Audrey Sutton wanted to figure out the truth herself, but she truly had no clues.
When she was by the roadside, she couldn’t see clearly what the person getting off the car looked like, and then she fell into a daze. By the ti she regained consciousness, she was already in the hospital.
Could it be... a prank?
But who would be so bored?
Or was there so unspeakable conspiracy?
No matter how she thought about it, sothing felt off. It wasn’t until Laura Yates reminded her that the manuscript was due this week that Audrey hurriedly collected her thoughts and returned to her work in front of the computer.
She thought Shane probably wouldn’t harm her, right? If he didn’t want her involved in this matter, then she decided not to dwell on it.
If there really was any threat, she believed Shane wouldn’t sit by idly.
So she decided to stay at ho peacefully for a couple of days, perhaps to ease her inner unrest.
...
Celestine Group.
Ivan Yardley walked out of the company building and headed straight to a café across the street.
He found a booth and had just sat down when he saw Clarissa Morgan enter, remove her sunglasses, and sit across from him.
Ivan Yardley handed her the nu with a smile on his face, but his tone hinted at slight dissatisfaction: "Miss Morgan, you are indeed cautious, afraid to get your shoes dirty in this muddy water."
Clarissa Morgan chuckled: "What does Mr. Yardley an by this? I’ve followed through on everything you arranged."
"You’ve done it, yes, but for what outco? Lan Irving took all the bla this ti and can never return to Starfield. The police investigation stopped right there. We’re both safe and sound, but Audrey Sutton returned unscathed to Shane’s side. Does this result justify Lan’s sacrifice?"
"Finding Simon Sue was sothing you agreed to as well. As for how Simon would act in such circumstances, that was always a foreseeable variable, so I don’t think I’ve wronged you in any way." Clarissa Morgan glanced down at the nu and ordered a health tea from the approaching waiter.
Once the waiter had left, she continued, "Besides, Ms. Irving was too impulsive. It wasn’t her concern in the first place, and as long as she doesn’t admit to it, Shane can’t trace anything back to her, no matter what he finds out. She chose to take it all on herself, but you could say she did it to protect you. That said, now that she’s left Starfield, shouldn’t you be glad?"
Ivan Yardley took a draw from the cigarette in his hand, remaining silent.
Having Lan Irving leave Starfield was sothing he had subtly encouraged her to do for a long ti, and while he was content with this outco, it was clear that it made her unhappy.
He knew she had feelings for Shane all along.
So her stepping forward to bear it all was sothing Ivan Yardley never anticipated. He hadn’t told her everything because he didn’t want to drag her into this.
Perhaps she was afraid that Shane would really trace it back to him and didn’t want to owe him anything, so she did it.
Clarissa Morgan took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Ms. Irving may be emotionally volatile these days and might act impulsively. So I advise you to keep a close watch on her in the coming days. You’re smart enough to know that Shane is scrutinizing things closely right now; I suggest holding off on any actions. If Ms. Irving has any ideas, don’t rush to help her. Advise her instead; there’s no hurry."
Ivan Yardley was well aware of this.
He had already sensed that Lan Irving’s emotions were off during their earlier phone call. Her tone was calm, but the calr it was, the more worriso it beca.
After leaving the café, Ivan Yardley went straight to Lan Irving’s residence.
She opened the door for him, dressed in pajamas with disheveled hair.
It had only been a day, but she already looked much more haggard.
"I bought you so pastries." Ivan Yardley entered the room, putting the box he held on the coffee table. He noticed the mountain of cigarette butts in the ashtray and furrowed his brows but said nothing as Lan Irving walked over.
Lan Irving sat on the sofa, glanced at the pastry box, and said softly, "I don’t like sweet things."
"Don’t all young won enjoy these?" Ivan Yardley chuckled, opening the box and pushing it towards her. "Just try it."
Lan Irving gazed at Ivan Yardley without blinking, her eyes seemingly scrutinizing him.
"What’s wrong?" Ivan Yardley asked her softly.
Lan Irving asked, "You like , don’t you?"
Ivan Yardley nodded, "Of course."
Lan Irving stood up and straddled him. Though Ivan Yardley didn’t understand her sudden initiative, he rely wrapped his arm around her waist.
"What’s wrong?"
Lan Irving didn’t answer, bowing her head to pull apart his suit jacket, reaching to unbuckle his belt.
Her sudden initiative was inexplicable, but Ivan Yardley didn’t reject her because of her unusual behavior.
Taking charge, he picked her up and carried her to her bedroom.
In the past, whenever he attempted any physical contact, she would resist and clearly try to avoid it.
Today, she was unusually proactive, as if she wanted to dominate and control everything.
Even though it was her first ti, there wasn’t much emotion evident on her face.
Calm and cold.
The kiss had a hint of alcohol, and Ivan Yardley wondered if, in the depths of the mont, she imagined him as Shane.
He didn’t care that much, for he knew that he truly had her.
"I want to travel," she said, nestled in his arms.
Ivan Yardley stroked her loose hair and asked her softly, "Where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere."
"Okay, I’ll arrange it."
Lan Irving moved his hand from her waist, sat up, picked up the robe by the window, wrapped it around herself, and walked into the bathroom.
Feeling the chill, Ivan Yardley got out of bed, dressed, glanced at the bathroom door, and listened to the running water. He left without waiting for her to co out.
...
In the evening, after work, Shane went directly to The Suttons for dinner.
He hadn’t seen this little girl all day, which felt unusual.
Turning to look at Audrey Sutton, who was sitting next to him devouring her al, he felt quite satisfied.
"Shane, eat more. This was sothing Audrey ntioned saving for you at lunchti. Her dad got a little jealous, saying that the daughter he raised never pampered him this way," Hazel Yates said as she served Shane more food.
Shane smiled, glanced at Audrey Sutton, who had her head down and wasn’t looking at him, but he could imagine how shy she must be right now.
As Hazel Yates placed the food in Shane’s bowl, Samuel Sutton tapped his own bowl with his chopsticks, shooting Hazel a cold look: "What about ?"
Hazel Yates glared at him as if accusing him of being childish, but she quickly served him as well.
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