apter 40
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hapter 40
thleen stood outside, waiting for Shawn. She couldn’t go back to the Vance residence alone. That would just look bad.
hile she waited, a notification popped up on her phone. It was Chelsey who had messaged her.
lin had arrived at her place.
helsey even sent a photo. There was a sleek black Rolls–Royce parked right in the middle of her house’s driveway.
crowd of villagers had gathered outside her gate. Some even peered in like it was the biggest thing that had ever happened there. One man practically id a bag of popcorn in his hand.
You won’t believe this. He’s actually playing the part really well. The car’s full of gifts to the point where we don’t even have room on the table to put
- em.
He told my parents he upset me and that I ran home in anger. He came all this way to apologize and take me back.
He gave my dad a whole case of imported cigars, and my mom got a set of gold jewelry. Just like that, all that talk about reputation went right out the indow.”
helsey’s texts were practically dripping with sarcasm.
athleen understood what Chelsey meant. In families like hers, wealth equaled respect. The richer one was, the louder one would speak. As of now,
oney had caused all of the rules to be bent.
As long as he can get you out of there, that’s all that matters,” Kathleen replied.
helsey texted her response. “Now, here’s the new problem. After all that, I need to pay him back. All those gifts aren’t cheap. Freedom’s going to cost he a small fortune.”
aughing, Kathleen messaged, “What’s a few bucks in exchange for freedom?”
helsey replied with a dramatic “frustrated” sticker.
athleen smiled, knowing that the plan had actually worked.
that moment, the bedroom door opened, and Jeremy exited, apologizing, “Sorry to have interrupted.”
It’s alright,” Kathleen replied with a friendly smile. “Weren’t you abroad handling that lawsuit? It’s already wrapped up?”
lancing toward the room, Jeremy shook his head. “Not yet. I only returned for Christmas but will be heading back soon.
Sounds exhausting.”
I have to chase the almighty dollar, right?” he joked.
We all do,” Kathleen replied, still smiling.
Anyway, I’m off.”
Safe travels.”
remy raised his brows with a grin. “Appreciate it.”
fter Kathleen saw Jeremy out, Shawn emerged from the room.
athleen cut to the chase, informing, “My dad’s visiting your place. I need to go back. Can you come with me?”
Yeah,” he agreed, unusually cooperative.
he drive back to the Vance residence was quiet, Kathleen didn’t speak, and Shawn wasn’t the kind to start a conversation just to fill the silence.
s they neared the house, his phone rang. He accepted the call through the car’s Bluetooth system.
She has agreed to leave,” came Jeremy’s voice, clear through the speakers.
lancing at Kathleen, Shawn simply replied, “Okay.”
ben, he ended the call, but she didn’t ask and had no idea whom Jeremy referred to.
soon as they turned into the driveway, they spotted Peter’s car already parked out front.
athleen’s expression immediately darkened. She stepped out of the car with a cold look as Shawn followed behind her.
pices could be heard from inside the moment they arrived at the entrance.
thleen froze
you didn’t want to see them, you shouldn’t have come,” Shawn mentioned from behind.
“They shouldn’t have shown up in the first place,” she replied, taking a deep breath.
“It’s Christmas. Since the families are in–laws now,” he reminded her, “avoiding each other would only look bad.”
Kathleen knew he was right, but nothing about their situation was simple, especially when it came to Peter. “Are you planning to stand out here all afternoon?” Shawn asked, his tone almost teasing.
Chapter 40
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