Chapter 309: Chapter 309

During dinner, Shawn Rhodes was naturally seated next to Susan Wilde, but after sitting down, he suddenly stood up and said to Simon Rhodes, who was seated across from him, "Uncle, it seems like the dishes over here are more sumptuous. Why don’t we switch places? I also have something I’d like to discuss with you."

Susan Wilde, seated nearby, didn’t say a word. She glanced at Shawn Rhodes, uncertain of his intentions.

Even Shawn’s father seemed unable to tolerate his antics, scolding him, "Sit down!"

Simon Rhodes, however, stood up and agreed, "Alright."

The two swapped places, and no one at the table seemed to notice anything amiss.

Shawn simply wanted to see if the two of them would exchange any secretive glances right under his nose. He was deliberately creating an opportunity to observe if Susan Wilde had any affection for Simon Rhodes.

At the dinner, most of the conversation was among the elders, with the others talking quietly to those beside them.

Susan Wilde remained silent throughout the meal, not daring even to glance at Simon Rhodes seated beside her.

Simon Rhodes was on her left, while on her right was an unfamiliar middle-aged woman who seemed to have a good relationship with Mrs. Rhodes, as they were constantly chatting.

As she ate, someone suddenly grabbed her left hand under the table. She instantly felt electrified, her spine stiffening, as she looked up to see Shawn Rhodes staring at her, leaving her too afraid to glance towards Simon Rhodes.

She tried to pull her hand away, but that large hand held hers tightly. She then felt a slightly cool metal object encircle her ring finger.

At that moment, she felt her breath halt for half a second. Just then, Mrs. Rhodes suddenly offered her some food, "Skylar, eat more meat. Look at you, so skinny."

Susan Wilde forced a stiff smile, her voice slightly unnatural as she replied, "Thank you, Mom."

Beneath the table, he released her hand and conversed naturally with Old Master Rhodes, as if nothing had happened.

Susan Wilde didn’t dare look down, but she could feel it was a ring. What a ring on the ring finger signified, anyone would know. She pretended to be calm, put down her chopsticks, reached under the table to remove the ring, wanting to return it to him, yet she was too afraid to stretch out her hand, simply clutching the ring nervously in her palm.

"Uncle, Skylar likes fish. Could you help her with some?" Shawn said with a grin, looking at them. Upon hearing this, Simon Rhodes obligingly picked a piece of fish for Susan Wilde.

Susan Wilde froze momentarily, slowly withdrew her right hand from under the table, and murmured, "...Thank you, Uncle. I can do it myself."

Simon Rhodes replied, "No problem. Just tell me if you want anything."

The ring in her palm felt as if it was radiating a scalding temperature. She wanted to return it to him but was afraid of being discovered.

After much thought, she placed the ring in her bag, planning to find an opportunity to return it after dinner.

Simon Rhodes was crazier than she imagined. Seated at the table were all members of the Rhodes Family, yet he dared to make such a move. The key point was that the only one frightened was Susan Wilde; he remained at ease the whole time, even when he was placing the ring on her finger, while chatting with another elder about work.

With the ring in her pocket, Susan Wilde’s heartbeat couldn’t calm down for a long time.

After the dinner ended, she constantly sought an opportunity to return it to him, but there were too many people, and he was always chatting with the elders, leaving no opportunity.

"Skylar, are you feeling unwell?" Shannon Quinn noticed her odd behavior and asked.

"Have you and Shawn made peace? I noticed he’s been different towards you tonight."

Susan Wilde smiled and said, "That’s just for show in front of people."

"And in private, he hasn’t bullied you?"

"No, we’re each living our own lives."

"Ah, I don’t even know how I can help you."

Susan Wilde smiled and said, "Don’t think of me as so pitiful. Life is still as it was before, and I even got five percent of the shares, isn’t that a win?"

"I’m just worried you’ll be bullied. It’s probably not too hard to deal with just Shawn, but the key issue is Rowan Alder; even if you don’t provoke her, she’ll find trouble."

"It’s fine, Iris’s acceptance letter has arrived. She’s confirmed to study here, so I’m planning to rent a place near her school, and move in and live with her."

Susan Wilde chuckled, "He’s probably eager for that."

"Mom, Skylar and I need to go back and pack, so we’ll leave first." Shawn found an excuse to leave, but Susan Wilde was still pondering the ring in her bag, having not found a chance to return it.

After changing shoes, Shawn saw Susan Wilde still standing there chatting with Shannon Quinn, so he called out to her, "What’s the matter? Can’t bear to leave?"

Susan Wilde had no choice but to bid farewell to Shannon Quinn and left first with Shawn.

In the car, he played music that matched the style Susan Wilde liked, and she heard several songs she also enjoyed listening to.

Overall, from the evening’s observation, Shawn didn’t notice anything suspicious about Susan Wilde and thus didn’t bother her. After returning, they each went to their respective rooms.

Locking her bedroom door from inside, Susan Wilde retrieved the ring from her bag and examined it in her palm. It was exactly the one from the picture he had sent her the other day.

The ring’s design was quite simple, but the details were intricate. She also noticed that her initials were engraved inside the ring.

If she were single, receiving such a thoughtful gift from a man, she would have probably been at least a little charmed.

However, she was now well aware of her status and clearly knew whom she should and shouldn’t associate with.

She found a drawstring pouch for jewelry in the drawer, placed the ring inside, and put it in her bag intending to find a chance to return it. But thinking about the upcoming trip with Shawn, fearing he’d discover it, she took the pouch out of the bag and stuffed it in the drawer.

Early the next morning, Mrs. Rhodes came over to help Susan Wilde check her luggage again, ever concerned.

Though Mrs. Rhodes was nagging and overly concerned with many matters, to Susan Wilde, she truly felt like her own mother.

Only in the matter of matchmaking her with Shawn, though knowing it came from kindness, Susan Wilde felt somewhat overwhelmed.

It was in the airport lounge, hearing Shawn’s phone call with Rowan Alder, that Susan Wilde learned his trip wasn’t for business but to meet Rowan Alder abroad.

Initially, she hadn’t expected to actually enjoy the trip harmoniously; she thought they’d just do their own things in the same place and head back when it was time to report.

But now, knowing Rowan Alder was involved, she felt the matter wouldn’t be easy to handle.