CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 25: SHE WON’T HARM ME

Simon Rhodes walked over, glanced at the few people, stood beside Shannon Quinn, and asked June Yardley, "What happened?"

June Yardley was well aware that Simon Rhodes wouldn’t stand up for her; he might even favor Shannon Quinn. So, June Yardley quietly led the sobbing Claire Yardley away without making a sound.

"Sis, you’re just going to let it go like this?"

June Yardley glared at Claire Yardley, "In what setting are you causing such a scene? If you can’t keep your cool like this, no one will be able to help you in the future!"

"What do you want me to do? Landon Sutton is hardly back, and if I don’t seize this opportunity, what do I do if he disappears for years again? I suspect he’s been lured away by a temptress over these two years!"

"Is it something to rush? Acting like this will only make Landon Sutton more afraid to get close to you."

Claire Yardley was fuming, unable to swallow her anger.

June Yardley turned to look in Shannon Quinn’s direction and said, "Don’t worry about this for now, I’ll handle it."

Claire Yardley reluctantly replied, "Mhm," and added, "That woman is shameless! She flaunts herself around men even after getting married."

"Alright, stop speaking so much when there are so many people around."

June Yardley hated Shannon Quinn just as much, feeling that the reason Simon Rhodes wouldn’t marry her was related to Shannon Quinn.

She even thought of using Landon Sutton to deal with Shannon Quinn first, kicking her out of the Rhodes Family before anything else.

Shannon Quinn considered herself victorious, giving June Yardley ample courtesy by calling her "big sister-in-law" in the past, hoping to stay out of each other’s way and avoid unnecessary conflicts, not expecting June Yardley to be discontented.

"Shannon, I’m going to talk with Mr. Sutton for a bit. Why don’t you head over there and grab something to eat?"

Shannon Quinn nodded, eager to leave.

Once Shannon Quinn walked away, Landon Sutton picked up his teacup and took a sip. Seeing no one around, he asked, "How far have you gotten with this June Yardley?"

Simon Rhodes sighed deeply, "How far? Do you think I have the mind right now to deal with these romantic matters?"

"So you’re just going to string her along?"

"I don’t have a choice; Grandpa is pressing for marriage. Having her as a shield makes many things easier."

"I’m just worried she’ll trouble Shannon."

"Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye out for Shannon."

Landon Sutton let out a deep breath, pulled out two cigarettes from the pack, handed one to Simon Rhodes and put one to his mouth.

He took out a lighter and lit it, casually sliding the lighter across the table to Simon Rhodes.

"I heard from Shannon that you approached her using Vincent Rhodes’ identity?"

Landon Sutton paused his smoking action for a moment before nodding.

"You’re being reckless; what if she notices something?"

"Relax, I know my limits."

"Vincent, not to scold you, but when you said you’d marry Shannon back then, even Grandpa didn’t want to agree. Don’t forget what you promised him, don’t waste a lifetime’s worth of effort over personal whims."

Landon Sutton took a deep breath, looking burdened.

If he could choose, he would rather be an ordinary person, staying by the side of the one he loves.

Seeing him silent, Simon Rhodes’ mood dampened and he sincerely said, "It’s on me, not you. These burdens should have been mine. I know how much you care for Shannon, but I’m very concerned for you. Don’t stumble at the last moment."

"I know what I’m doing."

"Shannon has come to me multiple times asking about you, and I’ve just brushed it aside. Now that you’ve appeared, how do you plan to address her suspicions?"

Landon Sutton casually replied, "Even if she learns the truth, she wouldn’t harm me. I understand her."

"You’re reckless! The danger is immense; you should know better than me. Do your part and avoid unnecessary trouble. I’ll manage things with Shannon for you, but you should minimize your contact with her, at least don’t use Vincent Rhodes’ identity to meet her — it’ll prevent any leaks."

Landon Sutton lightly murmured, "Mm," his smoking growing heavier.

"Grandpa wants you in his study at five-thirty, watch the time; I’ve got to go."

Simon Rhodes left worriedly, while Landon Sutton remained seated, smoking one cigarette after another.

The gentle music in the hall didn’t lighten Landon Sutton’s mood at all.

His gaze wandered, searching for Shannon Quinn’s figure in the crowd. Seeing her sitting alone in a corner lost in thought only made his mood gloomier.

He knew this marriage was both a salvation and a cage for her; he understood the complexities of the Rhodes family better than anyone, drawing her into this environment yet unable to be her safeguard left him feeling uneasy.

At least she knew how to protect herself. Watching how she handled the Claire Yardley situation earlier, he was rather impressed with her.

No matter others’ opinions, right or wrong, he would stand by Shannon Quinn, even if she were to flaunt her power — he was willing to give her the authority.

Through the years, she’s borne the external rumors alone, and only she knew the internal strife she endured.

Endure it; once these years pass, he’ll make it up to her appropriately.

Shannon Quinn watched the people coming and going in the hall, still wondering if Vincent Rhodes would appear.

Although she had little attachment to Vincent Rhodes, barely having any meetings which were insignificant to be called meetings, hearing others call her husband a useless person still hurt her.

She didn’t understand her own mindset now; part of her hoped Vincent Rhodes never appears, allowing her life to remain peacefully stable, while another part was curious about his affairs— wondering if she could truly spend her life this way after marrying him.

"Young Madam, would you like a drink?"

Shannon Quinn raised her head to see June Yardley, who had approached unnoticed, with two cups of juice, sitting opposite her.

She regained her composure and looked at the two cups of juice in front of her, hinting, "I’m not sure I dare drink anything Miss Yardley serves."

June Yardley smiled, understanding her implication: "Don’t worry, I’m not foolish enough to use the same method twice."

Shannon Quinn smiled faintly, still not drinking the juice handed over, merely saying, "Did Miss Yardley come looking for me for something?"

"Not at all, just saw you sitting alone and thought to come chat a bit." June Yardley sipped her juice through a straw, chuckling, "I was hoping Shannon might teach me how to charm men."

Clearly catching the sarcasm in June Yardley’s words, Shannon Quinn didn’t argue, instead agreeing with her, "The flowers are nice; if one looks good enough, people will gather to admire them even if they’re planted nowhere special. Miss Yardley gets this, right?"

Implying that June Yardley wasn’t beautiful enough.

June Yardley gritted her teeth but managed to maintain a smile: "Even the prettiest flower will wither one day."