CHAPTER 197: CHAPTER 197: WILL YOU COME WITH ME?

Shannon Quinn’s call of "Mom" left everyone present dumbfounded, especially Catherine Yardley.

Because Shannon Quinn planned to announce this tonight, but she hadn’t discussed it with Catherine Yardley beforehand.

Hearing Shannon Quinn call her "Mom," Catherine was both excited and realized what Shannon was about to reveal.

"Actually... Shannon is your biological sister, the child I’ve been searching for all this time."

As Catherine Yardley said this, Sheila Yardley and Julian Yardley were both stunned. For Julian, this news was a bombshell, leaving him speechless.

"I noticed it a long time ago. Shannon does look a lot like Auntie. I asked my sister, but she said it wasn’t true," Claire Wilde was the first to speak.

Elaine Yardley laughed excitedly, "I actually guessed this a long time ago, but I never dared to ask."

Only Julian Yardley seemed frozen in place, unable to accept the news for quite a while.

He had finally gathered the courage and planned for a long time to speak up about it. But just as the idea was beginning to take shape, it was completely shattered.

It was like a cold bucket of water extinguishing his burning passion.

"Little Ray, what were you about to say?"

Catherine Yardley’s inquiry pulled Julian back to reality. He laughed awkwardly, sat down, and said, "Nothing, just... I didn’t expect this." He paused, still unwilling to give up, and asked, "Mom, is she really your biological daughter?"

Catherine nodded, "Actually, the first time I saw Shannon, I had this thought. Later, it was confirmed, but I never had the chance to tell you about it."

From then on, Julian Yardley seemed restless, sneakily glancing at Shannon Quinn several times during dinner, feeling more unwilling as he thought about it. What kind of soap opera is this? How could the woman he likes turn out to be his sister?!

"Ms. Yardley, why aren’t you eating?"

Julian turned to look at Claire Wilde, growing more annoyed, and stood up, saying, "I should head to the airport soon. I’ll settle the bill; you all take your time with the meal."

"In such a hurry?" Catherine Yardley also stood up.

"Yeah, Mom, I’m heading out now. I’ll come back to see you another time."

"Alright, be careful on your way." Catherine Yardley escorted Julian Yardley to the door, offering motherly advice before letting him leave.

Elaine Yardley wanted to stay a few more days, but on the fourth day, Caleb Grant called her again, and she had no choice but to return on the fifth day.

When she arrived, Caleb Grant was not home.

She thought there would be a lot of household chores as the house had been empty for a while, but it was evident Caleb had cleaned up in advance. Everything was tidy and there was nothing left for her to do.

After unpacking, she planned to go to the nearby supermarket to buy some things before Caleb returned.

It was a chilly day with rain mixed with snow. She wore a thick down jacket and went out with an umbrella.

As soon as she reached the intersection, she saw someone standing under the eaves, leaning against the wall and smoking. His haggardly thin appearance almost made her not recognize him.

Ryder Griffin saw her as well. To be precise, he was waiting there for her.

Elaine Yardley stopped and looked at Ryder Griffin, but couldn’t bring herself to say his name.

Ryder tossed away the cigarette he had smoked halfway, and despite the cold drizzle, walked straight toward Elaine Yardley.

The rain and snow were light, with barely perceptible droplets falling on her.

Elaine Yardley tightened her grip on the umbrella but did not move it to keep Ryder under its cover as well. She simply asked him calmly, "...Why are you here?"

"I’ve been waiting for you for days."

"Waiting for me?"

"Since the day I couldn’t reach you by phone, I’ve frequently come here."

Elaine Yardley lowered her eyes without speaking. She had heard about Ryder Griffin and Lynn Kendall. After what happened to Lynn, Ryder had texted her, hinting at wanting to reconcile, which she had never replied to.

He called a few times afterward, but she didn’t answer. Feeling troubled, she blocked Ryder’s number.

In fact, she didn’t bear any resentment towards Ryder Griffin, but she couldn’t pretend none of it had happened and forgive him.

"You read all the messages I sent, right?"

"Yes."

"Elaine, can you give me another chance? I’ve thought a lot during this time alone. I know it’s hard to ask for your forgiveness, but I don’t want to give up just like that. I know I’ve made many mistakes; can you forgive me for the sake of our past? I promise to treat you well in the future, okay?"

Elaine Yardley took a deep breath and said, "Once things happen, Ryder, there’s no going back. I’m really grateful for the past and glad to have known you, but that was all in the past. Let’s live our own lives now."

Ryder Griffin evidently didn’t want such an outcome. He glanced around, aware that these villas weren’t affordable for just anyone. He said, "I know he’s wealthy, and I can’t compare to him now. But if you give me time, I’ll make sure you live the life you want."

Elaine Yardley smiled and said, "Ryder, do you still see me as a woman who only cares about money?"

"No, Elaine, that’s not what I meant. I just..."

"Just take it as if I am. You should leave now, and don’t come looking for me again. We can never go back to how it was."

"Elaine, is that man threatening you? I know he helped you pay off that money. I didn’t spend it, and I still have some savings. We can pay him back and leave together, okay?"

"That’s just your speculation. I have things I need to take care of; you should go back."

Ryder didn’t trouble her any further, but called out to her retreating back, "Elaine, let’s start over. Let me pursue you again."

Elaine Yardley didn’t turn back or respond, walking away under her umbrella.

There was a bit of heartache, seeing someone she once loved so deeply in such a state.

She often wondered if, without Lynn Kendall, she and Ryder Griffin would have lasted, or if Lynn just expedited what would’ve eventually happened.

She couldn’t know the answer, but she didn’t want to go back.

It’s easy to reconcile, but regaining the trust they once had is much harder.

There’s nothing for her to hesitate about in this matter, not to mention Caleb Grant strongly opposes her being involved with other men. Although she’s not sure what his intentions are, she doesn’t dare to provoke him now.

Her career is just beginning to make progress, and everything is quite stable. She thinks this is pretty good.