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Novel Catalog
Chapter 80
The sports car sped down the road, its engine roaring as it came to a stop in front of a fancy bar.
Shawn stepped out of the car, his presence immediately drawing the attention of passing girls who ogled him with envy and lust. A tall, handsome, and wealthy man was always desirable.
“Mr. Wood, you’re here,” the bar manager greeted him with a smile, bowing slightly. “Same spot as always?”
“Yes, and bring me some wine,” Shawn replied, his voice cold.
The manager nodded, quickly moving to fulfill his request.
Shawn walked to the booth where Joe was already sitting, his posture relaxed. With a swift kick, Shawn pushed a chair aside and dropped down onto it.
Joe looked up with a smirk. “Yo, you’re here to go clubbing? You look awful. Did someone beat you up?”
Shawn gave him a sharp glance and muttered, “No one will think you’re dumb if you don’t speak.”
Joe laughed. “Let me guess, did you and Gale have another fight? A husband and wife quarreling… so dumb. You’re sleeping in the same bed anyway.”
Joe slapped him on the shoulder, still chuckling. “Come on, let’s be men here. Be more generous.”
Shawn’s face darkened as he thought about Gale. He felt like he could kill her for everything that had happened. She was carrying another man’s child, and here he was—forced to tolerate it. How could he? Should he just pretend to be that bastard’s father?
Generous? That was the last thing he felt.
Shawn picked up the wine bottle and poured it straight into his mouth, drinking deeply as if trying to drown his thoughts.
“Yo, slow down on the bottle there,” Joe said, raising an eyebrow. He clapped his hands in mock applause. “In the whole city, only Gale has the ability to mess with your emotions this much.”
“She doesn’t have the ability,” Shawn grumbled, his voice strained.
Joe leaned back, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Oh, but she does. No matter how big a crisis the Wood Group goes through, I’ve never seen you frown. You’re as steady as a mountain. But now? You’re here getting drunk!”
Shawn’s frustration grew with every word Joe said. If looks could kill, Joe would have died a thousand times over.
“Shawn, do you know?” Joe continued, his voice full of exaggerated drama, “When a man gets emotionally affected by a woman, it only means one thing.”
Shawn narrowed his eyes. “What’s that?”
“You’re in love with her.”
Shawn paused mid-sip, his fingers tightening around the wine bottle. Love? Was that what this was?
He snorted, shaking his head in disbelief. “I think you’re drunk.”
“Too embarrassed to admit it?” Joe slapped him on the back. “Shawn, you don’t know when you’re in love. But the day you realize it, that’s the day you’ve completely fallen.”
Shawn rolled his eyes, trying to dismiss the thought. “What a lie.”
Joe grinned. “It’s the truth. Think about it—can any other woman make you this angry? What about Susan? Can she make you feel like this?”
Shawn’s face hardened at the mention of Susan. He hadn’t cared about Susan’s antics—her constant need to show off, her lies, or even the things she had done to try to manipulate him. He had never truly cared. He had only felt disgusted and distant from her.
But Gale? Her words lingered in his mind, haunting him.
Joe noticed the shift in Shawn’s expression. “See? I got it right.”
Shawn clenched his jaw. He was trying to deny it, but Joe’s words kept echoing in his mind.
“Okay, okay,” Joe said, leaning in with a knowing smile. “It’s normal for you to love a woman at your age. But if you love her, treat her well. Don’t wait until she leaves and regret it.”
Shawn’s expression remained cold. “Love? Do you know Gale’s identity?”
“I know,” Joe replied, nodding seriously. “To put it bluntly, the grievance between you and her belongs to the previous generation. She’s innocent, and you’re a victim in this too.”
Shawn’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “I will never love her. Not even if all the women in the world die.”
Joe looked at him with a mix of concern and disbelief. Shawn was as stubborn as ever, but deep down, something had shifted in him. Would he really be able to continue denying what was growing inside him?