CHAPTER 27: CHAPTER 27: I HAVE SOMEONE I LIKE

Once the Sheffield siblings left, the spacious villa felt empty.

Perhaps it was out of habit, but every time Clara emerged from her bedroom, she would subconsciously glance at the room opposite hers.

Back when Silas Sheffield was still around, sometimes as Clara stepped out, she would run into Silas from the room opposite.

The man could either be in a well-tailored suit or casual home attire, and she would take the initiative to greet him, saying, "Good morning, Silas." The man across would respond with a slight nod, his expression indifferent.

Now, the door opposite hers was tightly shut. Clara suddenly realized that Silas had returned to Crestwood.

In the spacious and bright dining room downstairs, Clara was the only one left every day, feeling solitary and desolate.

Clara spent more of her time accompanying her mother in the hospital, traveling back and forth between the villa and the hospital daily.

Mr. Sheffield, Zeke Sheffield, and Mrs. Sheffield, Joanne Quincy, returned to Crestwood on the sixth day of the new year.

Three days after they returned, on the eighth day of the new year, Joanne Quincy’s friends, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, brought their daughter Annabelle Morgan to visit the Sheffields.

Annabelle Morgan, a Master of Literature graduate from Olympus University, carried a scholarly air, donned a cream-colored coat, and her straight black hair added a serene and elegant charm, unmistakably marking her as a lady from a cultured family.

Annabelle greeted the members of the Sheffield family warmly, her voice gentle and refined, instantly making her likable.

Joanne Quincy was very satisfied with the young woman, her smile wide and uncontainable as she gestured with her hand to indicate height, "Anna, it’s been years since I last saw you! The last time your auntie saw you, you were only this tall, and now you’ve blossomed into such a graceful lady."

Annabelle smiled gently, "Yes, it has been many years, I’ve always wanted to visit you."

The Sheffield and Morgan families sat in the living room, all smiling and engaging in pleasant conversation, except for Silas Sheffield, who maintained his usual expressionless cold demeanor.

Silas Sheffield was unaware that today’s gathering was a matchmaking event for him; he assumed it was just another New Year’s visit, hosting the guests alongside his parents from the sofa.

"Silas truly is an outstanding young man," remarked Mrs. Morgan, her gaze warm as she looked at Silas Sheffield.

Silas responded politely with a few words, his expression remaining cool.

Joanne Quincy took over the conversation, chatting with Mrs. Morgan.

Annabelle Morgan gracefully sat on a single-seater sofa across from Silas Sheffield, aware that the impressive-looking man before her was her intended match for the day.

Annabelle would occasionally glance at Silas, but quickly divert her gaze.

This subtle, slightly shy gaze of a young girl was caught by Sophie Sheffield.

It seemed Ms. Morgan had taken a liking to her brother.

Sophie’s eyes glinted with amusement as she watched Silas, eager to see how things would unfold.

Yet the man seated there remained as cold and indifferent as ever, seemingly oblivious to Ms. Morgan’s blushing, admiring glance.

Gee, Sophie thought, he truly is an ice-cold man, through and through.

At noon, both families dined together at a restaurant.

After the meal, Mr. Sheffield invited Mr. Morgan for tea to discuss business projects, and Joanne Quincy, with a smile, suggested going for a beauty spa with Mrs. Morgan, specifically bringing Sophie along.

In just a few minutes, everyone had vanished without a trace.

The intent of both families was clear.

After finishing a phone call, Silas Sheffield noticed that only he and Annabelle Morgan remained at the restaurant’s entrance.

Silas paused, finally realizing the New Year’s visit was a mere pretense; it was indeed a matchmaking event.

His eyes darkened, cool and deep, as he said, "Ms. Morgan, where do you live? I’ll arrange for someone to take you home."

Annabelle hadn’t expected Silas Sheffield to say that. She pursed her lips and bowed her head slightly, feeling shy, "I... I’m not in a hurry to go back yet. Let’s take a walk."

Silas’ long, narrow eyes lacked any warmth, cold like a desolate winter lake, "Sorry, I don’t have the time."

Annabelle quickly looked up, her face flushed red with embarrassment, somewhat at a loss, "I... Um... I thought you knew we were supposed to go on a date today."

"I didn’t know," he replied, his eyes cold.

"Well, now that you know, so we could..."

Annabelle’s words were interrupted by Silas, his voice low and indifferent, "Not interested."

Annabelle stood frozen in place.

Having said that, Silas disregarded her reaction and walked past her directly to the car.

The black Cullinan drove away.

Annabelle was left in the cold, gusty wind, her face turning pale.

As she was about to take out her phone to make a call, a black Maybach pulled in front of her. The driver disembarked and respectfully approached her, "Hello, Ms. Morgan, President Sheffield asked me to drive you back to the hotel."

...

"I’m truly sorry, Silas was wrong in this matter. No, no, he didn’t mean it like that; he’s just too busy. There was an issue at the company that required his personal attention. He doesn’t look down on Annabelle, I apologize, I apologize..."

Joanne Quincy was on the phone, apologizing repeatedly to Mrs. Morgan, "It’s my fault too; I didn’t inform Silas in advance."

Mr. Sheffield also expressed his apologies, "Indeed, Silas was disrespectful, and I’m sorry."

Joanne Quincy had originally planned the matchmaking without Silas knowing, intending to surprise him, but she didn’t expect things to unfold this way.

Mr. and Mrs. Morgan were invited by Joanne, and the matchmaking was her arrangement; it was meant to be a kind gesture, but ultimately left everyone feeling unhappy.

Joanne Quincy apologized profusely, hoping to meet the Morgans to apologize in person. However, feeling that their daughter had been humiliated, the Morgans declined any further meetings.

Joanne sent over a lavish apology gift, but Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, who had originally planned to spend a few more days in Crestwood, decided to return to Aztera the next day, unable to enjoy their trip amid the discomfort.

In the Sheffield family’s study.

Mr. Sheffield was about to confront Silas, but Silas quickly spoke first.

Silas’ eyes were deep and cold like winter ice, "There’s no need to arrange such pointless events in the future; it’s a waste of time."

Zeke Sheffield sternly said, "What do you mean by pointless? Your aunt had good intentions, and you didn’t give her any face? She’s your elder, after all."

"My affairs needn’t concern her."

Zeke angrily declared, "Then what about me? I have a right to be concerned as your father!"

Silas’ expression remained unmoved, his tone as cool as ever, "If you’re truly bored, I can delegate several international mergers for you to handle."

"You—" Zeke was so furious he was panting heavily.

Truly audacious, having his son arrange tasks for him.

Silas stepped towards the study’s door, paused, and glancing back at Zeke said, "I have someone I like. Don’t bother wasting your efforts anymore."

Zeke abruptly froze in his anger.

What?

Did he hear that correctly?