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Novel Catalog
Chapter 26
Gale’s eyes turned red with frustration and pain.
“Are you so short of money?” Shawn’s voice was cold, his gaze intense as he looked down at her. “You’d throw away your dignity just to pick up trash?”
“Yes!” Gale snapped, her voice trembling with the weight of her emotions. “I want money! What is dignity? I lost it the moment you threw me into the mental hospital! I have to work harder just to survive!”
Shawn’s jaw tightened as he stared at her, the words stinging. “You’re the President Wood, a man worth hundreds of billions. Of course, you can’t be bothered to do something like this. But me?” Gale’s voice cracked as she continued. “I’m just an ordinary person. I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me. Why is it so wrong for me to earn money just to get home?”
Her hands shook as she quickly wiped her eyes, trying to maintain control. She bent down to pick up the scattered bottles once more.
“Don’t pick it up!” Shawn commanded, his tone a dangerous growl.
Gale ignored him, her determination stronger than ever.
“Gale!” Shawn’s voice was sharp with anger as he reached down and yanked her up by the arm. “I told you not to!”
He kicked the bottles away, and with a harsh movement, he shoved her into the car.
Fiona, seated in the front, looked on with concern. “President Wood, Ma’am…”
“Get out!” Shawn snapped. “Pick up all her bottles.”
Fiona sighed, clearly caught in the middle of their confrontation. It’s fine to be kicked out of the car, but why does she have to pick up the trash too?
Shawn got into the driver’s seat, his frustration boiling over as he started the car. Without a word, he slammed his foot on the accelerator.
The car lurched forward, and Gale’s head nearly collided with the windshield. She gasped, trying to fasten her seatbelt, her heart racing.
I can’t die. I have parents, and now… I have a child to think about.
“Slow down… Ah!” Gale cried out, her voice barely a whisper, too terrified to open her eyes.
Shawn remained silent, his eyes fixed on the road. He sped through the streets, overtaking cars with reckless abandon, weaving in and out of traffic like a man possessed. Gale was thrown around by the car’s erratic movements, each turn and sharp stop leaving her nauseous.
Finally, the car screeched to a halt just outside Temperley Hall. The tires screamed against the pavement as the vehicle slid to a stop, mere centimeters from the steps.
Gale’s breath hitched in her chest, and she stumbled out of the car, her legs weak beneath her. She ran to the side of the road, retching uncontrollably.
Shawn’s eyes were cold, his voice flat. “Squeamish.”
“I… I have motion sickness!” Gale gasped between her heaving breaths, trying to mask her fear. She didn’t want him to suspect the truth—that it was morning sickness.
Shawn’s brow furrowed as he recalled the greasy soup Paula had made for her. He was annoyed. “Don’t drink that soup again. It’s clearly making you sick.”
Gale gave him a quick, startled glance. “What you said?”
“Yes, I said it,” Shawn affirmed, his voice blunt.
Her stomach still churned, but his words only added to the tension between them. Shawn’s eyes narrowed, the concern he tried to hide still visible beneath his anger. He was deeply worried about Gale’s condition—her frailty was becoming more apparent to him.
He took a step closer, his voice hard. “Also, don’t ever pick up trash again. If I find out you’re doing it, I won’t stand for it.”
Gale’s fists clenched at her sides. “Do you think I want to pick up trash?”
Shawn’s gaze darkened. “Aren’t you doing it to earn money for your fare? From tomorrow, come to work with me. Is that enough?”
Gale stared at him, stunned by the suggestion. Work with him? It was a better option than picking up trash, but the idea of being around him all the time was suffocating.
“I’d rather walk,” she replied softly, her voice tinged with frustration. At least I’d have some freedom and wouldn’t have to look at his face all the time.
Shawn, sensing her resistance, pressed on. “Stop overthinking. If you’re recognized by others, it will ruin my dignity.”