CHAPTER 22: CHAPTER 22: IAN SHOWS HIS RED BIRTHMARK TO VERA SHERIDAN

Sheets of A4 paper hit Nina Sullivan’s face. She took a half step back, her face turned pale as a few traces of fear appeared in her watery eyes.

"Mr. Kane, I, I didn’t." Her voice was choked with sobs, "Ms. Sheridan, you misunderstood me. When I shared this content, it was just to highlight my daily life. I didn’t think much about it, and I certainly didn’t intend to damage your relationship with Ian."

Vera Sheridan lifted her eyelids slightly.

Ian Kane’s face was drawn as he pressed his thin lips into a line, his tone icy, "Your picture of me in the background, with the boyfriend caption, wasn’t meant to mislead my wife? What do you call it then?"

Hearing this, Vera was slightly surprised and didn’t expect him to be so resolute in affirming her judgment.

Quentin Hawthorne picked up a printed sheet and looked at the photo, "Nina, you posted something like that on your Moments; no wonder she misunderstood! Were you oblivious or was it on purpose?"

Nina Sullivan’s expression turned flustered, twisting her fingers, "I, I didn’t do it on purpose, Quentin. I took many selfies, chose the one I liked the most, and didn’t notice Mr. Kane was in it too. I really wasn’t trying to do anything."

After speaking, she glanced at Vera Sheridan sitting on the sofa, "Ms. Sheridan, I didn’t expect this to cause so many misunderstandings for you. Besides, we all know Mr. Kane loves you deeply, so why would he betray you?"

Vera’s expression suddenly sharpened.

Nina was twisting the knife, insinuating that she didn’t trust Ian Kane!

Ian Kane’s face was as dark as thunder, and his fists made a cracking sound as he stood up, looking down at Nina, "You’re still sowing discord! My wife supported and nurtured you, and yet you keep using subtle means to hurt her. What’s your aim?"

Vera was briefly stunned, looking at his tall back, her heart inexplicably softened a little.

Nina Sullivan was clearly panicking, shaking her head silently, "I, I didn’t mean to..."

Ian Kane snorted coldly, "That night at The Sovereign, you hugged me, pretending to mistake me for someone else, intentionally leaving your perfume scent on me to make my wife misunderstand. Are you going to deny that ever happened?"

Vera squinted her eyes tightly.

So the scent on him when he returned late that night came out to be from that.

Nina’s face turned deathly pale, her lips trembled, unable to utter a word.

Quentin’s face was livid, loosening his shirt collar buttons, "Nina, why would you do such a thing?"

Nina’s eyes shimmered with moist tears, looking at Vera sitting on the sofa.

Her long hair was tied up, and the dark coffee turtleneck sweater complemented her fair skin. Her elegant sitting posture exuded a quiet intellectual beauty and a certain aura.

Moreover, two distinguished heirs were doting on her.

"I was jealous." Nina blurted out as tears slowly streamed down her cheeks, "Ms. Sheridan is so excellent in her field. I feel like I live under her shadow, especially since I look a bit like her. Everyone calls me ’Little Vera,’ says I’m imitating her, a replica... I’m not willing to be her substitute."

"Especially when she beat me with one bad leg, and is married to such a loving husband. Meanwhile, I have a boyfriend, but can’t be open about it, leaving me unbalanced."

As she spoke, she looked at Quentin, full of grievance.

Vera chuckled angrily, clenching her hands.

Nina’s demeanor didn’t seem like she was lying; each word appeared heartfelt.

All her guidance and help to her, in Nina’s mind, translated into nothing but a desire to replace her, to see her suffer!

Quentin looked coldly at Nina without an ounce of compassion and even disgust, "From the first day you followed me, I made it clear, I can give you money to spend, resources to promote you, but I can’t give you the title; it’s just a play."

"I can give you money, give you resources, but not the title. With this behavior, I don’t want you anymore!"

