Sean looked down at Kim with cold eyes. "Do you know the biggest difference between me, Wayne, and Dexter, Uncle Kim?" Kim quickly nodded and looked at Sean with eyes full of expectation. "I know, I know! You're kinder than them! Shane, I always believed you to be a kind, gentle person." Sean had a cold expression as he stared at Kim. "No, Uncle Kim. Our biggest difference is that I don't leave any evidence behind." Brayden smiled as he watched by the side. He signaled to his underling and instructed, "Execute them." "No blood," Sean added coldly. The henchman dragged Kim toward the pool as though he were dragging a dead body. "No, no, Shane! Please let go of Marina! Let her go, please!" Kim kicked his feet. "My family is innocent! Even the gangsters know not to harm the families. You're utterly heartless, Shane!" Sean put on his vest and suit jacket with his back toward Kim. "Shut up!" Brayden stood on the pool steps and kicked Kim in his face. "Have yo
Brayden saw Sean walk out of the bungalow after throwing the paper towel he wiped his hands with into the trash can. He followed behind and stopped Sean from entering the driver's seat of his car. "Wait, Shane!" With one hand on the car roof, Sean looked at Brayden. Brayden approached and said, "I don't know who the woman you told Lenny to protect is, but I hope you understand, Shane. You shouldn't have a soft spot for anyone! "If you have a soft spot, you'll be easy to manipulate like Kim." Sean stared at Brayden before entering the car and leaving.With his hands in his pockets, Brayden's forehead creased as he watched Sean leave.Lenny was tight-lipped. He wouldn't disclose the identity of the person Sean had asked him to protect. Otherwise, Brayden could've gotten rid of this weakness of Sean for him. Sean parked outside Angeline's apartment but remained in the car.He leaned against the dashboard and looked up to see the living room of Angeline's apartment was lit.
"I guess we're set then!" Angeline felt satisfied with her outfit for Robert's banquet. The stylist removed Angeline's jewelry and stored them in a briefcase. With one hand lifting the end of her gown, Angeline entered the fitting room to change her clothes. After removing the straps of her stilettos, Angeline arranged her hair to the front and reached behind her back to unzip her gown. But before she could, a big, slender hand grabbed hers. Angeline turned around in surprise. She was shocked but relieved to see it was Sean. "W-why are you here, Mr. Lawson?" Angeline was a little worried as Asher was waiting outside. "Mr. Lawson Senior asked me to help you choose your gown, but I was late because of a meeting," Sean said. He put his hands on Angeline's shoulder and turned her around before unzipping her gown. "Thanks for helping me, but can you wait for me outside?" Angeline asked nervously while holding the gown and pressing it onto her breast, afraid they might fall
But before Angeline could continue her confession, Sean pulled Angeline toward him by her wrist, causing her to stagger forward. He lifted her face and pressed his warm, soft lips to hers. Angeline's mind went blank. She heard people pushing the rolling garment rack outside the fitting room. She opened her eyes and pushed Sean away. Her steps were wobbly from the kiss. She stumbled backward, knocking onto a table with several alternative gowns behind her. Sean slid his slender fingers into Angeline's hair to hold her head. With one hand on her waist, he kissed her deeply. His palm met her skin, which was exposed through the opened zipper at the back of the gown. The warmth from his palm caused her to get goosebumps. Angeline held herself by pushing against the table behind her with one hand as she accepted Sean's increasingly passionate kiss. The sound of their sensual, hot kiss filled the spacious, well-lit fitting room, causing Angeline to blush while feeling pins and nee
Angeline clenched onto Sean's suit. His slanted yet deep-set eyes were so captivating that they almost devoured whatever sanity Angeline had left. She looked away to avoid eye contact with Sean. "I'm worried that you only like me for my body. If so, there will be more women who are younger and more attractive than me in the future."Angeline continued, "I've always been insecure, especially after my previous failed relationship. I won't easily get into another one."Plus, you have been different from the Sean that I know. It seems that I don't know much about the real you." "Yes, Angeline. You truly don't know much about the real me. I'm neither virtuous nor unattainable," Sean said with clear articulation. His low, magnetic voice mesmerized Angeline as he caressed her lips with his fingers and whispered into her reddened ears, "You don't know how dangerously powerful my desire for you is, not to mention the dirty lecherousness I have toward you."You don't want to know all
Sean only released Angeline when she almost ran out of air. He observed her as she gasped to catch her breath. Her lashes were speckled with tiny droplets of tears that glittered under the lights. She gave out an adorable and childlike look as her eyes were clouded from the lack of oxygen. Sean's breathing got increasingly labored than when he released Angeline. He asked in a voice so deep it was almost a rasp, "Are you agreeing to continue our marriage, then?"Just the kiss alone had drained Angeline of her energy. She nodded weakly. "But for the time being… I don't wish to let others know about us. "I'm afraid Mr. Lawson Senior might find out, and I haven't thought of a way to tell him about this. I'm not ready to let other people know, either. Is that alright?"Robert was already infuriated with Sean for leaving the Lawson family. If he discovered that Sean was seeing Angeline, he'd probably blow his top.Angeline was even more worried that Robert might link the two mat
