Chapter 503: You Are Free

But…

Silas Hawthorne was getting on in years, after all.

He hadn’t married all these years because of Anna Linden.

Who he chose to marry now was his own business.

None of the elders in his family were stopping him, either.

But given their status, it really wasn’t appropriate for them to be at an event like this.

…

Anna Linden didn’t want to come.

But Anne Sutton and Nathan Fawcett did!

Caleb Summers came over as well.

Silas Hawthorne often made trouble for them, making their work more difficult and leaving Caleb feeling resentful. He wanted to come and see for himself how that shameless old man had the nerve to marry Stella Shields.

…

Anne Sutton was by Nathan Fawcett’s side. They had just walked through the door when they saw Justin Shields.

Justin Shields was standing at the entrance. Seeing Nathan Fawcett and Anne Sutton, he greeted them politely, “President Fawcett, Ms. Sutton.”

He used to call Nathan Fawcett by his first name.

But ever since he learned the difference between himself and Nathan Fawcett, he had become more courteous, always addressing him as President Fawcett and never by his name again.

Anne Sutton looked at Justin Shields. She hadn’t seen him in a long time, though she had called him previously about Stella Shields.

Seeing him again now, Anne Sutton felt something about him was different, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

Anne Sutton said, “Congratulations.”

Justin Shields smiled and glanced at Nathan Fawcett. “My sister, Stella, is getting married now. I wonder when the two of you will be holding your wedding?”

Justin Shields’s question made Nathan Fawcett frown.

He looked at Justin Shields and said, “You don’t need to worry about it. It’ll be soon.”

Justin Shields smiled. “I’ll be waiting for an invitation to your wedding banquet then, President Fawcett.”

Anne Sutton glanced at the man but didn’t say anything more.

Soon, they walked inside.

As she entered, she saw a few actresses from the entertainment industry sitting together, discussing Stella Shields. “She’s pretty lucky. She used to have the Linden Family, and now she’s latched onto the Hawthorne Family.”

“But not a single person from the Hawthorne Family showed up today. It looks like they really don’t approve of this daughter-in-law.”

“Marrying Silas Hawthorne is already a step up for her. It’s only normal that the Hawthornes wouldn’t come.”

Anne Sutton, Nathan Fawcett, and Caleb Summers sat down at a nearby table.

After sitting down, Anne Sutton realized that Charles Prescott was also at their table.

She froze when she saw him. ‘Charles Prescott is at Justin Shields’s sister’s engagement party, too? And he came all the way from Westhaven for it?’

Caleb Summers was never one to keep quiet.

He saw Charles Prescott, laughed, and said, “Well, if it isn’t President Prescott. I heard that after you went back to Westhaven, you ran off to join the Shields Family. I thought it was a joke, but it looks like it’s true?”

Charles Prescott replied, “You seem overly concerned with my affairs, President Summers.”

Caleb Summers said, “I suppose. We should grab a drink again sometime!”

Charles Prescott ignored him.

Just looking at Charles Prescott made Caleb Summers fume.

Anne Sutton sat next to Nathan Fawcett and looked at him. ‘All the seats were assigned today,’ she thought. ‘I wonder if they deliberately put us at the same table as Charles Prescott.’

…

Charles Prescott looked very cold and distant at that moment.

He didn’t seem willing to say much, either.

Back when he was at Fawcett Group, President Prescott had been the picture of success.

Now, he had been reduced to working for the Shields Family.

In the past, the Shields Family would have had to curry favor with him!

During the meal, Anne Sutton sat beside Nathan Fawcett, placing food on his plate for him.

Due to his health, there were many dishes he couldn’t eat, so Anne Sutton would always pick out the ones that were suitable for him.

Charles Prescott sat to the side, his eyes darkening as he watched Anne Sutton take such meticulous care of Nathan Fawcett.

However, after eating for a little while, Nathan Fawcett began to cough.

He wasn’t used to crowded places anymore.

Nathan Fawcett stepped out.

Anne Sutton watched him go and followed.

Caleb Summers watched the two of them leave. He knew Nathan Fawcett’s health had been poor lately, but seeing him like this was still worrying.

…

In the hallway outside the restrooms, Anne Sutton looked at Nathan Fawcett and asked, “Are you alright? Should we just go home?”

‘We’ve already made an appearance, anyway.’

Nathan Fawcett said, “I’m fine.”

Anne Sutton stood before him, and seeing his determined expression, she didn’t insist on forcing him to go home.

Once he had recovered a bit, the two of them returned to the banquet hall.

They saw Stella Shields and Silas Hawthorne coming out.

Stella Shields looked beautiful today.

The gown she was wearing was custom-made.

However, standing next to Silas Hawthorne, she didn’t look particularly happy.

Of course, she was the only one who was unhappy.

Because apart from her, everyone in the Shields Family was thrilled.

Her mother, especially, was so ecstatic that her daughter was marrying Silas Hawthorne that she could hardly wait to show her off to all their friends and relatives.

…

Silas Hawthorne led her out to make a toast.

When they reached Nathan Fawcett’s table, Silas Hawthorne looked at him and said, “President Fawcett, President Summers, Ms. Sutton, welcome to my and Stella’s engagement party.”

“…” Nathan Fawcett looked at Silas Hawthorne and replied, “You’re too kind, Mr. Hawthorne.”

Silas Hawthorne said, “How has your company been doing lately?”

Caleb Summers retorted, “Thanks to you, President Hawthorne. You’ve certainly been putting in a lot of work behind the scenes.”

‘It was a good thing Nathan Fawcett was the one managing the company now.’

‘If it were anyone else, who knows how many problems would have cropped up.’

‘It was as if Silas Hawthorne had nothing better to do all day.’

‘He’d rather lose money himself than let them have an easy time of it. It was infuriating.’

Stella Shields stood to the side, looked at Anne Sutton, and asked, “Auntie didn’t come today?”

Anne Sutton replied, “She said she had something to do and couldn’t make it. She asked me to congratulate you on her behalf.”

Stella Shields lowered her head. She had clearly been hoping Anna Linden would be her savior, but now it seemed that was impossible.

‘Forget Stella’s disappointment; he was quite disappointed that Anna Linden hadn’t come, too.’

After finishing their toast, they walked away.

Anne Sutton sat back down and looked at Nathan Fawcett.

He wasn’t drinking alcohol; Anne Sutton had poured him water.

‘In his current condition, how could he possibly drink?’

After they had walked away, Silas Hawthorne looked at Stella Shields and said, “What, were you that eager to see your Auntie Linden? Did you think she could come and save you?”

Stella Shields smiled and looked at Silas Hawthorne. She wasn’t particularly afraid of this man anymore. ‘After all, when you can’t fight something, you might as well try to enjoy it.’

She said, “Not at all! It’s my honor to be able to marry you, Mr. Hawthorne. Didn’t you see how happy my parents are? They’re already looking forward to our wedding.”

Silas Hawthorne looked at her forced smile and smiled as well. “Actually, if you want to visit the Linden Family in the future, I won’t stop you. You can go anytime.”

“Really?” Stella Shields was filled with doubt.

Silas Hawthorne said, “Of course! With me, you’re free. You can do whatever you want.”

As he spoke, he habitually lifted a strand of her hair.

Stella Shields looked at the man and realized her heart was suddenly beating a little faster.

She had been spending a lot of time with him recently.

When she was on set filming, he never forgot to send things to her there.