CHAPTER 144: CHAPTER 144: THE YARDLEY FAMILY’S DOWNFALL

Erin Bishop stood from an observer’s perspective, objectively advising Shannon Quinn to think clearly, weighing whether she cared more about the child or Vincent Rhodes. Erin had never really seen Vincent in a favorable light, feeling that he couldn’t give Shannon the happiness she desired.

As a friend, she naturally didn’t want Shannon to spend her entire life suffering like this.

So Erin also advocated for Shannon to choose divorce.

She said, "Think about it, it’s because you’re the Young Madam of the Rhodes Family that you’re attracting such attention. Without this identity, even if you did cheat, you could live peacefully. Those shameless mistresses can end up living good lives; you did nothing wrong. Why must you wrong yourself like this for a lifetime?"

Shannon lowered her eyes, having thought of countless possibilities internally but dared not predict the outcomes.

She felt she owed something to Vincent. Even if she wanted a divorce, she couldn’t if Vincent didn’t agree, and honestly, she was somewhat reluctant to part ways.

After all, Vincent had been good to her; other than rarely accompanying her, he hadn’t done anything to harm or wrong her.

No matter the choice, there are gains and losses, and sometimes the choice isn’t even hers to make.

Vincent hadn’t spoken, leaving everything uncertain.

A week passed, and the news was still spreading. However, the Rhodes Family blocked the news, making things quiet online, yet unpleasant comments could still be heard.

Speaking of diverting the netizens’ attention, they had to thank the Yardley Family.

Though The Yardleys’ enterprise pales in comparison to the Rhodes Family, it holds some influence nationwide. Now, though, it was facing collapse.

Without much thought, it was evident that either June Yardley or Claire Yardley exposed this matter, most likely someone like Claire, who acts without thinking of consequences.

The Rhodes Family announced the withdrawal of all partnerships with the Yardley Family, also publicly revealing that June was no longer engaged to Simon Rhodes.

Many had sought cooperation with the Yardleys, counting on their future ties to the Rhodes Family.

After June and Simon’s complete break-up, the Rhodes Family spared face, refraining from publicly announcing it, allowing the Yardleys’ company to continue stable development.

Now, with things blown up like this, the Rhodes Family severed relations with the Yardleys. At this point, anyone supporting the Yardleys would be opposing the Rhodes Family, and no one wanted to stand against them.

Investments were withdrawn, planned collaborations were dissolved, and issues like tax evasion were uncovered, almost cutting off all avenues for the Yardleys.

In just a few days, the once-thriving company fell.

The Yardley Family had just sent off people coming to seal the villa.

Mr. Yardley was furious, smashing the teacup in his hand on the floor, pointed at the dejected Claire Yardley sitting on the sofa, and scolded, "All your doing! Thinking you’re so clever, and now you’ve ruined the entire family!"

"Alright, dear, Mona knows she’s wrong. Don’t be harsh on her anymore; the child’s cried her eyes swollen these days."

"You keep quiet too!" Mr. Yardley snapped at whoever he saw. "You’re the one who spoiled her! None of you women are any good!"

Mrs. Yardley held Claire as they both cried, while June Yardley sat with a dark expression, not saying a word. Mr. Yardley turned his anger to her, "And you too! You should’ve secured Simon Rhodes earlier to avoid all of this mess! Useless!"

"Dear, since things have come to this point, let’s think of other solutions. Life might not be as affluent as before, but there’s always a way out." Mrs. Yardley timidly said.

Mr. Yardley took a deep breath and said, "This company was built up by my hard work, decades of effort, and it’s all been ruined by you! I’ve worked my whole life, and now, at this age, I find myself at a dead end."

Seeing Mr. Yardley’s heartbroken expression, June stood up and said, "I’m going to find Seth Fairchild."

"Don’t you know the relationship between the Fairchild and Rhodes Families? What use is it to find someone from the Fairchild Family?"

June replied, "Do you even know Seth Fairchild’s relationship with the Fairchild Family? He’s the illegitimate son of Sylvia Fairchild, restored to the family. His biological father’s death was tied to the Rhodes Family; in a way, he resents them, and though his situation in the Fairchild Family is difficult, he’s favored by Elder Fairchild. This just happens to be something we can use."

