Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter 8
“Yeah, Paula, we should do it together. Don’t just stand aside and watch,” Jenny said, her voice gleaming with malicious excitement.
Jenny’s words hung in the air as Gale glanced from one woman to the other. She had to act fast. “Look, Paula doesn’t want to do anything!” Gale interrupted, trying to buy time as she secretly tried to wriggle her wrists free from the rope binding them.
Jenny, sensing Gale might be right, handed the knife to Paula. “So… you cut the left side, I’ll cut the right side.”
Paula nodded, clearly eager for the cruel task. “Okay. You make the first cut, and I’ll hold her down.”
Gale’s wrists were raw from her futile attempts at escape, but she didn’t give up. Every moment was critical.
Paula moved closer, grabbing Gale’s head firmly. “Stay still, and it’ll hurt less. Jenny, go on!”
Jenny sneered as she approached with the knife. “This face is so fair and tender. No wonder you can seduce Shawn. I’ll ruin it today!” She raised the knife, its blade gleaming wickedly in the dim light.
Gale swallowed hard, fear tightening her chest. “You’re really not afraid of Shawn?”
Jenny’s grin widened. “He won’t touch me with the Timothy family backing me up.”
The words were barely out of Jenny’s mouth when a deep, authoritative male voice rang out from afar. “Stop!”
Gale’s heart skipped a beat as she recognized that voice. Overcome with relief, she screamed, “Shawn, save me!”
The screeching sound of tires burning rubber echoed, and before the car even came to a stop, Shawn had already leaped out, walking toward them with fury in his eyes. The hem of his suit fluttered behind him as he approached, his gaze cold and filled with wrath.
“Timothy family?” Shawn’s voice was laced with venom. “What do you think they are? Tomorrow, I can make the entire Timothy family disappear from Sea City!” He didn’t even spare a glance at Jenny as he kicked her away effortlessly, sending her crashing to the ground.
Without a second thought, he rushed over to Gale and swept her into his arms. “Are you hurt?”
Gale shook her head, the relief in her chest growing with each passing second. “No… almost, but I’m not.” She was still rattled by the close call but was too stunned by Shawn’s sudden appearance to focus on anything else.
Shawn looked at her, his expression softening only slightly. “What are you running around for? Couldn’t find a place to sit at the Wood Group?”
Gale hesitated, unsure whether to tell him the real reason. She had been looking for a job when she had unexpectedly run into Paula and Jenny. “I…” she trailed off, not wanting to admit the details of her search.
Shawn turned to Paula, his gaze cold. “What’s this? You’re playing with my wife?”
Paula’s smile was insincere as she shrugged. “I’m just playing with my daughter-in-law.”
Shawn’s lip curled in disgust as he picked up the knife from the ground, throwing it in front of Paula. “Let’s play with your face next.”
Paula froze, a nervous flicker crossing her face.
“What…” Paula began, but Shawn cut her off with a look that silenced her immediately.
He was relentless. “Cut it!”
Jenny, recovering from the kick, stood up and stomped her foot. “Why are you defending this woman?!”
Shawn’s voice was icy, colder than the steel in his hand. “Because she’s my wife!” He turned to face Jenny with a hard stare. “If I don’t protect her, who do you think I should protect? You?” His words hung in the air, a threat so sharp it made Jenny flinch.
Gale, despite the chaos around her, couldn’t help but reflect on what was happening. Why was Shawn so angry? It dawned on her. The reason Shawn was so furious was simple—only he had the right to humiliate and control her. No matter how much he hated her or wanted to punish her, he wouldn’t let anyone else do it. It had to be him. She couldn’t decide if that was comforting or terrifying.
Shawn lifted her up into his arms, his grip firm and steady. Gale gasped, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck for support. The closeness of the gesture made her uneasy, and she quickly released him, her cheeks flushing.
Shawn didn’t acknowledge her discomfort, his expression cold as ever. “You should be glad you weren’t injured,” he said, his tone almost clinical. “Jenny, I’ll punish you on behalf of your family. Go home and think about your actions for a month! You’re grounded.”
Jenny’s face twisted with outrage. “What?!”
Shawn turned to Paula with an even colder look. “Don’t expect a single cent of your living expenses this year.”
Paula’s face turned pale. As Shawn’s father’s wife, she had lived a life of luxury, sustained by the generous family funds. But now, that security was abruptly cut off. “No, that’s money your father gave me!” she protested.
Shawn didn’t flinch. “Two years!”
“Shawn, y… you…” Paula stammered, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“Three years!” Shawn’s voice was unyielding.
The lives of Paula and Jenny were in ruins, their sources of support severed.
Back at Temperley Hall, the housekeeper gasped when she saw Gale’s disheveled appearance. “Ms. Gale, you’re…”
Gale quickly waved her hand, brushing off the concern. “It’s nothing. It looks worse than it is, but I’m not hurt.”
Shawn, still calm, sat on the sofa, tugging at his tie. “Not hurt? What about your palm?”
Gale froze. He had noticed the faint bruise on her hand, a reminder of her struggle against the ropes.
She looked at him, a quiet sadness in her eyes. “Apart from causing me trouble, what else can you do?”
Shawn’s eyes darkened as he stared at her. “I punished Paula and Jenny for you. Are you proud of that?”
Gale quickly shook her head. “No…”
A cold smile curved Shawn’s lips. “Gale, no one touches your face. If anyone is going to scratch it… it’ll only be me.” His words were like a blade, each one cutting deeper than the last.
Gale stiffened as Shawn picked up a fruit knife from the coffee table and held it up to her cheek. She shivered, her breath catching.
Shawn’s cold voice pierced the silence. “Gale, look at you. Once you leave me, there will be so many people trying to mess with you. I’m the only one who can torture you.”
Gale squeezed her eyes shut, unable to stop the rush of emotions that flooded her. I can’t resist you… she thought to herself. But I never owed you anything.
The knife pressed down gently, the sharp edge barely skimming her skin. The pressure built, and the cold ring of the landline suddenly shattered the tension in the room.
Shawn looked at the phone, his expression changing slightly. He picked it up and answered calmly. “Hello, Grandpa.”
“Come over immediately! Now!” The old man’s voice boomed through the line.
“What’s up?” Shawn replied, his tone still cool.
“Also, bring your newlywed wife!” Grandfather Wood shouted before hanging up abruptly.
Shawn glanced at Gale with a hint of amusement in his eyes. “You’re lucky,” he said, raising her chin with the tip of the knife. “I’ll leave your face untouched for now. Don’t want to scare my grandfather with your blood.”
Gale didn’t know what to make of his words—Grandfather? Her mind raced, but Shawn’s indifference made it hard to decipher his true feelings.
“Pack up and follow me,” Shawn ordered, his voice cold. “Five minutes.”
Gale hurried upstairs, quickly changing her clothes and tying her hair. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread as she followed him to the old Wood family estate.
The Wood family’s old house was a stark contrast to the grandeur of Temperley Hall. It had a calm, atmospheric courtyard, with a scenic view of the mountains and rivers. But the tension in the air was palpable as they entered the living room.
Paula, waiting for them, pointed directly at Gale. “Yes, Grandfather Wood, she’s here! She’s Dr. Peter’s daughter! Shawn actually married her!”
Gale’s heart sank. This wasn’t going to be good.