Chapter 353: Chapter 353

In the end, Tanya Ford managed to talk Marilyn Ford out of calling the police.

After all, she was a public figure.

And besides, what Marilyn said was spoken in anger. She had been taken advantage of by Mason Hawthorne, a lecherous and greasy middle-aged man; how could she let others know?

Tanya’s reasons for persuading her made some sense too, suggesting that there might be something fishy going on behind the scenes.

Maybe someone was hiding in the shadows stirring up trouble just to watch them fight internally. Otherwise, why would Marilyn end up in Mason’s room after falling asleep?

Tanya suggested checking the hotel surveillance, but coincidentally, the cameras on that floor suddenly malfunctioned. Follow current novels on NoveIＦire.net

"The person manipulating things from behind must be quite skilled, even able to destroy the hotel’s surveillance. It seems it was premeditated. Marilyn, think about if you’ve offended anyone recently?" Tanya asked her.

Upon hearing this, Marilyn scoffed coldly, "Oh, you want to pin this on me? I agree it was premeditated, but this is your Hawthorne family’s hotel. The only people who could destroy the surveillance from the source are the Hawthorne family! And whoever sneaked into my room and brought me here, too! I suspect you and your husband are the ones manipulating from behind."

"Marilyn, you can’t say that! I’m your aunt. Don’t you trust me?"

"But the way you stormed in just now, you didn’t trust me either, did you?"

"But what could I possibly gain from doing this?"

"That’s hard to say! Auntie, I’ve heard that since you married into the Hawthorne family, your married life hasn’t been harmonious. Maybe you’re trying to find some leverage, sacrificing me in the process! Or perhaps it’s purely for your sleazy husband’s amusement."

In any case, Marilyn was thoroughly disgusted today.

She had made up her mind never to associate with the couple again, nor acknowledge Tanya as her aunt.

To avoid seeing her and having another nightmare.

Seeing that Marilyn was so deeply suspicious of her, Tanya couldn’t help but blame Mason after the latter left: "It’s all because of you! Of all people, you had to mess with this little princess. I don’t expect you to control yourself, but could you at least use your brain a little? Marilyn’s father has now taken over all the Ford family’s businesses. Look around Aethelgard — who dares antagonize her? And yet you had to make a move on her. Are you not afraid of death?"

Mason’s temper flared as Tanya pointed at him and berated him: "What’s so great about it? The Ford family is one of the four great families and so is the Hawthorne family! You’re the one kissing up to the Fords, but to me, they’re nothing!"

"Oh, Mason Hawthorne! You look down on my family , but do you think your position as an heir was acquired on your merit? I’ll tell you, at least 30% of it is because of our marriage. Elder Hawthorne values having the Ford family as a backing through me. Even if they are all first families, there is a ranking. Our Ford family ranks first; your Hawthorne family is last on the list!"

"If your Ford family is so outstanding, why did you marry me? Why don’t you go back to the Ford family?" Mason wasn’t keen on arguing with Tanya, this woman was always so sharp and caustic in her words, and it seemed to only be getting worse.

Mason often preferred to avoid her, but because he hadn’t gotten what he wanted today, his anger had no outlet, making Tanya his target to vent on.

If Tanya had any prospects in the Grant family, she wouldn’t have sought to change her battleground through marriage.

Initially, it was Tanya who climbed into Mason’s bed.

If it hadn’t been a convenient opportunity, coupled with the fact that the two older brothers in the Hawthorne family were ineffectual, and Elder Hawthorne urging Mason to settle down, he wouldn’t have considered Tanya.

Therefore, the two were initially brought together for mutual benefit.

However, after so many years of marriage and having a son, it’s hard to say there’s no emotion between them.

The wife’s feelings are evidently deeper than the husband’s; Tanya’s eyes reddened as Mason berated her.

She took a deep breath, maintaining her strong woman persona.

Knowing full well that internal strife wasn’t appropriate right now, today’s events were too peculiar.

Marilyn had hit the nail on the head earlier. She was inexplicably moved to this room, and those who could freely come and go in a hotel under the Hawthorne name without a sound were indeed members of the Hawthorne family.

Could it really have been Mason, who simply refused to admit it?

Or... was it someone else?

In truth, it was Ethan Hawthorne!

The subordinate drinking with Mason earlier was placed by Ethan by his side.

Ever since realizing he still had a chance to gain Elder Hawthorne’s favor, Ethan had been racking his brains daily to figure out how to remove Mason from the top heir position.

Upon learning that an undercover operative sent Anna Thornton to Mason’s bed to please him, Ethan was taken aback.

He had seen before at the club that both Young Master Grant and President Sterling seemed interested in Anna Thornton.

Anna Thornton is indeed a woman who, after an encounter, could land Mason in trouble.

But since Ethan currently considered himself in the same camp as President Sterling, he was unsure of the private relationship between Anna Thornton and President Sterling.

Right now, Ethan dared not let Mason make a move on Anna, fearing things might backfire and he’d lose his own golden opportunity.

He was originally rushing to clean up the mess caused by that idiot, but he arrived a step too late.

When he got there, he found no sign of Anna Thornton on the bed.

Though confused and clueless about what was going on, it was then he encountered Marilyn.

Marilyn was surprisingly staying at the same hotel, even on the same floor.

Speaking of troublesome encounters... couldn’t Marilyn be one as well?

Considering that not long ago, this woman embarrassed him in front of many, Ethan still held a grudge.

Weren’t you pretending to be an untouchable queen, thinking you’re so noble?

Ethan was eager to see how this ice queen blooms now that she’s involved with her uncle. Where would she find the face to show to others?

Men naturally dislike overly haughty women, and the women of the Ford family, both Tanya and Marilyn, were exactly that.

Just picturing this family drama, Ethan couldn’t contain his excitement.

Since Ethan also bore the Hawthorne name, making slight alterations to the surveillance and room wasn’t difficult.

Ultimately, this led to the scene of Tanya catching Marilyn in the act.

But unfortunately, Mason was too useless, failing to succeed.

What a waste of the perfect setup Ethan had created, delivering both women straight to him — truly a waste!

Conrad Sterling looked down at Anna Thornton lying on the bed, her face flushed. Even unconscious, her brow furrowed with discomfort.

He reached out and touched Anna’s forehead with the back of his hand to check her temperature.

Immediately, his long, handsome fingers were grabbed, and not only held onto, but the woman tried to treat them like a magic elixir, drawing them into her mouth.

Conrad jolted instantly: "..."

"Did you get drugged?"

"Un... uncomfortable..."

The woman’s voice was honeyed and alluring to the core. It made Conrad swallow hard, and he nearly couldn’t hold himself together.

"Alright, be good! Let go of my hand first, and I’ll help you."