Some would frame their family in the face of interests. How ironic!

Yet, once their interests were threatened, they could take some extreme actions unwisely without figuring out the true cause

After all this time working for him, did he really not know who she was? Why did he suddenly see her as such an ignoble woman? He didn’t even give her a chance to explain but chase her away immediately!

Yes, she wanted to leave, but not like this. Being forced out felt utterly unjust.

Shannon took a deep breath, forcing herself not to think about it, and then stepped up to the hospital.

She wanted to return to Bellview City with her mother. There was no one left to care for her here.

When she arrived at the hospital, she went to her mother’s ward straightaway.

Unexpectedly, a medical staff blocked her path,

“Ms. Hazel has instructed that you are not allowed to visit her. I’m sorry, but I must ask you to leave.”

Shannon's heart sank, disappointment washing over her yet again. She gazed toward her mother's ward, her voice tinged with distress, “But I am her daughter. I need to know how she’s doing.”

“But she doesn’t want to see you. There is nothing we can do about it.”

The medical staff’s words were like a knife piercing into her heart, which made it quietly “bleed”.

This time, her mother had hurt Shannon deeply. She often scolded her but never before had she outright refused to see her. Now, being barred from the ward felt like the final blow. Was her mother truly cutting ties with her?

Shannon clutched her chest and leaned against the wall, tilting her head back as she forced herself to swallow the tears threatening to spill.

It seemed Hazel would forever hold the death of her husband and Sienna's injuries against her. Was there no hope for forgiveness?

“Shanny, I know you are going back to Bellview City, because you have nowhere to go now.” Sienna interrupted her sorrow.

Shannon straightened up, her eyes locking onto Sienna. “Made a lot of money for selling those photos, didn’t you?”

Sienna smiled as she moved closer, her arms crossed smugly, “Not too much, but more than enough to buy a house. I’m gonna buy a new house for our mother to recover. After that, I would be working for Ethan. Unlike you, who worked for Ethan for so long and earned plenty of money, only to waste it without a thought for our mother...”

“Sienna, are you sure you can really help our mother settle down?” Shannon interrupted, subtly pressing a recording button behind herself.

Sienna had sold the photos to the media and then framed Shannon for it. Afterward, she played the innocent victim, “clarifying” the situation in public to gain Ethan’s trust and appreciation. In the end, Sienna not only profited from the sale but also positioned herself favorably with Ethan. She was far more cunning than Shannon had ever imagined.

Shannon, however, couldn’t bring herself to be as ruthless as her sister.

Sienna said arrogantly, “Of course, I will soon get the favor of Ethan. By that time, there will be a substantial amount of money in my pocket. I can surely take good care of our mother with it. So, you’d better go to Bellview City by yourself. Fairburg belongs to me.”

“Well, I hope that you can make it as you said.”

“Mind your own business. I can take care of our mother just fine. You’d better leave right away, or are you staying here so that you would be chased by all? Shannon, don’t feel aggrieved! Yes, I wronged you, so what? You owe me that!” Sienna looked at Shannon ferociously, “Unlike you, I will not marry a man casually and have his children. I can’t have my own baby, so I’ll be alone for the rest of my life. That’s why I need more money, to patch up this broken existence. It’s all your fault! You ruined my life, and you killed our dad!"

Shannon’s heart ached as she stared at Sienna with deep sorrow. Without a word, she pressed the "delete" button, erasing the damning recording of Sienna's confession. A bitter smile curled on her lips. "I never realized how much you and Mom hate me. Fine, I’ll leave. If my presence is that unbearable, you won’t ever have to see me again."

She had originally intended to record Sienna’s words as proof of her innocence, but in the end, she deleted the evidence.

After leaving the hospital, she made her way to the customs in the south part of Fairburg. Then she bought a cheap ticket to board back to Bellview City...

---

Ethan went to the study room alone and locked himself inside it. He stood beside the purple curtain and looked at the blooming violets outside the window.

As he focused on the delicate petals, Shannon’s face seemed to appear before him.

Ethan’s face fell and his grip on the goblet tightened.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. He quickly composed himself, turning toward the sound. He walked over to the rocking chair by the desk and settled into it. “Come in,” he called out.

Ethan answered the knock hoarsely, sounding like his throat was burned in fire.

His assistant Ken walked in. Seeing his gaunt face, Ken frowned, “Sir, Mr. Lance called and asked you to record a song in his place.”

“Tell him I’m busy now and I’ll be there tomorrow.” Ethan took a sip of the wine.

Seeing this, Ken immediately rushed forward to persuade him, “Sir, please drink less and take care of your throat.”

Ethan smiled self-mockingly, “Ken, am I just a ready source of money for all of you?”

Ken’s turned pale immediately in panic, “It is my great honor to work for you. I am just worried about your health. Drinking too much does harm to your throat.”

Ethan poured another glass of wine and wore a lopsided smile, “Everyone takes advantage of me and deceive me. If you want money, you can simply tell me. Why do you lie to me? I hate these intrigues. I hate those racking their brains for money. That’s why I like getting along with children. They are innocent and pure...”

