CHAPTER 151: CHAPTER 151: NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER

Shannon Quinn could somewhat understand Vincent Rhodes’ dilemma, but she couldn’t figure out why she had to endure all of it herself?

"Shannon, I know these times have been hard on you, and you’ve been wronged, but..."

Shannon Quinn smiled faintly, interrupting Simon Rhodes’ words, "Brother, I’m really tired, you should choose someone else."

Simon Rhodes knew that Shannon Quinn had endured too much all along; her sincerity was met with lies, and anyone in her position would feel their waiting was in vain.

But from Vincent Rhodes’ perspective, neither of them was having a particularly good time.

Actually, the most crucial thing now is still the child in Shannon Quinn’s belly.

"The child is already so many months along, will be born soon after the New Year, you shouldn’t think too much, just give birth to the child first."

"Once the child is born, will he be able to clarify my issues to the public?" Shannon Quinn asked this question, clearly knowing the answer, with a hint of mockery in her tone.

"In the future, he definitely will."

Shannon Quinn said, "Then let’s talk about the child in the future."

Simon Rhodes saw that Shannon Quinn seemed to still be angry, sighed deeply, and said, "Take some time to calm down first, let’s talk when Vincent comes back next time. Tomorrow night there will be a family reunion dinner, prepare yourself, someone will come to pick you up."

"No need, brother, I have some work tomorrow night, I can’t go."

"Work during the New Year?"

"Yes, it’s a bit busy at the end of the year."

Simon Rhodes nodded and said, "Alright, if there’s anything, call me."

Shannon Quinn didn’t actually have work, she just wasn’t in the mood.

She didn’t even want to pretend anymore; she just wanted to see how long Vincent Rhodes intended to drag things on with her.

He kept saying he loves her, yet she felt he hadn’t thought about their future and the child’s life together.

She could give birth to this child, but could he now step forward to clear up those issues?

Clearly, he couldn’t.

If his work was so important, then why did he marry her?

They hardly knew each other before, let alone had any feelings for each other, and to this day she still hadn’t figured out why he wanted to marry her in the first place.

Pushing aside the chaotic emotions in her heart, she tidied up the room, made two dishes and a soup, which was one of the more sumptuous meals these days.

Although it wasn’t New Year’s Eve yet, there was already a New Year’s atmosphere outside.

The sound of fireworks went off intermittently from all directions, Shannon Quinn stepped onto the balcony outside the house, looked up at the fireworks soaring into the sky, blooming for a moment in the dark night, beautiful but fleeting.

The next day, on New Year’s Eve, it was even livelier; the photos of family reunions shared on social media made the excitement and fulfillment palpable through the screen.

But she had never experienced such a New Year; she often envied others, wondering if she could enjoy such simple happiness if she grew up in a complete family.

"Ding dong—" a new message arrived on WeChat.

Shannon Quinn returned to the chat page, and the message was from Sheila Yardley.

It was a voice message, "Shannon, my brother has gone to see you, keep an eye on your phone, he should call you soon."

Shannon Quinn asked, puzzled, "Why is he looking for me?"

Sheila Yardley laughed and explained, "Didn’t you say a couple of days ago that you’d be alone at home for the New Year? I happened to ask about you today, so I wanted to invite you to a New Year’s Eve dinner. I was going to call you first to ask, but my brother hurried over to find you."

Thinking about Catherine Yardley, Shannon Quinn’s eyes dimmed slightly.

Not long after, a call came from an unfamiliar number, likely from Julian Yardley.

As soon as the call connected, Julian Yardley said with a bold voice, "Hello? I’m Sheila’s brother; my mom and sister insist on inviting you to dinner, so they sent me to pick you up. I’m downstairs, come down now."

Hearing Julian Yardley’s reluctant tone, Shannon Quinn knew he was just being stiff-necked but actually soft-hearted.

Perhaps wanting to feel what it’s like to spend a New Year with family, Shannon Quinn didn’t refuse, tidied up briefly, and came down wrapped in a thick coat.

Downstairs, Julian Yardley’s motorcycle was parked by the road, his helmet tucked under his arm, acting cool despite the freezing cold.

Looking at his motorcycle, Shannon Quinn was a bit scared, both because young people like him tend to drive recklessly and because it was indeed cold, so she said, "I’ll drive my car."

Julian Yardley immediately frowned, displeased, and mocked, "What, do you look down on two-wheelers, Miss? I ran here in the cold to pick you up, and you’d better not be ungrateful!"

Shannon Quinn stopped searching for her car keys in her bag, walked over to the motorcycle, and motioned for him to adjust the bike first.

Julian Yardley felt pleased inside but showed impatience on his face, put another helmet on her head, swung his long leg over the bike, Shannon Quinn zipped her down jacket up to the top, secured the helmet, and got on the bike, "Drive slowly."

Julian Yardley, facing away from her, couldn’t help but smirk, and before starting the bike, he said to her, "If your hands get cold, you can put them in my jacket pockets."

Shannon Quinn glanced at his jacket pockets, felt it was inappropriate, and just held on to the back of his jacket.

He deliberately revved the engine, making a loud noise, then started the bike.

As the bike started, Shannon Quinn was jolted back, hurriedly tightened her grip on his jacket, and shouted at him with displeasure, "Slow down!"

Julian Yardley chuckled, glanced down at her hand, didn’t continue teasing her, slowed down, and drove more steadily.

When they reached the restaurant, Shannon Quinn’s hands were frozen stiff, and she tucked them into her coat pockets.

Julian Yardley, after parking the motorcycle, turned to look at her, worried she might be cold, yet muttered, "Such a delicate girl."

Then he walked into the restaurant on his own, and Shannon Quinn followed unhurriedly.

When she pushed open the door to the private room, only Catherine Yardley and Sheila Yardley were inside.

Catherine Yardley seemed a bit thinner than the last time they met, and her complexion wasn’t as good, perhaps she caught a cold or fell ill again.

Sheila Yardley stood up and offered the seat beside her to Shannon Quinn, while Julian Yardley sat next to Catherine.

"You’re here?" Catherine Yardley looked at Shannon Quinn and said warmly, "We haven’t ordered yet, order what you like."

Sheila Yardley handed the menu to Shannon Quinn, "Shannon, you order."

"It’s fine; I’ll eat whatever."

"So indecisive even when ordering food. I’ll do it," Julian Yardley said irritably, snatching the menu and quickly listing several dishes to the waiter.

"Julian went to pick you up on the bike?" Catherine Yardley asked, looking at Shannon Quinn.

Shannon Quinn nodded slightly, and Catherine Yardley said worriedly, "I told him to take a cab, but he wouldn’t listen. What if he catches a cold in this cold weather?"