"Even… Yasmine and Xavier?"There was a slight tremble in Angeline's voice. Perhaps it was because her breath was still in disarray as she had yet to catch her breath from before. Images of the two adorable children popped up in Sean's mind. He thought of the bright smile on Yasmine's face and how Xavier would make a face whenever he saw Sean. "I'm not so deranged to be jealous over my kids.""Got it." A hint of a smile almost reached Angeline's eyes when she heard Sean. Then, she gave him a light nudge and said, "You should head out first. I'll come out when I'm done changing."Sean planted another kiss on Angeline's lips, unwilling to part from her. After releasing his hold on her, he picked his glasses off the table and left the changing room. He stepped onto the balcony next to the changing room and put on his glasses before lighting a cigarette. He needed something to keep his mouth occupied to combat the urge to pull Angeline over and kiss her senselessly. When his
Angeline's ears turned red at Sean's suggestive tone. "Okay."Perhaps it was because they'd just made things official between them, but they were both in high spirits when Sean sent Angeline home.Sean held Angeline's hand tightly as he drove. His hand wrapped around her nape when the traffic light turned red to pull her in for a passionate kiss.It wasn't until the navigation device reminded him that the light had turned green again that he released Angeline, who was out of breath. At the sight of her panting for air, Sean grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, planting a light kiss on it. Her lips were crimson red when they arrived at Angeline's house. The bodyguard trailing after them in another car quickly got out and opened the door for her. Angeline unfastened the seat belt and reminded Sean, "Don't forget to have lunch. Should I wait for you for dinner?""I'll give you a call before five." Sean's gaze was fixed on Angeline as though he couldn't bear to tear h
As soon as the words were out of Angeline's mouth, the sound of lounge slippers padding across the floor rang out. Yasmine ignored the shock on Ned's face and turned to reach for Sean. "Hold me, Daddy!"Sean smiled and lifted her into his arms. Then, he stood beside Angeline and looked at Ned imperiously. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Fletcher. I'm Shane Kingston. Thank you for pushing Angie away in the past—it led to my relationship with her."Ned knew precisely who "Shane" was. Just a few days ago, he'd seen the news about Melissa's press conference explaining her relationship with "Shane".His mind buzzed. He knew Sean and Shane looked similar enough for Dexter's men to have gotten the wrong person. However, he hadn't expected "Shane" to have anything to do with Angeline!"You… Are you the kids' father?" Ned's voice was incredibly shaky."Yes, and again, thank you for that!" Sean smiled. "We've never told anyone about this because I didn't want to endanger Angie and the kids.
Sean didn't give Angeline the chance to finish. "You were right to bring this up to me!"He wrapped his arms around her from behind and continued, "You and the kids will always be my main priority. I know I said I want Melissa to remain safe and happy under my watch, but my feelings for her are purely familial love."She's family to me, and I must care for her. But you and the kids mean more to me than anything else in the world, including her."His honesty made Angeline feel slightly more at ease. She said, "Those are your words, not mine…""I swear on my life that I mean every word." He pressed a kiss to her head. "Can I stay here tonight? I want to sleep with you and the kids. Also, I came from Brayden's place upstairs, so no one will know I'm here.""Granddad made it clear that if anyone finds out about this, he won't allow the kids to see you anymore.""Got it. Don't worry about a thing. Mr. Lawson Senior raised me, and I owe him for that. I won't put him in a tough
Angeline nodded without saying anything. Once Nathaniel was gone, she received a call from Sean."Now that everything has been taken care of, I want to give you a gift," he said, the smile in his tone evident. "Can you have the kids spend Friday night at Grand Court Residences? I want to show all three of you my gift on Saturday."He missed Yasmine and Xavier terribly. Before resolving the issue with Melissa, he hadn't dared to say he wanted to see them. Even if Angeline were okay with it, Robert probably would've objected to his wishes. Now that the dust had settled, he couldn't wait to see them."I don't call the shots regarding the kids now. I'll have to ask Granddad," Angeline said."I'll talk to him about it." Sean was worried Robert would take his anger out on her. "This all started because I insisted on being with you, so I'll handle it. I'll visit Mr. Lawson Senior later today."Angeline didn't know how Sean's conversation with Robert went, but Robert had Asher drop
