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Novel Catalog
Chapter 7
There was no escape. Gale glanced sideways, seeing Paula and Jenny sitting by the window, both staring at her with wide eyes. The shock was palpable, and Gale knew she needed to leave before things got worse. Without hesitation, she turned and started for the door.
But Jenny was determined not to let her go that easily. “Cleaner, wait a minute!” Jenny called out, her voice sharp. She stepped forward and grabbed Gale’s arm, pulling her toward Paula. “Aunt Paula, what did you call her just now?”
“Mrs. Wood!” Paula answered, her voice a mix of surprise and satisfaction.
“What!? She’s… Shawn’s new wife?” Jenny’s voice was incredulous.
Paula nodded with certainty. “Yes. When I went to Temperley Hall to deliver soup to Shawn, I saw her there. I can’t be wrong!” At that time, Shawn had defended Gale, which had embarrassed Paula. The bitterness had festered, and she had sworn revenge ever since.
Jenny’s anger flared, and she screamed—loudly enough to shatter windows. “She’s that vixen!”
“But… Jenny, why did you call her a cleaner?” Paula asked, puzzled.
“Because when I saw her, she was cleaning the floor in the office!” Jenny said, the words dripping with disdain.
Paula frowned, incredulous. “Really?”
Jenny nodded, recounting the details. “Shawn didn’t help her at all.”
The weight of her words hung heavy in the air, and Gale could feel the scrutiny turning on her. Calmly, she shrugged off Jenny’s grip. “You’ve mistaken me,” she said, her voice steady despite the growing tension.
“Impossible! It’s you! You were the lowly cleaner who cleaned my shoes!” Jenny shot back, her face twisted in disdain.
Gale sighed, her patience thinning. “Ms. Jenny, I suggest you go see an ophthalmologist sometime.”
Before Gale could walk away, Paula’s voice stopped her. “Okay, Jenny, I understand you’re angry, but I’m your mother-in-law. Why haven’t you greeted me yet?”
Gale hesitated. “Paula, I didn’t recognize you…”
Paula’s sharp eyes narrowed, seeing right through the feigned innocence. “I see,” she said coldly, piecing things together. “So… Mrs. Wood isn’t exactly Shawn’s favorite, is she? Otherwise, why would she be cleaning Jenny’s shoes?” Paula’s mind clicked into place. So this is how it is. Shawn is pretending to care about her, but really, he’s making her grovel before me.
Paula smirked, dragging Gale toward the seat beside her. “Well, since you’re here, you should greet your in-laws, ‘ugly daughter-in-law.’”
“I still have things to do, so I can’t stay,” Gale said, trying to slip away.
“What did you call me?” Paula’s voice was sharp.
Gale, unfazed, met her gaze. “Well, my husband calls you that, too.”
The words hung in the air, as sharp as a slap. Gale hadn’t forgotten the humiliation Shawn had made her endure—slapping herself to apologize to Paula. It was clear to her that Shawn hated this stepmother, and Paula had to know that.
Paula’s smile twisted into something darker. “How dare you say that? You’re as stupid as you are ugly!”
“That’s right,” Jenny added, sneering. “You’re not allowed to call Shawn your husband!”
Gale’s eyes turned cold. “Look, I’ll say it again. I’m leaving. Otherwise, I’ll call the police.”
She had learned how to handle situations like this in the mental hospital. It was always best to stay untouchable, make it clear you wouldn’t be bullied, and that people would think twice before crossing you. So, Gale didn’t hesitate. She walked out, head held high, ignoring their taunts.
But to her surprise, Paula followed her out of the restaurant. As Gale stepped into the street, Paula grabbed her arm and yanked her back toward a waiting car.
“Let go!” Gale shouted, struggling. “Help! Help me!”
Paula just smiled, unaffected. “This is my daughter-in-law. She quarreled with my son and ran off. I’m just taking her home.”
The passersby glanced at the scene, but no one intervened. They all looked the other way, uninterested in getting involved. Gale, unable to break free, was forcibly dragged into the car.
Paula pinched Gale’s arm hard, a malicious grin spreading across her face. “You’re so arrogant. I think it’s time I taught you a lesson!”
Gale’s eyes flashed with defiance. “How dare you! If Shawn finds out, he won’t let you get away with this!”
Jenny’s laughter was cold and bitter. “You think Shawn will offend Paula’s family for you? A cleaner like you?”
Gale’s words were laced with an eerie calm. “Yes, he will.”
The car sped away, leaving behind the city streets, and Gale had no idea where they were taking her.
At the Wood Group Headquarters, Shawn finished his meeting and checked his watch.
“Mr. Wood, lunch is ready,” Fiona said, trying to keep the mood light.
Shawn nodded absentmindedly but then froze. “What about her?” His mind wandered briefly. Had she gone missing?
Fiona, the kind-hearted woman who worked by his side, paused. “I’ll contact her now.”
Shawn waved her off, his mind already turning in circles. Why am I looking for her? he thought briefly. I miss her? No, I’m just looking for her to punish her… His thoughts twisted in frustration.
“Yes, President Wood,” Fiona said before leaving to search for Gale.
Fiona searched high and low for Gale but couldn’t find her. After checking the surveillance footage, she saw that Gale had left the office three hours ago.
Fiona hesitated, dread pooling in her stomach as she walked back to Shawn’s office. “Mr. Wood… she’s gone.”
Shawn didn’t look up from his meal. “She wouldn’t dare to run,” he muttered. Unless…
Fiona continued nervously, “Your wife has been out of contact for three hours.”
Shawn took a slow sip of water, his eyes narrowing. What’s she playing at now?
Not long after, he received an email. He opened it and saw a photo of Gale, clearly being dragged by Paula and Jenny. His lips curled into a tight smile.
“It seems they want to play with fire,” he muttered to himself.
“Prepare the car,” Shawn ordered coldly.
The Timothy family owned a holiday villa in the suburbs. As the car door opened, Gale was unceremoniously pushed out, her hands tied behind her back. She stumbled as she hit the ground, her face flushed with humiliation.
“Hahahaha, you look just like a dog,” Jenny taunted, her voice full of satisfaction. “Tell me, should I scratch your left cheek first, or your right?”
Gale stared at her with an unreadable expression. “Jenny, you have the support of the Timothy family, and you think Shawn doesn’t care about me. But have you ever thought about this? I belong to Shawn, and he hates anyone destroying what’s his!”
Shawn’s possessive nature was well-known throughout Sea City. What he hated, he destroyed. What he loved, no one else could touch. Gale could almost see it in his eyes—he would tear anyone apart who dared to threaten what was his.
Jenny hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing her face.
“Oh, don’t be frightened by her,” Paula urged, stirring the pot. “When she’s disfigured, Shawn won’t want her anymore. He’ll toss her aside, and your chance will come!”
Jenny nodded eagerly. “Yes. Only I can marry him. I won’t let any other woman near him.”
Gale suddenly burst out laughing, the sound sharp and mocking.
“You… What are you laughing at?” Jenny demanded.
Gale wiped her eyes, still laughing. “Laughing at you, you idiot! You’re being used by Paula. She’s getting you to do all the dirty work so she doesn’t have to get her hands dirty. Stay out of it!”
Paula’s face darkened, and she cursed under her breath, her patience running thin. “Shut up!”
“Did I hit the nail on the head?” Gale shot back, her voice defiant. The only thing she could do now was provoke the two of them, buy herself time. She needed to wait until Shawn found her. His need for control would drive him to track her down, and that would be her moment to escape.
And she knew, once he came, everything would change.