"Are you crazy? Are you trying to make enemies with the Rhodes Family?"

"I just want to save the Yardley Family."

...

The discussion meeting for LW’s project was about to be held, and Shannon Quinn returned to the company for the first time since the news broke.

Perhaps Aidan Lockwood had given a heads-up; when she arrived at the company, usually filled with gossip-loving colleagues, none brought up the news.

No one spoke ill of her in private, and knowing she was pregnant, they showed her extra care.

"Shannon, you’re finally back. We’ve missed you terribly."

Shannon smiled, watching as Yara Hughes placed a cup of water by her side and asked, "Has Lynn Kendall returned?"

"She came back a few days ago, apparently after another cosmetic surgery, with her nose still bandaged. She’s pretending to be very dedicated, coming to work while ’ill’, but honestly, everyone in the company knows her true nature. I’m not sure whom she’s putting on a show for."

"The LW collaboration is quite significant, after all. If the project gets selected, it’ll surely boost international recognition. She probably doesn’t want to miss this opportunity."

"Of course, she’s someone who loves to be in the limelight."

As they spoke, Lynn Kendall walked in, "Shannon, you’re back?"

Yara quietly left, and once she was gone, Lynn softly asked, "Shannon, are you alright? The news went public..."

Shannon shook her head with a gentle smile, "Aren’t I just fine?"

"The Rhodes Family didn’t make things difficult for you, did they?"

"No."

"That’s good. I was worried about you, but speaking of which, there’s a lot of talk online about Vincent not being up to par in certain areas, which is why you..." Lynn paused, hesitant to continue, then said, "Well, you have your difficulties too. Marrying a man like that who can’t satisfy your needs, it’s normal to go out and have fun."

Shannon didn’t offer any explanation, prompting Lynn to continue, "I heard Landon Sutton pursued you once? It’s such a shame; if you hadn’t married Vincent, being with Landon would’ve been great. At least he’s complete, and his conditions aren’t worse than Vincent’s either."

"Don’t let idle tea party gossip stay in your head and spin tales to spread around."

Lynn’s smile stiffened, and she apologized quickly, "See, I’m always saying the wrong thing. I didn’t mean anything by it, just helping you analyze the situation from your perspective. I think the people online are too outrageous, acting like they know our private affairs when they should mind their own business."

Once Lynn got a chance, she endlessly went on and on.

Casually taking jabs with unpleasant remarks, then immediately grinning and apologizing to Shannon, claiming she was too blunt and asking Shannon not to take it to heart.

Shannon knew the type of person Lynn was, so she didn’t take it to heart, but she still found her annoying yet didn’t want to ruin the facade.

Finally, Lynn returned to her own workspace when Aidan returned from school and came looking for Shannon in the office.

Aidan was never the type to highlight others’ sensitive topics or rub salt into their wounds. He simply checked in on how she was doing these past few days without mentioning the news much.

Actually, Shannon Quinn feels really lucky to have such a good mentor and friend who always chooses to believe in her unconditionally, no matter what others say about her.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Aidan Lockwood got down to business: "The LW new product signing event will be held at their headquarters, and they’ve invited more than just our company. So, it’s not just internal competition, but also a competition between companies. I mentioned this during the morning meeting yesterday, but since you weren’t there, I wanted to tell you separately."

Shannon Quinn nodded, looking very attentive.

"As for your work, I won’t say much, I know you’ve got it under control. I just need to brief you on the itinerary. LW’s headquarters is in Vorland, and it will be three days in total. The flight to Valengard is at ten tomorrow morning, so get ready tonight when you go back and be at the company around 7:30 in the morning tomorrow."

"Okay."

"Well, focus on this battle first; don’t let your recent efforts go to waste thinking about other things."

After Aidan Lockwood turned and left, Shannon Quinn took a deep breath and pulled herself together to organize her design drafts.

Without Vincent Rhodes appearing, whatever she thought was in vain, but she couldn’t just let this go casually either.

Although rumors have slowly subsided, there’s no guarantee they won’t resurface one day.

The next day, snowflakes fell from the sky, and the temperature was quite low.

Shannon Quinn had packed her luggage the previous night, and after having breakfast, Erin Bishop drove her to the company.

Everyone arrived punctually, and they set off for the airport right at eight.

