CHAPTER 15: CHAPTER 15: MARRIED WOMAN

I don’t know what June Yardley is up to, but Shannon Quinn wasn’t intimidated. She asked with a faint smile, "What? Do you think those few photos are enough to prove anything? Planning to take them to the Rhodes Family to accuse me of cheating?"

Shannon Quinn’s tone was indifferent, as if suggesting that if June Yardley were to do such a thing, it would be utterly foolish.

June Yardley also smiled, snatched the photos back, and put them in her bag. Her red lips opened and closed as she said, "You’re overthinking. If I wanted to bring you down, I’d produce compelling evidence. I’m here this time just to remind you to keep your distance from Landon Sutton."

"Oh? You’re really overstepping, aren’t you? Didn’t you always say you wanted to marry Vincent Rhodes’ brother? Is the sparrow going to perch on another branch now?"

"I’m a sparrow? Then what are you?" June Yardley took Shannon Quinn’s words to heart, clearly a bit irritated, "Landon Sutton is my sister’s man, you, a married woman, better behave."

Hearing this, Shannon Quinn found it increasingly amusing. Sometimes she thought June Yardley was like a clown, having schemed for so many years without marrying into the Rhodes Family, yet still acting as if she were superior to everyone else, expecting everyone to listen to her.

Though she used to call her sister-in-law out of respect, that respect vanished that night along with a glass of wine.

She never liked stirring up trouble, but that didn’t mean she was afraid of it. Bullies pick easy targets, and kindness and tolerance are sometimes wasted on certain people.

"Then bother your sister to keep her man in check, so her sister won’t have to disgrace herself on her behalf."

"Shannon Quinn, do you really think marrying a cripple means you can do whatever you want? The Rhodes Family is not a place for you to run wild!"

Shannon Quinn smiled, never losing her temper, instead provoking June Yardley by saying, "Then quickly marry into the Rhodes Family to straighten me out; otherwise, show some respect to the second Young Madam of the Rhodes Family."

June Yardley was so infuriated that she couldn’t speak. She grabbed her bag and stood up, viciously saying to Shannon Quinn, "Just you wait!"

After speaking, she stormed out on her high heels.

Shannon Quinn also stood up, putting away her smile while contemplating the photos June Yardley had shown her, feeling thoughtful.

The night she was sent to Landon Sutton’s room, was it a coincidence or an accident? Landon Sutton inexplicably getting entangled with her—was he in cahoots with June Yardley? Trying to conspire to get the Rhodes Family to kick her out?

If that were the case, why would June Yardley come to warn her? Shouldn’t she be pushing her towards Landon Sutton instead?

Suddenly, she recalled what Vincent Rhodes had warned her about that night: people’s hearts are malicious, the environment is complex, and trust no one.

Returning to her studio, she remembered turning off her phone as she was about to order takeout.

Upon turning it on, there were two missed calls from the same number.

The number wasn’t saved, but she had a guess who it was.

Since the people who regularly contacted her were either former classmates or current colleagues, and a handful of familiar clients, most work-related calls went to the store, not her personal number.

So those two calls were likely from Landon Sutton.

Shannon Quinn didn’t know how he got her number, but she knew it wouldn’t be difficult for him. He might have chatted with Faye at the front desk, and Faye might have sold her out.

She left her phone on all afternoon, and that number didn’t call back.

Shannon Quinn optimistically thought that as long as she ignored Landon Sutton, he might lose interest over time and stop bothering her.

"Shannon, off work?"

"You all go ahead. I’ll finish this up and then leave."

"Since the boss returned, everyone’s become so diligent."

Once her colleagues gradually left, Shannon Quinn finally completed the sketch. As she was tidying up, Aidan Lockwood knocked and entered: "Haven’t you left yet?"

"Heading back now."

"Wanna grab dinner together?"

"Maybe another time. I’ve got food at home that needs to be eaten before it spoils."

Aidan Lockwood smiled, nodding, and said, "Then maybe I should just eat at your place."

Shannon Quinn paused in her packing, smiling awkwardly, unsure how to respond. Aidan Lockwood noticed her discomfort and said, "Just kidding. Late at night, whether familiar or not, it’s best not to let any man visit your home."

"Tomorrow then, I’ll treat you to dinner outside."

"Okay, are you all set? Need a ride?"

Taking a ride with Aidan Lockwood wasn’t a first for Shannon Quinn, so she didn’t refuse since his way home passed by her place.

However, Shannon Quinn never realized that since she got into Aidan Lockwood’s car, a pair of eyes had been silently watching her from behind.