Chapter 99 Fight Fire with Fire
Finished
How did this turn into a situation where Ethan and I semed like the real couple, and Shawn ended up as the outsidert
As a married woman, I had to stand by my principles.ouldn’t give Ethan the wrong idea-that
something could hate between us at any moment. That illusion had to be shattered.
So I replied. “Thanks for your concern, Mr. Hayes. Things between us are not good, but not terrible either.”
Ethan messaged back almost instantly. “I thought you were mad and ignoring me.”
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to talk to him. I just didn’t wait to leave any evidence behind that Shawn could twist into something bigger than it was.
Wasn’t this the inner monologue of anyone walking the line of temptation? Scared of getting caught but unable to resist the pull?
I answered, “Just a casual chat. Nothing to get upset about.”
Ethan didn’t text back after that. Maybe he got busy–or maybe I was a little too cold, and he picked up on
iL
Around noon, Noah dropped by. As Queena’s cousin, he’d always shown a suspicious amount of interest in
- me.
His squinty eyes scanned me at least dozens of times, up and down, before he finally said with a grin, “Mrs. Hartwell, free for lunch? I know a place that serves great grilled fish. Want to try it with me?”
I nodded. “Sure. I love fish.”
That one simple reply probably convinced Noah I was easy to figure out. He jumped on his phone right away to reserve a private room.
But of course, I wasn’t going to let my guard down around him. Even if Shawn and I were headed for divorce, I wasn’t about to hand over any leverage–and if anything, I needed to catch them instead.
My hand brushed against the recorder I’d tucked into my purse. Good thing I brought it with me.
Noah offered to drive, but I turned him down and brought two senior managers from the hotel with me in my own car..
I wasn’t sure whether Noah had planned something with Queena, but when we pulled into the underground parking garage, I thought I saw a car I recognized–Shawn’s. Not far from it was Queena’s sleek red Porsche, elegant but not showy.
I acted like I hadn’t seen anything and chatted with the hotel execs about renovation plans as we stepped
into the elevator.
Noah pressed the button, subtly watching my face for a reaction. When he saw nothing out of the ordinary, he seemed visibly relieved.
I assumed Shawn and Queena were already upstairs in one of the private dining rooms.
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3:46 Sat, Apr 5
Chapter 99 Fight Fire with Fire
laughing like nothing was out of place. Shawn wore a back shirt today, and it made his fair, refined features seem even more refined.
Finished
Noah, clearly thinking he’d accomplished his mission, glanced their way and said in a deliberately casual tone. “Oh wow, my cousin and Mr. Hartwell are here too. What are the odds?”
I gave them a brief glance, then said calmly, “Noah, let not disturbs them. Let’s head upstairs to talk
business”
Noah clearly wanted me to make a scene, to go over and catch them red–handed. But I turned and walked away, cool and collected.
He hurried after me. “Mrs. Hartwell, you’re not even going to say hi to your husband?”
I opened the door to the private room and said over my shoulder, “He’s not dead. Why should I greet him?”
Noah looked confused, like he couldn’t understand what was happening. One of the hotel execs towed behind me wore a knowing smile, like they were waiting for drama to unfold.
out my
I took my seat, and someone quickly poured me a cup of tea. I thanked them politely, pulled phone, and focused on the latest material inventory and pricing sheets. I wasn’t here to bust anyone–I had work to do.
Maybe Queena wanted me to see her being lovey–dovey with Shawn. Maybe she didn’t need a public fight -she just wanted me to witness their everyday bliss.
That was her style–never overt, never vulgar. Just subtle daily moments meant to get under your skin.
They weren’t being overly affectionate, at least not that could see. But the quiet intimacy between them said it all. That silence, those simple smiles–sometimes it hurts more than any betrayal shouted from the Tooftops.
I knew how Queena played her games.
But if she was using fire, I needed to fight back with fire. If she wanted me to watch–fine. I saw everything. Now what?
Noah went to order food, and soon enough, Shawn showed up–with Queena right behind him.
Anyone who didn’t know the truth would think they made a perfect couple.
“Mrs. Hartwell! What a surprise, Queena said with fake astonishment. She turned to Noah. “You invited Mrs. Hartwell to lunch today? Is it because she’s decided to move forward with the materials deal?”
Noah chuckled and said, “Mrs. Hartwell is still considering, but I’m serious about this. With Mr. Hartwell and you here, I can promise you quality wood with an unbeatable price.
Shawn said nothing. His dark eyes were fixed on me, unreadable.
I leaned my chin on my hand and gave Noah a sweet smile. “Sounds good. I’ll consider it. But don’t think. you can pull tricks just because your cousin’s a vice president at the company.”
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