Clara and Charlotte exchanged a shocked glance, not daring to step forward to stop Old Master Hawthorne. Ann Vaughn didn’t cheat, it’s just that Cian got tired of her?! Not only them, but everyone present had the same thought. Despite their shock, they did not doubt that what Cyrus Hawthorne said was true. After all, in the eyes of everyone, with Cyrus’s power and status, he had no need to smear himself to protect anyone. But Miya Yates didn’t think so. What was so special about Ann Vaughn that the Family Head would go to such lengths to shield her? "You unworthy descendant!" Old Master Hawthorne fumed, his chest heaving with rage, his finger trembling as he pointed at Cyrus Hawthorne: "Ever since Annie married you, she’s been sincere to you, and showing great filial piety to me goes without saying." "She has never done anything to betray you, but you? You—" ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚫𝙣𝙚𝙩 Old Master Hawthorne raised his cane to hit Cyrus Hawthorne, but his fingers lost strength, and the cane fell to the ground. Thankfully, Old Master Hawthorne had been strictly following Ann Vaughn’s health advice, even at this moment of anger, he didn’t have an episode. Cyrus tried to step forward to support Old Master Hawthorne, but Old Master Hawthorne avoided him with a cold expression. Clara and Charlotte saw this and immediately stepped forward to keep him steady. "Dad, please take care of your health..." "Cian, don’t you know how important reputation is to a woman? You were once married to Ann Vaughn, even if the love is gone, there’s still righteousness, how could you treat her like that?" "We always thought it was Ann Vaughn’s fault, shamed and blamed her, who knew she was the most innocent one..." "Although she’s no longer the Young Madam, I did speak out of turn to her that day, really should apologize." For a moment, scattered discussions were heard in the living room. Cyrus Hawthorne’s long black eyes flashed a hint of darkness, his expression indifferent to the point of coldness, "Her reputation is naturally not as important as Hawthorne Corp." Upon hearing this, both Clara and Charlotte felt a chill in their hearts. The last bit of doubt they had disappeared. The more they hated and loathed Ann Vaughn before, the more they sympathized and pitied her now. Marrying such a cold-hearted, ruthless, scary man, she’s truly unfortunate. Moreover, Cyrus Hawthorne had spoken to such an extent, proving that there was no possibility of them getting back together. Who would protect a woman who is completely unrelated to them? Meanwhile, Laura Quinn, leaning against the outside of the living room, withdrew her gaze from the scene inside, her expression inexplicably complex. Honestly, she couldn’t understand. Cyrus Hawthorne took all the blame upon himself, even portraying himself as a cold-hearted, unfaithful man. Just so Old Master Hawthorne wouldn’t doubt the reasons for their divorce and thus think ill of Ann Vaughn. With his words today, no matter what Old Master Hawthorne might discover, he’d only think it was Cyrus’s fault during his attempts to pressure Ann Vaughn, having nothing to do with her. He’s so protective of Ann Vaughn’s reputation, to the point where he won’t allow anyone to have a negative impression of her. —To the point where he defames himself to perfect her. Laura Quinn lifted her head and sighed deeply. "I didn’t expect that the Hawthorne Family would have a passionate soul." Except, if her son wants to win Ann Vaughn back, it seems it’d be quite difficult. Before Old Master Hawthorne’s anger escalated, Howard Yates took Miya away to avoid any repercussions. Miya was puzzled about this, "Dad, what the Family Head just said was to protect that woman, it’s not true, you know..." "Knowing doesn’t mean anything?" Howard Yates’s eyes were deep, "You’ve known the Family Head for so long, have you ever seen him protect someone at fault?" The Hawthorne Family, both in and out, was both afraid and revered Cyrus Hawthorne, not just because of his decisive and ruthless methods, but also because of his ironclad impartiality. Even if a member of the Hawthorne Family made a mistake, with him, there’s no leniency, the punishment is never lessened. Because of this, no one in the faction didn’t fear him, and no one didn’t hold him in high regard. Yet such a self-disciplined person, going this far for a woman— Miya realized the key inside this matter, but suddenly felt more troubled. Seeing through her thoughts, Howard Yates said again: "Don’t be unwilling, no matter what, the Family Head and she have already become the past, we hold the trump card in hand, why worry about finding an opportunity?" "This woman cannot stay, but it can’t be done openly, and don’t be as eager as you were just now, showing displeasure towards her." Howard Yates spoke earnestly, "No need to do it yourself." Miya immediately understood, that feeling of frustration vanished, and she once again wore that glowing smile. As night deepened, the gentle cool breeze stirred the row of bamboo trees below Bamboo Creek Villa, the rustling sound was exceptionally pleasant in the quiet night. The black Maybach stood still downstairs, the car door remained closed. Once the tobacco scent had dissipated mostly, the man finally got out of the car and walked toward the apartment building. As the doorbell rang, Ann Vaughn was just placing the garbage from the kitchen at the door and heard the sound, so she opened the door. She saw that tall and upright figure standing in front of Susie Sommers’s house, the suit he was wearing, usually so neat and tidy, was now wrinkled, adding to the usual cool and restrained demeanor, it carried a bit of a charming rogue feel. Ann Vaughn saw him in this state for the first time. "... Why are you here?" Hearing her voice, Cyrus Hawthorne glanced sideways and met Ann Vaughn’s puzzled eyes, then slowly withdrew his hand from the doorbell. "To see you." He said succinctly. Ann Vaughn immediately snorted, "I’ve already returned the ring to you, why see me, are you trying to extort me?" After saying the last sentence, she straightforwardly closed the door, shutting that clean, aloof face thoroughly outside. Ann Vaughn walked towards the kitchen, muttering softly: "Looking for me? I think you’re looking for trouble. Taking back what you gave, miser!" Ignoring the doorbell that sounded behind her, Ann Vaughn returned to the kitchen. Little Dumpling came out of the room holding a milk cup, thinking Ann Vaughn hadn’t heard the doorbell because she was busy, so he ran to open the door. "Godmother, you came..." Before finishing his words, seeing the tall, formidable Archfiend at the door, Little Dumpling immediately puffed up his cheeks, "Are you coming to steal a child again?"