Chapter 5
At first, Shawn didn’t immediately recognize the voice on the other end of the line. But the moment Lindsey mentioned father–in–law, he understood.
He hesitated briefly. “I have a meeting here, so I probably won’t be able to make it!
Lindsey felt a twinge of disappointment, though she didn’t dwell on it. A figure as influential as Shawn wasn’t someone she could summon easily.
Sheila, noticing Lindsey’s expression, felt a surge of delight. She sneered, “Lindsey, maybe he just doesn’t want to come! Looks like this boyfriend of yours doesn’t love you that much, huh?”
se her voice a l
Sheila didn’t bother keeping her voice down, ensuring that everyone in the living room heard her. Feeling smug, she even rose Shawn, hearing Sheila’s sharp voice over the phone, frowned
After a pause, he said, “Tve reserved a private room at Ethereal Haven for tonight. If you don’t mind, bring your father along for dinner.”
Lindsey was slightly taken aback. She composed herself quickly and relayed Shawn’s message to Anthony
a little
“At least he knows his place. Fine, I’ll go see this frivolous little bastard, Anthony huffed, flicking his sleeve angrily as he stormed back to his study. The failed marriage arrangement with the Parker family left him simmering with frustration.
Lindsey’s gaze darkened, thinking that Shawn might give the order to destroy the Riley family if he heard how Anthony describe him
Sheila glanced at Lindsey, then at Jayden, not forgetting to the pot Jayden, please don’t be mad at Lindsey. Maybe she’s just been bewitched by some playboy and didn’t mean to do anything to betray you.”
Lindsey remained silent. Sheila made it sound as if there was something between her and Jayden
Jayden’s expression was
is grim. “Then I be waiting for Lindsey’s good news”
As evening approached. Lindsey had hoped to attend the dinner with just Anthony, but Sheila and Olivia insisted on tagging along
“Mr. Riley, Ethereal Haven is the most luxurious restaurant in all of Jovencia, Sheila said. “I’ve never had the chance to go before. Why not let me jom you this time?”
“Besides, I can help evaluate Lindsey’s boyfriend to ensure she
e isn’t blinded by someone with ulterior motives.” She batted her eyes and looked pitifully at Anthony.
Olivia chimed in as well. “Anthony. I’ve practically treated Lindsey like tend to be too laid–back–what if your judgment is off?”
sey like my own
own daughter all these years, I should also go see her boyfriend. You
Over the past two decades, Olivia had thoroughly bewitched Anthony, Hearing her reasoning, he found it perfectly logical
“Lindsey, is this what twenty years of my parenting have taught you? To be so petty? Olivia has cared for you for so long–she’s the most qualified to go, Anthony said to Lindsey.
“Besides, she’s practically family now, and you’d better treat her like one,” he added
Lindsey couldn’t help but roll her eyes. She hadn’t even said anything yet, and now she was being accused of being petty,
However, Lindsey didn’t miss the key point in Anthony’s words. “Dad, why did you say Olivia is practically family now” She narrowed her eyes, sensing that something was amiss.
Anthony, who had been so confident moments ago, suddenly became evasive. “That’s none of your concern”
Sering his reaction, Lindsey grew even more
even more suspicious. Her gaze shifted between Anthony and Olivia.
At that moment, Sheila chumed in with an air of arrogance. “Lindsey, it’s obvious that Mr. Riley is going to marry my mom.
“The reason he kept it from you was to spare you any unnecessary worry. But who would have thought you’d figure it out so quickly-
Lindsey’s memory clicked into place. In her previous life, Anthony and Olivia had indeed gotten married around this time, supposedly because Oliva was pregnant with a boy. The child, however, didn’t survive in the end.
A cold smile appeared on Lindsey’s face. She now understood that Olivia was faking a pregnancy. This time, Lindsey wouldn’t let the woman who had caused her mother’s death marry into the Riley family
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Chapter 5
Tucking her hair behind her ear, Lindsey said calmly. “Since you all want to go, then let’s go together”
She figured Shawn wouldn’t mind the additional expense. As for whatever tricks Sheila and Olivia might pull, Lindsey decided to play along for
ΠΟ
When they arrived at Ethereal Haven, Shawn had yet to show up.
