The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

Gwyneth had dozed off on the couch in Hawthorne's villa without even realizing it. By the time she woke up and sat up, the sky outside had already turned dark.

She jolted upright, startled. She'd only planned to tidy up a bit before heading back to the office, but now it was already six in the evening. Everyone must have gone home by now. Glancing at her phone, she saw five or six missed calls, all from Leonie.

Today had been her first day working at Hawthorne's company, and knowing Leonie's anxious nature, she could imagine her worrying that her uncle might have eaten her alive.

To be honest, Gwyneth herself sometimes felt the same way. The way Hawthorne looked at her made her feel like prey-like he could swallow her whole at any moment.

Knowing Leonie was just concerned about whether she and Hawthorne would get along, Gwyneth quickly called her back.noveldrama

The phone had barely rung once before Leonie picked up, clearly having been waiting on edge.

"Gwyn, did my uncle give you a hard time at the office today? Did he make you do anything weird, or throw you into some impossible assignment? I'm telling you, he doesn't talk much, but he's incredibly strict-especially when it comes to work."

Gwyneth thought about it for a moment. Aside from his prickly way of speaking, Hawthorne hadn't really come off as the villain Leonie made him out to be.

To be fair, she reflected, Hawthorne reminded her of one of those fearsome tigers inked onto a scroll and hung up on a wall-imposing, sure, but mostly for show.

She told Leonie as much.

"No, your uncle didn't give me a hard time. I worked this morning, but I didn't go in this afternoon. Actually, there's something else I won't be staying at your place anymore. I've rented an apartment right next to the office, so it'll be much more convenient."

For now, she had no intention of mentioning she was actually staying at Hawthorne's villa. Leonie was sweet and naïve, but she also had a tendency to gossip, and since Gwyneth was working at the family company, she didn't want any complications.

She wasn't in a hurry to leave the villa yet-not until she got back her grandmother's painting. If she moved out, she might never get another chance. Hawthorne guarded that painting like it was a precious treasure-well, it had been entrusted to him by her own grandfather, after all. She couldn't blame him for being protective; she'd probably do the same.

She'd need time to figure out how to persuade Hawthorne to give her the painting willingly.

"What? You're moving out? But I finally found someone willing to keep me company! I thought we could go camping together, watch the sunrise, all that stuff," Leonie protested, her voice full of O disappointment.

Having finally found a like-minded friend—and a girl at that—Leonie wasn't ready to let go.

"Hey, just because I'm not living with

you doesn't mean we can't hang out. If you ever want to go camping.or watch the sunrise, just call me. I mise."

Leonie's voice brightened instantly. "I knew you wouldn't abandon me, Gwyn. You're the best!"

Her playful tone was so natural-like a flower that had grown up in a sun- drenched garden, sheltered from any real hardship.

Gwyneth didn't find her cloying at all. In fact, she found Leonie's sweetness both endearing and a little enviable.

She'd never really had anyone in her life she could act that way around.

After hanging up, Gwyneth sat quietly for a moment, lost in thought.

A knock sounded at the door. The butler stood in the hallway, waiting politely.

"Miss Langford, dinner is ready.

in the

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you prefer to eat downstairet

dining room, or shall I

up for you?"

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Gwyneth felt awkward at the idea of someone waiting on her, so she replied, "I'll come downstairs."

She'd expected a simple meal, but when she got to the dining room, she found the table laid out with a veritable feast.