Chapter 481: You Need a Mind of Your Own

Anne Sutton saw his humble apology and replied, “I know.”

When Nathan Fawcett saw her reply was just two words, with no emotion behind them, he grew a little dejected. “Still angry?”

Anne Sutton replied, “In your eyes, do I really seem like the kind of woman who can’t tell right from wrong?”

Nathan Fawcett was at a loss for words.

Anne Sutton texted, “I’m staying with my mom for a couple of days. I have a pretty good idea of what happened today, so let’s not talk about it. Okay?”

Seeing her message, he was silent for a moment before nodding to himself. “Mm, okay.”

Anne Sutton sent, “Love you.”

She followed it with a heart emoji.

Looking at his screen, Nathan Fawcett broke into a smile.

He lay in bed, gazing at her messages, unable to suppress the smile spreading across his face.

His smile revealed a set of bright, white teeth.

‘God, I love her so much. What am I supposed to do?’

…

After a night’s sleep, Anne Sutton woke up the next morning and went to work at the hospital.

Stella Shields was still in the hospital.

She had only gotten a bit of a scare and caught a slight cold, so Anne was surprised to find she had actually stayed in the hospital for two days.

As she approached the room, she heard Silas Hawthorne’s butler telling Stella, “Ms. Shields, the doctor says you’re ready to be discharged.”

“No,” Stella Shields said. “My head really hurts, and I feel awful. I want to stay for another couple of days.”

The butler looked at her, utterly helpless.

Anne Sutton watched the woman feigning illness. ‘I can’t believe she’d resort to this just to avoid Silas Hawthorne.’

Anne Sutton stood to the side, enjoying the show and wondering how long Stella could keep up the act, when Silas Hawthorne stopped behind her. “Dr. Sutton.”

Anne Sutton turned to face Silas Hawthorne. “Mr. Hawthorne.”

Silas Hawthorne said, “Do you enjoy spying on people, Dr. Sutton?”

Anne Sutton replied, “Not at all! I was just taking a short break here.”

“Taking a break right in front of someone’s room? You’re a riot.”

“Mr. Hawthorne,” Anne Sutton said, “you look to be a man approaching fifty. Surely you understand that you can’t force a relationship. She’s so much younger than you. You should stop pressuring her.”

Hearing Anne Sutton’s words, Silas Hawthorne frowned. “I look fifty?”

Anne Sutton was speechless.

‘I only know because I looked him up! He *is* pushing fifty!’

‘I didn’t think he’d be so sensitive about it.’

Silas Hawthorne chuckled. “I may be a bit older, but I never force anyone to be with me.”

With that, he walked into the room.

Lying in her bed, Stella Shields saw Silas Hawthorne enter and began to cry out even more dramatically.

She acted as if she were afraid he was going to eat her alive.

Silas Hawthorne said, “Stop the act. It’s time to leave the hospital. Don’t you hate staying here? Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”

As he spoke, he scooped Stella Shields right out of the bed.

Stella Shields blinked, staring at the man…

Silas Hawthorne sat her on his lap and said to the butler, “Her clothes.”

Stella Shields was stunned.

‘Does he mean he’s going to change my clothes for me?’

She no longer had the presence of mind to keep up her act. “I’ll do it myself! I can do it!” she said hurriedly.

Seeing her suddenly so full of life, Silas Hawthorne smirked. “All better now, I see.”

Stella Shields said, “It’s probably because seeing you gave me a sudden jolt of energy.”

She added, “Could you please step outside for a minute? I’ll change on my own.”

Silas Hawthorne looked at her, nodded, and walked out of the room. He saw Anne Sutton was still standing there and said, “You’re still here?”

Anne Sutton watched him, realizing he didn’t really seem like a bad guy.

‘A man like him… and several of his fiancées jumped to their deaths?’

‘Could it really be that outrageous?’

Her mind filled with questions, Anne Sutton walked away.

Silas Hawthorne watched her back for a moment as she left.

He stood there until Stella Shields, having changed her clothes, opened the door.

Silas Hawthorne looked at her. After two days of “illness,” Stella Shields looked pale and somewhat haggard.

But her looks were her livelihood.

‘Even without any makeup, she’s still quite beautiful.’

…

The two of them left the room, with Stella Shields trailing beside Silas Hawthorne. “Your brother heard you were sick,” Silas said. “He called and asked me to take care of you. What would you like to eat? I’ll take you.”

Stella Shields replied, “Anything is fine.”

‘Being with Silas Hawthorne felt like a fate worse than death; it wouldn’t matter what she ate.’

Seeing the stiff expression on her face as she walked beside him, Silas Hawthorne felt a hint of resignation.

They had just started walking when they ran right into Anna Linden. She was wearing a white lab coat and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. Even though her grandson was already several years old, she still looked as sharp and capable as ever.

Chloe Chase and a few other staff members were with her, as was Anne Sutton.

When Stella Shields saw Anna Linden, she immediately called out to her, “Auntie Linden!”

Looking absolutely pitiful, she gazed at Anna Linden as if she were her savior.

Anna Linden saw Stella Shields, then her eyes fell on Silas Hawthorne. Her brow furrowed. “What are you doing with this man?”

Hearing Anna Linden’s words, Stella looked at her with tear-filled eyes. She didn’t want this either, but she had no choice. She had hoped Anna Linden would help her, but Anna hadn’t agreed.

The past two days in the hospital had been an ordeal for her.

Silas Hawthorne spoke up. “Dr. Linden, long time no see. You look as busy as ever.”

Anna Linden demanded, “Stella Shields, I’m talking to you.”

She looked quite stern.

After all, Stella Shields had been close to her for several years; she had even considered making the girl her goddaughter.

Seeing Stella with Silas Hawthorne—a man who wasn’t even from the same generation—made Anna’s blood boil.

Seeing how her severity had frightened Stella into silence, Silas Hawthorne chuckled and said, “Stella is my fiancée now. Her brother introduced us. We’re together, and if all goes well, we’ll be married soon.”

Standing off to the side, Anne Sutton was surprised. ‘So Anna Linden and this Silas Hawthorne know each other.’

‘And by the looks of it, she’s furious to see them together.’

After hearing Silas Hawthorne’s words, Anna Linden’s face darkened. “Nonsense! Stella Shields, come here.”

Hearing Anna Linden’s command, Stella Shields eagerly ran to her side.

‘She’d been desperate to get away from Silas Hawthorne.’

‘Now that she had someone to back her up, she couldn’t wait to escape.’

Silas Hawthorne watched her adorable retreat, not angry in the slightest. He said, “Stella, if you miss your Auntie Linden, go stay with the Linden Family for a few days. I’ll come and pick you up later.”

Stella Shields glanced at Silas Hawthorne, wanting to tell him that he really didn’t need to bother coming to get her.

But when she thought of her brother and the future of the Shields Family, she held her tongue.

Anna Linden looked at Silas Hawthorne and said, “You can leave now.”

‘Seeing this happen right here,’ Anna Linden thought, ‘I’m truly at a loss for words.’

‘She’d known Silas Hawthorne for ages.’

‘And now he was preying on Stella Shields.’

‘He was old enough to be her father if he’d married earlier!’

…

Silas Hawthorne looked at Anna Linden, smiled, then turned and walked away.

Anna Linden turned and glared at Stella Shields. “You need to use your head. Don’t let just anyone lead you away.”