Chapter 18 Shawn Apologized


    Chapter 18 Shawn Apologized


    Ethan’s words caught me off guard. He knew me surprisingly well.


    s


    “Have you been investigating me?” My expression darkened. Although my marriage might have failed, that didn’t mean I liked people digging into my life behind my back. It made me feel even more exposed- more humiliated.


    “I’m sorry. I just heard some things in passing. I didn’t go looking into anything on purpose.” Ethan looked uneasy, his deep eyes meeting mine, then flickering away with hesitation.


    “It was a pleasure meeting you.” I would rather not talk to him, so I turned and walked away.


    He stayed right where he was.


    Back at the table, Mnie was still fretting over how to talk to the handsome guy across from us.


    “Mnie, are you full? Let’s head out,” I said, trying to shake the unsettling feeling of Ethan’s eyes. I was particrly struck by his statement that he expressed interest in me.


    Mnie stood up, albeit unwillingly. Just then, Ethan came back.


    I didn’t hesitate-I tugged her over and introduced her boldly. “Mr. Hayes, this is my friend Mnie. She’s awyer. If you ever need legal advice, she’s very good at what she does.”


    “Tiffany.” Mnie looked mortified. She hadn’t expected me to just throw her into the spotlight like that. Her cheeks flushed, as if she wanted to disappear instantly.


    I gave her a reassuring nce and said, “It’s fine. Mr. Hayes and I … we’ve met before.”


    Ethan smiled slightly and handed her a business card. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Justice. Mypany is currently looking for legal support. If you’re interested, feel free to reach out to my assistant, Richard.”


    “I’m Richard Sowle,” said the handsome man across the table, lifting a hand in greeting. “Just reach out to me directly. Here’s my card.”


    Mnie took both cards, blushing so hard. She whispered, “Thank you. It’s a pleasure meeting you both.”


    She quickly grabbed my arm and hurried us out of the restaurant.


    Once outside, I couldn’t help it-I burst outughing at the sight of her tomato-red face.


    “Tiffany! That was so embarrassing!” Mnie stomped her foot and red at me. “How could you just go up and ask for their numbers so casually? I’m doomed. I can never show my face again.”


    I patted her on the shoulder, stillughing. “You’ve got their cards now. If you don’t reach out, it’d be such


    a waste!”


    “Wait a sec.” Mnie’s expression shifted as something clicked. She grabbed my wrist. “You knew Mr. Hayes? When did you meet him? Under what circumstances?”


    I froze, caught off guard by her rapid-fire questions.


    3:44 pm


    Chapter 18 Shawn Apologized


    s


    “Tiffany, does he like you?” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Don’t even try to deny it. I saw the way he looked at you-there’s something going on.”


    Mnie was my friend-I would rather not keep her in the dark. So, I told her the whole story about volunteering at that charity event and making a donation.


    “Wait, what?! You donated to some hotshot tech CEO?” Mnie had already read Ethan’s business card. He was one of those young entrepreneurs who took the industry by storm-only 27 and already wildly sessful.


    I shrugged and shook my head. “I never met him before. I was unaware of his identity. Someone told me a story about this brilliant kid whose family went bankrupt, whose dad died, and he was still top of his ss. I was representing the Hartwells for a charity fundraiser and … well, it just tugged at my heart. I wrote a check for 800,000 dors just for him.”


    “Tiffany, you have incredible instincts.” Mnie gave me a big thumbs-up. “That was a top-tier investment.”


    I let out a bitterugh. “It wasn’t even my money. It was Shawn’s. Technically, the one who helped Ethan wasn’t me-it was Shawn.”


    Mnie burst intoughter, pping her leg. “Hahaha! That’s hrious! Shawn basically funded his own futurepetition. He’s probably crying in the bathroom!”


    I pped a hand over her mouth. “Keep your voice down! If anyone hears you, our friendship ends right here.”


    Mnie calmed down, then whispered carefully, “Are you really divorcing Shawn? Do you want me to draft the papers? It’s kind of my specialty-I’ll do it for free.”


    I looked at her serious face and couldn’t help but smile. “Sure, write something up. Let me see it.”


    “Think he’ll give you half of everything?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.


    I shook my head and said, “Highly unlikely. I’m not expecting half. If he gives me even ten percent, that’s enough to keep mefortable for the rest of my life.”


    “But hasn’t he always been generous with you? Even if you don’t ask, he might just give it to you. Tiffany, when you got married, did you ever imagine it would end like this?”


    “Of course not.” My voice grew soft, bitter. “I thought it wouldst forever. Grow old together. Build a life. Have kids, a home, and a family.”


    “Maybe we just idealized love and marriage too much,” Mnie said, cutting me off gently, “Marriage is a partnership. If you find the right person, it works. If not … ”


    “You get out while you still can,” I finished for her.


    Mnie smiled, nodding. “Exactly. You’re still young. You can still find the right one.”


    But I shook my head and said, “I don’t want to anymore. I believe the majority of men share this sentiment. Indeed, this sentiment extends to women as well. The longer you’re with someone, the more the love fades. Maybe it’s better to just keep dating-never settle down. Always have someone who loves and misses you, but avoid bing stuck in a routine.”


    3:44 pm


    Chapter 18 Shawn Apologized


    Mnie stared at me in disbelief. “Wow. Did you actually say that, Tiffany?”


    s


    “I wouldn’t have said it before. But now, I think I believe it.” I looped my arm through hers, and we walked toward my car.


    There parked a luxury Maybach a few spaces down.


    I knew it had to be Ethan’s.


    Sure enough, as soon as Mnie and I got in my car, Ethan and his assistant started walking over. Without waiting for them, I stepped on the gas and we departed.


    That afternoon, I was back at the office, sorting out the hotel’s operation transition. Shawn called me into his office.


    I went in, keeping my face tense and dodging his eyes.


    “Last night, I was out of line.” He wasn’t calling me in for work. He was apologizing.


    I turned my face away, pressing my lips together without saying a word.


    Shawn stood up and handed me a dark blue box. “This is a gift for you, as an apology.”


    I nced at it but didn’t reach out.


    So he took my hand and shoved the box into my hands. “It won’t happen again. I promise.”


    I held the box, blinking fast as I forced the tears to stay back.


    Shawn leaned against the edge of his desk, his eyes fixed on me. When I still didn’t speak, he sighed heavily. “I’m thinking about investing 65 million dors into your project. Will that make up for it?”


    My eyes, still red, widened instantly as I stared at him. “Are you serious?”


    3:44 pm