Chapter 415: Chapter 415

"Doctor, how is my father’s condition?"

"The patient’s condition has stabilized, thanks to being brought to the hospital promptly. Otherwise, his injuries could have been quite severe!" Check latest chapters at NoveI-Fire.ɴet

Rainie Hawthorne had been so overwhelmed with company matters recently, and upon hearing her father was in a car accident, she rushed over immediately.

She stayed at the hospital until he was out of danger and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Miss Thornton, I heard it was you who called the ambulance for my father?" Rainie asked as she stepped out of Marvin Hawthorne’s room and ran into Anna Thornton.

"Uh, I just happened to pass by and see it." Anna waved her hand, "It was no big deal, no need to thank me."

"How can that be? The doctor said if it weren’t for your timely call, my father’s condition could have been much worse. To express my gratitude, let me treat you to a meal?"

"Really, it’s not necessary!"

Anna couldn’t tell her that her interest in the scene was mainly to check out the driver involved.

She initially thought Conrad Sterling might have lost control and acted out; if she could catch something on that man, it might come in handy.

But who would have thought, after getting clarity on the situation, that Marvin Hawthorne himself was the one at fault.

He went to consult a spirit medium and was absent-minded; he accidentally floored the brake and wildly turned the wheel...

Yet Anna couldn’t resist Rainie’s insistence and eventually got dragged to a nearby restaurant for lunch.

"Miss Thornton, you probably know the situation of the Hawthorne Family right now. I’m only able to treat you to this meal, sorry for the humble arrangement."

"I don’t think only French cuisine counts as fine dining, I just love Chinese food. Especially this restaurant’s spicy boiled beef, it tastes really good, thank you for bringing me here!"

Anna’s words left Rainie momentarily speechless.

She couldn’t tell if Miss Thornton was dense or what; didn’t she understand the emphasis of what Rainie just said?

The focus wasn’t on having the meal, but on the current situation of the Hawthorne Family.

Typically, wouldn’t someone hearing this first say ’how could it be an imposition,’ and then offer some words of comfort?

That way, Rainie could lead into the real reason she invited Anna for a meal today.

But whether or not Anna picked up the cue, there were things Rainie had to say.

The Hawthorne Family had reached this point, and she truly had no other options.

"Miss Thornton, I still remember the breathtaking sight of you in that lake-blue evening gown, stealing the show at the charity gala. I wanted to befriend you that day, but unfortunately, you left too quickly!"

"Wasn’t it you who was eager to take Conrad away, and you all left first?" Anna teased.

"I believe with Miss Thornton’s talent, you’ll stand at the pinnacle of the domestic entertainment industry one day. No, not just domestic, you should aim internationally."

"You’re too kind, Miss Hawthorne, your business achievements are nothing to scoff at either."

Anna guessed that after this mutual exchange of compliments with Rainie, the main event was about to begin.

Sure enough, she heard the latter say, "I wonder if Miss Thornton would look down on me during this low point and be unwilling to be friends?"

"Then since we are friends, I have an unreasonable request."

Anna knew: "...Go ahead."

"Previously, due to my impulsive behavior, I’m worried President Sterling may hold a grudge against me. If there’s a chance, I hope Miss Thornton could put in a good word for me with him."

"Put in a good word for you? I’m afraid I wouldn’t have that opportunity." Anna instinctively replied.

"Miss Thornton, you do!" Rainie looked at her intently, "I witnessed President Sterling’s concern for you during the charity gala blackout."

So she did see that day?

Makes sense; Conrad Sterling was Rainie’s escort that night and was standing by her side the whole time.

But later on, when the power went out, Conrad rushed over to check on Anna first.

Once the lights came back on, Conrad was still holding Anna’s hand, and Rainie must have seen that.

Rainie could speculate then that the relationship between Anna and Conrad was not ordinary.

She just didn’t reveal it.

However, later on, she even tried to seduce Conrad in the car.

Anna marveled at how Rainie perceived her relationship with Conrad.

Friends with benefits?

Is it because I can’t get into this man’s bed that you’re expecting me to put in a good word for you during our intimate moments?

If Rainie considered Anna to be Conrad’s friend with benefits, Anna felt insulted.

If Rainie thought of her as Conrad’s legitimate girlfriend, Anna felt even more insulted.

If you already sensed my involvement with Conrad, how dare you shamelessly offer yourself?

And then, having failed to catch the man’s eye, retreat and come seeking my help?

In an instant, Anna’s impression of Rainie soured even more!

It had never been good, but Anna thought Rainie should be glad she’s not abroad with her temper; otherwise, she’d splash a pot of spicy boiled beef right on her face.

Anna indeed wanted to draw a line with Conrad from the bottom of her heart, but had an instinctual dislike for scheming women.

Anna knew Rainie’s implication; she seemed to intentionally reveal her knowledge.

In other words, if Anna didn’t help say good things, she might spread information about their relationship to more people.

President Sterling’s actions were quite telling, especially his immediate concern for Anna during the blackout, something Rainie hadn’t seen him express towards anyone before.

However, Anna still denied, "Miss Hawthorne, I think you’ve misunderstood."

"How could I? I clearly..."

"We’re pretty much done with this meal; I think we can call it even between us."

Anna, adopting a ’I’ll have it my way, not your way’ bossy stance, abruptly cut off the topic.

She stood up, grabbed her bag, and walked out.

She still had work to do in the afternoon!

No dirt on Conrad was found, and the whole morning was a waste.

Rainie, seeing that Anna ignored her, angrily knocked over the plate beside her.

She then took out her phone, initially intending to call a journalist she knew to take drastic measures.

But upon reconsideration, she couldn’t afford to offend Conrad.

So once connected, she switched her thoughts, "I need you to do me a favor, follow Anna Thornton for a few days. Record where she goes, whom she meets, and which neighborhood she’s currently living in Aethelgard."

"What do you need that for?" the person on the other end asked.

"Didn’t Anna Thornton admit she has a daughter...?"

Rainie’s intuition told her that this might be her key to gain leverage over Anna, and even leverage President Sterling.