When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

Chapter 76

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."

problem. It was the least I could

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

All she had done was a small favor for the owner;

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

that the owner’s restaurant was able to

Hazel hadn’t given it a second thought. The owner,

seat by the window. "Are you in Freyburg

work. I’m leaving

were here

Hazel paused. ’I don’t have a boyfriend... and Aiden Xavier is technically my husband in the eyes of the law.’ She just smiled. The owner had other things to attend to, so she settled in to eat her hot pot

ever been to,

and was suddenly reminded of that saying she’d seen online: the highest form of loneliness is eating hot pot by yourself. She

kept glancing her way, making Hazel feel a little self-conscious. She instinctively pulled out her phone to message Sharon, but when Sharon didn’t

at the top of her chat list. She tapped

thought. ’Chatting with Aiden Xavier isn’t a bad idea.

Hazel replied

"With who?"

from Aiden, Hazel could practically picture his expression. It had to be the same look he’d given her that night he’d caught her and Nathan Miller at the hot pot restaurant—the look of

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

at her for not having

"With who?"

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 potato

"Can’t I be alone?"

again, "Why are you eating hot pot alone? Not with

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