Chapter 68 A Kiss for the Audience
#Finished
I replied coolly, “I met Mr. Hayes years ago through a donation. There’s no personal relationship between us. The dinner was merely his way of expressing gratitude.
Shawn arched a brow, his lips curling into a mocking smirk. ‘Give me a reason I can actually believe.”
I frowned. Had Shawn lost his mind today? Since when did he care enough to interrogate me like this?
That’s my answer. Believe it or not–1 couldn’t care less. There was no point explaining further. Emotions are like ink–the harder you press, the messier they get. And I? I’d learned not to smear myself black for
anyone
Seeing my dismissive expression, Shawn’s voice turned ey. “Is it because he’s younger than me?”
I stared at him, amused. “So what if he is? That’s just a fact.”
Shawn’s face darkened instantly, a storm brewing in his eyes.
Shawn clearly wanted to accuse me of something, but without proof, he was powerless.
Besides, his arrogance blinded him. For six years, I’d loved him hopelessly and had been obedient and devoted–until recently, when I’d started acting out of character.
Shawn was convinced I’d never dare to cheat–at most, he assumed his neglect had left me resentful. sparking this rebellious streak.
He knew exactly how to pacify that defiance. A few sweet words, some cash tossed my way, another empty promise crammed down my throat. Then he’d just rock me back into submission a few nights of “making up, and he’d expect me to fall back in line.
But now, I wasn’t so easily pacified. The extra effort annoyed him.
“Tiffany, you’re a married woman with a child. Remember your duties and restrain yourself. The entire company is watching. You wouldn’t embarrass me, would you?” His tone was stern, a warning not to violate
our marital vows.
I’d always been composed, but this time, I snapped.
“You demand loyalty from me, but where’s my dignity? You and Ms. Tackman–could you at least be discreet?”
His face froze. He’d expected hysterics, but true despair was silent.
I took a deep breath, turning my back to him. “Shawn, please maintain proper boundaries at the office. And if you insist on hooking up in hotels, at least pick ones farther away. That’s the most I’m willing to concede
I didn’t wait for his response before moving to leave.
But in the next instant, Shawn yanked me back with brutal force.
The back of my skull collided with his chin, pain radiating through me as he spun me around to face him.
1/3
13:40 Sat, Apr 5 L
Chapter 68 A Kiss for the Audience
trembling with fury
Finished
Just because nothing’s happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t, I’d suffered enough of their betrayal in my past life–this time, I refused to swallow love’s bitter pills. No more gaslighting.
“It will never happen.” Shawn’s breath came ragged, his eyes burning crimson as he pinned me with his gaze. “Stop fabricating infidelity scenarios in that head of yours. It’s pathetic”
His grip on my arm tightened to the point of pain. I twisted against him, but he only pulled me closer.
Then, without warning, he crushed his lips against mine in a savage, brutal kiss,
I froze. When my senses returned, I shoved at his chest–but my resistance seemed to fuel him. He backed me against his desk, his mouth relentlessly continuing to kiss
I wanted to scream. Was this some twisted dominance display?
As if I’d ever want this!
“You two
The office door, left slightly ajar, suddenly swung open Queena stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes wide with shock.
Behind her, two senior executives gaped at the compromising scene.
A flicker of humiliation crossed Shawn’s face before his cheeks flushed crimson. He yanked me upright and barked at the spectators, “Wait for me in Conference Room 1.
“And close the door!”
Queena obeyed mechanically. My lipstick was thoroughly smeared, leaving me looking thoroughly disheveled.
Shawn studied me with exasperated amusement, brushing his thumb across my lipstick mark. “Tiffany, you’ve become insufferably willful lately. But I’ll admit–you’re more vibrant than ever. His voice dropped to a possessive murmur, “We have decades ahead of us, let’s get used to it.”
I slapped his hand away and stormed out of the office in big strides.
Absolute lunatic!
A lifetime with him? I’d rather expedite the divorce papers. My youth was just as precious as anyone else’s.
No way would I waste it on some self–proclaimed gentleman who was actually a first–class jerk.
As I exited, I nearly collided with Queena. The quiet hostility in her eyes had sharpened into something visceral.
She clutched her files tighter and hissed as I passed, “Next time, have the decency to lock the door. Nobody wants to watch your little soap opera.”
