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Novel Catalog
Chapter 6
Gale woke up with a start, still in a haze. She blinked a few times and looked at Shawn, her voice still thick with sleep. “What… what’s wrong?” She hadn’t done anything—had she disturbed him by talking in her sleep? Was she sleepwalking?
Shawn’s face twisted into a deeper scowl. Gale, feeling the tension in the air, whimpered and said, “I told you I shouldn’t sleep here. Sorry, I’ll leave.” She quickly bent down to gather the pillow and quilt, planning to leave the room. However, in her haste, she didn’t realize her hair was a mess, and she probably looked more alluring than she intended.
Before she could take more than two steps, Shawn’s arms snaked around her, pulling her back into him. “Are you trying to seduce me with that coquettish look? I’ll give you what you want!” he sneered.
Gale, her heart racing, stammered in protest, “I… um…” But before she could finish, Shawn leaned in and kissed her fiercely. Gale, startled, unconsciously parted her lips for a second, only to hear his mocking voice.
“Oh, so you want more?” he teased, a twisted satisfaction in his eyes.
Gale snapped back to reality, her face flushing with panic, and quickly closed her lips. But Shawn wasn’t done. He gripped her chin with force, and Gale gasped in pain as he held her in place, her lips involuntarily parting as if inviting him.
How could this happen? Gale thought frantically. They are enemies, not lovers.
Shawn’s voice turned venomous as he spoke again, “Even if you stand naked in front of me, I won’t want you.” He bit her lips hard, drawing blood. “Gale, you’re just my plaything. Dirty.”
The blood dripped from the corner of her lips, landing on the back of his hand. Gale had no idea why Shawn seemed to be spiraling into madness. She could only stand there, head bowed, knowing she had no right to resist.
Shawn stared at her for a moment, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Get lost.”
Gale didn’t dare hesitate. She turned quickly to leave, but before she could even make it out of the door, he barked, “Not that far!”
Defeated, Gale laid down on the floor outside his bedroom door. She dared not fall asleep, terrified that any more wrong moves would make him snap again. So, she stayed half-awake, dreading the coming hours until dawn.
When the clock struck eight, she heard footsteps approaching, and her body stiffened. She quickly stood up and straightened herself. The door opened, and Shawn glanced at her briefly, his expression unreadable.
“Morning, Wood… Mr. Wood,” Gale greeted him quickly.
Shawn’s gaze hardened. He was displeased to see her up and about, looking almost refreshed—as if she’d had a good night’s rest. He hadn’t been able to sleep at all, had he? His voice turned cold. “A lowly person is worthy of a lowly life. You’re only worthy of sleeping at the door.”
Gale bit her lip, asking cautiously, “Then should I sleep here from now on?”
Shawn’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t even try to hide his annoyance. “Certainly.”
A sigh of relief escaped Gale’s chest. Sleeping outside was certainly better than being near him. But as she relaxed, Shawn’s anger flared further. “Follow me to the company. You shouldn’t be lazing around at home!”
“Yes, Mr. Wood,” Gale replied softly.
After breakfast, Shawn drove off in his Rells Reyce, leaving Gale to walk to the Wood Group. By the time she arrived at the office, it was past ten o’clock, and though the staff were busy, the place felt strangely tense.
She approached Fiona quietly, not wanting to disturb anyone. “Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked in a low voice. She knew that if Shawn found out she wasn’t being productive, his temper would explode. It was better to be proactive.
Fiona looked at her cautiously, then spoke quietly. “He hasn’t given any orders yet, but I think he’s in a bad mood today. He’s already scolded the three directors, and I can’t imagine he slept well.” Fiona glanced toward Shawn’s office, then back at Gale. “Why don’t you grab a cup of black coffee and take it to him?”
“Okay,” Gale said, eager to do something.
She made her way to the pharmacy across the street, where the clerk was wrapping up some pills. The faint smell of medicine drifted through the air as Gale waited. When it was her turn, she asked softly, “Hello, can I please have some medicine?”
The clerk nodded and took her request, and ten minutes later, Gale returned to the office.
She knocked on Shawn’s office door, and his irritable voice called out, “Come in!”
Inside, two company executives sat hunched over, heads drooped, clearly beaten down after a scolding. A broken cup lay on the floor.
“You came up with this shoddy marketing plan after three months?” Shawn’s voice was icy, sharp. He threw the documents on the ground in disgust. “I’ll give you five more days. If you don’t get it right, resign!”
The executives mumbled their agreement, but the tension in the room was palpable.
Shawn leaned back in his chair, his hand running through his hair, frustration visible on his face. Then, without warning, he swept everything off his desk, sending papers flying.
Gale had just started picking up the broken cup pieces when suddenly, a heavy folder landed in her hand, cutting her skin. She winced in pain.
“Agh!” she let out, before quickly hiding her injured hand behind her.
Shawn froze, startled, then remembered she had entered with the coffee. He stood up, his gaze narrowing as he saw her crouching on the floor, silently collecting the debris.
Gale hid the injured hand, trying to act normal. “I’m here to bring you coffee,” she said, keeping her tone even.
Shawn’s frown deepened as he looked at her and the blood starting to seep from her cut. Gale quickly took out another item from her pocket. “And… this.”
Shawn picked it up with disgust. “What is this?”
Gale’s voice was calm, even though she felt anxious. “It’s a sachet I made. It contains a few herbs that can help you sleep better and calm your nerves. You should try it, put it by your pillow, and you might sleep well.”
Shawn eyed her with distaste, before tossing the sachet into the trash. “Unnecessary.”
His dismissive gesture stung, but Gale didn’t show it. She tried once more, her voice quieter this time, “You can try it for your sleep…”
“Go out!” Shawn’s order was sharp and final.
Gale sighed quietly as she left the room. Her heart weighed heavy with his rejection, but she knew she couldn’t make him do anything. She looked back at the discarded sachet in the trash, her shoulders slumping in disappointment.
As Gale left the office, Shawn’s gaze lingered on the bloodstain on the carpet. His eyes flickered briefly to the sachet, now forgotten in the trash.
A few seconds later, Shawn turned sharply and picked up the phone. “Have you found out who the woman was that night?”
“No…” came the reply.
“Get it done! Find her at all costs!” Shawn barked. “I don’t care what it takes!”
“Yes, Mr. Wood. We have a few suspects, and we’re continuing the investigation,” the voice on the other end assured him.
Shawn hung up, his mind still whirling. He had to find that woman, he thought, his hands clenched into fists. She was a vixen, and she would only bring trouble. Gale? She’s no better. If she stays here any longer, something bad will happen.
Meanwhile, Gale had wandered to a quiet corner, where no one could see. She gently opened her hand, inspecting the injury. The wound had stopped bleeding, but it still needed proper care, or it would get infected. She had no money for medicine, the last of her cash spent on the sachet, which Shawn had so carelessly thrown away.
She needed to find a way to make some money. She couldn’t be an idle burden at the Wood family estate. If Shawn called her back, she could always return. But she couldn’t stand being so helpless.
The answer came quickly. She noticed a “Help Wanted” sign at the restaurant across the street. They were hiring dishwashers, and the wages were paid hourly. It was better than doing nothing, and she could earn enough to buy the things she needed.
As Gale walked over to inquire, she overheard two voices behind her.
“Isn’t that the cleaner?” one whispered.
“Oh, isn’t that Mrs. Wood?” the other chuckled.
Gale’s heart sank. She couldn’t escape the whispers, not even here.