That night, Melissa called Sean. "Shane, let's publicly announce our divorce. We can tell everyone that we only got married on paper so the Lane family could offer you its protection."Tell them that Dexter repeatedly tried to harm you so he could take the Kingston family fortune, and tell them how he tried to snatch you from the Lane family so he could secretly deal with you."She paused, then continued, "Now that Dexter's in prison, we can get a divorce, and Lori can adopt me as her daughter. We'll become cousins, and we'll still be a family.""Melissa…"Sean was surprised. He didn't expect her to see the light in such a short time."Since you don't have any feelings for me and won't ever make me your wife, I'll settle to be Lori's daughter. That way, you'll always be my family!" Tears streamed down Melissa's face as she spoke. "I adore Lori and want to be her daughter.""Alright," Sean said."Can you head to Keman with me, then? We can visit Dad together before getting
Melissa stared at Lori, who chuckled gently. "It's alright. There's no need to rush into anything. Take your time to think about it. Get good rest for a few days, then go shopping with me. We can buy some clothes to keep up with the changing seasons."I heard from Brayden and Sean that you're the expert in fashion and dressing up. I've always wanted a daughter who could shop, exercise, travel, café hop, and go on spa days with me."She paused and continued, "I didn't get to do any of this with you because you weren't in the best state before this. Now, though, you're all better. You're back to normal, and you've regained your memories!""I'd love that!" Melissa said without hesitation. She'd only done these things with her mother and Emelia in her dreams, but that was all they were—dreams. She was delighted now that Lori was back and willing to make her dreams come true.Sean sat on the couch and sipped his coffee. He knew Lori was doing everything she could to make his life ea
Melissa nodded. Sean said, "I know you have no company management experience. Mr. Lane might have entrusted Trustworth Group to me, but it's still yours. Before you find someone to take over, my plan for the company is still to move its focus back to Lonla."The global situation isn't the best now, and Lonla is the safest place for expansion. That's why the company's focus has to return to Lonla—""You can hand the company over to Brayden," Melissa interrupted. "The only people in this world I trust are you, Dad, and Brayden. Now that Dad's in prison and you don't want me anymore, Brayden is all I have left.""I'm still your kin, Melissa. I won't kick you to the curb and leave you to die. Nevertheless, Trustworth Group is yours. You can have whoever you want to manage it. Brayden is capable of that." Sean looked at Brayden. "What do you think? Are you willing to take over Trustworth Group?""I'll do it as long as Melissa is okay with it!" Brayden nodded. He turned to look
"That's not it! I've always been willing to care for you, and I'm more than willing to care for you in the future! It's not something that I'm forced to do…" Brayden feared his words would inadvertently hurt Melissa, so he decided not to continue in that vein.He said, "C'mon, you should head downstairs to eat something. You've already slept the day away.""I don't want to eat!" Melissa lay down again and pulled the sheets around herself. She said dully, "I want to sleep for a bit longer. Shut the door on your way out."Seeing that she'd already shut her eyes and started weeping, Brayden said softly, "I'll have the kitchen keep the food warm for you. Remember to call me when you wake up, okay? I'll be right downstairs!""Okay." Brayden left the room after hearing Melissa's muffled reply. He shut the door behind him.Melissa remained upstairs. She didn't head downstairs, even when Sean returned. Sean had already spoken to Angeline on the phone and told her he wouldn't meet
Melissa slept in her room and only woke up at night. She removed her headphones and opened her red, swollen eyes. She stared dazedly at the night sky, only returning to her senses when her headphones fell out of her hands.Brayden, who'd been waiting outside this whole time, heard them fall to the floor and hurried into the room. He saw Melissa sitting cross-legged on the bed. She propped herself on one arm while leaning down to pick up the headphones.He hurried forward and picked them up for her, then remained on one knee by the bed. He looked up at her and said, "You slept for ages, Melissa. Do you want to have anything to eat? I got all your favorites, and there are different cuisines. I also got your favorite fruits and snacks!"He'd already had the maids throw out the food he'd bought at noon. Then, he'd had his subordinate buy a fresh batch.Melissa turned to look at him dazedly. She said hoarsely, "Brayden…""I'm here," he said. "C'mon, should we get something to eat
Melissa knew Sean well. So, it was impossible for her not to know if he was being serious. Sean was indeed threatening her, and he was using his life to do it. That way, she wouldn't dare to harm Angeline for fear of hurting him.She loved Sean so much that she could give up her life for him. She wondered why he was treating her that way. He knew she wouldn't allow even the slightest possibility of her threatening his safety.Just then, Sean received a call from Brayden. He said, "...Yeah, I've already picked Melissa up. We're heading to Southstream Manor now… Yeah, you can head over there. Buy some food on your way—Melissa probably hasn't eaten anything yet. She should be hungry."At his words, Melissa couldn't hold back her tears any longer. She covered her face and started sobbing. She'd spent her whole life dreaming of becoming Sean's wife, but he was now in love with someone else and no longer wanted her.Yet, she couldn't do anything about the situation, or she'd be hurting