The next day, Elara Don called Rhun Quinn and lied, saying she wasn't feeling well and needed rest.
She hesitated, wondering if there was any need to stay at the Hawke Corporation.
After all, having a perverted boss above her always felt unsettling.
The phone rang, and Elara glanced at the caller ID, her hand slightly tightening.
The number was familiar—it was her adoptive father, Troy Don!
After four years, he actually called her!
Elara took a deep breath and answered the call.
"Who's this?"
"Elly, have you forgotten your dad's number?"
The man's voice came through the line, filled with dissatisfaction.
Elara pressed her lips together and said plainly, "Mr. Thorne, is there something you need?"
He had already expelled her from the family, hadn't he? She had nothing to do with the Don Family anymore, right?
"Elly, you won't even call me dad? I guess you're blaming me for kicking you out back then? But think about it, the company was on the rise, and your misconduct would have affected..."
"Mr. Thorne, what exactly do you want? If there's nothing else, I'm going to hang up." Elara interrupted, speaking coolly.
She didn't need him reminding her of the past again.
Because she had learned what callousness meant from him.
"I've booked a table at Veridia tonight. Since you're still alive, let's have dinner and catch up."
The man's tone grew more displeased, and Elara gripped the phone, wanting to refuse.
But thinking of what happened four years ago, her refusal turned into agreement.
Four years ago, her other child had been taken away.
Was it the Don Family's doing?
She wanted to ask face to face!
...
At Fairlight Manor.
Rhun Quinn handed a document to the man on the sofa, trying to suppress a smile at the acne scars on the man's face.
Who would've thought the company president would one day be seen as a lecher by a woman.
Charlotte Soo was quite fierce!
"Anything else?"
Damon Hawke asked coldly, taking the document, signing his name, and handing it back to Rhun.
Rhun took it and quickly said, "Nothing major. All meetings at the company that could be postponed have been. Also, Charlotte Soo took leave, saying she's unwell."
That woman, unwell?
She just didn't want to face him at the office!
Damon's face was dark. He thought for a moment, thin lips parting slightly, "Rhun, check the background of Elara Don, the Don Family's adopted daughter. Victoria Don said that Elara is Charlotte. I want to know why she changed her name!"
Well done!
That woman successfully caught his attention!
"Yes."
Rhun was surprised by Damon's words but wisely asked no questions.
As he turned to leave, a little boy rushed by his feet.
"Young master, be careful."
Rhun quickly steadied Harry Soo, who was holding a bottle, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Why did the Little Master seem more lively than before?
Harry looked up, flashed a smile at Rhun, and then glanced at Damon with large, lively eyes.
Did he just hear his mom's name?
Was this so-called dad investigating Mom?
Why!
"Young master, oh no, quickly throw away the bug in your hand; it's really dirty."
The butler came running in, out of breath, speaking helplessly to Harry.
"No! Grandpa Butler, you don't get it! Bugs aren't dirty!"
Harry hid the bottle behind his back and was about to run upstairs.
"Stop."
On the sofa, Damon watched the dirty little boy, veins pulsing at his temples.
"Dominic Hawke, did you scare the teacher with bugs yesterday?"
Is this still his son?
Why does he seem like a completely different person?
Several tutors had hesitantly complained to him, saying the kid was acting a bit off.
He wasn't paying attention in class and even used bugs to scare them!
This had never happened before!
"Bunch of snitches!"
Harry muttered, eyes rolling, and yelled at Damon, "Dad, I'm a kid. Kids need a happy childhood! It's so cold here, and you won't let me go out, plus there are so many boring classes. I'm stifling!"
No wonder Dominic looked so unhappy.
In this house, though there were good things to eat and play with, it was just too boring!
This tyrant always wore a poker face, clearly hard to communicate with.
That mom had a hypocritical demeanor, obviously not sincere to Dominic.
Not like him, who, though had no dad, had a mom who was too gentle and understanding!
Waaah!
He missed Mom!
When could he escape from here!
"Dominic Hawke, I think you need some discipline! Don't forget, you're a son of the Hawke Family, and you have responsibilities from birth!"
Damon's eyes darkened. "Benny, take the young master to his room to write a 1000-word reflection. No dinner until it's done!"
The kid hadn't learned much else but had learned to slack off!
He needed proper discipline.
"Ahhh! You're a jerk, a tyrant! Are you blind? I said I'm not your son! Let me go! Mmph..."
A 1000-word reflection at the age of four?
This cold-blooded, heartless tyrant!
Harry was so angry he stomped his feet, but Benny quickly picked him up, covering his little mouth with a large hand.
Oh young master!
Can't we go back to your quiet former self?
His old heart couldn't take it!
Damon's face was terrifyingly dark as he watched the boy being carried upstairs, his head aching with anger.
This troublesome kid!
Claiming not to be his son!?
Should he take him for a mental check-up?
...
The night gradually fell.
Elara Don glanced at the brightly lit upscale restaurant, pressed her lips, and walked in.
She followed the waiter to a private room, knocked on the door, and pushed it open.
Inside sat a few people, chatting and laughing.
In addition to the Don Family trio, there was another man.
Roughly in his forties, balding, with a beer belly, a necklace gleaming gold under the lights around his neck.
"Elly's here! Come over; let me introduce you to a guest," Troy Don waved as he saw Elara enter.
Elara frowned slightly, looked at the man once, caught the gleam in his eye, and lowered her gaze.
Seems tonight's dinner wasn't for reminiscing, but for socializing.
"Sister, why are you standing there like a fool? Come on over!" Ivy pulled Elara in front of the man, speaking sweetly, "Mr. Avery, isn't my sister beautiful?"
"Beautiful, truly beautiful."
Riveras Hayes stood up, leering at Elara and grabbing her hand, "Elly, let me introduce myself. I'm Riveras Hayes from Peak Architecture, a widower with a son, plenty of houses, just waiting for the right person to be the lady of the Hayes family."
The man's coarse, greasy, lustful hand, his breath reeking of halitosis was appalling to Elara.
She forcefully broke free, her gaze scanning the Don Family trio, "Are you trying to arrange a match for me? Fine! As long as you tell me where my child is from four years ago, I'll date Mr. Avery."