Secret Marriage: The CEO's Pampered Wife

Chapter 154: Chapter 150: The Liveliness Belongs to Them

Michelle Shields had just stepped out of the shower, wrapped in a single white bath towel. Telltale red marks still colored the skin exposed to the air.

Having spent some time with Michelle Shields, Georgia knew she was a rather open woman who had already dated three or four boyfriends back in college.

Georgia Thorne wouldn’t look down on her for these things. It was Michelle’s own choice, her willingness to squander her youth and fall into degeneracy.

However, she couldn’t tolerate them shamelessly doing *that sort of thing* in her apartment.

She could tolerate it for a day or two, but as it happened more and more, she grew irritated.

Georgia Thorne didn’t want to live with Michelle Shields anymore, but she said nothing.

The next day, she went straight to the person in charge at her company and said she wanted to move out of the hotel apartment.

The manager didn’t press for a reason and simply nodded in agreement.

After her morning classes, she had the afternoon off.

She asked Shawn Ford for time off from class to go look for a new place to live.

When Shawn Ford heard about her situation, he mentioned that he had a spare apartment and wondered if she might be interested.

Georgia Thorne went to see the apartment. It was just a small room, about twenty square meters.

The room was a bit small, but it had all the necessary amenities.

Small, but it had everything she needed.

Georgia Thorne was very pleased with the place. A day later, she packed her things and moved in.

Mr. and Mrs. Ford were very kind. Not only did they refuse to accept any rent from Georgia Thorne, but Mrs. Ford would also occasionally visit to keep her company.

In Akashima, most women become housewives after getting married.

In her spare time, Mrs. Ford would come over to teach Georgia how to bake cookies and pastries.

While they were waiting for the cookies to bake, Mrs. Ford suddenly asked, "For Christmas, is there anyone you plan on giving a gift to?"

Georgia was taken aback. "Sorry?"

"Christmas!" Mrs. Ford clarified. "Don’t you have someone special?"

’Christmas?’

Georgia glanced at the calendar on the wall. ’Time flies. Before I knew it, it’s already the 20th.’

Georgia shook her head. "No."

"Really? No one?" Mrs. Ford looked at her in surprise. "You’re so beautiful, I’m sure you have plenty of admirers!"

"Really, I don’t!"

"Oh, that’s perfect! I have a younger brother who’s also single. Would you like me to introduce you?" Mrs. Ford said, delighted.

"N-No, thank you!" Georgia said, waving her hands frantically.

Hearing the oven DING, she quickly changed the subject. "The cookies are ready! I’ll go see how they turned out!"

Georgia beat a hasty retreat. Watching her go, Mrs. Ford smiled, her conviction only strengthening.

After seeing Mrs. Ford out, Georgia breathed a sigh of relief and knelt on a floor cushion.

Staring at the freshly baked cookies, she thought, ’I really don’t have anyone I want to give these to.’

’Or maybe there is someone, but he wouldn’t accept them anyway.’

Mrs. Ford’s mention of Christmas made Georgia finally notice her surroundings.

The streets were filled with Christmas trees and Santas, and nearly every shop was playing carols.

The snow, which had been falling for days, had finally stopped.

Little kids were gathered around Santas, singing, dancing, and asking for presents.

A festive atmosphere filled the streets.

But Georgia felt none of that joy. She walked through the bustling streets and returned to her small apartment.

It brought a quote to mind: "The celebration is theirs, but I have nothing."

On Christmas Day, Georgia had just finished her classes when she received a call from Mrs. Ford.

Mrs. Ford said she must be lonely spending Christmas all by herself and warmly invited her over.

Georgia couldn’t bring herself to refuse. Besides, she thought, ’it would be boring to stay in the apartment alone anyway,’ so she agreed.

She bought a fruit basket, found the Ford family’s home, and rang the doorbell.

There was no answer from inside. Georgia glanced down at her watch. It was a little after five.

’Is no one home?’

Just as she was about to call, she heard a BEEP and the security door swung open from the inside.

"Can I help you?"

But the person who opened the door wasn’t Mrs. Ford or Mr. Ford. It was Byron Shaw.

Georgia’s mind went completely blank. She bowed without thinking. "I’m so sorry, I must have the wrong address!"

’Why did I have to run into Byron Shaw of all people!’

Georgia was about to bolt when Byron Shaw called out from behind her. "You’re my sister’s guest, aren’t you? Please, come in."

"Huh?" Georgia turned back, dazed, and stared at Byron Shaw.

Byron Shaw held the door open. "My brother-in-law is Shawn Ford."

「Twenty minutes later.」

Georgia sat primly on the sofa. She never expected to run into an acquaintance in Akashima.

Although, to be fair, she and this Byron Shaw weren’t very familiar with each other.

Dressed in brown loungewear and matching pants instead of his usual suit, Byron Shaw looked a little younger.

"My sister and brother-in-law went out shopping. It’ll probably be a little while before they’re back." Byron Shaw placed a kettle of hot water on the coffee table.

"Thank you," Georgia said nervously.

Byron Shaw turned his head to look at her. "You seem a little nervous."

"Not at all!"

The denial was almost reflexive, but she didn’t realize the quiver in her voice gave her away.

