Chapter 76: The Highest Form of Loneliness

Hazel Hawthorne learned a lot during her five days in Freyburg. Following Holly Shaw in particular, she finally understood why Sharon Winters idolized her.

Now, even Hazel herself found herself idolizing Holly Shaw, especially when watching her interact with clients. Holly could pinpoint exactly what they wanted and provide incisive suggestions for even their most demanding requests.

When Hazel Hawthorne mentioned Holly Shaw to Sharon Winters on WeChat, Sharon got incredibly excited, sending a flurry of messages frantically praising her idol.

"I told you! You can learn so much just by being around Director Shaw. Hazel, I’m seriously so envious you get to go on a trip and learn from her."

"You’ll get your chance someday."

"That sounds so formal! Are you trying to show off to me?"

"Not at all! I’m just sharing my excitement with you. I really get what you were saying before."

They were heading back to Kenport tomorrow, and all their work was done. Holly Shaw had personal plans for the evening, so Hazel Hawthorne was free to spend her time as she pleased.

She had visited Freyburg as a tourist back in her student days and vaguely recalled a delicious hot pot restaurant on Southcross Road. She had planned on inviting Holly, but since Holly was busy, she would have to go alone.

She tidied up a bit, then followed the route from memory to the hot pot place. It was just as packed as ever, with a long line of people waiting outside.

The moment Hazel appeared in the doorway, the restaurant’s owner spotted her. He eyed her with a puzzled expression for a few moments. Just as Hazel was about to turn and leave, he suddenly called out, "Miss, you look awfully familiar. Aren’t you...?"

"Hazel Hawthorne," Hazel said with a slight smile.

The owner clapped his hands in excitement. "That’s right! I knew you looked familiar. I still have to thank you for what happened back then. If it wasn’t for you, my restaurant probably would have gone out of business."

was the

you here for hot pot? Just a moment, I’ll get you a table." The owner said

a small favor for

and had witnessed a group at the next table trying to run a scam. They were trying to frame the owner by claiming there were sanitation issues. She had personally seen one of them pull a cockroach from a bag

that the owner’s restaurant was able to

a small thing, and Hazel hadn’t given it a

by the window. "Are you in Freyburg for a vacation

work. I’m

I thought you were here on

in the eyes of the law.’ She just smiled. The owner had other things to

places she’d ever been to, this one was still the

seen online: the highest

instinctively pulled out her phone to message Sharon, but when Sharon didn’t reply, she had no choice but to put

top of her chat list. She tapped on it. The message was just three simple words: "What are you

thought. ’Chatting with Aiden Xavier isn’t a bad idea. Someone to help pass the time... I can’t

Hazel

"With who?"

given her that night he’d caught her and Nathan Miller at the hot

no intention of answering truthfully. She didn’t want Aiden

want him to laugh at her for not having

"With who?"

and dropped it into her bowl, her eyes wide as she stared at Aiden’s repeated message. Why was he so obsessed with who she was with? She ate a slice of

"Can’t I be alone?"

He asked again, "Why are you

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