CHAPTER 175: CHAPTER 175: NO REMARRIAGE ALLOWED WITHIN FOUR YEARS

The early summer night breeze chased away the stuffiness, and Leo slept peacefully in bed.

Erin Bishop went out on a date with her fiancé, the blind date her family introduced earlier.

He’s a good man, has a pleasant temper, and really knows how to take care of people.

She said she wanted to move on from Zane Rhodes, and agreeing to date her blind date might be her first step.

While the child slept, Shannon Quinn sorted through what she needed to take once more, ensuring nothing was forgotten.

Most of the things were packed, making the house feel less like a home.

She didn’t know if Vincent Rhodes would ever return here, nor if she herself would come back.

She had no intentions of selling the house yet, as it was, after all, the first home truly her own in years.

"Bzz—bzz—"

Shannon Quinn found her vibrating phone, glanced at the caller ID, hesitated for two seconds, then answered.

"Big brother, what’s up?"

"Grandfather wants you to come back for a visit tomorrow."

Mentioning Shane Royale, Shannon Quinn was taken aback: "Is something wrong?"

Neither the childbirth nor the divorce—did Vincent tell the family about any of it? Could it be Old Master Rhodes just heard something and wanted to question her?

"When do you have time tomorrow? I’ll come pick you up."

Seeing Simon Rhodes avoid the topic, Shannon Quinn felt even more uneasy and tentatively asked: "...Is it about the child?"

"Don’t worry, Grandfather won’t harm you or the child. He just wants to have a few words with you."

Not knowing whether to believe it or not, the next morning, Simon Rhodes arrived downstairs to pick her up. He suggested she bring the child, but Shannon Quinn was cautious and asked Erin Bishop to stay home and watch the child, choosing not to bring him.

She feared that bringing her child would mean falling into a trap. After all, Shane Royale was not as easy-going as Vincent. If they really intended to take her child, she would not have any means to stop them.

With a nervous heart, she got into Simon Rhodes’s car.

In the car, Simon Rhodes asked, "Has Vincent seen the child?"

Shannon Quinn paused and simply replied, "Whether he sees him or not makes no difference."

"But it’s certainly different for him. I know you still resent him, but he really has sacrificed a lot for you."

"As you know, with Grandfather’s usual ways, knowing that the child is of Rhodes bloodline, even if divorced, he definitely wouldn’t let you take the child away. Vincent had to put in a lot of verbal effort to avoid Grandfather forcefully taking the child and hurting you."

Shannon Quinn did not respond. While she blamed Vincent Rhodes, when she first discovered he and Landon Sutton were the same person, her heart was more filled with the frustration of being deceived and manipulated. Once the anger subsided, she didn’t harbor much resentment towards him.

What stood between them wasn’t just their personal issues but so many harsh realities and helpless circumstances.

"I don’t know what conditions Vincent negotiated with Grandfather for him to agree to let you raise the child. Vincent had already paved the way for you. You don’t need to worry too much. Grandfather may be strict, but at heart, he’s reasonable."

"Okay."

Perhaps Vincent Rhodes truly had done many things for her, but he wasn’t good at expressing this side of himself. If not for Simon Rhodes mentioning it, she would probably never have known these things her entire life.

But none of this could change anything; there was no turning back for her and him.

Arriving at the Rhodes Family house, Simon Rhodes led her straight to Shane Royale’s study.

"Grandfather, Shannon is here." After Simon Rhodes said this, he gestured Shannon Quinn to enter the study alone.

"You came alone?" As soon as the door closed, Shane Royale asked.

Shannon Quinn glanced at him, yet before she could answer, Shane Royale continued, "Do I not even have the right to see the child once?"

"The child was resting, so I didn’t bring him out."

Of course, Shane Royale knew this was just an excuse.

"A selfish woman. I don’t know what Quinn saw in you." Shane Royale muttered this criticism to Shannon Quinn before stating his purpose for calling her: "Initially, he was insistent on marrying you, and now he quietly got divorced. I don’t know what you both are thinking! But there’s one thing I hope you understand."

After he finished, he took a sip from his teacup before continuing: "Honestly, your divorce aligns with my wishes, but if in the future you regret it and want to use the child as a means to come back to the Rhodes Family, that will never happen!"

"There’s no need for Old Master Rhodes to worry. I’d feel relieved if you didn’t trouble me. I certainly wouldn’t cause trouble for myself."

"Hmph, don’t speak too soon. Quinn, whether in ability or appearance, is very exceptional. Once he retires, many will want to marry him. What kind of woman isn’t available to him? Don’t get jealous then and think of exploiting the child to return to him. Even if he softens and agrees, I won’t relax my grip! Do you think you can come and go at the Rhodes Family at will?!"

"Please convey my early congratulations to him on my behalf."

With a look of complete dissatisfaction, Shane Royale added, "I am not one without feelings. Even though you have no ties with the Rhodes Family, the child still carries the blood of the Rhodes. If you dare come with the child and cause trouble, not only will you be barred from entering the Rhodes Family, but you also won’t be able to take the child away. Don’t blame me for not warning you then!"

"Thank you for your kind intentions, Old Master Rhodes. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."

"Wait."

Shannon Quinn stopped and looked back at Shane Royale.

Shane Royale remained silent in thought for a moment, then looked up at her and commanded, "For four years, you are not to remarry."

While Shannon Quinn didn’t have thoughts of remarrying, she found Shane Royale’s request strange: "Why?"

Shane Royale’s eyes flickered, giving no reasonable explanation. He only said, "The child is still young and lacks discernment. If you’re finding him a father, it should be his own decision."

Shannon Quinn found this reasoning absurd. She was the child’s mother. Even if she remarried, the man she found would not only be the child’s stepfather but also her husband. She didn’t think such matters should require the child’s decision, nor intervention from the Rhodes Family.

She didn’t nod in agreement with Shane Royale’s odd request. Shifting the topic, she asked, "Is there anything else?"

"Take care."

Shannon Quinn still politely bent slightly before exiting the study.

Upon stepping out, as expected, Simon Rhodes was waiting not far off. Seeing Shannon come out, he took two steps forward to greet her: "He didn’t give you too much trouble, did he?"

Shannon Quinn shook her head, then reached into her bag for a small box to hand to Simon Rhodes: "Big brother, I have one more favor to ask. Please return this to Vincent."

"What is it?" Simon Rhodes looked puzzled as he accepted the box and opened it for a peek, finding her and Vincent’s wedding rings inside.

He frowned looking at Shannon Quinn, as though wanting to say something but ultimately only nodded, "I will pass it on to him."