CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: SINGLE DOG

Shannon Quinn wasn’t foolish and quickly stood up, saying, "You guys chat, I’ll go for a walk. Rona, call me later."

"Alright, don’t go far, and don’t talk to strangers," Erin Bishop advised her like an elder sister, worried since Shannon had never been to such a gathering before, fearing she might be deceived.

Shannon nodded, intending to leave but noticed Landon Sutton standing not far from the entrance, with Simon Rhodes opposite him. She hadn’t realized Simon would be here, and considered going over to greet him but didn’t want to run into Landon Sutton, so she turned and headed towards the restroom.

She always felt an unusual camaraderie between Simon Rhodes and Landon Sutton. Normally, business relationships involve a facade on the surface and another layer underneath.

But the two of them seemed to be exceptionally good friends. Whenever they met, they’d chat for a bit; if Shannon were told they were close pals, she’d believe it.

Most people came here using the occasion to have fun, so someone like Shannon, who spent time in the restroom, wasn’t common; the corridor leading to the restroom was empty, not a single person in sight.

If it weren’t for the brightly lit hallway, Shannon probably wouldn’t dare come alone.

Before discovering her pregnancy, she didn’t notice anything unusual about her body. But after finding out, whether it was psychological or not, she felt some changes and was adapting to them.

Jett Quinn sent a message asking why she wasn’t answering the door.

Shannon wasn’t surprised he would look for her again and replied that she was socializing outside, relieved to escape tonight’s ordeal.

But for how long? He would relentlessly seek her out, sometimes just to say infuriating things when in good mood, and when upset, she wasn’t sure if he’d be violent.

She used to think living alone was fine, but as time passed, she envied those with a partner by their side.

Not having to fix a blown bulb herself, or calling someone to repair faulty appliances after endless meddling; having someone to chat with when scared at night would make her feel much safer. Encountering someone like Jett, she hoped more for someone to shield her rather than facing him alone, anxious and vigilant...

And she knew these were just fantasies; Vincent Rhodes seldom appeared by her side, and in case of danger, she’d be more likely to protect him...

She put away her phone, tidied her dress, and went out from the restroom, spotting a man washing his hands by the sink. Just by his clothes, Shannon knew who it was.

She didn’t plan on washing her hands and kept her head down, intending to slip past, but Landon Sutton turned off the faucet, took a paper towel, looked at her, and said, "What a coincidence."

Shannon thought to herself, why fear him?

Thus, she straightened her back and went to the sink, turned on the faucet, and washed her hands indiscriminately.

"What did I do now to offend Miss Quinn? Meeting me with such a look?"

"Not at all, my expression’s always been like this. Does Mr. Sutton have business?"

"Oh, I just wanted to say thanks. I left in such a rush, I didn’t get the chance."

Shannon turned off the faucet and shook her hands over the sink; Landon Sutton handed her a paper towel.

After glancing at the paper towel, then at him, she snatched it and dried her hands. She took out his room key from her bag and handed it to him, saying, "I was out for a day after you left, and the cat’s at a friend’s place. I’ll pick him up tomorrow and bring him over."

Landon Sutton didn’t reveal the real reason she sent away the cat, glanced at the key in her hand, and said, "Keep it with you. I have a key here; as neighbors, I frequently travel for work, so it’s convenient to leave a key with you in case of emergencies."

"Why leave your key with me?"

Landon Sutton didn’t answer but asked, "Does your husband know you came to such a gathering?"

"None of your business!"

"Talking about how much you love your husband in front of me, but actually wanting to find some young guy outside, right? Why not directly find me; we’re familiar enough, aren’t we?"

Shannon glanced sideways at him with a smirk but without joy, saying, "Who’s familiar with you? My husband is very open-minded; he knows I have a high-pressure job and fully supports me going out to play."

"No wonder you got cheated on; men should not indulge women too much."

"You!" Shannon huffed, wanting to retort, but recalling the incident between them that night, she knew arguing would only make things worse, so she placed the key onto the sink, saying, "Say whatever you want, but my husband and I are genuinely in love, while you’re just a single dog trying hard to undermine others. I don’t need to engage with you."

Landon Sutton frowned and pulled her back as she attempted to leave. Considering her pregnancy, he was careful, pinning her against the wall with his chest, "You called me a single dog?"

Shannon furrowed her brows and swung her bag, hitting him unceremoniously, inadvertently striking an unhealed wound on him. The pain made Landon Sutton frown, and Shannon quickly escaped.

Wondering why he was so vulnerable today, Shannon dismissed him and stepped back a few paces, turning to curse, "Single dog!"

Landon Sutton clutched his stomach, watching Shannon’s retreating figure, helplessly shaking his head and smiling.

To be labeled a single dog by his own wife—there was probably no one else in the world in a similar predicament.

He unbuttoned his suit, seeing the blood seeping through the white shirt, and immediately called Ronan Rhodes.

When Shannon ran back, she happened to see Ronan rushing toward the restroom. She paused, puzzled, then headed toward Erin Bishop.

"Why did he leave?"

Erin shrugged, indicating her own ignorance, "Got a call, called away inexplicably."

Shannon didn’t mind much, seeing Simon Rhodes waving at her from a distance; she responded with a smile.

Following Shannon’s gaze, Erin Bishop said, "All the guys you know are handsome! Yet, you ended up marrying Vincent Rhodes. Such a pity, such a shame."

Shannon’s smile faded; she sighed softly, saying, "Honestly, before marrying Vincent Rhodes, I never really liked anyone. Listening to you talk about your first love tonight, I felt envious. It would have been nice to have such an experience in school."

"What’s nice about it? Is only nice if you end up together. You’re lucky you didn’t have anyone you liked, otherwise being forced to marry Vincent Rhodes would’ve meant saying goodbye to your boyfriend, which would have been worse."