CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: WHY DON’T YOU COME WITH ME?

Audrey Sutton tilted her head to look at Shane Warner and said, "That means you haven’t discovered eyes for beauty."

"Knock knock knock—" A knocking sound came from outside the door.

Audrey’s smile froze as she turned to look at the door, her mind inevitably flashing to the ghost story Flora Lane had just told her.

Shane Warner walked to the door unhurriedly, while Audrey shrank into the sofa, stretched her neck, and peered outside.

"Sir, these are the sheets and pillows you requested." It was the ship’s staff.

"Thank you."

Audrey was looking at Shane when suddenly a white blur flew across her face, and the next second, a sheet hit her face.

Before she could even lift the sheet, the pillow crashed over.

Audrey pulled off the sheet, glared at him, and muttered angrily, "You’re so annoying."

"You said you wanted to sleep on the sofa, don’t go around saying I’m bullying you."

Audrey replied grumpily, "Then where should I sleep?"

Shane sat on the bed, reached out, and patted the bed, saying, "You could choose to sleep together."

Audrey instinctively wanted to retort, "Dream on," but then realized that this scenario was precisely what she wanted.

So she changed her tune and squinted at him, asking, "Be honest... do you want to sleep with me?"

Shane looked at her with a teasing gaze, feeling a sudden fire rising in his chest, yet maintaining a rakish demeanor, he teased, "Men... why not sleep if you can?"

Audrey’s smile disappeared as she pulled the sheet around herself, scolding him, "Scumbag!"

Shane chuckled at her, "Are you settled in? I’m turning off the lights."

Audrey adjusted the pillow and got comfortable under the covers.

"Click—"

The light switch was turned off, and the room immediately fell into darkness.

The corridor lights faintly shone through the window beside the door, providing the only light in the room.

The air conditioning was on, but wrapped in the sheet, Audrey felt a little hot.

Yet not having it wrapped around made her feel insecure.

The sofa was placed right opposite the door, the more she told herself not to think about it, images from horror movies filled her mind, and the story Flora told earlier.

It was still early, and most people hadn’t gone to bed yet.

Outside, footsteps and voices were occasionally heard in the corridor.

Audrey glanced at Shane, who was sitting at the head of the bed looking at his phone, his face illuminated by the glow of the screen, outlining his handsome features.

Audrey was curious about what he was looking at on his phone, was he chatting with someone?

She moved her body slightly, stretched her hand out from under the covers, and reached for her phone on the coffee table.

She saw several friends chatting about her in the group chat.

Seraphina Vaughn: Audrey hardly has time to chat with us, she’s too busy tending to her husband.

Flora Lane: Damn it, I feel like sneaking in to spy.

Barry Barrett: Count me in, count me in!

Audrey Sutton: You all have your minds full of filth!

Seraphina Vaughn: !!!

Seraphina Vaughn: Finished?

Flora Lane: Must be several more rounds to go! This is just halftime.

Barry Barrett: Comrade Sutton, snap a picture of Third Young Master Warner for us to see.

Audrey couldn’t help but glance at Shane at this message.

Encouraged by her friends, she sneakily opened the camera, zoomed in, adjusted the angle, and pressed the shutter...

The room was suddenly lit up like a streak of lightning, exposing her in an instant with the flash.

Shane raised his head to look at her, and Audrey quickly tried to come up with an excuse, hesitatingly saying, "...I was looking for a hair tie."

She immediately turned on the phone’s flashlight, pretending to search around, muttering, "Huh? Where did it go?"

"Want me to turn on the light for you?"

"No, no, found it!"

Audrey wasn’t sure if she had fooled him, but Shane didn’t call her out.

She retreated back into the covers, then reviewed the photo she had just secretly taken.

The flash had gone off just as he looked up at her, capturing that moment perfectly.

The picture had a certain artistry to it, maybe because he looked good; any shot seemed perfect.

Audrey sent the photo over, feeling proud as she watched her friends shower praises on him.

It felt like: Look, how handsome this man is, but he is mine.

On the deck.

Clarissa Morgan swirled the wine glass in her hand, finding Lan Irving standing alone by the railing enjoying the breeze, "Ms. Irving, why don’t you join me for a drink?"

Lan Irving turned to glance at Clarissa Morgan, surprised that she knew her.

Puzzled, she walked over, the two sat face-to-face at a table on the deck.

Clarissa asked a passing waiter for a glass of red wine, handed it to Lan Irving, and smiled, "If I remember correctly, Ms. Irving, you’re President Warner’s trusted assistant?"

Lan was unsure of Clarissa’s intentions but saw Clarissa wave her hand, soon a man in a white suit approached, smiled politely at Lan, and sat down together.

Clarissa introduced, "This is Mr. Ivan Yardley, also the heir to Celestine Jewelers, I thought Ms. Irving, you’re President Warner’s right-hand person, must have quite a bit of expertise in jewelry, thought I’d introduce Mr. Yardley."

Lan nodded out of politeness, the name Ivan Yardley was new to her, but Celestine Jewelers had always been Starfield’s archrival.

So Clarissa’s introduction could be unintentional or purposeful.

"Clarissa, what are you doing here? I’ve been looking everywhere, come over here quickly." Quentin Sterling shouted from afar.

Clarissa stood up, saying, "Excuse me, let me leave you two to chat."

Lan looked at Ivan Yardley, the raise of his eyebrows made him come across as a carefree playboy.

This type of man usually knows a thing or two about handling women.

Ivan extended his hand, "Hello, Ms. Irving."

Out of courtesy, Lan shook his hand, feeling a faint ambiguous touch against her hand as she withdrew.

"I’ve heard there’s a beautiful and charming female assistant beside Third Young Master Warner, seeing you in person, indeed delightful to the eye."

"You’re too kind, Mr. Yardley."

Ivan smirked with implied meaning, "There’s also a rumor that you’re not just his female assistant, but rather... his lover."

Lan was momentarily stunned, her gaze evasive.

Ivan’s smile deepened, continuing, "You like him, don’t you?"

Lan took a deep breath, answered coldly, "That’s none of your business."

"How could it not? I like you."

Lan’s eyes widened, looking at him incredulously.

Ivan stood up, leaned closer behind her, whispered near her ear, "He’s so indifferent to you, yet you work hard for him, making money for him to support his wife? Ask yourself... are you willing?"

Undoubtedly, each word pierced the dark corners of Lan’s heart.

Ivan teased seductively, "Lan, how about you come with me?"