Nina slowly widened her eyes and moved towards him, "No... Quentin, I was wrong. I will be good... Please don’t abandon me!"

Quentin glared at her coldly, Nina didn’t dare approach again.

"Sis-in-law, that cufflink was left by accident. Before, Ian showed off the cufflink you gifted him to me. I thought it was stylish, bought the same one, and Nina’s bracelet was shot by someone I hired to bid for. I’ll show you the receipts later."

Vera stood up smiling, "Quentin, there’s no need."

Quentin nodded, then glanced at Ian Kane, "Ian, look at how much she cares about you."

Vera felt a little guilty.

Ian Kane lifted a corner of his lips, eyes gleaming with pride, "Of course."

He shot a sideways glance at Nina and then told Quentin, "Keep her in line, don’t cause my wife any more trouble, or I’ll have to intervene..."

Vera understood; he was giving Quentin face.

Quentin nodded and, after bidding farewell to Ian and Vera, headed to the door.

Nina, with tears in her eyes, followed him out.

In the luxurious suite, only Vera and Ian Kane were left, along with the scattered printed paper.

Ian Kane broke the silence, "I’m going to the balcony for a smoke."

Vera heard the exhaustion in his tone, hesitatingly made a sound of agreement.

With her consent, he picked up the pack of cigarettes and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window.

The sky was dark, and the pale sun wandered through the thick clouds.

Ian Kane was clothed in black, standing tall as he leaned against the railing, back to her, exhaling smoke.

Vera could tell he still had emotions.

Perhaps he was hurt by her actions.

At that moment, the wind lifted his thin black shirt. Vera frowned, limping into the bedroom, retrieving his coat to give to him.

Standing behind him, she calmly said, "Your pneumonia just healed, don’t catch a cold again."

Ian Kane came to his senses, disposed of the half-smoked cigarette, extinguished it, and put on the coat.

As Vera approached him to help adjust his coat, in the next second, he turned her around, pressing her back against his chest, then wrapped her in the coat.

In an abrupt intimacy, she stiffened, restraining the instinct to pull away.

The man’s chin rested on her shoulder, his voice husky, "Just need a hug, just for a moment..."

Vera’s nose tingled, tears welled up.

Guilt, self-reproach, and heartache surged within her.

He loved her but couldn’t touch her, restrained himself for her, yet she suspected him of betraying her, being unfaithful.

"When I was eight, one of my dad’s mistresses took me away, locked me in a dark room for four days and three nights... Honey, I told you, we are kindred spirits... I, like you, loathe infidelity."

As Ian Kane spoke, a subtle tremor went through his body, as if he were caught in fear.

Vera’s guilt deepened, "I’m sorry..."

Ian Kane gently rubbed his head against her neck, inhaled her scent, and sighed, "It’s fine now. Nina’s the one sowing discord, and you’ve always lacked security. I understand."

The winds on the balcony were fierce, yet Vera felt a long-lost warmth.

Ian Kane released her, leading her back indoors.

The man bent down, picking up the scattered sheets of paper, "Is there anything else unclear that needs explaining?"

Vera was just about to say, there’s no need, when she saw Ian suddenly dazed by a piece of paper.

She walked over.

The white sheet was nearly torn at his fingers, and the words printed on it read, "Nina said her boyfriend has a heart-shaped birthmark on his right hip."

"Like a challenge to me, that her boyfriend is Ian Kane."

Ian Kane regained his senses, realized Vera was staring at him, and hesitated. "What’s wrong?" Vera asked softly, looking at his fingertips.

Doubt crept into her heart: was he feeling guilty?

Yet Ian Kane gazed at her openly, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly, "Do you want to verify and see?"

Vera raised an eyebrow: ?

With the metallic click of the belt buckle, she suddenly understood him—

He intended to prove his innocence.

The man deftly unbuckled his trousers, pulling down the dark underwear beneath, revealing a chiseled eight-pack, pronounced V-lines, and beneath his hip bone, a red heart-shaped birthmark...