Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter 84
“Actually, your wife is very nice. She’s always so friendly, and she never yells,” the housekeeper remarked thoughtfully.
Shawn glanced at him, a piercing look in his eyes. “Know your place,” he said, his voice low and firm.
The housekeeper immediately fell silent, his face tightening as he discreetly placed the fifty thousand dollars on the table—money that Gale had painstakingly gathered yesterday.
Shawn slammed his cutlery down with a sharp noise, making everyone in the room freeze. The servants around them held their breath, not daring to say a word.
“What does she mean?” Shawn’s voice was cold and full of intent. “Huh?”
The housekeeper mimed zipping his mouth shut with a quick motion.
“Speak!” Shawn demanded.
The housekeeper hesitated for a moment before responding, “Mr. Wood, I don’t know either. Your wife asked me to give it to you. The hospital called—Wendy Warm’s condition can’t be delayed. She needs the medicine as soon as possible. After a day, the treatment’s effectiveness will be reduced. Just one pill.”
Shawn’s expression grew thoughtful as he processed the information. His mind wandered briefly.
“Wendy’s in a vegetative state,” the housekeeper continued, his voice soft yet sure. “Now she’s awake. She has a good doctor and a strong will to live. Mr. Wood, you’ve cured her. Why don’t you take the last step?”
Shawn’s face remained hard, but the words lingered in his mind.
“Housekeeper,” he said, his voice colder now. “Are you helping Gale, intentionally or unintentionally?”
“I… I’m just telling the truth,” the housekeeper replied, his voice tinged with an almost fatherly concern.
The housekeeper had been with the Wood family for many years, having watched Shawn grow up. He’d been loyal to the family, serving them through thick and thin. It was why he felt the right to speak his mind, even if it was to a man like Shawn.
Shawn scoffed and glanced at the bowl of hangover tea placed conspicuously on the table. It seemed like the housekeeper had intended to make it the focal point, an attempt to show his care.
After a long silence, Shawn finally spoke. “Tell the hospital to give the medicine to Wendy…”
Just as he finished, Susan’s voice cut through the moment. “Mr. Wood!” she called out, rushing in with a concerned look plastered on her face. “Are you sober now? I was worried about you last night. I couldn’t sleep well.”
“Last night?” Shawn repeated, his brow furrowing.
“Yes, I stayed with you at the bar for a long time. Mr. Wood, have you forgotten?” Susan said with a pout, though her eyes were sharp with an intent Shawn didn’t miss.
“I don’t remember,” Shawn replied bluntly, the words falling flat.
Susan’s face twisted with feigned sympathy. “You drank so much, I couldn’t even stop you. The hangover must be awful. Do you have a headache?” She reached out as if to rub his temples, but Shawn quickly pulled away.
“Ms. Susan,” the housekeeper intervened before the situation could escalate. “The person who sent Mr. Wood back last night was Mr. Joe.”
Susan glared at the housekeeper, anger flickering in her eyes. He never seemed to say anything that served her.
“I know,” Susan replied sharply. “Mr. Joe said it was too late for me to follow. But Mr. Wood, what medicine were you talking about? Who was it for?”
Shawn’s brow furrowed at her question. What did I say last night?
Susan, sensing his confusion, pressed on. “Is it Gale’s mother? You mentioned it last night.”
Shawn’s mind raced. His memory was hazy from the alcohol, but Susan’s words were like echoes from the past night—unwanted echoes. His patience thinned as the conversation continued.
“What you don’t know,” Susan continued with a falsely sweet smile, “is that you shouldn’t be saving Gale’s mother. You shouldn’t associate with her at all. It’s useless if you save her!”
Shawn’s anger flared, and he shot her a sharp look. “Do you even know what you’re talking about?” he asked coldly.
Susan had no right to make judgments about Wendy, especially when she knew nothing about her or her situation. His disgust deepened.
“I’m serious, Mr. Wood,” Susan insisted, her tone now strident. “If you save her, you’re only hurting yourself! Don’t be so soft-hearted. You’ll raise a tiger that will bite you from behind!”
Shawn could feel his headache intensifying from her shrill voice. His patience, already stretched thin, snapped.
“Get out,” he said, his words cold and final.
Susan’s eyes widened at his dismissal, but she didn’t argue. She could tell by the look on Shawn’s face that he wasn’t in the mood to entertain her. With a final, exasperated glance, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room.
The housekeeper sighed in relief, though he knew this wouldn’t be the last time Susan would try to interfere.
Shawn sat there, alone, his thoughts still heavy. Gale’s name lingered in his mind—her image, her words, everything she had done for him, even when he had been at his lowest. But what would he do now? Would he take that final step for Wendy, or would he just walk away?
Only time would tell.