CHAPTER 259: CHAPTER 259: INESCAPABLE FATE

After playing with the child for a while, the child was happy, so they relaxed a bit.

Shane Royale appeared as if he couldn’t care less, but Shannon Quinn noticed that it wasn’t long after Landon Sutton took Leo out that Shane also quietly went to the backyard with his cane and sat in the pavilion watching the father and son play.

Shannon Quinn brought out some washed fruit and sat across from Shane Royale, saying, "Grandpa, would you like some fruit?"

Shane Royale glanced at her, said nothing, and turned his attention back to the playing father and son.

Knowing Shane Royale’s temperament, Shannon Quinn naturally didn’t take it to heart and sat beside him, explaining, "Leo is just a bit shy, it’s his first time here and he’s not used to it, but he’ll be fine once he plays for a while."

Shane Royale snorted lightly and said, "Like father, like son when they were young!"

"Vincent didn’t like to talk much when he was young either?"

Shane Royale turned to look at her, "Don’t you know what your own husband is like?"

Shannon Quinn chuckled, "It’s all thanks to you, Grandpa, that Vincent is as good as he is today."

This flattery made Shane Royale feel a lot better, even his expression softened.

Landon Sutton glanced their way and then brought Leo over, crouched down, and said to Leo, "Daddy is tired, how about letting your great-grandpa play with you for a while?"

Leo glanced at Shane Royale, not daring to speak.

Landon Sutton handed the remote control for the plane to the old man and gave him a look.

Shane Royale, although with a stern face, still reached out and took the remote, standing up.

Though he was old, he was still quite strong.

Leo seemed a bit cautious, but was still very polite.

"Hold your great-grandfather’s hand a bit."

Landon Sutton instructed, and Leo, who was ahead, turned back, holding the remote control plane in one hand and Shane’s clothes in the other.

Shannon Quinn remarked, "You should support your great-grandfather, don’t drag and trip him."

Shane Royale retorted, "I’m not that useless yet!"

Landon Sutton sat down next to Shannon Quinn, laughing, "The older he gets, the tougher he talks."

"Now I think Grandpa is kind of cute."

"Just don’t let him hear that."

Shane Royale had flown a fighter plane, but he was somewhat baffled by the latest toy plane. It either wouldn’t take off or would "crash" soon after.

Leo didn’t mind his great-grandfather flying not as well as his dad and patiently taught him how to operate it.

Having some interaction, Leo seemed less afraid of the old man.

At mealtime, Leo still sat next to him and obediently served him food when told.

After getting more comfortable, Leo gradually became his usual cheerful self, and a kind smile began to appear on Shane Royale’s face.

Shannon Quinn felt that her easy return to the Rhodes Family this time was largely due to Leo’s credit.

The old man likely let go of past grudges for Leo’s sake.

The next day was Shawn Rhodes’s wedding day.

Shannon Quinn only found out privately from Landon Sutton that Shawn Rhodes was twenty-six, just a few years younger than him, but in terms of generation, Landon was considered Shawn’s uncle.

Listening to their conversation in the car, Shannon Quinn roughly understood that the wedding was not one of mutual love, but just a marriage alliance.

The wedding was at the largest and a quite famous local church, where many people from afar would come just to hold weddings.

The wedding site was decorated in a manner that could only be described as luxurious, considering the Rhodes Family was prominent, even distant relatives wouldn’t fall short.

The guests were mostly relatives from the Rhodes Family and some upper-class business figures, with few relatives from the bride’s side, only her parents were seen present.

While it was bustling outside, the dressing room was quiet.

Susan Wilde, in her wedding dress, sat alone at the vanity, touching up her makeup in the mirror.

She suddenly heard the door behind her being opened and glanced in the mirror.

It wasn’t the girl who had been styling her earlier, but a man in a white suit.

Based on his appearance, he should be the groom.

Shawn Rhodes didn’t seem to expect anyone in there; this was also his first time seeing the woman he was going to marry.

With Susan Wilde’s back to him, his first impression was of her long, smooth black hair.

But he seemed uninterested in meeting her and only paused briefly at the door before closing it again.

Susan Wilde had hesitated about greeting him, but she clearly didn’t get the chance to decide.

She only saw his appearance in the mirror, which was unexpectedly handsome, not the strange look she had imagined.

But clearly, both he and she had little expectation for this marriage, even feeling some dissatisfaction, yet unable to resist.

Taking a deep breath, Susan Wilde continued her task, putting on her veil.

Until someone came to call, saying the wedding was about to begin.

After going downstairs, Lily Lee whispered into her ear, "No matter what you’re thinking, so many people are watching today, so behave yourself later!"

Susan Wilde said nothing, holding up her wedding dress skirt as she moved to the spot assigned by the planner.

"Skylar?" Shannon Quinn, sitting by the red carpet, recognized her immediately and was surprised that she was the bride.

Even more surprised was Simon Rhodes.

When Simon Rhodes saw Susan Wilde, his feelings could only be described as complicated.

He never expected to see her again after all these years, especially not at her wedding to someone else.

He had always thought Susan Wilde was living happily with her boyfriend, possibly already married with children.

So although he never forgot her, he hadn’t disturbed her since then.

He never imagined she would become his nephew’s wife today...

The officiant read the prepared lines with familiarity, and with the wedding march, Susan Wilde, in her white wedding dress, walked alone down the long red carpet toward Shawn Rhodes.

When she reached the steps, Shawn Rhodes did not offer a hand to assist, merely standing there expressionless, showing little regard for Susan Wilde.

Susan Wilde stepped onto the platform to face him.

Despite Susan Wilde’s calmness, Shawn Rhodes’s eyes seemed to harbor some resentment and anger.

She didn’t know towards whom these feelings were directed, but she only needed to complete her own task.

When taking vows, Susan Wilde, without hesitation or much emotion, mechanically said, "I do."

When it was Shawn Rhodes’s turn, as he hesitated looking toward a certain place in the audience, Susan Wilde followed his gaze to see a girl sitting down there.

Everyone around was joyfully congratulating, while the girl was the only one wiping away tears.

Susan Wilde immediately understood that he liked that girl but couldn’t escape the fate arranged by his family.