"Tell me, Mr. Wood," Ivy said.Shawn instructed, "First, when Aurum tries to seduce you, you'll go along with it, act as if you deeply love him. Acting is your forte, so I believe you can deceive him. If necessary, when he confesses his feelings for you and wants to be with you, agree. From now on, you and him will be entangled in a romantic relationship, portraying yourself as a woman deeply in love."Second, you need to talk to Gale."Ivy puzzled, "Gale? But Mr. Wood, didn't you just say we shouldn't tell her for now because she wouldn't believe Aurum is that kind of person?""You're going to tell her that nothing happened between her and Aurum. I said it but she wouldn't believe it. You might get through to her," Shawn said lightly.Ivy slumped weakly onto the sofa. "How do I tell her... I can't provide any evidence...""Tell her that she's pure. You must be sincere and make her completely believe what you say.""Alright. I'll do my best."Leaning against the cold wall, she
"Galey being sad for a while is better than not seeing through Aurum's true face for a lifetime. If Aurum can repent and leave Sea City forever, I can give him a chance so you don't have to be hurt by the truth!" Shawn muttered to himself.It all depends on what Aurum will do. Will Aurum fight to the end like Natalie used to? Or will he be a bit more sensible and retreat?Shawn left the study. There were occasional sounds of joy and laughter in the playroom. Gale was playing with the two children.Shawn walked in, and Nicole was the first to see him, sweetly calling out, "Daddy!"A baby girl's baby voice always comforts her father."What's Nicole playing?" Shawn crouched down, patting her head. "You're sweating.""A game, Daddy, do you want to join?" Gale said from the side, "It's getting late, time to prepare for bath and bedtime. Daddy will play with you when he's free tomorrow."Nicole nodded obediently. "Okay."Joshua was still sitting coolly beside, playing with a Rubik'
"Wait, I don't believe it! Let's start over! I have already almost finished a big part of it just now, so yours doesn't count! I'll scramble it again, and you try to solve it!" Joshua exclaimed.Shawn handed it to him. "No matter how you scramble it, I can solve the Rubik's Cube in twenty seconds.""Twenty seconds?"He was still trying to achieve thirty seconds, and Shawn could already solve it in twenty. That's impossible. Joshua could not accept this. He kept twisting the Rubik's Cube frantically, mixing up the colors thoroughly.He could not believe that Shawn could solve this one in twenty seconds."Alright." Joshua handed him the Rubik's Cube, satisfied. "Give it another try."Shawn took it calmly. Joshua counted beside him."Seventeen, eighteen, nineteen!"This time, Shawn completed a whole Rubik's Cube in nineteen seconds. Joshua's face was filled with astonishment, and his gaze toward Shawn gradually turned into one of admiration.Shawn remained composed, putting the R
After a two-second pause Joshua added, "Nicole is not very bright, she must have completely inherited her intelligence from you! Luckily, I managed to inherit a tiny bit of Shawn's genes."Nicole was randomly insulted.Gale was speechless.No matter how old men were, they would be so good at provoking women. Shawn wanted to laugh a bit, but he tried hard to hold back, so his lips twitched.Joshua realized the room was silent and sensed something was off."Um, I'll go back to my room now. Goodnight Shawn! Mommy! Sister!" Joshua dashed toward the door.The culprit fled. Gale and Nicole looked at each other."Joshua deserves a beating. Mommy, why don't you spank him?" Nicole said."Should I go drag him back and give him a spanking? Can I get to him in time?" They heard a slam almost immediately. He had closed his room door and even deliberately locked it.Gale looked at her very seriously. "Nicole, see that? That's a man for you. Arrogant, conceited, and always talented at ange
His body stiffened. Shawn sighed slowly. She still had not come out of it, even though on the surface, that night's incident had long passed, and no one would bring it up again. It was still deeply etched in her heart. "How much longer?" Shawn asked, "Galey, it's not that I want to have sex. It's just that I want you to completely let go of your demons and accept me again.""I'm sorry, it was clearly my fault. I have been punishing you for my mistake."Gale's body trembled lightly, unable to face him. She knew it was not good to be like this, but she could not control it. Shawn tightened his arms around her. "Don't apologize, you did nothing wrong."He kissed her forehead, helped her put on her nightgown, and did not make any further moves.It was silent. Gale never turned around, always facing away from Shawn. They looked like they enjoyed a harmonious and peaceful day, but in reality, it was a day filled with much hidden turmoil, when would it end? Shawn was so good, so good, y
"Gale, you don't have to feel inferior. You don't need to think you've let Mr. Wood down, or sink into self-loathing. Your situation and mine aren't the same. I've already pulled myself together and thrown myself into work. You shouldn't get caught up in that nightmare from that night."Honestly, you shouldn't because you didn't experience that nightmare!"Gale almost forgot to blink, just staring at Ivy like that, Gale saw her reflection in Ivy's clear gaze."Ivy, you..." Gale felt a bit lost. "Why are you so sure? Do you know something? Do you have any leads?""Not at the moment, but I just know."A tinge of disappointment flickered in Gale's eyes. Ivy was trying to comfort her, was she not? Without evidence, how could she believe her?"Gale!" Ivy could tell what Gale was thinking. "Don't you believe me?""I..." Gale wanted to believe, but she could not convince herself."Gale, I can vouch for it with my career, my future, even my life." Ivy looked straight into her eyes. "No
"I'm going to a meeting and was just passing by, thought I'd grab a coffee and go. My car's parked on the roadside. Lights are still on." Aurum broke the silence.He gestured casually and then smiled, heading to the counter to place his order. Ivy watched Aurum's figure. He was imposing and gentlemanly, that was the impression Aurum gives to others, but deep down, he was so vile and dark.Gale glanced out the window. She saw his car by the roadside. She did not want to see Aurum because she could not face it; as soon as she saw him, she would involuntarily think of that night. Everyone could pretend like nothing had happened, but the fact remained undeniable."Gale, remember my words, I have a secret that's hard to tell," Ivy's hand landed on the back of her hand, gripping it tightly. "I can't say more, but you'll know in the future."Gale looked at her quietly. What secret did Ivy know, that she could confidently assure her that nothing happened between her and Aurum? Why could no
Ivy did not refuse, and from her expression and behavior, she seemed to enjoy and be quite satisfied with Aurum's care for her. Aurum was indeed trying to flirt with her. He wanted to lure her with love. He even wanted to completely control her, make her obediently listen to him, love him deeply, and be willing to sacrifice herself for her love.After all, Aurum seemed to be a quality man, any woman who looked at him would want to have him. Ivy had once been attracted to him too. Now thinking about it, she felt that she was truly naive and innocent. A man who could harm the woman he loved should be kept as far away as possible.She played along. If Aurum was playing, she would play too. She was keen to see if he's a better actor or if she, a professionally trained actress, can outperform him. He could act affectionately, then in response, she would play the role of a devoted woman.Watching the car drive away, Gale still had not snapped out of her daze. She could not understand it.