I want to have a drink with you

I want to have a drink with you
Shane left decisively, without a moment's hesitation!

Behind him, Lydia's heart-wrenching cries echoed.

Henry was puzzled. Shane wasn't known to be so heartless, especially not to someone who had once saved his life.

He couldn't understand it. "President Robinson?"

Shane paused as he was about to open the car door. "Go tell Dina that I won't interfere with her son's matter."

His earlier indifference was because he suspected this might be a staged act, a play orchestrated by Dina and Lydia together.

And indeed, it was a play.

Dina had assured Lydia that she wouldn't harm her. But those were just empty promises.

Dina knew that merely acting wouldn't fool Shane. So, from the moment Lydia agreed to this charade, her fate was sealed.

Henry nodded and quickly returned.

It seemed he was a step too late.

Lydia's cries were heart-wrenching.

But he still delivered the message.

Dina laughed, as if she had anticipated this outcome. "What took you so long?"

She walked inside, and upon seeing her, Lydia screamed like a madwoman, "You ruined me!"

Of course, Dina wanted to save her son. She approached Lydia and whispered, "If I don't do this, how will Shane ever soften up?"

Lydia glared at her fiercely. "Do you think I'm an idiot? Look at me now. Do you really think he'll still like me?"

"No, no, no. As long as you're smart enough, you can make him feel guilty. Don't forget, you saved his life. The reason you're in this state is because he didn't rescue you in time. If you know how to act weak and pitiful, you can stay by his side. Whether you can win his heart depends on your skills," Dina said, trying to brainwash her.

Surprisingly, Lydia believed her. "Really?"

"Really. Why would I lie to you? If you listen to me, I can help you get him," Dina continued to persuade. "Have you ever heard of my husband having any other men?"

Lydia shook her head. "No."

"So trust me. I'll teach you how to win a man over," Dina said, helping her up. "Remember, in front of Shane, don't say anything. Just cry."

Dina thought Lydia was foolish. If she spoke in front of Shane, she would definitely give herself away.

One had to admit, Dina was quite clever. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to plot against Shane multiple times.

Lydia nodded, "I'll do as you say, but you have to promise me that I'll get Shane."

"I promise," Dina assured her confidently.

Lydia believed her without a doubt.

"Remember, you have to act pitiful in front of him, like your life depends on it," Dina advised.

Lydia nodded.

"Don't forget," Dina reminded her again.

Lydia assured her she wouldn't, and only then did Dina hand her over to Henry.

Henry stood still, knowing Lydia was a victim and feeling a sense of disdain for her situation.

"Come with me," he said flatly.

Lydia hugged herself, her clothes in disarray, her shoulders exposed. Her hair was messy, her face streaked with tears, and her eyes were red and swollen, looking utterly miserable.

"President Robinson," Henry announced as he brought her over.

Shane Robinson didn't even glance her way, simply saying, "Put her in the car at the back."

"Yes, sir," Henry replied and went to make the arrangements.

Following Dina's advice, Lydia said nothing and just cried, looking as pitiful as possible.

Henry found something to cover her with and made sure she was settled before walking over to Shane. "President Robinson, what do you plan to do about this?"

He thought this was the perfect opportunity. Dina was inside, and if she died, it would be well-deserved. After all, she had tried to kill Shane multiple times. Such a vicious person deserved to die. They had enough people with them to handle the situation; Dina's few men were no match.

Shane certainly wanted Dina dead, but he wasn't one to act impulsively.

"Killing her would only dirty our hands," Shane considered. "Let's go."

Henry said nothing more, started the car, and drove away.

They took Lydia to the hospital. Although she wasn't physically injured, she still needed a check-up and some comfort.

Previously, Shane had been cold and indifferent to her. His sudden kindness left her feeling both surprised and overwhelmed.

Sitting on the hospital bed, Lydia completely forgot Dina’s instructions. Though she tried to act pitiful, it wasn't the kind that would evoke much sympathy.

"I can't live like this anymore, sob... sob..."

Shane remained expressionless. "What a pity."

Lydia looked up, confused. "Wha... what's a pity?"

"You're so beautiful; you could have married a great man. But now, looking like this, what man would want you?" Shane's eyes roamed over her with fake indifference. "You don't think I'd be interested in a woman who's been tainted, do you?"

Crash!

Something shattered.

The dream Dina had painted for her was instantly broken.

Of course, how could a man ever love a woman who had lost her purity?

Even if Shane pitied her, he would never truly like her, right?

"I saved you only because you once saved me. Now we're even. From now on, I don't want you bringing this up again," Shane said, calling for Henry. "Give her some money so she can have a good life."

"I don't want it." Lydia suddenly got out of bed and grabbed Shane's arm. "I don't want money. I want you."

Shane's face turned cold as he forcefully shook off her hand. "Dirty."

