CHAPTER 141: CHAPTER 141: WHAT HE GAVE ME

Shannon Quinn didn’t leave the hospital right away; after some hesitation, she decided to visit Catherine Yardley.

Unfortunately, as she was visiting, Catherine Yardley had just gone for a check-up, but Sheila Yardley was there.

"Shannon, why are you here?"

"I came to the hospital to see Lynn Kendall and thought I’d also visit Auntie."

Talking about Lynn Kendall, Sheila Yardley’s eyes flickered. Then she asked, "How is she doing?"

"She’s not in the best mood, but her spirits seem high. She’s quite annoyed about your brother’s matter. Yet, there’s something I don’t understand, how did the police suddenly release your brother?"

Sheila Yardley pressed her lips together and didn’t hide from Shannon Quinn, answering honestly, "Caleb Grant helped out. I happened to meet him on the way back last night, and he offered his help. I didn’t expect my brother to be released so quickly."

"Why did he help you? Did you guys stay in touch after your last meeting?"

Sheila Yardley, confused, shook her head: "We haven’t been in contact. I don’t know why he helped me, and he hasn’t asked me for anything. I’m curious if you know him, and seeing I’m your friend, he decided to help me."

Shannon Quinn thought that might be the case. Although her marriage to Vincent Rhodes wasn’t publicly announced, almost everyone in their social circle knew she was Vincent Rhodes’s wife.

Yet she hadn’t been in contact with Caleb Grant, so it didn’t completely add up.

However, since he didn’t ask Sheila Yardley for anything, it seemed like he was simply doing a favor. What seemed a tricky problem for them might just be a small task on his part.

Inside the beauty salon, two women lay on adjacent beds, enjoying massages from the shop’s technicians.

Among them, a short-haired woman, eyes closed, spoke languidly: "Mona, didn’t you say you have big news? What’s it about?"

Claire Yardley opened her eyes, seemingly thinking about the favorable outcome the situation might bring her, smiling at the thought: "A socialite Young Madam involved in an affair, and the child she carries has an unknown father. Is this news big enough?"

The short-haired woman seemed unimpressed, cynically saying, "There are plenty of such stories. There’s no splash, it’s less interesting than a famous star having a secret hotel meeting."

"What if it’s the Rhodes Family’s Young Madam?" Claire Yardley added.

The short-haired woman’s eyes lit up instantly, turning to Claire Yardley in surprise: "Rhodes Family? Is it about that recent gossip circulating within our circle?"

"Yes, this matter is no secret within our circle, but outsiders are entirely unaware. If you publish it, it will certainly draw attention and become a hot topic."

Though the gossip about the Rhodes Family was tempting, the short-haired woman hesitated and said, "Everyone’s curious about the Rhodes Family, but as you know, from major news companies to marketing accounts in the circle, no one dares to report anything about the Rhodes Family. If it were good news, they might turn a blind eye, but this is scandalous—if it reaches the Rhodes Family, they’ll definitely pursue accountability. I can’t bear that responsibility."

Claire Yardley seemed to have anticipated this and persuaded her: "How can you achieve anything with your timidity? All you need to do is report it; I guarantee it’ll be explosively popular. Isn’t the point of news to catch public attention?"

"But this..."

"Don’t dwell on it. I’ve personally come to you; how could I possibly leave you in the lurch? Once you publish this, the money I give you will surely let you and your family live comfortably for the rest of your life."

The short-haired woman seemed tempted but still indecisive.

"If you publish this, the worst consequence is that your career faces obstacles, but the Rhodes Family can’t commit murder and arson. Isn’t the purpose of your work to earn money? Now, all you have to do is perform this simple task, and you can earn more than you ever dreamed, take your family abroad if you want, it’ll certainly be better than how you live now."

The short-haired woman pressed her lips, silently pondering for a few seconds before nodding: "Alright, can you specifically tell me the details? Having photos would be helpful; I’ll go back tonight to write the piece, and it’ll be published early tomorrow."

...

Shannon Quinn had been busy all day; by the time she returned home in the evening, Erin Bishop had already prepared dinner and was waiting for her.

"Shannon, there’s a package for you. I picked it up on the way and brought it over."

Shannon Quinn changed out of her shoes, rubbing her slightly sore back, muttering: "A package? But I didn’t buy anything."

"I don’t know, it has your name on it. It’s on the coffee table; go have a look."

Shannon Quinn put down her bag casually on the sofa, grabbed the package, and looked at it—a palm-sized box without any item information on it.

Using a small knife to cut open the tape on the package, inside was a black velvet box, resembling a jewelry box.

Upon opening it, she found a pearl hair clip and matching earrings.

She furrowed her brows in confusion, wondering if a client or a friend had sent it.

Amidst the puzzlement, she noticed a small card left inside the box.

The card bore bold handwriting, seeming to be written by a man. After reading the content, she realized who the sender was, and her lips curled into a smile.

The words on the card were unpretentious, not some literary-style romantic message. It simply read: Happy New Year. I’m not sure what you like, so I bought this. It should look good on you. Sorry I can’t be there to celebrate the New Year with you, but take good care of yourself.

"What are you smiling about? Come and eat."

Shannon Quinn immediately flaunted the items in her hands to Erin Bishop, sweetly saying, "He sent this to me."

It took Erin Bishop a moment to realize who Shannon Quinn meant by "he," then she showed an astonished expression: "Vincent Rhodes sent it? He’s come around! Let me have a look."

When Shannon Quinn handed the box, she carefully cradled it, afraid of accidentally damaging what Vincent Rhodes had sent.

"Isn’t it said that a straight guy’s sense of style is unremarkable? But this choice is quite good, looks nice, I like it."

Shannon Quinn smiled and pressed her lips together, carefully placing the items back in the box, shyly saying, "I like it too."

"Alright, is there a need to be this happy?" Erin Bishop rolled her eyes at her, "Is a gift enough to fill you up? Hurry over to help with the dishes, showing off your romance to me!"

The day’s exhaustion seemed to vanish at this moment, her heart filled with delight, as she smiled throughout the evening.

After dinner, she put on the hair clip and earrings, took selfies for at least half an hour, and picked one she thought was best.

Opening Vincent Rhodes’s message page, she selected the photo, and before sending it, her finger paused for a second. She took a deep breath as if there were a need for some ceremonial moment, then sent the message, adding a note: I really like it.