He finished the drink with one gulp. Then he crushed the goblet with a firm squeeze.

Suddenly, his hand was scratched and bled.

Ken was scared and wanted to call Cora instantly.

Ethan stopped him. He held his blue-veined hand and said, “I can solve it by myself. Don’t make a fuss about it.”

Ken bound up the wound for Ethan. He sadly looked at Ethan who was in a low spirit, “Sir, I can call her back. Please don’t hurt yourself.”

Even if Shannon was hypocritical and unscrupulous, she after all could meet Ethan’s physical needs.

Ken worked for Ethan for more than five years and witnessed his unsatisfactory marriage. Ethan didn’t get any physical pleasure except for the two weeks he planned a family with Dayle.

Ethan was too good-natured and introverted to say these privacy things. However, Ken knew all of these affairs. Ethan was popular for decades and captured the hearts of countless girls. But in the end, he was the loneliest one. Those who were not familiar with him might think that he had countless lovers. But Ken knew clearly that he was extremely self-disciplined. He respected the spiritual love rather than the physical love.

Moreover, he never allowed himself to do something that would damage his image.

“Ken,” Ethan calmed down, “I don’t need her. I don’t need anybody. Just go and tell Lance that I will get to his place right now.”

He got up and walked slowly to put on his coat and left the study room.

When he was out of the study room, Ramon who stood outside didn’t take cues from his face and asked him directly, “Sir, where do we store the clothes bought from Modopolis last time?”

Ethan answered unemotionally, “Give them to the fans.”

After he said it, he went to Wesley and Nancy’s bedroom. Before he left, he wanted to be with his kids for a while.

Ramon scratched his head with confusion, “Those latest styles are so beautiful and popular this year. Didn’t he said that he would give them to Shannon...”

“Stop it! Don’t mention that name again! Didn’t you see that Mr. Yates was in a low spirit? Just follow what he said and send them to the fans.” Ken gave him a slight rebuke.

He was the only one who knew that Ethan bought those clothes, and prepared to send them to Shannon.

---

Standing at the end of the cruise linear, Shannon looked in the direction of Fairburg.

The sea breeze blew on her face and the coldness poured down her neck. She felt bitterly cold.

Depressed, she crossed her arms.

Taking a deep breath, Shannon decided that she would never be back.

The past was just like a dream. She must return to reality from it.

Shannon had made a plan. After she returned to Bellview City, she would learn her favorite costume design.

She walked into the cabin, sat down at her seat and opened the costume design book.

This book covered a lot of detailed explanations on design, which benefited her a lot. And she became more and more interested in the fashion design because of it.

The book was given by Ethan...

And the signature was still on it as well.

Shannon couldn’t help once again thinking of Ethan. Staring at the book, she was in a daze.

She thought of his smile, his elegance, his kindness...

Suddenly, a fragrant aroma filled in the air, leaving her dazed. She instinctively pressed her forehead and shook her head several times, trying to clear her mind, but her efforts were in vain. The more she shook her head, the dizzier she became.

Gradually, her consciousness began to fade. Struggling to stay upright, she stumbled and fell into the arms of a man.

He was dressed in a black mask and hat, and he caught Shannon effortlessly. Quickly scanning the surroundings to ensure no one was watching, he lifted the unconscious Shannon and made his way out of the cabin...

Shannon could hear the cacophony around her, punctuated by the driving rhythm of heavy metal music. Intermixed with the music were the raucous sounds of laughter, whistling, and the occasional scream from women.

She frowned, her head pounding with a splitting headache.

Desperately, she attempted to open her eyes, but it was futile.

“Look at this girl; she’s got a full figure. What do you think it feels like to touch her?” one man taunted.

“Try it, and you’ll find out!” came the smug reply.

Shannon felt the rough grip of someone restraining her, as if she were bound.

She squirmed, trying to break free from the man's hold.

“Such a tease! Just a simple touch and you’ve got her all worked up!” The man’s voice faded into loud laughter.

Shannon was scared and opened her eyes with all her strength. A man wearing a burgundy tight-fitting shirt showed up before her eyes. He was strong and muscular. His eyes were filled with a sense of greed and filthiness. She supported her hands promptly and kept retreating.

She looked around warily.

Men and women were extremely dissolute and entangled together. They were outrageous and extravagant.

The scene was repulsive, a spectacle that made her stomach churn. Shannon was scared and couldn’t help struggling to get free. However, the moment she tried to stand up, her sheer top was torn away.

“Aha! Looks like this woman doesn’t want to cooperate!” the man sneered, yanking her hair and dragging her roughly onto the sofa.

Then, another man held her firmly and controlled her. He held a glass of wine and forced it into her mouth.

Shannon was choked to cough all along. However, the two men did not have the slightest pity to cherish her. Instead, they tortured her for fun. They laughed frivolously while pouring more wine into her mouth.

“Don’t play tricks here! I’m not here to waste money on games with you!” the man in a burgundy shirt shoving her down to her kneels. He unbuckled his belt, “You’re here to please me.”

Shannon shook her head violently, her desperation mounting, “I’m not... Please, let me go!”