Byron Shaw was a lawyer; his skills extended beyond litigation to reading people’s psychological and emotional states.

Ever since she’d seen him, Georgia hadn’t made direct eye contact. Her gaze kept flickering, drifting aimlessly.

It was just the two of them in the apartment.

Neither of them spoke, and the living room fell deathly silent.

The atmosphere was awkward, so Georgia searched for a topic to break the silence.

"Oh, right, Attorney Shaw. My sister told me you helped her win her case. Thank you so much."

"You’re welcome. It was my duty."

Byron Shaw watched her, face flushed from the strain of forcing a conversation, and found it rather endearing.

He let out a hearty laugh, which only made Georgia’s face flush an even deeper shade of red.

Fortunately, the awkwardness dissipated when Mr. and Mrs. Ford returned.

Mrs. Ford was incredibly welcoming, pulling Georgia into conversation.

When she noticed Georgia’s eyes kept drifting toward Byron Shaw, she covered her mouth to hide a chuckle.

She leaned close to Georgia’s ear. "What do you think? My brother’s quite handsome, isn’t he?"

"Huh?" Georgia’s eyes went wide with shock. She stared at Mrs. Ford and hastily explained, "No, no, you’ve misunderstood! I don’t have any... intentions... toward your brother."

"Don’t be shy. It’s fine if you do have some ideas about him," Mrs. Ford said with a laugh. "My brother’s a good man. He’s a lawyer and, like you, he currently lives in Sinea. Most importantly, he doesn’t have a girlfriend! If you think he’s not bad, I can put in a good word for you!"

"No, no, no!" Georgia panicked, grabbing Mrs. Ford’s arm as she started to move away. "Please don’t! Really!"

"Are you sure? My brother’s a great guy!"

Georgia shook her head rapidly, insisting it wasn’t necessary.

Mrs. Ford looked very disappointed. "You won’t even think about it?"

’No, I really won’t!’

With Byron Shaw present, the atmosphere throughout dinner was a bit strange.

Mrs. Ford, in particular, kept trying to pair her off with Byron Shaw.

Georgia could only manage an awkward smile. She guessed the Akashiman people had never heard the expression about how you can’t force a good thing.

She endured the ordeal until nine o’clock, when she finally announced she was heading home.

"Let my brother walk you home!" Mrs. Ford trotted over.

"N—"

"It’s late. It’s not safe for a young woman to walk home alone. I’ll see you back."

Before Georgia could even finish her refusal, Byron Shaw cut her off.

Mrs. Ford nodded emphatically. "Then I’ll leave Georgia in your hands!"

Georgia had only managed to get a single sound out, and the siblings had already made the decision for her.

"Let’s go."

Byron Shaw said this in Sinean.

He walked past Georgia to the entryway to put on his shoes.

Georgia followed close behind, murmuring a quiet "thank you."

The apartment Georgia was renting wasn’t far from the Ford’s home, only about a half-hour walk away.

It was Christmas Day, and the streets were exceptionally lively.

As they passed a small park, she saw a group of children waving sparklers.

Seeing the innocent, carefree smiles on the children’s faces, Georgia couldn’t help but smile herself.

It was as if the gloom that had shrouded her heart for so long was lifted in that single moment.

Byron Shaw watched Georgia’s side profile, finding it exceptionally radiant under the warm yellow streetlights.

’Ever since I met her,’ he thought, ’I’ve never seen her smile so genuinely.’

It was brilliant. Dazzling.

When they arrived at Georgia’s apartment building, Byron Shaw looked up at it.

"Go on up."

"Okay. Thank you for walking me home."

Georgia nodded. Just as she was about to head inside, she heard Byron Shaw call her name from behind.

"Georgia Thorne!"

Georgia turned. The man standing under the streetlight had a deep, brooding look on his face, as if he wanted to say something but was holding back. "Yes?" she asked.

Byron Shaw’s lips moved, his furrowed brow smoothed out, and finally, a faint smile touched his lips. "Merry Christmas."

"Ah. You too."

’It feels nice to have someone wish you a Merry Christmas.’

Back in her apartment, Georgia took a shower, planning to get to sleep early. She had class the next morning.

Around one in the morning, the phone by her pillow buzzed. Georgia groggily cracked open an eye to see a video call from Nancy Hughes.

"What’s up? Why are you video calling me so late?"

"Georgia, Merry Christmas!" Nancy Hughes waved happily into the camera, her face suddenly filling the screen. "Why can’t I see you?"

"Please, it’s after one in the morning here. I was asleep! Fine, let me get the light..."

Her head throbbed from being woken so abruptly.

She pushed herself up in bed, switched on the warm yellow lamp on her nightstand, and propped the phone up in the light. "There. Can you see me now?"

"I can, I can! You’ve gotten so thin again!"

Nancy’s face disappeared from the screen, leaving it black, but Georgia didn’t pay it any mind.

She collapsed listlessly onto her pillow. "Yeah... I’m still not used to living in Akashima. Nancy, I really want to go home."

"If you want to come home, then come home! New Year’s is right around the corner, isn’t it?"

A sudden note of tension crept into Nancy’s voice, but Georgia, lost in her own homesickness, didn’t notice.

She couldn’t have known that on the other end of the line, it wasn’t just Nancy. Elliot Sheridan was there, too.