Chapter 18
In a mansion located on the outskirts of Bradfort City, the black velvet curtains were drawn wide, allowing the moonlight to spill through the French windows. From the windows, the cityscape below could be seen in all its glittering opulence—an ever-bustling metropolis that seemed so far removed from the calm of this mansion. Elsie adored this place. Ever since Sean had brought her here once, she had insisted on meeting him here each time.
Sean, having just gotten up from Elsie’s side, casually threw on a bathrobe before sitting at the edge of the bed. Soon, the room was thick with cigarette smoke. The cool moonlight bathed his indifferent face, and the only sound in the room was the occasional puff of the cigarette. Elsie, still half-awake, coughed from the smoke. She rolled over and nestled back into his arms, her gaze fixed on the man sitting before her.
“Something on your mind, Sean?” she asked, her voice soft but direct. Since they’d arrived, Sean had barely spoken to her except for the brief moments they were in bed together. His cold demeanor had made it clear that something was troubling him.
Sean looked at her, his face unreadable, his eyes filled with tension. He seemed lost in thought, and for a moment, Elsie could almost see the distant memory of another pair of eyes staring back at him through her own.
He took another long drag from his cigarette, his gaze distant as he exhaled the smoke. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and edged with coldness. “Don’t go looking for trouble with Myra in the future.”
Elsie froze, her mind racing to process his words. She blinked in disbelief, unsure if she had heard him correctly. But when she saw the coldness in his expression, a flash of jealousy sparked in her eyes. Her voice wavered, tinged with hurt, “Sean… you’ve misunderstood me. Yes, I was angry that Myra took all the credit for the Sunny Bay Project. I couldn’t help but confront her. You know I’m involved in the project too. But who would’ve thought Myra would act this way? I—”
Before she could continue, Sean interrupted her, his frown deepening. “You’re involved in the project? Have you contributed to the planning or the design draft?”
The impatience in his tone only made Elsie more flustered. Her eyes welled up as she rushed over to him, her arms wrapping around his waist. “I didn’t have much time to focus on the project because I’ve been with you. But it’s all for you! Even if I didn’t help with the design, I’ve kept up with the progress…” Her voice quivered as tears began to well up, the vulnerability clear in her eyes.
Sean’s gaze softened for a moment, but his expression remained stern. He pulled her arms off of him, stepping back. “In the future, don’t come looking for me anymore. Since you like this place so much, I’ll give it to you.”