CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42: SCUMBAG

Audrey Sutton reached out and took the wedding invitation from Clarissa Morgan’s hand, smiling skillfully, "Congratulations, sister. We will definitely be there."

Clarissa Morgan: "Thinking back to when you got married and I wasn’t there, it feels quite regretful."

Shane Warner: "If there’s nothing else, I won’t see you off."

The dismissal was obvious, and Clarissa Morgan clearly understood.

"Alright, I won’t disturb you any longer. I still have a few more invitations to deliver."

Watching Clarissa Morgan turn away, Audrey Sutton turned her head to find Shane Warner already heading into the building.

She hurriedly trotted a few steps to catch up, glancing at him as she asked, "Is she getting married?"

"Why?"

Audrey Sutton spoke directly, "I was afraid you would be upset."

Shane Warner pressed the button to open the elevator doors on the first floor, entered, and looked at her, saying, "Don’t use that blockhead of yours to guess my thoughts."

Audrey Sutton fell silent, stood in the corner of the elevator, and didn’t speak again.

She truly couldn’t fathom his thoughts, even though they had been together for some time now. Whenever she felt she understood him a bit, he’d promptly overturn her perception of him.

Just like during these days of his business trip, their conversations on WhatsApp had been quite pleasant. Every time she reviewed the chat history, she felt they were already a sweet couple.

But meeting in person seemed to instantly revert their relationship to its original form, leaving her to wonder if Clarissa Morgan’s appearance had anything to do with it.

Back home, they retreated to their respective rooms, curious about what he was doing but unable to find a reason to disturb him.

Clarissa Morgan and Quentin Sterling’s wedding was grand, which Audrey Sutton only learned about when discussing it at school with her dorm mates. The Vaughn Family also received an invitation.

The Vaughn Family operates a casino, holding a singular dominance in that field, naturally commanding a significant social standing.

Flora Lane recently snagged a wealthy scion whose family deals in building materials, tagging along as a date to earn an invitation.

As for Barry Barrett, upon hearing that the three of them were going, he clamored to join in the fun.

Thus, Audrey Sutton thought of her brother, assuming he would also receive an invitation to such a significant event. Coincidentally, he usually didn’t bring a date, so she asked him to take Barry Barrett along.

The wedding venue was quite special, hosted on an eight-story luxury cruise ship, lasting two days and nights.

The wedding invitees began boarding at five o’clock on the afternoon before the ceremony, using the ticket from the invitation to board the ship.

Audrey Sutton styled her black hair in an elegant updo, her makeup refined and well-proportioned, with a small pearl stud adorning her earlobe.

She wore a white lace fishtail gown, intricately adorned with tiny diamonds, shimmering like a starry sky under the lights.

Her right hand was hooked around Shane Warner’s arm, while her left hand held a small white purse with a pearl chain, looking both graceful and charming.

Shane Warner wore a black double-breasted suit, paired with a white shirt and a black tie, a standard ensemble, yet his inherent charm and presence overshadowed any threat of twinning down to a disheveled heap.

He was tall and long-legged, so Audrey Sutton had to wear six or seven centimeters to barely match his stature.

While boarding, he relaxed his bent arm and naturally took Audrey Sutton’s hand, leading her ahead and supporting her up the stairs.

Her dress didn’t allow much stride, limiting her steps, and he matched her pace by stepping and pausing in sync.

Audrey Sutton’s gaze followed the steps, occasionally sneaking glances at their clasped hands.

His hand was large, and being held by him gave her a sense of security.

His palm was slightly cool, likely from regular exercise, she could feel the thin calluses in his hand...

Focused on his hand, she forgot to watch her step, accidentally kicking a stair and stumbling, prompting Shane Warner to quickly grab her arm, steadying her, "You can’t even walk safely."

"Third Young Master Warner, upstairs please. Your room with madam is on the fifth floor. Here are your room cards; your luggage has been delivered. The elevator is to the right, straight ahead."

Audrey Sutton might have seen many grand occasions, but it was her first time seeing such a large luxurious cruise ship.

Whether the guests had been escorted to their rooms or not, the first-floor lobby was not crowded.

Upon reaching the fifth-floor room, the window faced the ocean, with the setting sun casting a tender, radiant glow, filtered through sheer curtains, adding warmth and romance to the interior.

The room wasn’t big but it was fully equipped: a desk, sofa, liquor cabinet, TV...

Only, there was just one bed.

The bathroom door was also semi-transparent frosted glass.

The outside world knew they were married, so preparing only one room was natural.

Shane Warner brought the luggage into the room from the doorstep, while organizing the luggage he asked her, "Are you hungry?"

Audrey Sutton nodded, "A bit. I’ll call Flora to see if they’ve arrived."

After speaking, she sat on the bed and made the call.

Shane Warner placed her laptop on the desk, hung clothes in the wardrobe, and arranged toiletries and her cosmetics.

His belongings were few, just two sets of clothes and a pair of pajamas, most of the suitcase was filled with her things.

"Where to sleep tonight?" Audrey Sutton asked Shane Warner, who had just finished organizing the closet, after hanging up the phone.

Shane Warner closed the closet door, turned around and looked at the bed Audrey Sutton was sitting on, and said earnestly, "There’s a desk, isn’t there? You have your computer; you can draw all night."

Audrey Sutton: "..."

Knowing he was likely joking, Audrey Sutton muttered under her breath: "Bastard."

Shane Warner: "I’ll call for another bed set to be delivered. I’ll sleep on the sofa."

Audrey Sutton glanced at the sofa, not too big nor too small, but given Shane Warner’s height and build, he’d barely be able to curl up comfortably.

She then said, "It’s better if I sleep on the sofa, you’re too tall to fit."

He: "Okay."

Audrey Sutton cast him a glance, "You’re really not polite."

"Let’s go eat."

Flora and the others had arrived, Audrey Sutton arranged to meet them at the restaurant on the second floor.

Each person was dressed impeccably, far removed from how they were in their dorms, dressed in pajamas, picking their noses—Audrey Sutton almost didn’t recognize them.

Barry Barrett boarded with Arthur Sutton but acted independently, as Arthur Sutton merely instructed her to avoid causing trouble.

Seraphina Vaughn arrived with her brother, and after boarding, they each entertained themselves.

By contrast, Flora Lane and her new wealthy boyfriend were practically inseparable, leaving Audrey Sutton, already married, feeling somewhat lacking.

When Audrey Sutton walked over with Shane Warner, she spotted Flora Lane and her boyfriend feeding each other.

Flora Lane had cream on the corner of her mouth, and her boyfriend reached out with his fingertip to wipe it off, making Audrey Sutton blush quietly, sneaking a look at the gentleman beside her. Hand-holding seemed to be the furthest extent of their intimacy since marrying.

She silently considered seeking more tips from Flora on romance tactics.