Chapter 0199
+25 BONUS
“He stood up for me as much as he was able,” I said, stronger than I felt. “We both agreed that he would treat me a certain way while we were here, to remove suspicion. There are new HR rules and –”
“Someday,” Dylan said, interrupting me. “You are going to have to stop making excuses for him.”
Maybe. But that day was not today.
Logan wanted to follow Hazel. He had seen her as she rushed away, tears in her eyes that broke his heart. But he’d taken one step after her when his grandfather’s crisp, demanding voice called out to him.
“Come here, Logan. I need to speak with you immediately.”
As much as Logan wanted to follow Hazel, he couldn’t go against his grandfather’s wishes. At least, not while he and Hazel were hiding their true relationship.
If he could admit how important Hazel was to him, he could tell his grandfather that his wife took precedence. As it was, he couldn’t put off his grandfather to comfort his work assistant. Not without giving the whole game away.
For the way his grandfather talked, he was already suspicious of Hazel and Logan’s relationship. Chasing after Hazel would only reinforce that suspicion.
So, for now, for both himself and for Hazel, Logan had to obediently follow his grandfather.
Grandfather led him out to a more secluded side room off of the main banquet. The side room was empty save for many various and valuable oil paintings on the walls and a few velvet benches that looked like they had never actually been sat on.
Grandfather left the door to the main banquet hall open, and inside, couples were beginning to dance to a string orchestra. It seemed an entirely different world now, so jovial compared to the rising tension in this
room.
“Now,” Grandfather said. “I wish to know exactly, in no uncertain terms, what exactly your relationship is with that working girl.”
Working girl was a term sometimes used for a sex worker, something Grandfather knew well. The implication couldn’t be more obvious.
“We aren’t sleeping together,” Logan said. That was the truth, even if Logan desired otherwise. For Hazel, he was trying to go slowly. Even if it was a challenge. Every time she came into his office, he thought for a moment of throwing her over his desk.
But decorum was important. And those new HR rules would have him out on his ass if they were caught, no matter if his last name was on the signage.
“You know better than to give your mistress so much leeway. You have to keep her in line… As well as yourself.” Grandfather glowered at Logan. “That behavior out there is not something I have ever tolerated from your father or from you. You blatantly disrespected me.”
Logan only disrespected Grandfather because Grandfather had been disrespecting Hazel. But he couldn’t admit to that. It would only make things worse.
So he kept his mouth shut and his back straight, being as defiant as he could while still staying under his
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Chapter 0199
grandfather’s control.
Grandfather narrowed his eyes. “Apologize to me.”
Logan swallowed hard. “I… apologize.”
“That was the shittiest apology I’ve ever heard,” Grandfather scoffed. “Do you think I’m some sort of fool, boy? You think you can pull the wool over my eyes and expect me to cope with it?”
“No, Grandfather. I apologize, deeply, I did not intend to offend you or disrespect our family’s name.” When all else failed, Logan could fall back on platitudes with his grandfather.
“That’s better. You will go back out there and behave yourself in a manner befitting a Hatfield.”
Logan nodded, then turned toward the open door.
“Oh. But grandson?”
Logan looked back.
Grandfather held his gaze. “Do not think this is over.”