When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

Chapter 52: The Old Flame is Back

Hazel Hawthorne still had no idea what was happening on Aiden Xavier’s end. Her phone was being blown up by the paparazzi, with nearly every call being a request for an interview. Watching the unfamiliar numbers call back immediately after she hung up, Hazel finally just set her phone to silent.

She contacted Aiden Xavier on WeChat. At that moment, Aiden was having his secretary pay to take down all the trending news stories. But it was too late. Raina Lowell had already been exposed to the public.

Everyone knew that Aiden Xavier’s old flame was back.

Following speculation from the media and online commenters, people concluded that the reason Aiden Xavier hadn’t been linked to any women recently was that Raina Lowell’s return had finally convinced the playboy to settle down.

No one spared a thought for how Hazel Hawthorne might feel. They were all just curious about how she would respond. Hazel expressionlessly scanned the online comments and the news stories rocketing up the trending lists, a bitter feeling churning inside her.

The worst part wasn’t that Aiden Xavier still hadn’t contacted her after the story broke. It wasn’t even that he was only concerned with Raina Lowell’s feelings, staying by her side. No, the worst part was her father, Harrison Hawthorne, calling at a time like this to berate her for failing to secure Aiden Xavier’s heart.

"I’m just a money tree in your eyes! What right do you have to tell me what to do? Even if Aiden Xavier really does divorce me, it has nothing to do with you! Ever since Mom died, have you once treated me like a daughter?"

Hazel Hawthorne furiously smashed her phone on the ground, shattering the screen. She hated Harrison Hawthorne. She hated everyone who had pushed her into the eye of the storm.

Right now, she didn’t want to answer anyone’s calls.

Hazel Hawthorne collapsed onto the bed, letting her mind go blank.

Meanwhile, on Aiden Xavier’s end, the paparazzi had discovered Raina Lowell’s residence. She had to be moved immediately to keep them from disturbing her peace. Aiden himself stayed at the office to deal with the fallout from the news.

When Fiona Forrest called to question him, Aiden simply gave her an evasive answer. The most important thing right now was to bury all the news stories.

Aiden Xavier was so busy his head was spinning. By the time he checked the clock again, it was already past midnight.

He picked up his phone, which had been buzzing all night, and scrolled through the missed call notifications. They were all from unknown numbers. Hazel Hawthorne’s name was just a silent entry in his contacts; she hadn’t called once.

faster, Aiden Xavier wondered what Hazel Hawthorne was doing. He didn’t understand why she hadn’t contacted him. ’After something this big,’ he

Xavier finally dialed

The line was busy.

own phone had been blown up by the paparazzi, so

cup of coffee, only to see Aiden Xavier

how many paparazzi are camped out downstairs. Are you really going to see Ms.

his collar and gave his presumptuous secretary an emotionless look. "Who said I

Ms. Lowell, then... where are you headed, Mr.

with various starlets and influencers before, but none

"Home."

that, the secretary immediately went to get the car

home was a much better option

Xavier felt no trace of sleepiness. Gazing at

find it. For every piece of

"It’s still under investigation."

should have some results by tomorrow morning

the window, an image of Hazel Hawthorne

like this happening, Hazel must be furious. She’s probably at home right now, cursing my name or taking her anger out on my

I see her, she’s sure to be

was already used to this. It

her lights were off. The scene was completely different from the one he

Xavier. It was clear

into the house and went straight to Hazel

when Aiden wasn’t staying over, Hazel didn’t lock her door at night. So when he turned the handle

a CLICK, the

up reflexively, and her eyes met Aiden Xavier’s