When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

Chapter 102: Taking on the World, the Heavens, and the Air

Aiden Xavier could outwit anyone, but he never imagined one person would always be beyond his calculations—the exception to every rule in his life. He’d hesitated twice to speak, and by the time the words finally came out, it was already too late.

Just as Julian Sterling had said, Hazel Hawthorne’s personality was stubbornly contrary. Once she made up her mind about something, it was nearly impossible to change. She had already decided what was going on between Aiden Xavier and Raina Lowell, so nothing he said could alter her opinion.

Even if Aiden Xavier told her one day that he and Raina Lowell weren’t a couple, that he’d never loved her, Hazel wouldn’t believe him.

Aiden Xavier and Hazel Hawthorne didn’t see each other again until a week later, on the day of Harrison Hawthorne’s fiftieth birthday.

If it weren’t for her father’s birthday, Hazel had no idea when she would have seen Aiden Xavier again. She hadn’t answered his last call, and he had never tried again. It only confirmed what she already knew: in Aiden Xavier’s heart, she was completely dispensable.

Harrison Hawthorne’s birthday banquet was held at a hotel owned by the Xavier Group. Thanks to Hazel’s connection to Aiden Xavier, the guest list was a who’s who of Kenport’s elite. Hazel arrived at the hotel at nine in the morning to help. Watching her father greet his guests with a strange mix of sycophancy and smugness, she had to suppress a laugh.

It was as if Harrison Hawthorne was oblivious to the fact that these people were only here for the Xavier Family backing him. He held a wine glass, talking with great animation, while Jessica Clarke paraded the lavishly dressed Yvette Hawthorne through the crowd, flaunting her status as the lady of the house.

To Hazel, the entire spectacle was utterly laughable.

Because she was Mrs. Xavier, people kept approaching her to chat. Hazel wasn’t skilled at socializing; she would offer a polite smile and a few words, and when her interlocutors saw her reserve, they would move on to find their next networking opportunity.

Consequently, the consensus was that Hazel seemed far too cold and aloof compared to Yvette. Unlike Yvette, who could chat animatedly with anyone, Hazel kept her distance. With her sweet looks, Yvette easily attracted advances from men, and she welcomed all comers, quickly becoming the center of male attention.

Hazel finally understood. ’Nominally, this was a birthday party. In reality, it was just a chance to find a wealthy suitor for Yvette from among the guests.’

alone and with no sign of Aiden yet, Harrison Hawthorne walked over. "Why isn’t Aiden here yet?"

him," Hazel said, her words always barbed when speaking to her father, making him deeply uncomfortable. "Whether he comes or not, shouldn’t you know? You think you wouldn’t have notified Aiden Xavier

don’t want to argue with you

"Why don’t you ask

through clenched

what kind of tone would you prefer I use?" she retorted. After a pause, as if to provoke him further, she added, "You should be glad I

Hazel a venomous glare, then, deciding

him

a pose she clearly thought was graceful, looking down her nose at Hazel like a haughty princess. "Hazel, what gives you

What exactly do you have to be arrogant about? You’re the daughter of a mistress." Hazel didn’t even look up, but her one sentence made

grab Hazel by the

talking about. The fact that such a moronic question can even come out of your mouth proves you really are a moron."

glared at her. "Watch

me to watch my mouth? When your mother was shamelessly climbing into

battle of wits, Yvette was no match for Hazel and

truly wanted to make someone miserable, she knew just what

and Hazel couldn’t even stand

through the main entrance. Yvette instantly wiped the ugly, enraged expression from her face, replacing it with a smile. She hurried over to greet him, standing demurely

lukewarm glance. Aiden nodded at Yvette before walking straight to Hazel’s side, acting as if the week of no

I tell you to

"Why should I wait