Chapter 8
Unfortunately, Nora only grew more animated as she went on. “Who the hell is Lance, anyway? Shea, don’t get hung up on one guy! And definitely don’t go marrying some loser just to get back at
that jerk!”
Shea swallowed hard, distinctly aware of Hansen beside her. A smirk tugged at the corner of his
lips.
Her instincts screamed that she needed to shut Nora up.
“I’ve already gotten my marriage certificate!” Shea blurted, seizing the brief pause in Nora’s rant. And my husband is ridiculously handsome!”
She risked a quick glance at Hansen from the corner of her eye, only to find his expression
completely unchanged.
“He’s like… ten thousand times hotter than Lance!” she added.
Hansen’s expression softened slightly.
Shea let out a small, relieved breath.
She had successfully pacified her husband, but Nora, on the other end of the line, clearly wasn’t
buying it.
“Shea, I hate Lance too, but come on, that guy’s got looks. Saying your husband is ten thousand
times hotter… Did your husband cast a spell on you?”
Shea’s lips twitched. Sure, she’d exaggerated a little, but the part about Hansen being hotter than
Lance? That was the absolute truth.
“Nora, why would I lie to you? If he weren’t handsome, do you think I’d have married him so
quickly?”
Nora wanted to say more, but Shea had already tied the knot.
“Fine, fine, I believe you!” Nora sighed in defeat. “But when I’m back in Ardenia, you’re bringing
him over. I need to vet this man myself!”
“Okay, okay, deal!” Shea agreed immediately.
“Shea, it doesn’t matter if you’re the Carrington heiress or whoever’s daughter, you’ll always be my best friend!” Nora’s voice trembled slightly. “If anything happens, you have to tell me, okay?”
Shea’s heart softened instantly. “Yeah, I know.”
“And if that so-called husband of yours ever treats you badly, just divorce him! Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you. I’ve always got your back!”
Tears welled up in Shea’s eyes. Having a friend like Nora made everything in life feel worth it.
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АППУ,
the pins and knocking them all down!”
With that, Nora hung up.
Shea couldn’t help but feel both moved and amused.
“I won’t get a divorce.”
Hansen’s sudden words caught Shea off guard. “What?”
“As long as you don’t regret it…” Hansen met her gaze, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “Our marriage will always stand.
The home Hansen had prepared for himself and Shea was a modest villa. It was surrounded by calm and quiet.
He had urgent business to attend to, so after dropping Shea off, he left right away.
The house had clearly been cleaned and set up in advance. It was spotless, warm, and welcoming.
“As long as you don’t regret it, our marriage will always stand.”
Hansen’s words from the car echoed in Shea’s mind as she stood by the doorway, momentarily lost
in thought.
“Come on, Shea, snap out of it. Men’s words are just meant to be heard, not believed,” she muttered
to herself.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Shea dragged her suitcase upstairs.
By the time she finished unpacking, her emotions had steadied.
Just as Shea was about to lie down and rest, her phone rang again.
This time, it was her assistant, Reese.
Shea hesitated for a couple of seconds before answering.
“Ms. Carrington, there’s something…” Reese’s voice wavered on the other end. She was unsure how
to broach the subject.
Shea stayed composed. “Go ahead, just say it. I’m ready.”
“Mr. Carrington called the board. He told them he wants to give your position of vice president to
Aria.”
Reese’s tone carried a hint of resentment. “And today, he already had Aria take over the partnership project you were negotiating with Solis Group.”
Shea had known this day would come sooner or later, but she hadn’t expected Justin to be so
eager, especially right after she had just called off her wedding. He couldn’t even wait a moment longer.
How utterly disheartening.
“Ms. Carrington, I really feel for you! You’ve poured your heart into this project. Everyone saw how much effort you put in. It’s outrageous that someone else is about to take the credit now that the contract’s almost ready to be signed!”
Reese’s voice trembled with indignation over the phone.
Having worked with Shea for years, Reese knew her abilities inside out and was well aware of how much she’d contributed to the company. That was why Justin’s betrayal of using her and then casting her aside felt utterly despicable.
“If I remember correctly, the contract signing is tomorrow, right?”
In contrast to Reese’s anger, Shea sounded almost unnervingly calm.
Perhaps she’d grown numb to it all.
“Yes.”
Shea drew a steady breath, her expression turning cold. “I’ll be in the office tomorrow.”
If they thought they could take away the project she had built from the ground up with nothing but empty promises…
They’d better make sure their teeth were sharp enough to bite into it.
By the time Hansen drove into Willowbrook Manor, dusk was settling in. He glanced at his watch and saw that it was already 7:00 pm.
Willowbrook Manor was Zeremont’s most luxurious residential enclave, renowned for its exceptionally tight security. A professional security team patrolled the grounds around the clock, while advanced surveillance systems ensured comprehensive protection.
The district also boasted flawless amenities, including an exclusive clubhouse offering a variety of leisure and entertainment options.
This was more than just a place to live. It was a statement of status.
After all, a home in Willowbrook Manor was not something money alone could buy.
“Mr. Grant, you really are my boss. We agreed on 6:00 pm, and just look at the time now!”
As Hansen stepped out of his car, Liam Frost, sitting in the courtyard, couldn’t resist making a sarcastic remark.
A table in the courtyard was laden with delicacies, which had been replenished several times over.
Hansen raised an eyebrow and, without hesitation, sat directly across from Liam. “I’ll send you a bottle of Ryeleaf Tequila another day.”
“That sounds fantastic! You stand me up once, and I get a free bottle worth over 20 thousand? That’s a sweet deal!” Liam’s eyes lit up. “Mr. Grant, next time we meet, why don’t you stand me up
again? I’m rather fond of Isle Aileron whiskey. That will be double the compensation!”
Hansen was left speechless.
Shamelessness seemed to come naturally to Liam.
“Seriously though, how was the wedding?” Liam took a sip from his glass, his tone dripping with curiosity. “With the president attending, did the Grant family faint from shock?”
He couldn’t help picturing the scene, and a burst of uncontrollable laughter escaped him.
Hansen spoke up. “If you weren’t my friend, I’d seriously consider having you sent to a mental
institution.”
“Oh? Would you really?” Liam laughed heartily, then regarded Hansen with genuine curiosity.’ Speaking of which, Lance isn’t even part of the Grant family’s main branch. Why did you go
through all this trouble to attend his wedding?”
“Who said I was there for the wedding?”
What?
Liam’s brow furrowed in confusion. “You weren’t there for the wedding? Then what were you doing there?”
As he spoke, Liam suddenly froze, his eyes widening with realization. “Could it be that you were there for that thing?”
“Neither,” Hansen interrupted calmly, then dropped a bombshell. “I was there to steal the bride.”
Liam blinked. “Huh?”
That single sentence left him completely dumbfounded.
Hansen must be joking.
