Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1000

Evan returned to the Grandview Estate, and found Elysia resting in her bedroom.

She claimed she was just wiped out from the day's hustle, but Evan knew it was the Hawkins family's drama that had her stressed.

Emmett and Baby had crashed as soon as they got home and were still asleep.

Tarquin was in the study, discussing a trip to Oceanopolis with Elliot and Elijah. Elliot was eager to go too.

"It's perfect timing since we're not in school right now. If you don't let us come, we'll probably end up sneaking there anyway."

Elijah immediately nodded in agreement, "Exactly!"

With their mom planning to return, they knew she intended to reconnect with their grandparents.

They wanted to meet their grandparents too – and stand up for them!

Evan burst in, all curiosity, "Where are we going? Where are we going?"

Seeing him back, Tarquin gave him a once-over, ensuring he was okay before saying, "We're planning a trip to Oceanopolis."

"Why are we going to Oceanopolis?"

Right after Evan asked, Tarquin's phone rang with a call from Axel.

Tarquin didn’t rush to answer, instead telling Evan, "Let Elliot and Elijah fill you in. I need to take this call."

Heading back to the study, Tarquin answered the phone. "There’s been a development at Farmjoy Estate," Axel reported.

Farmjoy Estate was a known hideout for a mysterious figure in Jindale City.

After their estate was targeted earlier, this mystery man and Keith had staged a deception, framing Keith for murder.

Tarquin had suspected that Farmjoy Estate was a diversion, hiding something the mystery man wanted to move out.

Since the man had fled abroad, Tarquin had Axel keep an eye on the estate.

And now, Axel had found something.

"There's a cellar beneath the man-made lake, stuffed with a ton of unreleased drugs. And there’s a safe filled with dirt on the Hawkins family members from Oceanopolis."

Axel paused, "Spread the word? We’re not keeping it under wraps?"

"No need for secrecy, just don’t mention when."

Though Axel was puzzled by the strategy, he didn’t question it, "Alright."

The next day, Axel understood why.

Verity's estranged son suddenly made a comeback!

He hadn’t shown up even when Verity died, but the moment news broke of Tarquin's planned visit to Oceanopolis, he returned immediately.

And from the Hawkins family side, the originally scheduled July board meeting was abruptly moved up to three days later!

Clearly, if Clayton had been in Oceanopolis, they might’ve set it for the very next day!

Obviously, someone feared Tarquin’s trip to Oceanopolis could disrupt their plans and brought back this estranged son to distract him, all while quickly dealing with Clayton’s situation.