Zoe Lancaster froze mid-bend. She raised her head and looked toward the rockery, where the jagged stones mostly obscured whoever was hiding behind them.
The greenhouse at the Hawthorne Residence was exquisitely designed, built entirely of specialized climate-controlled glass. Outside, the sweeping branches of towering sycamore trees drooped against the panes, filtering the sunlight into dappled, gossamer threads. The rockery was the only area cast in deep shadow. As a gentle breeze drifted in from the ventilation system, the hem of a white dress fluttered out from behind the stones.
A flawless, porcelain-white leg was suddenly hoisted up by a muscular arm, its foot—clad in a small high heel—tensing uncontrollably. And that voice... Was it Peyton Joyce?
Zoe unknowingly tightened her grip. She knew exactly what those sounds meant—the undeniable noises of a passionate, escalating physical encounter. But who could Peyton possibly be with at the Hawthorne Residence? Wasn’t Simon in the front hall? Plagued by mounting suspicions, Zoe’s heart skipped a beat. Her body reacted faster than her brain; she whipped out her phone and snapped a photo of the exposed leg by the rockery.
A delayed wave of uncertainty washed over her. What if the man was him? Her legs felt as heavy as lead. With pale lips, she kept her eyes fixed on the shadows and took an involuntary step forward.
"Don’t do this, take your hand out!" Peyton’s voice trembled precariously. Her breathing was ragged, as if she were enduring something intense, trying to resist yet unable to hold back her arousal.
Zoe’s own breath shuddered. Now she was absolutely certain—it really was Peyton! Then the other person... She immediately held her breath and carefully inched closer. Perhaps because she had never done something like this before, her nerves were stretched to the breaking point. Caught off guard, her foot came down on a patch of unswept dry leaves.
CRUNCH.
It was a very faint sound, but the noises behind the rockery snapped shut instantly.
"Who’s there?!" Peyton’s voice was suddenly drained of all color.
Zoe’s heart rate skyrocketed. Without a second thought, she turned and fled, nimbly slipping out through a nearby side door. She didn’t dare linger for even a second. Just as the people behind the rocks were about to emerge, she sprinted toward the greenhouse exit at top speed. The wind rushed into her lungs, bringing a dull ache. She couldn’t afford to stop. Spending the recent days resting at Somerset Gardens had caused her physical stamina to decline, and her heart rate soared uncontrollably.
It wasn’t until she reached the koi pond courtyard that she finally bent over, gasping for air. The person behind her hadn’t chased her far. Moreover, she had reacted quickly and escaped through a hidden side door, so they likely hadn’t seen who she was.
After such a sudden sprint, Zoe hurriedly touched her stomach. Only after confirming there was no discomfort did she let out a sigh of relief. Lately, she had been having nightmares day and night. She would dream of the night she was locked in confinement, trapped in the despair of nearly losing her child. The fear and extreme tension kept her entirely on edge, and she didn’t dare do anything that might jeopardize her baby.
Feeling a bit weak, she sat by the edge of the koi pond. She took out her phone and stared at the scandalous photo she had just taken. When she played the live photo, she could see the woman’s leg trembling slightly, accompanied by a brief, one-second gasp. Zoe replayed the moment in her mind on an endless loop. Who was it? She wondered who the man with Peyton actually was.
Back at the greenhouse, Peyton furiously smoothed down her skirt, her face looking dreadful. She bit her lip hard, unable to calm down as her anxiety magnified.
Ryan Hawthorne returned, frowning as he shook his head. "No. They ran off too fast."
"What if someone saw us?!" Peyton’s rationality crumbled in an instant. Her face went deathly pale. She couldn’t bear to face the consequences, as she absolutely could not allow any threat to ruin her relationship with Simon!
Seeing her eyes turn red, Ryan felt a pang of heartache. He pulled her into his arms to comfort her, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes. "Don’t worry. If anyone finds out, I’ll take care of them."
Peyton took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. The start of her affair with Ryan had been an unavoidable scheme, and she couldn’t afford any mistakes at this crucial juncture!
"Ryan," she said, gently pushing him away. "Our first time only happened because I was drunk and wasn’t thinking straight. It was a mistake that started all this, but from now on...
"Let’s end this here. Simon and I are about to have a fresh start, and I don’t want to hold you back anymore." Her eyes brimmed with tears, making her look exceptionally heartbroken and reluctant to let go.
It was precisely this helpless reluctance that made Ryan willing to throw everything away for her. He leaned in to look at her. "I don’t care! As long as you’re happy, I’m willing to do anything!"
She was still thinking about his future, unwilling to hold him back. He was convinced that he still held a place in her heart!
Peyton lowered her eyes to hide a dark, calculating gleam, her voice growing even more pitiful. "Ryan, you won’t make things difficult for me. I know you won’t."
Getting involved with Ryan had been a last resort. Until everything was set in stone, she needed to keep him pacified.
Ryan didn’t say another word, but the fires of resentment burned fiercely in his chest. He silently clenched his fists, hatred rising in his eyes. Why did Simon get to have Peyton’s love?
After resting by the pond for a while, Zoe composed her expression, tucked her phone back into her purse, and headed for the main hall.
Everyone was exceptionally busy for Old Madam Hawthorne’s birthday. They hadn’t invited any outside guests today; it was strictly a private family dinner. Inside the main hall, the second and third branches of the family had all arrived and were chatting harmoniously.
However, Zoe’s gaze immediately landed on Simon, who was seated just beneath the seat of honor. He sat with his legs crossed, his long, slender fingers holding a cup of hot tea as he took a casual sip. His attire was impeccable, buttoned all the way to the top—meticulous, unblemished, and emanating an aura of aloof nobility. It looked as if he hadn’t just been involved in any absurdly passionate affair.
Zoe couldn’t tell for sure. She constantly weighed the probability of him being the man from the greenhouse. Yet, she had to admit, even though she already knew their relationship was incredibly intimate, witnessing Peyton in such a compromising moment still felt like a piece of her heart was being torn away, leaving behind a dull ache.
"What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Simon suddenly glanced over. His gaze was sharp yet indifferent, like a piece of translucent ice that chilled her to the bone at first glance.
Zoe snapped back to reality, her lips moving slightly. "It’s nothing."
Did Peyton have a secret on the side, or was it just some kinky roleplay between her and Simon? Zoe couldn’t be certain right now. Naturally, she didn’t dare act rashly.
Simon cast a careless, sideways glance at her.
"You look pale. What is it? Are you hiding something?" he asked suddenly.
Zoe’s heart rate spiked at his words. He was far too perceptive! Her mind raced at top speed. Should she try to test the waters?
She was just about to speak.
"Simon."
A soft, gentle female voice interrupted Zoe. She looked up. Peyton was walking in from the side hall. In her white dress, she looked tender and elegant, a serene smile resting on her face. Her eyes were focused entirely on Simon. No one could fail to see that she loved this man to the point of absolute obsession.