She needs to pay the price for a dinner? Such an old fox!
Amelia Shaw was in the main hall, tending to the burns on her hand. The doctor had just applied medicine when she saw Thomas Shannon emerge from the restaurant.
Joy lit up her face, and she hesitated, wanting to speak. "Thomas..."
Thomas Shannon approached her, his cold gaze falling on the burn on the back of her hand. "How do you feel?"
"It hurts..." She hunched her shoulders weakly.
She longed for him to comfort her, or at least appease her. Once, even if she’d only scraped a tiny bit of skin off her finger, he would have been extremely worried. But now... he didn’t even offer a word of comfort.
Amelia Shaw was deeply disappointed but dared not let it show on her face; she could only force herself to endure it. She kept telling herself, over and over, that this was only temporary. A day would come when he was no longer angry with her, when he forgave her past willfulness and immaturity. Then, the Thomas Shannon who loved and cherished her would return. She firmly believed such a day would come.
Thomas Shannon’s reaction was flat. He merely glanced at the doctor and instructed formally, "Be gentle. Try not to let it scar."
Sophie Sullivan emerged from the restaurant and witnessed this scene. Truly attentive and considerate, she thought, observing Thomas.
Amelia Shaw clutched Thomas Shannon’s sleeve, looking up at him pitifully, her eyes welling with tears. "Thomas, can you stay with me?"
From the corner of her eye, she saw a figure standing not far away, wearing a somewhat mocking expression.
Thomas Shannon’s eyes darkened, and the corner of his mouth curved slightly. He raised his hand and patted her head. "Alright."
Tears slid from Amelia Shaw’s eyes, but a moment later, she broke into a watery smile. "Thomas, you’re so kind!"
How nauseating... Sophie Sullivan rubbed her arm, which was covered in goosebumps. She didn’t want to watch any more of their cloying display. It’s utterly sickening.
As she turned to leave, she suddenly remembered what Thomas Shannon had said in the restaurant earlier. Tonight... get cleaned up and come to his bedroom.
An idea struck her. She changed direction, a smile playing on her lips. "Thomas Shannon, I’m going upstairs to take a bath now."
Amelia Shaw’s smile stiffened, and her hand clutching Thomas Shannon’s arm tightened unconsciously. What was that maniac talking about? Going upstairs to bathe? Isn’t her bedroom in the backyard? Is she even allowed upstairs?
Amelia Shaw’s heart pounded as she waited for Thomas Shannon to refute Sophie’s words, but... all she received was an ambiguous "Hmm" from him.
Like being struck by lightning! Amelia Shaw’s mind went blank...
Sophie Sullivan, as if deliberately trying to make things unbearable for Amelia, added another bombshell: "Don’t dilly-dally. I’ll be waiting for you in the bedroom."
"Thomas..." Amelia Shaw’s heart plummeted, constricting painfully. She looked dazedly at the man’s strong, defined profile. "Thomas, what is she saying?"
Thomas Shannon regarded Sophie Sullivan with an unreadable, half-smile.
Sophie Sullivan, clearly intending to stir up trouble, raised her voice. "Let me tell you, Thomas Shannon is going to... tonight..."
Young Master Shannon’s handsome face instantly darkened. Very well... you maniac. You’ve got guts!
Sophie Sullivan gave a seductive smile, her mesmerizing eyes blinking at Thomas Shannon. "I’m going upstairs to take my bath."
Thomas Shannon neither agreed nor disagreed. Amelia Shaw’s heart felt as if it had plunged into an ice cellar...
Then what did that make her? Did he prefer an ugly, disfigured maniac to her? What about all his concern these past few days? What about the way their relationship had seemed to be warming? What did it all mean?