"You're quite the player, Gale," Shawn teased."Back in college, Summer and I were so obsessed with celebrities. We used to go to concerts and even meet and greet the stars at the airport." Now she was a wife and a mother, so she had dialed back to just looking at celebrities like eye candy. Truth be told, Shawn was as handsome as a male celebrity. However, seeing him every day could get a bit tiresome. She was secure in having Shawn, but the male celebrities were just out of reach. People liked what they could not have."You can also go to the airport now, greet the stars, following your imaginary boyfriend around the country," Shawn said. Gale immediately declined, "No, no, I'm too old for that now."Honestly, she wanted to go, but she did not have the guts because she was afraid her husband would disapprove. She could not indulge that male celebrity crazed side of her anymore."Good call."If Gale dared to go, he thought he would break her legs to stop her from going. On
His entire world revolved around his wife and kids. Joshua stood by, watching the 'drama' unfold.Suddenly, he sighed, shaking his head repeatedly. "Mommy, what does marriage really do to women?"Gale glanced at him. "Are you about to share some opinions again?""Marriage ties you down! You have no freedom!"Gale said nothing. She glanced at Shawn several times, then at Joshua, signaling him to be more careful with his words. Shawn was very sensitive. Joshua did not care at all."Look, in the past, there were so many guys. Today you liked this celebrity, tomorrow you liked that other drama lead. You got bored, and immediately switched your targets. You could always pursue anyone you liked.""Now? You only have Shawn. Tsk tsk tsk, you gave up a whole forest for a single tree!"Nicole disagreed.She retorted, "Joshua, according to your logic, Daddy also gave up a lot for Mommy."She was more inclined toward Dad's side. Every time her brother criticized Dad, Nicole would speak
He really could not find any reason to want a son.He thought that sons were meant for labor. A son would need to inherit the family business. Wood Group had thousands of employees under it. Managing it requires skill and ability. Having such heavy responsibilities was also exhausting as the rise and fall of the company would befall one's shoulders. He was certain he did not want Nicole to bear this hardship. Being a woman at work was already hard as it is. So, in the future, Joshua will manage the company, diligently guarding this family business, while Nicole will be carefree, live like a princess, buying whatever she wants.Sons are for labor, daughters for enjoyment. Shawn felt appeased with his logic and could accept Joshua's continued presence. Gale was not sure if she should laugh or cry. "Should I host a debate for both of you?"Nicole shook her head. "No thanks. I'm a sweet little princess, I need to keep up my beauty and grace."Joshua looked at her. "Beauty? Grac
"Yeah, he does. He just one today," Gale explained."Wow!" Joshua and Nicole exclaimed."Who's Uncle Aurum's girlfriend?" Joshua was all curious, his face lit up. "Is she pretty? Is she hot? Is she sweet? I've been keeping an eye out for Uncle Aurum, but I never found someone who's good enough for him! Turns out he could take care of himself!""Yeah, he found one himself. His girlfriend is actually my new friend," Gale confirmed."The lead actress, Ivy?" Joshua asked, trying to recall.Galey nodded. "Yep."Joshua's eyes lit up. "It's Ivy! She's so beautiful!"Nicole blinked. "Joshua, do you know her?""I've seen movies she acted in. Come on, let me show you," Joshua replied.Joshua skillfully searched for Ivy online and found her biodata. Given her fame, it was easy."Wow, she's really beautiful. She is fair, tall, slim, and she even has dimples when she smiles!" Nicole praised."Right? Right? Oh, she's perfect for him!" Joshua was thrilled.Gale knocked on Joshua's head
"Even though there is nobody else fighting for mommy's hand now, you still have to treat her well. In fact, treat her better every day. Don't slack off and mistreat her."Shawn smiled. "Alright."Little did Joshua know that Aurum was still Shawn's biggest rival. "Daddy, have some strawberries too." Nicole picked up the biggest, reddest one and handed it to him. "It's very sweet.""Thank you, Nicole."The juice of the sweet strawberry slid down his throat, but Shawn felt a sudden itch in his throat. He could not help but cough. This cough lasted for a while before he could catch his breath and stop."Why are you coughing again? Didn't you quit smoking?" Gale asked with concern. She was supervising him too. During this period, Shawn indeed had not smoked again. There were no cigarettes in the office or at home."I just choked a bit. It's nothing," Shawn replied.Gale frowned. "You're not a child. Choking on a piece of fruit?""Yeah, take it slow. No one's competing with you.
After leaving, Shawn covered his mouth and let out a cough gently. Only when he reached the restroom and closed the door did he dare to let loose.He could not stop.Shawn turned on the tap, letting the sound of water mask the sound of his coughs. He covered his mouth with one hand, and the other was propped on the sink, as he supported his body weight.After a while, Shawn stared at his hand. There was a red smear on his palm. Shawn's brow furrowed deeply. How could there be blood? Was he coughing up blood? Immediately, alarm bells rang in Shawn's mind! Shawn had been coughing on and off. He got better sometimes, and it got worse sometimes. There was not a clear pattern. However, it was weird that his coughing had escalated to this point, where there was blood.Shawn did not dare to look at the blood again, quickly rinsing it away with water. He raised his eyes, looking at himself in the mirror. He had silver hair and a handsome face, with fine lines at the corners of his eyes
"It's still in the original bag. But, for safety reasons, I've placed that bag in my personal assistant's room," Ivy explained."Got it. What did Aurum say to you today?" Shawn responded with a nod."He confessed. He was very sincere and serious. He said he likes me, he doesn't mind my past with Paul, he admires me and is attracted to him. He also said he hopes I won't look down on him because of what happened between him and Gale..." Ivy paused."That's enough," Shawn interrupted.Aurum was disgusting. He dared bring up the matters of that night while confessing his feelings to Ivy.Ivy tightened her grip on her phone. "Mr. Wood, even though both you and I know nothing happened between Aurum and Gale that night, we still can't find any evidence. Aurum won't admit it. He even insisted in front of Paul that he had sex with Gale. What more in front of me.""Be patient. There will be opportunities," Shawn reassured her.Now, Ivy was Aurum's girlfriend. She could openly enter Aurum'
What's more, Shawn had already warned and reminded Ivy. So, he simply listened quietly."Mr. Wood, do you know that when Aurum saved me today, my heart almost stopped beating. When we first met each other, he also saved me."There was a huge swell and numerous bruises on his back. Fortunately, he didn't injure his bones. It's lucky that he'll be fine with some rest."I felt so heartbroken. Why did he risk his life like that when he clearly doesn't love me?"Ivy took a deep breath. "Mr. Wood, was the accident planned?" she asked, holding her breath, quietly waiting for Shawn's answer. She needed an answer. Even though Ivy had already guessed, she was not ready to face the truth. However, asking Shawn for an answer was like seeking torture.Shawn never beat around the bush when he spoke."To ask like this means you already have an answer in your heart. Why ask me?" Shawn replied."Heh...""You guessed right. So, don't hold onto any expectations or illusions."Ivy's heart sank co