For Shawn, someone like Paul was simply not worth his time. Paul had hurt Ivy, and Shawn had no connection or obligation to Ivy. Shawn paced back and forth in his study, brows furrowed."Is there no other clue in the restaurant besides the surveillance footage? Anything suspicious in the private rooms or the dining booths?" Shawn asked. According to Gale's account, she and Ivy had been dining in a booth by the window. Just before finishing their meal, Aurum arrived, supposedly to meet Paul in one of the private rooms to discuss film investment. Then, the three of them went to the private room, only to suddenly feel dizzy and lose consciousness. Paul remained conscious. So, it sounded like the problem lay with the meal at the booth!Did Aurum sneakily drug them while Gale and Ivy were not paying attention? However, the booth was under surveillance, capturing every moment clearly. Aurum had no chance to tamper with anything.Just as he was thinking, his phone rang."Mr. Wood, we've
Soon, Fiona brought the waiter in. "Mr. Wood, he's here. Do you want to interrogate him?" Fiona said.Shawn glanced at the waiter. He was tall, thin, and utterly unremarkable."What did he say?" Shawn asked casually, taking out a cigarette and holding it between his lips. He really wanted to smoke to ease his frustration. However, he did not want Gale to smell the smoke on him.Fiona kicked the waiter. "Kneel down and repeat what you confessed earlier!"The waiter trembled and said, "I... I didn't mean to target Mrs... Mrs. Wood, I didn't know she was Mrs. Wood. I'm nobody. How would I recognize a wealthy person like your wife? My target was only Ivy!"Shawn narrowed his eyes. "Ivy?""Yes, she's a beautiful female star with a great figure. Even when she wore sunglasses and a hat, I recognized her instantly. I'm her super fan. I have watched many of her movies. I never thought I could see her in person!"The restaurant has rules, I can't bother the guests, let alone take photos.
Shawn suddenly pressed the blade hard, and it sunk into the waiter's face. There was no blood yet. However, with just a little more pressure from Shawn, his face would split open, and blood would gush out."Is your life more important, or the benefits Aurum promised you?" Shawn asked.Intimidation had always been Shawn's forte. The waiter looked at him. Their eyes locked for a few seconds, and his resolve somewhat wavered. Just when Shawn thought his threat was about to succeed, he heard the waiter say, "Of course, my life is important... but I can't find someone to take the blame for me. Mr. Wood, my target was really Ivy. I have nothing to do with your wife!"Shawn's expression darkened. Where did Aurum find such a tight-lipped person? Was this waiter sent by Aurum to infiltrate the restaurant long ago? A sense of annoyance welled up inside him.Shawn grabbed his collar. "What would happen after they drank the tea you spiked? You put Aurum and my wife in the same room. What was
"Mr. Wood, based on the timeline of events, the testimonies, and the timing, I don't think..." Fiona paused. "Aurum didn't have the time to act. Our bodyguards found the hotel very quickly. We made such a commotion. Aurum couldn't have not heard it."After speaking, Fiona glanced at Shawn. She wondered if this answer satisfied Mr. Wood. Anyway, it was also truly what she believed.For Mr. Wood, his wife was his life, his love, and his sanctuary. She was sacred. Whoever messed with her would face death. Moreover, after Mr. Wood married, his temperament slowly changed. His wife treated the staff well, as she was a gentle and kind-hearted person. Good deeds should befall good people. They thought the couple would live happily ever after, never expecting such a monstrosity to occur. What's more, something that Aurum planned.Shawn remained silent throughout. Eventually, he just waved his hand, signaling for Fiona to leave. Fiona nodded. She knew Mr. Wood needed some time alone. Anything
"I'll stay with you for a while longer. I won't work. I'll come to the bedroom," Shawn said."Work...""Work isn't important, you are."Shawn bent down, lifting Gale, and carried her back to the master bedroom. He held her foot, reminding her, "You can't run around barefoot like this anymore. What if something cuts your foot? What if you catch a cold?"She had slippers right beside the bed, but she did not wear them. "I just couldn't wait to find you," Gale answered softly, but her fragile voice melted his heart."Silly Gale."Shawn lay down with her on the bed, accompanying her for a while longer. With him there, she felt safe. As they lay together, Shawn fell asleep first. He had not slept all night and had stayed up in the study. He was exhausted. Plus, with his beloved woman in his arms, he quickly relaxed.Feeling Shawn's breath gradually calming, Gale raised her head, watching him sleep.There was a hint of stubble on his chin; he had not had time to shave. It was a bit
"Who is it?""Mr. Lefting."Gale trembled. How did he end up here? The last person she wanted to see right now was him."Ma'am, do you wish to see him?" The servant, observing her expression, asked, "Should I decline, saying you're not at home?""I'm standing in the garden. He can see me."Gale sighed. She did not know why Aurum had come to see her. She did not need his apology. It would not change things. Aurum stood outside, silently watching Gale's silhouette. Just looking at her from a distance made him feel she was exquisite. The image of her sleeping next to him involuntarily surfaced in his mind. Gale exuded a faint fragrance, not from perfume. It was her natural scent that was intoxicatingly alluring. Her skin was fair and delicate. Aurum thought if Mr. Wood's bodyguards had arrived five minutes later, he would have truly been able to feel her insides. He had dreamt of tasting her. It did not matter. Everyone believed he had already had Gale, including Gale herself! On
Shawn never mentioned it to her, perhaps fearing it would upset her."A waiter? How could someone so insignificant do so much?" Gale asked.Just thinking about it made it seem unlikely. To be able to drug the tea, knock out Paul, and transfer four of them to a small hotel couldn't be done without careful planning and flawless execution. One small misstep and the whole thing would be exposed! Aurum's eyes flickered. He knew Gale would not believe it, and Shawn would not either. However, he could only get the waiter to be the scapegoat. He had already destroyed all other clues. No matter how hard Shawn looked, all clues would point to the waiter, and Aurum would be off the hook."I'm not sure about the specifics, but the waiter confessed..." Aurum replied.Gale asserted firmly, "No, it can't be the waiter. There must be someone behind him! There must be! Last time, Shawn and Ivy..."She was about to mention the intimate photos taken by the paparazzi but suddenly stopped herself in
The only solution would only be to prove that she and Aurum had not slept together. Only then could she feel a sense of resolution. Otherwise, the matter would remain pressing on her heart."I feel personally responsible for what happened. Gale, actually, I came to talk to you..."After a long pause, Aurum finally said, "Goodbye."Gale was shocked and met his gaze. "Goodbye?" What did he mean? Where was Aurum going? Was he leaving Sea City? Why?"Yes. I'm leaving, Gale." Aurum smiled faintly."To where? On a business trip?""No, permanently leaving Sea City."Gale guessed why Aurum was leaving. Sure enough, she heard Aurum say, "Since waking up last night, I've been thinking about what I can do to minimize the impact of this matter and to not affect your relationship with Shawn and your life together with him."Gale, you and Shawn have been married for many years, you have children together. You can't ruin it all because of this. Joshua has just been reclaimed by the Wood fam