Chapter 494: Chapter 494



“Chris, I’m assisting you in attaining what you’ve always desired.”

“I’m not leaving!” Chris threw all the documents back onto the desk. “I want to remain here and care for Ryland! I’m not going anywhere!”

Wade attempted to reason with him.

“Chris, remaining with us makes you too noticeable, an easy target. I’ve mentioned this before: it would be wise for you to avoid ever appearing before me and Ryland again.”

How could Chris fail to grasp Wade’s benevolent intentions? Wade was meticulously planning for a future where, should anything untoward occur, Chris would at least have the freedom to navigate life.

“Wade, I cannot fathom the thought of leaving you both behind.”

Wade left no room for negotiation.

“You are leaving at the break of dawn tomorrow. Ryland is growing up, and it is no longer appropriate for you to be in his vicinity.”

Some assert that memories formed before the age of three are often relegated to oblivion as one matures. Chris understood that from this moment on, Wade would assume the role of Ryland’s father, a title that would likely overshadow Chris’ own presence in the boy’s life.

Shawn and Katherine arrived at the hotel.

“I’m sorry, we only have one room left with a king-sized bed,” the receptionist said.

Katherine was utterly stunned, her disbelief palpable.

“This can’t be happening! Are there no other rooms available?”

The receptionist offered a regretful smile, but Katherine, still taken aback, couldn’t reciprocate the gesture.

Was she about to find herself sharing a room with Shawn tonight?

Before Katherine could even process the situation, Shawn had retrieved his identification card from the front desk.

“I’ll secure a different place to stay.”

He was aware of Katherine’s unease and found it unbearable to witness her distress.

“Where are you going?” Katherine called after him. On their way here, she had noticed that this was the only hotel in the vicinity.

Clenching her jaw, Katherine offered, “Very well, we’ll simply share the room!”

Shawn arched an eyebrow in surprise but chose to remain silent. He understood that any remark he made could be construed as him exploiting the circumstances.

The receptionist concluded their check-in procedure, and with the coveted room key in hand, Katherine and Shawn ascended the elevator.

The hallway lacked adequate soundproofing, allowing the faint murmur of a television from one room and the muffled sounds of intimacy from others to permeate the air.

Katherine and Shawn entered the room, and she felt an overwhelming urge to plunge into the bed and surrender to the embrace of slumber. Yet, with Shawn present, she felt compelled to maintain a semblance of decorum and politeness.

“Do you want the bed?” she offered.

“The bed is ample enough; I certainly had no intention of relegating myself to the couch,” Shawn teased, loosening his tie.

His words sent Katherine’s mind into a frenzy, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. In that moment, she wished she could unleash a cannon upon Shawn to silence his playful banter.

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