"Shannon, Ryder, I’m counting on you two. It’s getting late, go back and rest. Ryder, could you please take Sheila back to school?"
"No problem, Auntie, you should get some rest too."
Shannon Quinn left the hospital with the two of them late at night, and the elevator was empty, just the three of them.
Ryder Griffin stood at the elevator controls while Sheila Yardley stood close to Shannon Quinn at the back without speaking.
Shannon Quinn really wanted to ask the two of them why they were arguing, since they’d always seemed to be on good terms and were both pretty easygoing, she couldn’t imagine them fighting.
But with Ryder still present, Shannon didn’t dare ask.
Watching them get into the car, Shannon also drove back to her home, where a "drunkard" awaited her attention.
Sheila didn’t sit in the passenger seat as usual but opted for the back seat.
After getting in, she remained silent, her gaze landing outside the window.
Ryder glanced at her several times through the rearview mirror, and when they stopped at a traffic light, he said, "That mad, huh? Wasn’t it wrong to scold you?"
Sheila continued to be sulkily silent.
Ryder couldn’t help but say again, "So you’re not talking to me anymore?"
"You didn’t speak to me properly either. It’s not like I wanted this to happen. You didn’t comfort me and kept scolding me all the way!"
"Why don’t you go find someone smarter!"
"Scolding you was to make you remember next time."
Sheila snorted and turned her head away.
Ryder sighed lightly and took the initiative to reconcile, "Neither of us enjoy the silent treatment, let’s not argue anymore."
Sheila glanced at him, pouted but didn’t say anything, taking the opportunity to reconcile.
However, Ryder added, "But you still need to keep your distance from that guy, don’t ride in his car anymore."
Two days later, early morning.
Shannon Quinn woke up to the blaring of her phone alarm, picked it up to turn it off, and saw no new message notifications. Feeling disappointed, she placed the phone back by her pillow, curling up under the blanket staring blankly at the ceiling.
After she had a chat with Vincent Rhodes, she started sharing some things happening around her with him.
Whether he hadn’t checked his phone or deemed it unnecessary to reply, she hadn’t received a response for two days.
It had been snowing continuously for the past two days, but Shannon Quinn still went to work at her studio every day.
Her belly was a bit large, but compared to other mothers in the same stage, hers wasn’t too obvious. With thick winter clothes, it was well concealed.
Sheila Yardley had been busy with exams at school these days, and today was her first chance to come by for some learning.
However, Shannon Quinn found it a bit strange. When Aidan Lockwood returned from school, as soon as he entered the studio, Sheila Yardley got off a taxi parked by the roadside.
Usually, if their timing coincided, Sheila would catch a ride with Aidan Lockwood. Did they fail to connect today or what?
With that puzzlement, as soon as Sheila entered Shannon’s office, Shannon asked her, "Professor Lockwood just got back from school, why didn’t you ride with him?"
Sheila sighed and said, "Shannon, don’t mention it, the last time I argued with Ryder was because of this."
"What’s there to argue about?"
"He’s jealous, thinks there’s something between me and Professor Lockwood. I told him he’s just my teacher, but he said teachers are still men. Forbade me from riding with Professor Lockwood anymore and even told me not to work here anymore, which is why we argued."
"Maybe there’s some misunderstanding on his part, but it’s alright now."
"Yeah, we both compromised. As long as he doesn’t oppose me staying here for learning, it’s fine."
"Also, about that last issue, I asked Lynn Kendall. She said it was indeed her urgent document needing delivery, and she feared she couldn’t command you, hence she claimed it was mine. I’m not sure if she was deliberately causing trouble, but from now on, don’t listen to her. If I need anything, I’ll directly inform you myself, I won’t let her convey it."
Sheila nodded, "Got tricked once, I’ve learned my lesson. This woman’s really got a knack for scheming, should just mind her own business but always looking to pick fights."
"Just keep an eye out, there are all sorts of people."
"Knock knock." Aidan Lockwood stood by the door, knocked twice, and when both looked towards him, he said, "I came to discuss the company’s year-end gathering with you."
Shannon Quinn stood up and let Aidan Lockwood in, while Sheila poured him a glass of water. "Ask everyone’s opinion, see what they’d like to eat."
"It’s hard to please everyone, and we’ve tried everything. I’m thinking of hosting a self-serve party at my place, just to switch things up."
"Sounds good, that’s a great idea. Wouldn’t it be troublesome for you?"
"No, I’ll just get some help with it. So, shall we set it up like that? Inform them in a bit, make it this Saturday."
"Alright, I’ll tell them later."
Regarding employee benefits, Aidan Lockwood had always been outstanding in this regard, which was why everyone was willing to work under his dedicated leadership.
In the heavy snow, the bustling streets had already taken on the festive New Year atmosphere.
For Shannon Quinn, the beacon of lively family reunions that was the Spring Festival held no difference from usual days.
She remembered the most miserable year was when she was a high school sophomore, she got sick during the New Year and was hospitalized, even the hospital was deserted. At that time, she felt aggrieved and wanted to cry, but eventually, she adapted to solitude.
However, this year, she felt a little glimmer of anticipation.
Since Vincent Rhodes mentioned last time they met he would find some time to come back soon, she wondered if he’d make it before the New Year to accompany her.
On the day of the company’s New Year banquet, everyone dressed fashionably, everyone in formal attire, but Lynn Kendall and her assistant Gillian Sherman wore something one might call eccentric.
Yara Hughes, spotting Lynn’s outfit, sidled up to Shannon and complained, "What’s with those clothes? We’re all colleagues, is it necessary to dress like that?"
Shannon took a glance at Lynn, noting her bold outfit.
"Why do you think the boss brought Lynn Kendall into the company? It’s such a mess, our perfect boss wouldn’t be seduced by this monster, right? Boss’s taste can’t be that bad, can it?!" This content belongs to Nov3lFɪre.ɴet
"Don’t say things like that, if the boss hears you, you might not be able to eat dinner tonight."
"I’m just saying, Shannon, step up, don’t let Lynn Kendall steal the boss."