impressive for someone so young. I look forward to our future collaboration," he said.
Victoria smiled graciously. "You're too kind, Mr. Hawthorne. It's an honor for our institute to work with you and your company, and a personal privilege to make your acquaintance."
Genevieve, Yosef's mother, added, "Miss Kennedy, please don't worry. My husband and I will handle Yosef's situation. As for Tessa, we hope your institute can help her."
Despite not being her biological daughter, Genevieve clearly cared deeply for the girl she had raised for several years.
Victoria nodded reassuringly. "Of course, Mrs. Hawthorne. You have my word."
Once they exited the Hawthorne Group building, Billy couldn't contain his curiosity any longer.
"Victoria, how did you know the Hawthorne Group was facing financial difficulties?" he asked. He had investigated but found nothing suspicious, yet she had instructed him to prepare contracts just the night before.
Victoria shrugged. "I didn't actually know. Someone tipped me off."
The fact that the Hawthorne Group had managed to conceal their cash flow problems impressed her. It demonstrated the couple's business acumen—typically, financial issues would trigger internal turmoil among executives, yet not a whisper had leaked.
"Your husband?" Billy immediately thought of Alexander.
Victoria gave him an amused look. "Since when did you become so quick-witted?"
"I've always been smart," Billy retorted.
They climbed into the black G-Wagon parked at the curb.
"I have to admit, your husband came through when it counted," Billy said from the passenger seat. "He defused a potential crisis before it even began, secured a business partnership, and earned goodwill with the Hawthorne Group—all in one move."
Victoria couldn't deny Alexander's strategic brilliance. She had overlooked a crucial detail: intelligence indicated the Hawthornes deeply valued their adopted daughter, yet they had suddenly relinquished her to her biological parents. When the birth parents demanded money in exchange for giving up their claim, the Hawthornes hadn't paid—not because they were unwilling, but because their company was already experiencing cash flow problems.
Most people wouldn't have connected these dots.
Meanwhile, Lavinia, undergoing rehabilitation at the police station, hadn't seen Yosef visit and remained unaware of developments outside. Bitter that Victoria was free while she suffered, she had instructed Yosef to seek revenge when he finally came to see her, which he had agreed to do.
Days later, she received a letter from Yosef. Initially excited, thinking his revenge plan had succeeded, she was devastated upon reading that he had left the country without carrying out her wishes.
She screamed in frustration, refusing to accept defeat, but no one would help her now. The Harrison family certainly wouldn't, and others regarded her as mentally unstable.
For several days afterward, Marlowe felt like she was living in some alternate reality.
She had returned home to spend time with her parents, yet somehow two CEOs were still lingering at their house. Elliot, who had initially planned to stay just one night, had inexplicably remained for days. While Grant's persistence made some sense, Elliot's continued presence baffled her.
Strangely, both men had taken over most of the household chores.
Now, as she reclined in a rocking chair in the yard, they sat on either side of her.
She sighed, gazing at the blue sky. "Mr. Scott, Mr. Sullivan, when exactly are you planning to leave?"
The two men exchanged glances before quickly looking away.
"Wherever my wife is, that's where I'll be," Grant declared.
"Aurelia mentioned her daughter is returning the day after tomorrow. I can't break my promise to meet her," Elliot countered.
Marlowe remained silent, unable to argue with their justifications.
She had recently heard about Elliot and Aurelia's situation and found the arranged date scenario both surprising and somewhat ridiculous. Why would someone like him agree to such an arrangement?
It seemed these two men were locked in some kind of competition.
Just then, Kevin entered carrying several folders, followed by Cillian with his own stack of documents.
"Mr. Scott, these files need your approval and signature," Kevin announced.
"Mr. Sullivan, these documents require your review and signature," Cillian echoed.
This had become the most frequently heard phrase in Marlowe's house over the past few days.
She closed her eyes, trying to tune it all out.
Kevin and Cillian exchanged sympathetic glances, equally confused by their bosses' behavior.
Both men signed their documents almost simultaneously, as if racing each other.
Moments later, Kevin returned. "Mr. Scott, you have a meeting in fifteen minutes about next month's product launch."
Grant frowned, clearly reluctant to leave Marlowe alone with Elliot.
Kevin understood the dilemma, but this meeting was mandatory.
Fortunately, Cillian rushed in with a phone. "Mr. Sullivan, there's an urgent issue with the project we initiated two days ago."
"It's fine, gentlemen," Marlowe interjected. "You don't need to babysit me. Go handle your business."
This scenario had played out at least three times daily, and she couldn't understand why they insisted on hovering around her constantly.
From inside the house, Finnegan and Katerina watched through the window. They had been observing this peculiar situation for days, initially expecting to host two distinguished guests but instead gaining what amounted to free household help.
"I never would have guessed Grant could be so handy," Finnegan remarked. "He's even cleaning the house! I must say, he seems much more approachable than his usual cold demeanor."
"Elliot's quite impressive too," Katerina added. "His cooking rivals mine, and I've rarely seen successful men with such culinary skills. He's polite, gentle, and would make an excellent husband."
Once Grant and Elliot departed, Marlowe felt liberated. She informed Finnegan and Katerina she was going for a walk and slipped out through the back door.
The small-town air felt refreshing compared to the city—sunny but not harsh, with occasional gentle breezes. She strolled leisurely down the long concrete path outside their home.
This was actually her first venture outside in days, having confined herself to the yard until now.
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