Chapter 426: Chapter 426

It’s the engagement ring he bought for her, which she usually wears every day.

The scene of him putting the ring on her hand replayed in his mind, her appearance and smile vividly clear in his mind.

Yet she returned everything to him, cutting it off completely... Discover more novels at novel·fiɾe·net

"Simon?" a woman’s voice called his name from behind.

Shannon Quinn turned her head to see Anna Ward.

When Anna Ward saw the girl sitting next to Simon Rhodes was Shannon Quinn, the trace of hostility in her eyes turned into a smile: "Oh, it’s Shannon."

Shannon Quinn also smiled and nodded in greeting.

Anna Ward walked over, glanced at the wine glass in front of Simon Rhodes, furrowed her brows, and said, "Didn’t Grandpa say you’re not well? Why are you here drinking again?"

Shannon Quinn suddenly felt like a third wheel. Thinking that her task was done, she felt regret for Simon Rhodes and Susan Wilde, but ultimately it was their choice.

Shannon Quinn stood up and said, "Nancy, maybe you should talk to him. I’ll head back first."

Anna Ward nodded, maintaining a polite demeanor.

Though in Shannon Quinn’s heart, no one could compare to Susan Wilde, but if it was about settling down, perhaps Anna Ward would be a good choice.

It depended on what Simon Rhodes thought.

After Shannon Quinn left, Anna Ward sat down next to Simon Rhodes.

She noticed the pink silk pouch in his hand, a color that didn’t match his style, clearly belonging to a girl.

Simon Rhodes slipped the pouch into his suit’s inner pocket, glanced at Anna Ward without much interest, then turned back to reach for the wine glass.

Just before he could touch the glass, a slender hand with red plum nail polish took it away: "Don’t drink."

Simon Rhodes didn’t try to snatch back the glass, nor did he give Anna Ward a look, only chuckling self-deprecatingly.

Anna Ward spoke up: "I understand how you feel now. I know about what happened with her from the news. I know you love her, so I don’t intend to replace her in your heart; I just hate seeing you torture yourself . This isn’t the Simon Rhodes I know."

Simon Rhodes chuckled, "Don’t think you know me that well."

Anna Ward lowered her gaze, "But no one wants to see you , not even her."

Simon Rhodes remained silent, not expecting himself to become so despondent.

Before meeting Susan Wilde, he’d never thought he’d be troubled by love.

"Simon, pull yourself together, your health can’t take it."

Simon Rhodes: "You should go, I know what I’m doing."

Anna Ward didn’t speak, but she didn’t get up either.

Simon Rhodes leaned back on the sofa for a couple of seconds, then stood up and walked out without a word to Anna Ward.

When Anna Ward picked up her bag to leave, she noticed his phone left on the table.

She opened her mouth but didn’t call out to him.

Reaching out, she picked up the phone, pressing the unlock button on the side.

The phone screen lit up, displaying the lock screen.

Staring at the flower-like smile of the girl in the picture, Anna Ward was momentarily stunned.

The photo seemed taken at home, the girl wearing a broad man’s shirt, reaching out to grab the phone playfully.

The scene captured like a candid shot of the two laughing and playing.

The photo alone conveyed how happy and joyful they were together.

The phone was password-protected, so Anna Ward locked it again before catching up with him.

Seeing Simon Rhodes by his car, Anna rushed over and stopped him from opening the door: "You’ve been drinking; let me drive."

Simon Rhodes declined: "I called a driver."

Anna Ward was slightly taken aback and let go, watching as Simon Rhodes merely opened the car door and retrieved an unopened pack of cigarettes from the driver’s seat, lighting one by the car.

Anna Ward glanced at him, approached, and handed him the phone: "You forgot your phone."

Simon Rhodes looked down, took the phone, and slipped it into his pocket, murmuring, "Thanks."

Anna Ward pressed her lips together into a smile and asked, "Where are you headed?"

Simon Rhodes turned to look at her, bluntly saying, "Go do your own thing, don’t follow me."

Anna Ward: "I was just asking, I didn’t mean to follow you here. I was just passing by, saw your car outside, so I went in to see."

Simon Rhodes didn’t reply, waiting for his driver to arrive before driving off.

Anna Ward didn’t follow. She knew well men despise women who cling.

As long as he still hadn’t let go of Susan Wilde, forcing herself into his life would only stir his resentment.

Sitting in the car, unsure where to go, Simon Rhodes received a call from Shawn Rhodes.

It was the first time Shawn contacted him since the incident.

When the news spread, Laura was just giving birth, and Shawn had been by her side all this while.

He hadn’t responded to the news online.

Shawn asked to meet at the billiard room.

It was probably because of Susan Wilde that Shawn had changed, grown mature.

The old Shawn would never seek him out.

In the pool room, Shawn didn’t immediately speak to Simon Rhodes when they met.

Instead, he played a game of pool with Simon, which Simon won.

"Again." Shawn seemed a bit unwilling, but the brazenness had faded away.

To be precise, he was more wrestling with his own issues than with Simon Rhodes.

As Shawn broke the balls, Simon Rhodes asked first: "You became a dad?"

Shawn didn’t answer right away, straightening, aligning the cue, and delivering a strong hit, failing to pocket anything.

Standing and wiping his hands dry, he finally replied: "Yeah."

Simon Rhodes observed as he prepared his shot, asking: "Boy or girl?"

Simon Rhodes: "Congratulations."

Shawn chuckled: "Do you think we’re friends now?"

Simon Rhodes scored a point, looked up, saying: "I’m your uncle."

Shawn: "I really didn’t expect one day I’d be playing pool with you. You have no idea how much I used to hate you."

As Simon Rhodes pocketed another ball, he asked: "Then why the change?"

Shawn lowered his gaze, paused, then murmured as if to himself: "Because of her, maybe."

This made Simon Rhodes’ hand holding the cue stiffen, before he continued to play.

As he pocketed another ball, Shawn placed his cue on the table: "Not playing anymore, it’s dull."

Shawn sat on a chair nearby, downing a glass of water in one gulp.

Simon Rhodes set down his cue, sat beside him, and asked, "You liked her too, didn’t you?"