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Novel Catalog
Chapter 24
Gale opened the car door and climbed in, her movements stiff but deliberate.
“Are you injured?” Shawn asked, his voice cold yet laced with concern.
She shook her head, trying to appear calm.
Shawn snorted lightly, a hint of something unreadable in his gaze. “You’re quite clever. You know how to protect yourself.”
Gale hesitated, her hand instinctively moving toward her lower abdomen, but she quickly stopped herself when she realized Shawn was beside her.
“I was close to getting hurt,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Shawn’s eyes narrowed. “This ends here. Don’t even think about causing trouble for Susan again.”
Gale’s lips curled into a small, bitter smile. “You really look down on me, don’t you? How could I possibly have the courage to do that? Susan is your favorite, the one you promised to marry. How could I ever compare?” She paused, her tone suddenly shifting. “Only she would suffer, not me.”
She tilted her head slightly, meeting his gaze with a sharp look. “But you always hate when others touch what’s yours… and I’m yours.”
Shawn’s face hardened. “Susan is different.”
“Because you love her, right?” Gale pressed.
Shawn didn’t respond immediately. Love? It didn’t quite seem like love. What he felt for Susan was more out of a sense of responsibility, a deep-rooted obligation. After all, Susan had saved him in ways that stirred complex emotions within him.
Shawn sighed, his brow furrowing in frustration. “I’ve already punished her. What else do you want from me?”
Gale smiled wryly, her eyes narrowing with self-awareness. “What can I do? Am I even worthy of asking for more?”
She knew her place. She was nothing in his world, too insignificant to have any other desires.
Shawn’s fingers suddenly gripped her jaw, tightening until it hurt. “Don’t wear that sad expression around me,” he snapped, his voice sharp.
He had already supported her, sent Susan home to reflect on her actions. Yet Gale still seemed dissatisfied, showing her temper as if it wasn’t enough.
It frustrated him to no end.
“Understood,” Gale replied softly, her voice lacking the conviction she once had.
He released her, leaning back to close his eyes, trying to rest. But sleep eluded him. His mind raced, his temples throbbing with tension.
Later, back at the office, Shawn opened the bottom drawer of his desk, retrieving the sachet that Gale had once given him. He had thrown it away carelessly at first, but now, it seemed to offer some comfort. As he inhaled the faint, calming fragrance, his heart slowly began to settle, and exhaustion overcame him.
He drifted into a deep sleep.
Hours later, Shawn stirred, blinking his eyes open. He found Joe standing in front of his desk, holding the sachet and tossing it playfully in his hands.
Joe grinned. “This is good. Where did you get it? I’ve never seen you sleep so deeply before. I almost didn’t want to wake you.”
Shawn cleared his throat, his voice firm. “Give it to me.”
Joe chuckled. “How can you keep something so wonderful to yourself?”
“I won’t say it a second time,” Shawn growled, irritation creeping into his tone.
Joe raised his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay, I’ll give it back.” He threw the sachet toward Shawn with a laugh. “This thing’s precious. So, who gave it to you? Let me guess… Gale?”
Shawn’s face darkened, his mood souring.
Joe’s grin widened. “What? You’re married, man! You can’t accept gifts from other women, so it has to be Gale, right?”
Shawn didn’t respond, his fingers tightening around the sachet before he shoved it back into the drawer. “Get out if you have nothing important to say.”
Joe raised his hands in mock defeat. “Looks like I guessed it right! Gale’s clever, huh? Would you mind letting her make one for me?”
Shawn raised an eyebrow. “Why would you want one?”
“I don’t know what’s in it, but the smell is so soothing. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
Shawn smirked slightly. “So, you want one, huh?”
Joe nodded eagerly. “Yes, absolutely.”
Shawn considered it for a moment. “Fine. Let Gale make one for everyone in the company.”
Joe’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you trying to wear her out? That’s too much!”
Shawn leaned back in his chair with a half-smile. “Good things are meant to be shared.”
Joe shrugged, giving in with a grin. “Well, alright then. Let’s get to business. What are you planning to do about the jewelry department?”