Chapter 83 A Showdown
Shawn and I were standing right in front of him.
Time seemed to freeze.
Finished
It wasn’t quite a showdown, but it was definitely awkwa–especially since Shawn now knew I’d been in touch with Ethan privately.
“Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell, haven’t they served the food yet?” Ethan’s eyes brushed over my face before he turned to Shawn with a casual smile.
“We were just heading upstairs for dinner. Want to join us?” Shawn asked politely.
But something in Ethan’s expression shifted; his words might have touched a nerve. His smile deepened. though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Not the best timing. Maybe next time.”
Shawn’s lips pressed into a thin line, and his expression lost the warmth it had a moment ago.
I didn’t say anything, but my eyes were drawn to Ethan anyway.
With those glasses and that calm demeanor, he looked like a gentleman, but there was something wild and dangerous just under the surface–like a panther lurking in the shadows.
Shawn, on the other hand, looked polished on the outsitle, but something about him gave off the air of a charming scoundrel.
“Alright, we’ll head up now, Shawn said, and without warning, he slid his arm around my waist and forcibly pulled me close to his side.
That sudden display of affection made my heart tighthened. Was Shawn competing with another man for
me!
Now that was interesting. Could it be, like Melanie said that he was genuinely starting to care?
But if he gave his heart to me, what about Queena?
She was a rich girl. She wanted all of Shawn–heart, mind, and soul.
Then again, why should I care? That was his problem, riot mine.
I tilted my head slightly and caught Ethan still standing at the bottom of the stairs; his eyes turned in our
direction.
Shawn and I stepped onto the first landing, and just as we turned toward the second flight, he suddenly pressed me up against the wall. Before I could react, one hand cupped the back of my head while the other braced the wall near my shoulder. He leaned in, searching for my lips.
never expected this kind of wild move from Shawn. He’d never done this in our past life. But now, it was like he had something to prove–like he wanted to stake his claim.
And I didn’t pull away. He got what he wanted. When Lopened my eyes slightly, I caught a glimpse of
Ethan’s shadow at the bottom of the stairs.
1/2
Chapter 83 A Showdown
Finished
Shawn didn’t kiss me for long, but the air was thick with tension. For the first time, I heard his heartbeat- pounding like a drum. His breath was hot against my skin, and to my surprise, his cars were flushed red.
That wasn’t like him. Shawn wasn’t the type to act out of impulse. If he did something this crazy, it must have gone against every instinct he had. He probably fest embarrassed, even ashamed.
He didn’t say much afterward–just gently pinched my check and walked upstairs.
Are all men this greedy?
They want the unreachable moon and the blooming rose in the garden too?
If they can do this, maybe I can learn a thing or two from them,
Upstairs, dinner felt bland. Shawn acted completely normal in front of his friends–just a regular meal, all talk about work, not a single word about women. Maybe it was because I was there..
Afterward, Shawn drove us home. Well, technically, I drove–he’d had some wine and leaned back in the passenger seat, eyes half–closed.
Just as we pulled out. I noticed a sleek black Maybach parked nearby. Its engine suddenly came alive. I sneaked a glance at Shawn: Did he notice?
My heart raced a little. In the rearview mirror, I could just make out the figure in the driver’s seat, barely. visible behind the glow of the dashboard.
I pulled out in our Bentley and kept my focus steady. In the mirror, I saw Ethan wasn’t following us. Maybe he just wanted me to know he was leaving too.
That little gesture–so quiet and subtle–still managed to make my heart jump wildly for a moment. Honestly? Ethan understood women far better than Shawn ever did.
Yuna had already left by the time we got home. It appeared that Susanna was adamant about granting us our private time.
I got out of the car, and so did Shawn. He wasn’t drunk he held his suit jacket in one hand as he walked toward me.
I had a feeling he was going to offer it to me. But just as he reached me, I turned away,
The jacket slipped from his hand and landed on the floor with a soft thud.
I didn’t look back. I just walked upstairs. Shawn bent to pick it up, his expression darkening.
The maids came to check if he needed anything, but he waved them off and told them to get some rest.
The first thing I did after stepping into my room was head straight for a shower. I have this little quirk- maybe even a mild obsession with cleanliness. I can’t sit on my bed or my couch if I haven’t showered. It feels as though I would be bringing all the germs from the outside world into my personal space.
[R
