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.’

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

"I already told 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 for an occasion like this?"

Harrison Hawthorne glared at Hazel. "I don’t want to argue with you here. Call Aiden and ask him where he is."

"Heh," Hazel sneered. "Why don’t you ask him yourself?"

Harrison suppressed his fury, grinding out the words through clenched teeth. "Is that the tone you take with me?"

This amused Hazel. "And 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 even showed up today."

Sure enough, Harrison Hawthorne’s face turned livid. He shot Hazel a venomous glare, then, deciding not to court further humiliation, he swallowed his anger and stormed away.

Hazel watched him leave, completely unmoved.

Instead, it was Yvette Hawthorne, who had witnessed the entire exchange, who sashayed over to Hazel. She struck a pose she clearly thought was graceful, looking down her nose at Hazel like a haughty princess. "Hazel, what gives you the right to be so arrogant?"

"Do I need to explain my arrogance to 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 Yvette stamp her foot in fury.

Yvette looked like she was about to grab Hazel by the hair. "Who are you calling a mistress’s daughter?!" she seethed.

"Whoever is talking to me right now, that’s who I’m talking about. The fact that such a moronic question can even come out of your mouth proves you really are a moron." Hazel was relentless, and her words made Yvette’s face drain of color.

Yvette glared at her. "Watch your mouth."

Hazel laughed. "The mistress’s daughter is telling me to watch my mouth? When your mother was shamelessly climbing into my father’s bed, why didn’t you tell her to keep herself clean?"

In a battle of wits, Yvette was no match for Hazel and was quickly defeated.

When Hazel truly wanted to make someone miserable, she knew just what to say to leave them speechless. She stared coldly at Yvette.

Yvette was dressed like a gaudy butterfly, and Hazel couldn’t even stand the sight of her.

Just then, Aiden Xavier walked 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 before him and calling out softly, "Brother-in-law."

Hazel merely lifted her gaze for a moment, giving Aiden a lukewarm glance. Aiden nodded at Yvette before walking straight to Hazel’s side, acting as if the week of no contact had meant nothing to him.

"Didn’t I tell you to wait for me?"

Hazel laughed and shot back, "Why should I wait for you?"

Aiden hadn’t expected her to be so blunt. He was momentarily stunned. "Are you going to keep talking to me with this tone?"

Hazel continued to smile. "Is there a problem with my tone?"

Aiden’s brow furrowed. "Hazel, I called you."

’Yes, he called once,’ she thought. ’And when I deliberately didn’t answer, he never called again. He didn’t contact me for a whole week. I didn’t know his whereabouts, but I was sure he was probably with Raina Lowell.’

’So what does that have to do with me?’

She looked at Aiden with feigned innocence. "Did you? I didn’t notice. I forgot."

Nettled by her attitude, Aiden blurted out, "I only came here today because you were going to be here."

"Oh," she replied coolly. "My dad thought you came for him. He’d be crushed if he knew the truth—that the son-in-law he’s so proud of didn’t come on his account. Then again, almost everyone here came for your Xavier Family."

Aiden lowered his voice. "I know you’re angry..."

Before he could finish, Hazel cut him off. "You’re mistaken. I’m not angry. Why would I be angry? I can’t even think of a reason. Why don’t you tell me? Why do you think I’m angry?"

Hazel’s words were slow and deliberate, her demeanor perfectly calm, as if she were genuinely trying to discuss the topic of her supposed anger with Aiden.

When Harrison Hawthorne saw that Aiden had arrived, he decided to set aside his spat with Hazel for the moment. A broad smile on his face, he walked toward Aiden. "Aiden, you’re finally here!"

Seeing Harrison approach, Aiden knew he couldn’t continue the conversation with Hazel, so he let the matter drop for now.

"Aiden, come with me. Let me introduce you to some of my old friends." Harrison Hawthorne led Aiden away, leaving Hazel sitting by herself once again. Finally, some peace and quiet.