He was indeed disgusted!

Lydia nearly fell from the force of his rejection.

Shane's actions were harsh, but he couldn't help it; he was truly repulsed.

Whether she was truly innocent or had collaborated with Dina, he couldn't muster any sympathy for her.

This woman, who had once left a deep impression on him, even to the point of being unforgettable.

But now, standing right in front of him, he felt nothing.

"You are in this situation because of Dina. Do you want revenge?" Shane asked. Lydia snapped out of her endless despair.

She remained silent.

She and Dina were supposed to be partners. What was this talk about revenge?

With just a glance, Shane saw right through her thoughts.

Was she really just acting with Dina?

Had she given up her own dignity?

It had to be said, Dina was quite manipulative and knew how to brainwash people.

"You teamed up with her, she got her son back, but what did you get?" Shane asked her.

Lydia thought carefully. She had gained nothing and only made Shane hate her more. His earlier action of shaking her off was proof enough.

You only despise someone's touch when you truly loathe them, right?

"What did I get?" she asked herself, "I got nothing."

She used to rely on her looks and innocence...

But now, what did she have left?

This partnership had left her with nothing, and she had lost the most important thing!

Would she never be able to win Shane back?

"She left you with nothing. If you want revenge, I can help you. If not, take this money and find a place where no one knows you," Shane said before stepping out of the hospital room.

Lydia hesitated for a moment, deep in thought, before she ran up and grabbed the hem of Shane's shirt. "I want revenge!" she declared.

Shane turned his cold gaze back at her.

Startled, she immediately let go of his wrist.

Shane softened his stern expression and said, "I'll let you stay in the company."

"Really?" Lydia couldn't believe it; it was such a surprise.

"If Dina asks about you..."

"I understand." Lydia's mind seemed to clear up instantly. "If she asks how you treat me, I'll say you treat me well."

Shane gave a slight nod.

"How can I get my revenge?" Lydia asked.

"First, gain her trust. I'll teach you how to get your revenge step by step."

"Really?" Lydia asked, her voice carefree.

Shane confirmed it.

She felt happy, even momentarily forgetting everything that had happened today.

Henry, standing nearby, lowered his eyes slightly. He could see it clearly now—Shane was planning to use Lydia against Dina.

He had to admit, Shane's move was a brilliant counterattack!

"Take good care of yourself," Shane said before leaving the hospital room.

Henry followed behind him and asked quietly, "She saved your life once. Isn't it a bit wrong to use her like this?"

Shane turned his head and sneered coldly, "She teamed up with Dina. Do you think she deserves my protection?"

Henry replied, "Wasn't it because she was too naive? She got manipulated and used."

Used by Dina, she ended up losing everything.

What's the difference between her and a fool?

"Yeah, she ruined the image I had of her." Shane got into the car.

Henry didn't catch that, "President Robinson, what did you say?"

"Nothing."

Shane's tone was indifferent, clearly not wanting to continue the conversation.

Henry didn't dare to press further.

To Henry, Shane's actions were simply because he didn't like her. Even if she had saved his life, he didn't show much compassion.

Having been by Shane's side for so long, Henry was used to his cold demeanor.

...

After meeting with Principal Lopez, Callie headed to the company. Most of the company's affairs were handled by Myron. Since the last incident was resolved, the employees were behaving themselves, not daring to cause trouble.

Maybe if Myron kept himself busy, he wouldn't dwell on thoughts of Gianna.

After some thought, she made up her mind. She went home, gathered all the necessary documents, and had a lawyer draft an agreement.

She then headed to the hospital.

"Sis, why are you here again? Are you worried about me? I'm really fine," Myron said, a bit surprised to see her.

Callie Norris glanced at the table. The food on it was untouched. She walked over and started cleaning up. "It's all cold now, can't eat it anymore."

After tidying up the table, she asked, "What do you want to eat? I'll go get it for you."

Myron thought for a moment and said, "I want some dumplings."

"Alright, I'll get them for you." Callie ran quite a distance to buy dumplings from a highly-rated place she found online.

Myron took a bite and said, "Delicious."

Callie watched him, knowing his calm demeanor was just a facade. She said, "If you want to cry, just cry."

Myron stuffed dumplings into his mouth without saying a word, and he didn't cry.

Callie took out the documents. "Finish eating and take a look at these. If everything's fine, just sign them."

Myron was taken aback. He suddenly looked up, his pupils dilating with a hint of surprise. He glanced at the agreement. "This..."

"Dad always intended to hand the company over to you. He didn't do it directly because he was worried you might not manage it well, given your lack of experience. I've been to the company, and I know you have the ability. So, I'm handing it over to you now. Leif is still young, and I need to take care of him. I don't have the time to manage the company, and besides, you know I'm not interested in it. My dream is to be a good doctor."