Including Aidan Lockwood, there were eight people in total: five designers and two of Aidan Lockwood’s assistants.

In the car, Shannon Quinn was daydreaming as she gazed at the snowy scenery outside, when her phone in her bag suddenly rang.

She hesitated for a moment, wearing a thick cotton jacket, she clumsily fished out her phone from her bag, an unfamiliar number.

Puzzled, she answered: "Hello."

A deep male voice came from the other end: "Where are you?"

The familiar voice allowed Shannon Quinn to immediately recognize who it was on the other end of the line. Instinctively, she glanced at her colleagues chatting around her and turned her head slightly towards the window: "Where are you?"

He simply said, "I’m back, just got off the plane."

Shannon Quinn was taken aback, realizing she was just on her way to the airport, she replied, "I’m on my way to the airport, on a ten o’clock flight to Vorland."

Vincent Rhodes paused for a moment and asked, "Are you on a business trip?"

"Sort of, I’ll be there for three days. Are you still at the airport?"

Vincent Rhodes looked around, planning his itinerary in his mind, and said, "See you in Vorland then."

Shannon Quinn was stunned for half a second, unable to ask anything before the call was already disconnected.

She then sighed with relief, thinking these days that he was avoiding these matters and wouldn’t show up.

At the airport, Ronan Rhodes helped Vincent Rhodes with his suitcase. Seeing him hang up the phone, he asked, "Master Nate, have you caught a cold? Why talk like that?"

Landon Sutton didn’t explain and just checked the time on his phone, then said to Ronan Rhodes, "Not going back, book me a ticket to Vorland."

"Now?"

"Yes, preferably for the ten o’clock flight."

Ronan Rhodes checked the time on his watch, the ticketing counter was still open. He turned to walk towards the ticketing desk, "Do I need to go with you?"

"No, just get one for me."

"Alright, I’ll go check it out. Master Nate, you can wait here."

When Shannon Quinn arrived at the airport, she instinctively looked around as she entered. But then she thought, the boarding area and arrival area are not in the same place, Vincent Rhodes wouldn’t possibly appear here.

She and her colleagues completed the boarding procedures and luggage check-in, and then found a spare moment to send Vincent Rhodes a message, asking where he was in the airport, but received no response.

He had said see you in Vorland, so he would contact her once he arrived there, right?

"Shannon, what are you standing there for? Time to go through security." A colleague behind her tapped her shoulder, reminding her.

On the plane on time, Lynn Kendall volunteered to sit next to Shannon Quinn, leading others to think they had quite a good relationship.

Shannon Quinn didn’t say much, just placed her carry-on luggage and sat down.

Her ticketed seat was by the window, but Lynn Kendall said: "Shannon, could we swap seats? I want to sit by the window."

Shannon Quinn smiled and politely declined: "I get a bit airsick, sitting by the window helps."

Lynn Kendall appeared disappointed, "Oh, alright then. Would you like some gum? It might help with the airsickness."

Shannon Quinn waved her hand with a smile, "No, thank you."

For their row of three people, there were another six people divided into two groups seated together, in Shannon’s row was a young foreign man.

Lynn Kendall utilized her social skills and made small talk in English with the Danish guy next to her.

With worries on her mind, Shannon Quinn gazed out of the window, not joining the conversation.

A familiar figure walked toward them, but she didn’t notice.

Landon Sutton reached her seat, and because Lynn Kendall was sitting next to Shannon Quinn, he addressed Lynn, "Hello."

Lynn looked up and found the man somewhat familiar but couldn’t be sure it was Landon Sutton, so she smiled politely and nodded, "Hello."

Landon Sutton gestured to Shannon Quinn and said, "This is my girlfriend, would you mind switching seats? I’ve got a seat in first class, and the flight attendant can take you there."

Shannon Quinn then turned her head, seeing Landon Sutton standing there, momentarily bewildered, not fully understanding that Landon Sutton just called her his girlfriend.

Lynn Kendall looked a little surprised at Shannon Quinn, and then said, "I’m with Shannon, I wouldn’t feel right going to first class alone. Would you switch with this gentleman instead?"

Landon Sutton raised an eyebrow, not expecting Shannon Quinn’s friend.

He glanced at the speechless Shannon Quinn, and then just smiled politely, greeting the Danish guy next to them in Danish.