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Novel Catalog
Chapter 9
The atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically as Grandfather Wood’s face turned a deep shade of red, his fury nearly palpable. “Shawn, you are simply unfilial!” he thundered, his voice shaking with anger. “Her father killed your father, and you still…” He could barely finish the sentence, overcome with emotion.
Paula was quick to step in, her voice dripping with feigned concern. “Grandpa, calm down. Your health can’t handle this,” she said, her tone soothing yet insincere. “I rushed here as soon as I heard. We need to discuss what to do about this situation.”
“Divorce! Divorce immediately!” Paula continued, her voice laced with false sincerity. “Shawn, I really don’t want to be a burden. It’s one thing if you don’t tell us about such a big event, but how can you marry the enemy’s daughter?”
Paula’s resentment toward Shawn’s punishment was evident. She couldn’t undo the three-year punishment of no living expenses, so she resorted to digging into Gale’s past. After sending investigators, she uncovered Gale’s true identity. Unfazed, Paula immediately informed Grandfather Wood to apply pressure on Shawn.
But when Shawn looked at her with cold eyes, Paula quickly silenced herself, unwilling to challenge him further.
Shawn’s response was calm but firm. “Yes, she is Dr. Warm’s daughter, but how can the mistakes of the past be blamed on the next generation?”
Gale was taken aback. His words were smooth, almost convincing. He made it sound as though he truly believed what he said, yet Gale could see right through him. He’s angry with me, she thought. This man is far too skilled at lying.
Grandfather Wood, however, was not so easily placated. His cane came down hard against the floor as he barked, “You’re confused, Shawn! Don’t forget, your father arranged your marriage!”
Shawn’s lips curled into a defiant sneer. “I’ll marry whoever I want.”
“Don’t be so reckless!” Grandfather Wood struggled to catch his breath, clutching his chest. Gale stood by Shawn’s side, feeling the weight of the tension in the room. She had learned by now to stay silent unless Shawn gave her a signal to speak.
Her mind wandered briefly, and before she could stop herself, she muttered, “Why don’t you marry Jenny?”
As soon as the words left her lips, she regretted them. What was I thinking? she thought, panic rising in her chest. This could end terribly.
Shawn’s voice cut through her thoughts, sharp and biting. “Are you deaf? I just said I’m marrying someone I like.”
Gale blinked, unsure of how to interpret his words. “Oh, you… like me?” Her heart fluttered in confusion. Does he have feelings for me? After everything he’s put me through, is this some twisted form of affection?
Shawn’s eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a cold smile. “Gale, you really look down on yourself too much.”
Gale lowered her gaze, her fingers twisting nervously in front of her. “I’m afraid you’ll fall in love with me.”
Shawn tilted his head, a low laugh escaping his lips. “Heh. Do you think I’ll touch you? Keep dreaming!” His words were venomous, and Gale felt her heart sink. Even if every woman in the world were gone, he continued in his cruel tone, even if you were naked and standing in front of me, I wouldn’t even spare you a glance.
Gale couldn’t help but lower her head, the sting of his words too much to bear. But she wasn’t defeated. I’ll make him think he’s not interested in me, she thought, her mind whirring. Then he won’t touch me again, and I’ll be safe.
Shawn’s voice broke through her thoughts, low and commanding. “Grandpa, there’s no need for you to worry. Just focus on enjoying your retirement. I will bring the Wood family to its peak.”
Grandfather Wood scowled. “Are you saying you will not divorce her?”
Shawn’s voice was firm, unwavering. “Divorce is up to me.”
“You vixen!” Grandfather Wood’s rage was now fully focused on Gale. “You killed my son, and now you’ve seduced my grandson. The Wood family must have wronged you in a past life!”
Paula, ever eager to fuel the flames, added with feigned innocence, “Grandpa, if you have something to say, just say it. Don’t use violence…”
Grandfather Wood’s anger flared once again. “I have to kill this fox of a woman!” He raised his cane, aiming it at Gale.
Before anyone could react, Gale’s instincts kicked in. She shrieked dramatically and hid behind Shawn. “Ahh! My dear, save me!” she cried, her voice full of feigned panic.
Shawn, seemingly stunned by her sudden theatrics, stood speechless for a moment. Gale pressed herself into his back, her body trembling in exaggerated fear. “You’d be sad if I got hurt, right?”
Grandfather Wood’s cane swung again, striking the air as he shouted, “Look! This is how she seduced you!”
Gale clung to Shawn, using him as a shield, as the old man swung his cane wildly. Shawn, for once, was caught off guard by her performance. In frustration, Grandfather Wood gave up on hitting Gale and instead struck Shawn’s back.
“All you do is go for beautiful girls! How useless!” Grandfather Wood’s voice echoed in the room.
Gale froze in shock as she witnessed Shawn being struck. Her face turned pale, a sudden sense of guilt creeping over her. I didn’t mean for him to get hurt. This wasn’t part of the plan!
Shawn gave her a cold, furious glance. “Thanks a lot, Gale.”
Before she could respond, the shrill ring of Shawn’s phone broke the tension in the air. Shawn glanced at the caller ID, his eyes narrowing. He answered without hesitation. “What’s the matter?”
“Mr. Wood, I found the woman who broke into your room that night!” The voice on the other end was urgent.
“Where?” Shawn’s voice was sharp.
“Sea City Mental Hospital.”
Gale’s heart skipped a beat. How could it be… She had stayed in that hospital for two years.
Shawn’s gaze turned to Gale, his eyes burning with intensity. Gale quickly turned her head, avoiding his searing stare.
Shawn didn’t say another word. He turned on his heel and walked out of the room, gripping Gale’s wrist tightly. “Let’s go.”
The car’s engine roared to life, and they sped off toward the mental hospital. Gale, still recovering from the shock, realized too late that Shawn had no intention of allowing her to stay behind.
As they reached the outskirts of the city, Gale’s thoughts wandered. The quiet streets were unfamiliar to her at night, and she felt a slight panic creeping in. However, her mind soon found another distraction. A business opportunity, she thought, as she noticed a nearby pile of discarded bottles and cardboard boxes. I can recycle these and make some money.
She quickly rolled up her sleeves and began collecting the trash, methodically working her way through the neighborhood. By the time she reached Temperley Hall, she’d found a waste recycling shop and sold the collected items for a modest sum. She couldn’t help but feel a little victorious as she headed back home, even though she still had no idea where Shawn had gone.
Meanwhile, Shawn had arrived at the mental hospital. The loud rumble of his sports car echoed through the empty streets as he stepped out, his long legs carrying him quickly toward the entrance. “Shawn!” he barked, calling out to the staff. “Where is she?”
“In the dean’s office,” came the reply.
Shawn didn’t hesitate. He kicked the door open, his eyes blazing with anger. Inside the office, an overweight man in his fifties knelt, bloodied and bruised, while the dean stood nearby, frozen in fear. A young woman, garishly made-up, stood beside the dean, her appearance strikingly different from the soft, innocent woman he had imagined.
Shawn’s voice was quiet, but every word cut like a knife. “It’s her? Are you sure?”
The woman before him, far from being the demure, virginal figure he had expected, was bold and provocative in her appearance. Could I have been mistaken? Shawn thought, his mind racing. This woman doesn’t seem like the one from that night.
His subordinate confirmed, “Yes, Mr. Wood. This is Susan Fanning, the dean’s daughter.”
Shawn’s gaze hardened as he took in the woman before him. Something wasn’t right.