She said all this to let Myron know that she had no intention of coveting the company. Once she handed it over to him, she wouldn't interfere anymore.

Myron, however, didn't feel happy about taking over the company. Instead, a hint of suspicion crept into his mind.

Why was she handing over the company to him at this moment?

Could it be that she knew Shane was behind his mother's death, and she was giving him the company now to appease him?

"Sis, I'm still young. Dad entrusted it to you, so you should continue managing it," he said, continuing to eat his dumplings.

Callie knew how much he desired the company. Why was he refusing now?

"Myron, I did have conflicts with your mom, but she's gone now. Let's consider the past settled. Even though we don't share the same mother, we have the same father. We are family by blood, and from now on, I'll be your family."

"I've always considered you my family," Myron replied.

Callie patted his shoulder. "Since you see me as family, then sign the papers."

"Alright." Myron picked up the transfer agreement but realized he didn't have a pen. Callie stood up and said, "I'll go ask the nurse for one."

She borrowed a pen, and Myron signed the document.

"Sis, if both your man and I were in danger at the same time, who would you save?" Myron asked, looking at Callie with utmost seriousness.

Callie was taken aback by the question.

Especially the phrase "your man" made her feel a bit embarrassed.

"You and him wouldn't be in danger at the same time. Besides, if both of you big guys were in trouble, I probably wouldn't be able to save either of you," Callie said with a laugh.

But Myron didn't give up. "I'm just using an example. If Shane and I were both in danger, and you could only save one of us, who would you choose?"

This was indeed a tough question for her. After all, Shane was her lover, and they had a child together. She couldn't easily give him up.

She wanted to spend her life with him.

But Myron was her blood relative, her family.

She didn't want to give up on either of them.

"What's gotten into you today..."

"Sis, answer me," he insisted, emphasizing the word "sis."

Callie tried to lighten the mood with a joke. "If you both were in danger at the same time, I wouldn't save either of you. You'd have to fend for yourselves."

Myron felt a bit disappointed inside.

"I'm your brother," Myron said with a smile.

Callie chuckled, "Yes, you are my brother."

She pretended not to catch the deeper meaning behind his words.

"I'll take this," Myron said, looking at the item in his hand.

"It was yours to begin with," Callie replied.

After exchanging a few more words, Callie left the hospital.

She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with Myron. Her mind kept drifting back to him as she sat in her car, her thoughts scattered.

Was Myron trying to make her choose something just now?

She thought it over and dismissed the idea. Myron and Shane weren't that close.

There shouldn't be anything between them.

Surely, Myron wouldn't need to test her, right?

Was she just over thinking everything?

Ding—

Her phone chimed with a notification.

She picked it up and casually opened it, only to find a photo staring back at her!

The person in the photo was Shane.

Of course, he wasn't alone. There was also a woman.

Lydia.

They were standing at the doorway of a hospital room, with Lydia clutching the hem of Shane's shirt.

He was looking back over his shoulder.

From the photo, she couldn't see Shane's expression.

Her first reaction wasn't anger or rage.

After all, the fact that she received this photo meant one thing for sure: someone wanted her to see it.

It was easy to guess the purpose behind it.

It was meant to create a misunderstanding between her and Shane.

So, she wouldn't jump to conclusions.

She needed to hear Shane's explanation.

She pressed the power button, and the phone screen went black.

She turned her head to look out the window, her thoughts sinking deeper.

Her mind was filled with the photo, pushing Myron's matters to the back of her mind.

Rationally, she knew this was a deliberate act by someone.

But emotionally, she couldn't help but feel a bit worried. After all, Lydia was indeed quite attractive. What did it mean that she was holding onto Shane's shirt?

Soon, she returned home.

Mrs. Ford was in the living room holding Leif, who was awake. Callie walked in, washed her hands, and took the baby in her arms.

Leif seemed to instinctively know she was his mother, snuggling his soft little head into the crook of her neck.

Callie felt her heart almost melt!

She bent down to kiss her son's cheek and forehead, feeling a warm glow inside.

Life truly is a miracle.

Leif played for a long time, but eventually got hungry. As he drank his milk, he slowly drifted off to sleep.

Callie gently laid him down.

When it was time for dinner, she headed to the kitchen where Mrs. Ford was already present.

"Don't come in," Mrs. Ford said. "I can handle it myself."

Callie smiled and replied, "Today, I want to cook personally."

Then she added, "Shane might come back later."

Mrs. Ford, being very perceptive, immediately understood that Callie wanted to cook for Shane herself. She quickly said, "I'll help you with the prep."

"I'll handle it myself," Callie insisted.

"Then I'll go and gather the laundry," Mrs. Ford said as she left the kitchen.

About an hour later, Callie finished preparing the meal.

It was just about time to eat.

As she served the last dish, Shane still hadn't returned. She pulled out her phone, intending to call him to ask when he'd be back. Just as she hesitated, the doorbell rang.