Sheila seized the opportunity to mock her. “Lindsey, your boyfriend seems pretty unreliable. Meeting Mr. Riley is such an important occasion, and yet he’s late. You should really have a word with him later.”
Lindsey chuckled. “If he truly is late, then yes, I’ll have a word with him. But Sheila, don’t you think we arrived a bit too early?”
Under Sheila’s insistence, they had arrived a full hour before the agreed time.
“I was starting to think you were the one meeting her boyfriend today.” Lindsey said, glancing at Sheila
Sheila’s expression stiffened. “I was just worried for you.”
The server soon brought over the menu. Lindsey nodded politely. “We’re still waiting for someone. We’ll order once everyone’s here”
Before Lindsey could finish speaking. Sheila snatched the menu. “Lindsey, why wait? Let’s order now so that the food will be ready by the time he
Lindsey frowned, sensing that Sheila was up to something again.
“Leave in for now. We’ll call you once we finish ordering” Sheila said to the server.
The server bowed and left.
“Wow, Mom, look! Ethereal Haven really lives up to its reputation as Jovencia’s most luxurious restaurant. The price of one dish is worth as much as one of your handsags, Sheila exclaimed to Olivia
“Every dish looks exquisite. I want to try them all” Suddenly, Sheila looked up with a mischievous grin. “Lindsey, I’ve gone ahead and ordered everything on the menu. Your boyfriend won’t mind, will her
Lindsey took the menu and glanced at it To her surprise, Sheila had indeed ordered all the most expensive dishes.
She forced a smile. “I don’t mind, but Sheila, ordering a table full of dishes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars right off the bat–how do you think he’ll view our family?”
Anthony’s face darkened upon hearing the number. He glared at Shella and reprimanded her in a low voice, “Sheila, stop messing around”
Sheila, however, remained unfazed. “Mr. Riley, if Lindsey’s boyfriend chose to meet us here, it must mean he can afford IL
“And if he gets upset, we’ll just say Lindsey ordered the dishes. After all, they’re a couple. Lindsey can just act a little coy, and he’ll forgive her in no time,” she added in a carelesstone.
Lindsey sneered inwardly, thinking Sheila was truly a manipulator. She asked. “Sheila, why do you seem so experienced in these matters?”
Sheila froze, momentarily at a loss for words.
Outside the door, Shawn chuckled before stepping in..
The sudden sound drew everyone’s attention, and they all turned to look. Sheila, startled, nearly dropped the menu. She tugged at Olivia’s sleeve in excitement, visibly shaken by Shawn’s striking appearance.
But then, realizing he was Lindsey’s boyfriend. Sheila’s expression turned sour. She couldn’t understand why someone as handsome as Shawn would be interested in Lindsey.
Anthony squinted his eyes, scrutinizing Shown as if appraising a piece of merchandise.
Upon seeing Shawn’s looks, Anthony immediately pegged him as a playboy. Although Shawn was undeniably handsome, his clothes didn’t appear to be from any well–known luxury brands. Anthony assumed they were likely counterfeit from some obscure market.
He gave Shawn a long, assessing look and concluded that jayden was still the better choice.
Shawn walked naturally over to Lindsey, affectionately ruffling her hair. “You all arrived so early!”
Lindsey was surprised by Shawn’s convincing performance but remained composed, pulling out a chair for him. The two of them looked just
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Chapter 3
couple who loved each other deeply.
“How old are you?” Anthony suddenly asked, his tone serious
“Twenty–six, Shawn replied.
“What do you do for work?” Anthony pressed on.
Shawn, slightly annoyed, hesitated for a moment before deliberately answering, “I run a small business with some friends”
Anthony frowned. In his view, p
people who claimed to run a “small business were usually either struggling or unemployed.
“Do you have a fixed residence?” Anthony asked again.
Shawn thought for a moment before replying. “No” He had too many properties to claim a single one as his primary residence.
After a series of probing questions, Anthony grew increasingly dissatisfied, his expression darkening by the second.
To him. Shawn’s qualifications were far inferior to Jayden’s. Resolving to intervene, Anthony made up his mind that Lindsey and Shawn needed to break up
AD
