Haley shrugged and remarked, "You're just catching on to that now? What you did to me before makes this look like child's play. So, what, can't handle it anymore?"James found himself at a loss for words, turning to Mrs. Ford Sr. for help."Grandma, could you lend me the money for now? I'll pay you back once I have it."Ever since Shane froze his card, he couldn't access a single penny. Otherwise, he wouldn't have resorted to writing IOUs.Ironically, he never thought twice about the ten million before.But now, he had to humble himself before Haley for the sake of that ten million.Mrs. Ford Sr. shook her head slowly and responded, "You incurred the debt, you repay it. You're an adult now, you have to own up to your actions."James had been spoiled by Evelyn, not only was he arrogant, but he also squandered the hard-earned money Shane made.If one really did the math, James would never be able to clear his debts in this lifetime.Fortunately, Shane wasn't one to hold grudges.
Shane exchanged a few words with Haley and then promptly left Mrs. Ford Sr.'s bedroom, leaving only Haley and James behind.James fixed his gaze on Haley, his brows furrowed tightly together as he questioned in a deep voice, "Why did you marry my uncle?""I just felt like getting married. Any issue with that?" Haley didn't want to linger alone with James in the same space. It would only bring up memories of him having a passionate affair with Xena in the hotel, making her stomach churn.James's expression turned serious as he spoke, "I recall you had no prior interaction with my uncle. It's your choice whom to marry, but why him?"Haley found his words perplexing. "Whom I choose is my concern. What gives you the right to interfere?"James shook his head slowly, a pained expression crossing his face. Despite Mrs. Ford Sr.'s previous explanations, he still held onto the belief that Haley had seduced his uncle as a form of retaliation against him."Haley, cut it out. My uncle isn't
Outside the door, Shane overheard their conversation, a subtle smirk gracing his lips as a glimmer of satisfaction twinkled in his deep and dark eyes.He pushed the door open and stepped inside.The two inside turned their gaze towards the door upon hearing it open.Haley's eyes lit up. "Mr. Ford, you're back?"Noticing Haley's reliance on him, Shane affectionately ruffled her hair. "Yeah, what were you two talking about?"Not wanting Shane to hear about the unpleasant matters, Haley shook her head."Nothing, Mr. Ford. I wonder if dinner is ready. Let's head down and eat. I'm starving."Shane shot James a meaningful glance. He then murmured a response to Haley, took her hand and left.James stood there alone, his back rigid, and goosebumps running down his spine, taking him a while to regain his composure.The look in Shane's eyes was just too terrifying, as if he could kill him in the next moment, sinister and fierce, sending shivers down one's spine.Downstairs, as soon as
Especially when it came to Haley, he tried to evade whenever feasible. As soon as dinner wrapped up, he came up with an excuse and made a quick exit. Mrs. Ford Sr. shook her head slowly as she watched his hurried departure.After dinner, Haley sat on the sofa chatting with Mrs. Ford Sr. for a while before heading home with Shane. This time, Shane drove himself and didn't bring a driver along, so Haley sat in the passenger seat.Taking the initiative, she asked, "Mr. Ford, did you know that James was coming back when you brought me here?""Yeah, James called me this morning to borrow money, so I figured he must be coming back."Haley nodded, sensing things weren't quite as straightforward. But instead of pressing further, she gazed out the window, watching the scenery pass by, lost in thought.Shane glanced at her and said, "I froze James's card. He's broke now, and I don't know if he can pay back the money."A faint smile appeared on Haley's lips. "Mr. Ford, he's your own nephew.
Stella's gaze remained fixed on Shane, disregarding Haley sitting in the passenger seat.As she observed Shane's strikingly handsome profile, Stella felt her heart race uncontrollably, and a faint blush tinged her cheeks.She had spent the entire afternoon preparing the soup, investing four or five hours in handling the ingredients and simmering it over a low flame.Yet, Shane only cast her a cold glance, his brows furrowing. "I don't need it. You can leave."Stella wasn't taken aback by his response. She had faced rejection on numerous occasions during her previous visits.Initially, it would upset her, but over time, she grew accustomed to it.Nevertheless, she saw herself as the last opportunity to marry Shane.Shane was naturally aloof and showed no interest in women. There hadn't been a woman by his side for many years.She was the only one who could draw near to him through her relationship with her aunt.Every time she mentioned it, she would attract envious and jealous
Even though Haley was James's fiancée or Shane's future niece-in-law, it was still unacceptable!Shane chuckled and directly took Haley's hand, saying, "It's her own home. She can come and go as she please, no need to report to you, right?"Stella stood frozen on the spot, her pupils shrinking in response.What did... going back to her own home mean?Why could not she understand what Shane was saying?Her gaze swept back and forth between Haley and Shane, finally settling on their intertwined fingers, too shocked to speak.Her eyes reddened, tears welled up and streamed down her cheeks like beads off a broken string."Mr. Ford, how could you treat me like this? Are you together with her? Then what about me?"Seeing her looking as if she had suffered a great injury, Haley became even more curious.Could it be that she had actually guessed right? Did something really happen between Shane and Stella?But Shane's expression darkened, his sharp eyes gleaming with hostility.He sa
The last thing Shane ever wanted to hear in his life was "Haley is James's fiancée." He used to tell himself this every day to numb himself and suppress his desire for Haley. Slowly, he learned to restrain himself and hide his love. However, the desire buried deep within could not be suppressed. It grew like vines in his heart, unseen but relentless. By the time he realized it, he was already helpless, and it had spread to his entire heart.But he could not do anything then, because Haley liked James and she was his fiancée. Fortunately, James did not know how to cherish her, and his Haley finally returned to his side. From the moment he brought Haley home, he silently made a decision. Someday in the future, he would change Haley's status from James's fiancée to Shane's wife.Stella did not expect Shane to react so strongly and his gaze startled her. She could not help but take two steps back, a hint of fear flashing in her eyes. But soon, that fear was replaced by indignation.
After listening to Stella's accusations, she casually lifted her eyelids. "He has me, his wife, to care for him, so you don't need to bother. Otherwise, I might have thought you were trying to rush into becoming the third party between us."As Haley spoke, she tilted her head and blinked at Shane. Shane lowered his gaze to meet hers, his deep black eyes full of indulgence and pampering. He did not spare a glance for the other woman outside. In his heart, there was only this young girl in front of him from beginning to end, though this little girl had not yet realized his intentions at all.Nevertheless, he was still quite pleased because it was the first time Haley had taken the initiative to embrace him. For Shane, this was simply a delightful surprise. He did not pay attention at all to Stella's aggrieved and resentful gaze, subtly resting his hand on Haley's slender and soft waist.Although Haley's figure appeared petite and delicate, her proportions were balanced, full where the