chapter 256

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Chapter 256

Zachary emerged from the bathroom only after he heard Shawn’s footsteps fade into the distance.

He felt grateful for two things at that moment: first, for Nana inviting him over, and second, for setting aside his pride and accepting her offer. If he hadn’t, Shawn would have had the opportunity to be alone with Serenity.

Shawn left the bookshop, got into his car, and drove away. However, just as he reached a junction, he stopped and called Serenity.

Serenity answered the call promptly.

“What’s up, Shawn?”

“Serenity, are you free later? Around 7:30 PM?”

“Why?”

Instead of confirming her availability, Serenity directly asked him the reason for his request.

Shawn hesitated before replying, “I need to attend a business reception at Wiltspoon Hotel shortly. I require a female companion, and since I don’t have a girlfriend, I was hoping you could accompany me.”

“Ask Jasmine to go with you. I’m not free; my husband is still waiting for me in the bookshop to have dinner,” Serenity declined his invitation without hesitation.

She regarded Shawn as a younger brother, but Zachary misinterpreted her intentions, believing she saw Shawn as a backup partner.

Although that was not her intention, she aimed to minimize any chance of being alone with Shawn, ideally avoiding it altogether.

In fact, the last time she treated Shawn to a meal, Jasmine was also present. They weren’t alone, but Zachary still misjudged the situation and thought she was cheating on him with Shawn, which really angered her.

Why did Zachary perceive her as someone eager to find her next partner?

Shawn felt uncomfortable in

His heart sank upon hearing Serenity mention her husband, but he concealed his feelings and continued to plead. “Serenity, are you really planning to have dinner all the way until seven o’clock tonight? Please help me out. Jas always has something going on in the evenings and can’t assist me with this.”

“Do you really need a female companion? I don’t take until 7 pm to finish my dinner, but I still have to keep an eye on the shop. Besides, I’m married. Shawn, I’ve always viewed you as my younger brother, but others don’t see us as blood relatives.”

“If I were to accompany you to this business reception, what would people think of us?”

Shawn recognized that Serenity did not regard him as a man but only as a younger brother. However, hearing her state it outright still stung; it underscored her perception of him.

If only he had known earlier that Serenity needed a man to enter into a shotgun marriage, he would have gladly stepped in to help her. Unfortunately, that opportunity didn’t exist.

Serenity was likely put off by their age difference, as he was three years younger. She had never considered him a viable option and would prefer to marry a stranger than entertain the thought of him!

Shawn understood this in his heart but still couldn’t help but hold onto a glimmer of hope. Jas had mentioned that Serenity and her husband had signed an agreement to divorce after six months. Once she was free, he would definitely confess his feelings to her.

“Serenity, that’s just what they think. Who cares about their opinions? Our consciences are clear.”

Serenity paused for a moment before replying with complete honesty, “Shawn, my husband is quite sensitive about me spending time alone with other men.”

While Shawn might have genuinely been seeking a female companion without ulterior motives, Serenity needed to make it clear to him that…

She was now a married woman! Serenity had begun to pay attention to her proximity to men after arguing with Zachary. Their cold war hadn’t really resolved, so they couldn’t be considered to have made up at this moment. Shawn was left speechless.

“Shawn, I’m going to start driving, so I’ll hang up now. If you really need someone to accompany you, ask Jas. What does she have planned tonight? Isn’t it just watching dramas? If you mention it to her, she’d definitely help you out,” she said.

Jasmine Sox was, in fact, quite the hermit. At night, she loved staying home, watching dramas and reading novels on her phone. Serenity then hung up the call.