CHAPTER 182: CHAPTER 182: IT’S MY FAULT

Simon Rhodes noticed that Susan Wilde’s boyfriend was there too, hesitating on whether to greet them when Susan looked up and saw him.

Due to their previous "fender bender," and she had been telling her boyfriend about the morning’s incident, it was quite a coincidence to run into him.

As their eyes met, Simon Rhodes finally walked over, politely nodding to Susan Wilde’s boyfriend before displaying a gentlemanly demeanor as he said to Susan, "I didn’t expect to see you here. I’m really sorry about this morning."

Susan, who had been quite annoyed while recounting the story to her boyfriend earlier, found herself faced with Simon Rhodes, who appeared so open and friendly, and she felt it would make her seem petty to not be a little courteous.

Almost reflexively, she waved her hand and hurriedly said, "It’s nothing, it’s fine, as long as no one was hurt."

"Are you here for...?"

"I’m...a makeup artist." Susan replied straightforwardly to Simon’s question, almost as if it was the natural thing to do, as if his aura and tone held a sort of hidden charm.

"A makeup artist? Could you leave me a business card? I don’t have any contacts in this field yet. Can I reach out to you if I need something like this in the future?"

Susan felt as if she had encountered a well-off client, quickly pulling out her business card from her bag, handing it over with both hands. She added, "I was in a rush this morning, maybe I seemed a bit..."

"It’s my fault, you don’t need to apologize," Simon said, glancing at the card with her name on it, then added, "I won’t disturb you both any longer; let’s chat again sometime."

After Simon Rhodes left, Susan’s boyfriend asked, "Is that the big boss who hit you this morning?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Isn’t he Simon Rhodes? From the Sterling Group?"

Upon hearing this, Susan was taken aback, "Really?"

"You love gossip news so much, you must recognize him, right?"

"I only gossip about the celebrities I follow, okay?" Susan said as she rummaged through her bag for the business card. Looking at the name, she was even more stunned. "Oh my gosh, it really is him! Lana, do you think we’re about to strike it rich?!"

"Yes, indeed. You’ve hit the jackpot with this one, a true stroke of luck."

Susan chuckled for a few seconds before realizing and glaring at her boyfriend, "What’s with the way you’re speaking? Not even asking if I got hurt, just making jokes!"

"You seem lively and your voice sounds strong, doesn’t seem like you’re hurt."

"Hmph, just go home, I don’t need your concern!"

"Just kidding, go on and eat," Owen Bellamy paused and then got serious, asking Susan, "Susan, if you asked him to give my company a shot at cooperation, do you think he would agree?"

Susan’s eating paused, and she turned to Owen Bellamy: "What are you planning?"

"My company has a new development project, completely risk-free, but we haven’t found an investor yet. If he’s willing to help, it would be perfect."

Susan frowned, stirring her bowl of porridge with a spoon as she mumbled, "Maybe not, he already said he would pay for the car repairs, he doesn’t owe us anything. It might not be good to trouble him."

"How is that trouble? You women just don’t understand, it’s a business deal, making money together, he wouldn’t lose out."

"But...I’m too embarrassed to ask."

"Think about it, I’m doing this thinking about our future too. If my company does well, you won’t have to work so hard, right?"

Susan felt conflicted, unsure of how to refuse Owen Bellamy’s request. Considering that Simon Rhodes seemed polite and easy-going, she thought maybe she could ask him and see what he thought.

After all, as Owen said, it’s a win-win cooperation, and Simon wouldn’t suffer any loss. Perhaps he might even be looking for such opportunities himself?

Shannon Quinn arrived at the fashion show venue to find quite a few familiar faces.

Besides some former colleagues from Aidan Lockwood’s studio, there were also Simon Rhodes, June Yardley and Sean Fairchild, as well as Lynn Kendall and Ryder Griffin.

Upon seeing Lynn and Ryder, Shannon instinctively glanced at Sheila Yardley standing by her side.

It was clear she had already noticed them and her mood was somewhat affected, more or less.

"Shannon, there’s nothing much left here for me to do, I’m going to the back to tidy up some things."

Shannon knew she just needed a moment alone.

Even though now she has put all her focus and energy on work, she had once told Shannon that Ryder Griffin was no longer the person he used to be, and she had no expectations for him anymore.

But seeing the present and what used to be, thinking of that youthful romance, she couldn’t help feeling a bit of regret and sorrow.

Shannon suddenly felt fortunate that she hadn’t fallen in love at that age, nor experienced the heart-wrenching pain of loss.

However, she wasn’t all that lucky either; her current life was only stable and not quite the happiness she once imagined.

People around her advised her to remarry while her child was still young and she was still relatively youthful. This way life wouldn’t be so tough and it would be better for the child’s growth too.

But she didn’t feel any urge for it. She now seemed very resistant to integrating a not-so-familiar man into what people call a family, and she didn’t have any energy to get used to someone else’s presence.

She felt that marrying a man wouldn’t relieve her pressure but would rather be a burden, a psychological burden.

Maybe because she’s content with her current situation and doesn’t want any more turmoil.

She considered herself economically stable and capable in work; she didn’t believe she could not raise the child by herself.

"Shannon."

At the sound of the voice, Shannon Quinn turned around to see Simon Rhodes approaching, "Long time no see, how have you been lately?"

"Everything’s been good."

"...And the child?"

"At home, being taken care of by the nanny."

Seeing Shannon not wanting to elaborate about her child, Simon didn’t press further, letting out a breath, "It’s been tough on you."

Shannon smiled, shaking her head. Simon Rhodes seemed to have more to say but eventually held back and headed to his seat.

It seemed Shannon herself had words stuck in her throat but couldn’t express them, her eyes lowering as she got lost in thought.

Neither of them mentioned Vincent Rhodes.

The fashion show began, and Shannon sat with the production team in the audience.

While others whispered, discussing and praising the models’ outfits on stage, she remained somewhat absent-minded, not saying a thing.

The person beside her, Liam Sterling, turned and asked, "What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"