Free Web NovelChapter 205: Chapter 208: Make a Clean Break
Charlotte Shaw got out of bed and walked around the crib to Lynn Preston’s side.
"Have you made up your mind?"
"I have." Lynn Preston looked at her, her gaze perfectly calm. "I’ve been playing along with him for months, and frankly, it’s made me sick to my stomach. Now that I have what I came for, it’s time to make my exit and kick him to the curb."
"Mm." Charlotte Shaw nodded. "You’ve been through a lot, Lynn. After tonight, you’ll finally be free."
"Hahh..." Lynn Preston let out a long breath. Thinking of how she had to restrain herself all this time, she couldn’t help but clench her fists and sneer.
"I’ve already written my resignation letter. Once this is over, I’m submitting it, and then I’m going home to sleep for three days straight!"
"Hmph," Charlotte Shaw’s eyes crinkled in a faint smile. "Don’t you have to give a month’s notice? You’re handing in your resignation tonight and quitting tomorrow. Aren’t you worried they’ll dock your pay?"
"Tch," Lynn Preston rolled her eyes, her expression full of disdain. "Let them. The money Liam Joyce has spent on me lately could cover six months of my salary. I’m not losing out either way."
Charlotte Shaw smiled and blinked. "Mm, as long as you’re not losing out."
Lynn Preston reached for her bag, which was sitting nearby, and playfully teased the little one in the crib one last time.
"See you later, sis."
With that, she turned to leave.
"Lynn!" Charlotte Shaw suddenly called out to her.
She turned back, puzzled. "What’s wrong?"
Charlotte Shaw walked slowly toward her, opened her arms, and gently pulled her into an embrace. "Lynn, thank you."
"...Thank me for what?" Lynn Preston didn’t know where this "thank you" was coming from, but she still instinctively raised her arms to hug Charlotte Shaw back.
Charlotte Shaw patted her shoulder and said softly, "Thank you for being willing to help me with Sandy, thank you for being willing to trust me, and thank you for being willing to make such a sacrifice for your brother."
"Of course." Lynn Preston smiled. "You’re all my family. It’s only right to make some sacrifices for family. Just like you, my brother, and our mom—you’ve all sacrificed a lot for me in the past, too."
"Mm." Charlotte Shaw released her and straightened a few stray hairs. "Go on, Lynn. End things with him, once and for all."
"Okay," Lynn Preston said.
Liam Joyce’s car was already waiting at the villa’s entrance. The moment Lynn Preston stepped out, Liam Joyce’s assistant immediately got out and respectfully opened the rear passenger door for her.
"Thank you." She gave the assistant a small smile and ducked into the car.
SLAM!
The door closed, and the Maybach quickly pulled away from the Shaw estate, heading toward Downtown Aethelburg.
The restaurant Liam Joyce had booked was in Aethelburg’s most bustling commercial center. By the time Lynn Preston arrived, he had already ordered.
"Lynn." The moment Lynn Preston entered the restaurant, Liam Joyce eagerly shot up from his chair and personally walked to the entrance to greet her.
"Mr. Joyce." She greeted him, her tone polite yet distant.
Liam Joyce smoothly took her hand, chiding her playfully, "Still calling me Mr. Joyce?"
Lynn Preston gave a perfunctory smile but said nothing.
Liam Joyce led her to the table, pulled out a chair for her like a gentleman, and said softly, "Lynn, have a seat."
Lynn Preston placed her bag on the table and obediently sat down.
Liam Joyce patted her head, his eyes full of adoration, before walking around to sit opposite her.
Winter had arrived in Aethelburg. Although it hadn’t snowed yet, the air was bone-chilling. To keep warm, Lynn Preston had deliberately worn a thick, off-white overcoat with a snow-white wool turtleneck underneath.
She had very fair skin, and the outfit made it seem even whiter than snow. Her long, wavy hair was draped loosely over her shoulders. After sitting down, she subconsciously adjusted it, revealing the sapphire necklace around her neck.
Liam Joyce sat upright in his chair, gazing at her with a mesmerized look. After a moment, he said in a suggestive tone, "Lynn, you look beautiful tonight."
"Hmph," Lynn Preston laughed enigmatically. "Am I only beautiful tonight?"
"Of course not!" Liam Joyce stared at her face, making no effort to hide the affection in his eyes. "Lynn, you’re always beautiful. But to me, you’re most beautiful tonight, and..."
"And what?" Lynn Preston raised an eyebrow, a little curious.
The corners of Liam Joyce’s lips curled into a smile, his gaze distant, as if reminiscing about something.
Lynn Preston didn’t rush him, just sat there quietly, waiting for him to slowly recall the memory.
"...And the day I first saw you." He finally said after a long moment, his voice unhurried.
Lynn Preston’s brow twitched. "The day you first saw me? I don’t even remember what I was like that day."
"That’s okay." Liam Joyce shrugged. "As long as I remember."
"..." Lynn Preston’s lips twitched into a stiff smile. She didn’t respond.
’Liam Joyce was planning to confess to her, so every word he said was heavily suggestive. She loathed these hints. After playing along for a bit, she was done humoring him.’
But he still hadn’t noticed that something was off with Lynn Preston’s mood tonight, and a confident, self-satisfied smile remained on his face.
"I went ahead and ordered a few things, but take a look and see if there’s anything else you’d like to add." He passed the menu to Lynn Preston, his voice cheerful.
Lynn Preston took the menu, flipped through a few pages, and then ordered two of the most expensive signature dishes.
Liam Joyce glanced at what she had ordered, looking rather surprised. "Both of these are sweet and sour. I thought you didn’t like sour things?"
Lynn Preston lifted her chin haughtily. "You have to try things, right? What if I try it and end up loving it?"
"...Right." Liam Joyce nodded, then handed the menu to the waiter. "That’ll be all."
"Of course." The waiter took the menu and walked away. A moment later, the first dish arrived.
Lynn Preston hadn’t eaten lunch, and her stomach was rumbling. As soon as the dish arrived, she picked up her bowl and started eating, completely ignoring Liam Joyce, who kept looking like he was about to say something.
Liam Joyce seemed to have something to say, but because Lynn Preston was so focused on eating, he couldn’t find an opportunity to speak despite trying several times.
"Lynn, are you starving?" he asked jokingly as he placed a piece of fish in her bowl.
Lynn Preston, her head buried in her bowl, replied quickly without looking up, "I am. I didn’t have lunch."
"Ah..." Liam Joyce’s slight annoyance faded. He decided to abandon his attempt to talk for now. "You must be starving, not having eaten for so long."
"Mhm," Lynn Preston mumbled in response.
He gave a helpless smile and went back to eating quietly.
Only after Lynn Preston had eaten her fill did he finally find his chance to speak.
"Lynn." He pulled a black jewelry box from his overcoat pocket and placed it in front of Lynn Preston.
"Don’t you think... it’s time we considered changing our relationship?"
