Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 993

Is it even worth going back?

Tarquin had spent the entire night in his study, poring over the information Elliot and Elijah had dug up about the Hawkins family, and then doing some digging of his own.

The findings were disheartening, a common ailment of wealthy dynasties - deception, betrayal, and greed above all.

Clayton was genuinely a good man, but the rest of the Hawkins clan was a different story altogether.

On the surface, the Hawkins family shimmered with glamour, but beneath that veneer, everything was rotting away, except for the shipping empire Clayton personally oversaw.

Now, the entire Hawkins clan had their eyes set on wresting control of the shipping business from Clayton!

Elysia, Clayton's only child, would undoubtedly become a target for these vultures if she returned now!

Much like how the Bradford family had their sights set on him!

Moreover, Clayton had never publicly acknowledged his daughter over the years. His official biography listed no children.

Aside from a missing person notice years ago, there was no indication he was searching for his daughter.

Was he giving up the search, or was there another reason...

Early in the morning, Tarquin suddenly received a call from Lowell.

Lowell was buzzing with excitement,

"It's like finding a needle in the haystack without even looking, Tarquin. I've got in touch with an elder of the Hawkins family, someone who knows almost everything there is to know about them. Should I speak with him first, or do you want to talk to him directly?"

"Is he reliable?"

"Absolutely, he's vetted. A hundred percent reliable."

"Send me his contact. I'll get in touch directly."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Lowell sent over the contact information, and Tarquin didn't hesitate to call.

The person on the other end picked up quickly, and without asking who Tarquin was, said,

"Ask whatever you want to know, but I won't do anything to betray the Hawkins family."

He built docks all over the world, partly for business, but largely in hopes of finding his daughter.

Since she went missing at the docks, he wasn't sure if she was still in the country or abroad, so he searched everywhere, discreetly, for over twenty years.

His wife has gone mad from missing their daughter. A perfectly sane woman has turned into someone others take advantage of at will."

Tarquin was surprised,

"Clayton holds a significant position in the Hawkins family, and his wife comes from a notable background. How is she subject to mistreatment?"

"Sigh, Clayton is often away, under the guise of business, secretly searching for his daughter across the globe.

His wife lives alone in Oceanopolis, somewhat out of her mind. The other women in the Hawkins household take their frustrations out on her whenever they please, physical abuse is common!

Being mentally unstable, she doesn't complain, and when Clayton or her family notices injuries, the household staff claim she did it to herself. She does have a history of self-harm."

The elder sighed, "Their branch of the family is on the brink of ruin."

Tarquin's brows knitted together in concern, "...".