She walked out and saw Shane entering the door.

He was still wearing the same suit, the one Lydia had grabbed onto.

She beamed, "You're back."

Shane looked over at her. She had her hair simply tied back in a ponytail, wore a white T-shirt and blue straight-leg jeans, with an apron tied around her slender waist. This simple, unadorned look was breathtaking in his eyes.

The warmth of daily life filled what was once a cold house.

He responded with a soft "Hmm."

"Go wash your hands and come eat," Callie said before returning to the kitchen to bring the dishes to the table. She set the table as Shane walked over.

Callie pulled out a chair and sat down in the seat next to him.

She opened a bottle of wine and poured him a glass.

Shane raised an eyebrow, "Is there something to celebrate?"

Callie shook her head, "I just wanted to share a drink with you."

Shane looked at her, thinking how beautiful she always seemed. He took the bottle from her, "Let me pour for you."

Callie bit her lip and said, "My mom mentioned that there aren't any good dates for the wedding soon. I was thinking, with everything going on lately, maybe we should postpone it. We can wait until things settle down. There's no rush."

Shane paused for a moment before saying, "Alright."

Indeed, it wasn't the right time for a wedding, but they were already living like a married couple.

He took Callie's hand that was resting on the table. "Whatever you like, I'll make sure you get it."

Callie chuckled and teased, "Don't worry, I'll make sure to milk you for all you're worth."

Then, she changed the subject, pretending to ask casually, "Where did you go today?"

"Just some stuff at the office." Shane rarely had Callie inquire about his whereabouts, so he smiled. "Why? Are you worried about me?"

Callie responded, "Of course I am. I'm afraid you might be seeing another woman."

Shane laughed, his voice deep and rich with amusement.

Callie glared at him. "What's so funny? Why are you laughing?"

"I just like you," he said.

Callie was momentarily speechless. "..."

"I handed the Norris Family business over to Myron. With Gianna gone, he's all alone now. I gave him the company hoping it would be a mental anchor for him. If he stays busy, maybe he won't feel the sadness as much," she explained.

She felt it was necessary to tell Shane that since they had decided to live together, they should integrate into each other's lives.

No secrets, no lies!

Shane put down his chopsticks and said, "Myron, he didn't go to the hospital because of Lydia. The message I received was deliberately sent to me to make me appear at Gianna's death scene. I thought about it, and their goal was to make people think I was Gianna's killer. When you met Myron, did he say anything to you?"

Callie suddenly understood. So Myron's unusual behavior today was because he thought Gianna's death was Shane's fault?

That's why he asked, 'If Shane and I were both in danger, who would you save?'

"I'll find a chance to explain it to him, or else he'll continue to resent you." Callie felt much clearer now, at least knowing why Myron was acting strange.

Wait—

She still had something important to ask.

Resting her chin on her hand, she looked at Shane and asked slowly, "Did you see any women today?"

Shane's sharp eyes lifted to meet hers. "What do you want to ask?"

Callie smiled. "Oh, just making conversation."

She casually fiddled with the phone on the table.

She didn't bring up the photos, hoping Shane would come clean on his own.

She had been pretty straightforward; Shane should get the hint,

right?

Shane did notice something was off. She was testing him.

"Hmm."

"Who?" Callie asked instinctively.

"Damian's mother."

Callie felt deflated in an instant.

That wasn't what she wanted to know.

But in Shane's mind, Lydia's reappearance was all because of Dina.

And given the dirty business that had happened, he didn't want to bring it up.

If he didn't intend to use Lydia, he would have sent her away long ago.

Maybe he really was that cold-hearted, being so unfeeling even towards his savior!

Callie was filled with disappointment.

But she didn't press further.

After dinner, she cleaned up the dishes.

Leif woke up, and Shane went to check on his son, not noticing Callie's troubled emotions. Callie decided to investigate on her own.

While Shane was taking a shower, she told him that Caitlin had called and she needed to go back for a while. Shane didn't think much of it; after all, he couldn't stop her from visiting her mother. "Let the driver take you," he said.

Callie agreed.

Using the information from the photo, she identified the hospital. Fortunately, the photo contained plenty of details, making it easy to pinpoint the location.

Upon arriving at the hospital, she found the room.

Lydia hadn't been discharged yet.

Instead of going directly to see Lydia, Callie sought out the doctor who had examined her. Since Callie was a former doctor herself, she had some connections. She quickly found the doctor who had conducted Lydia's examination. Coincidentally, they knew each other from before.

Luckily, they were acquainted; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to get the medical records.

"Here you go, but you can't disclose any of this information. You know the hospital rules—patient confidentiality," the doctor warned.

Callie nodded. "I know, don't worry. I'll just take a look and won't say a word."

She opened the examination records and as she read through the test results, her face gradually darkened.