CHAPTER 11: CHAPTER 11: STEAL ME, THEN

Shannon Quinn’s painting movements paused, slightly surprised: "He’s still downstairs?"

"He never left."

Shannon Quinn pondered for a moment, then said, "Waiting out the rain, he’ll leave once it stops."

"He’s not waiting out the rain; he’s clearly waiting for you."

"You’re such a blabbermouth."

Yara Hughes chuckled and then said enviously, "You know, having such a handsome guy chasing after you and you’re still not satisfied. Do you know how many people would give anything to marry Landon Sutton, yet you speak coldly to him? If you don’t reign in that temper, you’ll have trouble getting married in the future."

Shannon Quinn shot Yara Hughes a glare, causing her to shut her mouth reluctantly and swiftly turn away.

The rain outside grew heavier, making Shannon Quinn even more agitated.

Why had her calm and comfortable life turned into such a mess?

Finishing the draft in her hands, it was almost one o’clock before Shannon Quinn packed up to go out for lunch.

The rain hadn’t stopped, but fortunately, there was a spare umbrella in the office.

At this hour, most people had gone out for lunch, and there weren’t many customers in the shop due to the rain.

When Shannon Quinn walked downstairs, she instinctively glanced in that direction and met Landon Sutton’s gaze.

His presence there didn’t surprise Shannon Quinn much, nor did she avoid him, but she didn’t acknowledge him either.

She walked straight to the door, opened the umbrella, but before stepping out, someone snatched it from her hand.

Shannon Quinn turned to look at Landon Sutton beside her, frowning.

He struck a gentlemanly pose, holding the umbrella for her, saying, "I’ve already booked a restaurant."

Shannon Quinn hesitated for a few seconds but didn’t refuse this time; she wanted to take this opportunity to speak clearly.

In a romantic and peaceful western restaurant, they sat by a window.

Outside, the rain poured, but inside, only the mellow, deep sound of a cello filled the air.

They didn’t waste much time on ordering because Shannon Quinn wasn’t there for food.

After the waiter walked away, she bluntly said, "Are you done yet? Showing up at my workplace to disgust me?"

"Disgust? I’m merely here to discuss some collaboration details with Miss Quinn. Is this how you treat your clients?"

"You know if this is work-related!"

"Or is Miss Quinn still thinking about that night?"

"Don’t bring up that night again! We’re all adults, no one owes anyone, let’s just pretend it never happened. And don’t show up in front of me again; even if we meet accidentally, please act like you don’t know me."

"Shannon, you are really heartless."

"I’ll say this one last time! Stop calling me Shannon!"

Landon Sutton chuckled; if his mannerisms were seen on someone else, they’d no doubt seem like a shady hooligan, yet he somehow maintained a gentlemanly demeanor.

The most accurate description would be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

"You’re pretty and talented; it’s such a compromise to have a disabled man as your husband. You’d be better off marrying me. Whatever Vincent Rhodes can give you, I can too, and whatever he can’t satisfy you with, I can."

Such tempting offers would have another woman giddy and lost under Landon Sutton’s persuasion.

Shannon Quinn, however, was an exception.

Imitating him, she laughed, "Given Mr. Sutton’s excellence, what kind of woman couldn’t you find? Why insist on digging someone’s corner to be the third party? Isn’t that an even bigger compromise for you?"

"But I just like someone like you."

Shannon Quinn didn’t expect him to be so direct; she was slightly taken aback by her ability to enchant this dream man of many women.

"Could Mr. Sutton prefer women who are already married?"

"I’m not into married women, I’m just into you."

Had it been years ago when she was young and naive, she might have been completely smitten by Landon Sutton.

After getting married, she seemed more indifferent towards romantic affairs.

She smiled, trying to maintain her advantage, and coldly watched him, saying, "Could it be Mr. Sutton was a virgin before he met me? It’s said women have a complex about their first man; does Mr. Sutton have one too? Feel I took your virginity and you’re trying to make me responsible?"

Landon Sutton raised his brows, not expecting this woman to say such things.

He smiled at her, "Wasn’t it Miss Quinn’s first time too?"

Shannon Quinn’s expression changed, emphasizing, "I said it was repaired! I’m just a cheating woman who likes sneaky affairs in marriage. Even if I marry you, you’d still be cheated on!"

She hadn’t expected to tarnish herself so much to shake him off.

The more they bantered, the more entertained he seemed. Landon Sutton played along, "Isn’t that great, you cheat on me, it’s a win-win situation, why not enjoy it?"

Shannon Quinn had never encountered such a shameless man in her life.

"I really think you should see a psychologist."

"That couldn’t cure the poison you’ve planted."

Shannon Quinn: "..."