CHAPTER 213: CHAPTER 213: HE SACRIFICED HIMSELF

As for Susan Wilde, she also broke up with Owen Bellamy half a year ago because he cheated.

Susan had been suspicious for a while and had talked with Shannon Quinn about it. It was similar to Sheila Yardley back then; she didn’t want to believe he didn’t love her until she saw it with her own eyes.

Owen Bellamy and that woman even got a marriage certificate behind Susan Wilde’s back, but because the Wilde Family still had some business interests to pursue, he kept stringing Susan along.

You could say that the company’s current success was largely due to Susan Wilde’s efforts.

Sometimes men truly lack conscience, and when they calculate, they’re even more frightening than women.

Seeing so many failed romances around her, Shannon Quinn’s illusions about love were completely extinguished, and she was increasingly resistant to remarrying.

She felt that living her life just as it was would be pretty good, but she was the only one who hoped to settle for the status quo.

One day in mid-December, Shannon Quinn took Leo to the supermarket.

While Shannon was focused on picking ingredients, Leo was looking elsewhere and suddenly said, "Mom, I feel like someone has been following us."

"What?" Shannon was a bit surprised. She stood up straight and looked around, but didn’t find anyone suspicious, so she asked Leo, "Who did you see?"

Leo furrowed his brows and shook his head. "I don’t know, just a feeling."

Shannon then scolded him, "I told you not to go around scamming people, now what will you do if bad people are watching you?"

Leo pouted and said nothing, looking around again.

Initially, Shannon was also on alert. From the time they paid to the parking lot, she kept a close eye out, but nothing suspicious happened, so she dismissed Leo’s words from her mind.

She didn’t expect to see a somewhat familiar car under her apartment when they got back. She parked by the road and gave the black Bentley a couple of scrutinizing glances.

The window of the Bentley rolled down, and Simon Rhodes nodded at her, not saying a word of greeting.

Shannon Quinn furrowed her brows in confusion. Concerned about Leo, she told him, "Son, you go up first and tell Grandma to finish braising the ribs. Mom forgot something at the store and has to go out again."

"Then I’ll go with you."

"I’m just going to the supermarket at the corner. You go back first; it’s cold outside, and you’ll catch a cold with a runny nose again."

Hearing that Shannon wasn’t going far, Leo obediently went back first.

Shannon escorted him into the elevator, then returned to the Bentley, where Simon also got out of the car.

"Mr. Rhodes? Why are you here?" She hadn’t seen him in a long time and felt a bit estranged.

Simon Rhodes looked quite serious; in the past, he’d smile and greet her but today, he remained stern. "Shannon, I actually came to tell you something."

"...What’s up?"

"It’s been some time, and I don’t know if it would bother you, but I think it’s necessary to tell you."

Shannon paused and said, "It’s okay. What’s going on, Mr. Rhodes?"

"It’s Vincent... "

Hearing that name, Shannon’s heart skipped a beat, then seeing Simon’s regretful expression, she seemed to realize something, and her smile froze.

After a pause, Simon said with difficulty, "He’s sacrificed."

Shannon was completely frozen; this seemed to be the very news she had feared hearing.

Even though she had worried countless times in her heart and imagined this happening, actually hearing it was something she couldn’t fully comprehend.

"Before Vincent left, he asked me to give this to you."

Shannon looked down at the small black box Simon handed over. She took it with trembling hands, pried open the magnetic lid, and her eyes welled up when she saw what was inside.

It was the pair watch she gave him before their divorce...

It seemed to witness their past.

Shannon quickly closed the box, took a deep breath, keeping her emotions and tears under control, and asked Simon, "... when did it happen?"

"Half a month ago, during a mission, something went wrong."

Shannon’s biggest regret was probably that she never let them meet as father and son, and now there would never be a chance.

"I got it." Her voice feigned calm but was choked up. Carrying the box, she walked like a lifeless soul into the elevator.

At night, when everyone was asleep, she hid in the bathroom and couldn’t help but cry.

She truly regretted it, regretting not letting Vincent see the child back then.

She dared not ask for more details about his accident; hearing about it felt like something she had long been holding onto suddenly vanished into thin air, leaving her heart hollow.

This winter seemed colder than any before.

At this moment, not far from Shannon Quinn’s home, in a hotel room.

Simon walked inside after unlocking the door and looked at the man standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the night view outside. He said, "I’ve told her. Is it really okay to deceive her like this?"

Vincent Rhodes lowered his gaze, took a drag from the cigarette between his fingers, and asked, "How did she react?"

"It’s hard to say. Hearing about someone’s death, even if they weren’t that close, would make anyone feel sad. But I think since she hasn’t remarried after all these years, there might still be a chance for you. However, if you deceive her like this, she’ll definitely be angry once she finds out."

Vincent chuckled and mused to himself, "There’s still a long road ahead."

The next day, a sleepless Shannon Quinn acted as if nothing had happened, had breakfast with her child, and then sent him to school.

"Goodbye, Mom."

Shannon Quinn smiled, patting Leo’s head, "Don’t get into trouble and be naughty, okay? Grandma will pick you up in the afternoon."

"Okay."

Leo nodded and walked into the school, but before entering the gate, he stopped, turned around, and saw Shannon’s car driving away. He turned back to the roadside, staring at the black car parked on the other side of the road, frowning and watching for a while before walking over out of curiosity and caution.

Vincent sat in the car, feeling a bit puzzled as he watched the child walk directly towards him.

He didn’t make any move, just watching Leo, thinking the boy was going to the stationery store nearby, but to his surprise, the child walked straight over, reached out a small hand, and knocked on his window.

Vincent raised an eyebrow slightly and rolled down the window, "What’s up, little guy?"

Leo looked him up and down, unsure if he was a bad person; though he’d never seen this strange uncle before, he still put on a fearless demeanor and ordered Vincent, "You get out."