Chapter 23

Chapter 23 e didn’t respond.

On the way to the ampost, Samuel was visibly distracted. Sophia called his name several times, but he Sophia’s eyes dimmed. She said softly, “Sammel, let’s turn back. We don’t need to go to Newlandia amynioce.!!

Somuri finally reacted. “Why the sudden change of heart?

Sophia had long been plagued by nightmares, and the doctor said it was a mental affiction. To truly free herself from the torment, she needed to conqat her inner fear.

The reason Samuel was taking her to Newlandia this time was to visit the place where Sophia had been imprisoned for years.

He wanted to see the conditions she had endured and then destroy the place completely Sophia parve him a lain, forlorn smile that tugged at the heart. “Samuel, your mind isn’t here, and I don’t want to force you. I just want you to be happy.”

Samuel felt a sharp pang in his heart to blamed himself for being distracted by thoughts of Shirley, Feeling guilty, he pulled Sophia’s frail body into his arms. “Don’t overthink. Having you is enough for me. I won’t think about anyone else anymore.”

As for Shirley, he was resolved to make amends with her after he retamed The night before, Marley had thought long and hard about whether to inform Samuel about the situation with the Weiss family.

Ultimately, he decided to tell him. Helping or not would be Samuel’s choice.

However, when Marley called Samuel, he was already on the plane, and his phone was turned off.

Little did Samuel know that as he was hearing to the airport with Sophia, Shirley was speeding toward city hall.

When he returned a week later from Newlandia, Shirley was already married to Benjamin. Het once–flowing locks had been styled up for another man.

Later, every time Samuel thought of that gorning, his heart would ache as if it were being torn apart. The bitterness Shirley never wanted him to experience was something he had fed to himself with his own handh When be stored over to Brook, demanding an explanation, Brook simply told him one sentence. You reap what you sow.”

At this moment, Shirley was racing toward city hall at full speed. She arrived at 7-58 am and, thankfully, was not late, However, after stepping out of the car, she didn’t see Benjamin. Instead, Arthur stood under a large tion, looking at her.

“Arthur.“Shirley approached him.

Authur nodded slightly. “Ms. Weiss.”

Did Benjamin get held up with something?” she asked.

Arthur didn’t answer directly. Instead, he said evenly, “Mr. Blackwood insituted the you wait here.

Shirley didn’t press further and moved to stand under the shade of the tree It was midsummer, and the sky was clear and cloudless. Her delicate sin made her especially sensitive to the sun pen the morning rays felt scorching to her.

“Ms. Weiss, please step back and return to where you were.”

“What?”

Shirley looked at Arthur, thinking she had misheard Arthur patiently repeated, “Ms. Weiss, please return to your original spot and wait there for Mr. Blackwood to arrive”

Shipley was puzzled Arthur maintained his stoic demeanor. “Ms. Weiss, if this makes you uncontable, you can leave now.”

Shirley finally understood. This was Benjamin intentionally making things difficult for her. Otherwise, Arthur wouldn’t dare to bully a woman who was about to become the Blackwood family’s daughter–in–law, But Shirley needed Benjamin’s help, so she had no choice but to comply she returned to her original spot under the blazing sun. Soon, the realized that Benjamin wasn’t metely making things difficult–he was punishing her.

Shirley stood in the cun until 100 pm–dive full hours. Her clothes were soaked with sweat and then dried by the beat. Her skin turned red from sunburn, and her shipped with thirst, yet Denijamin never showed up.

Arthur remained potionless under the shade of the tree, not budging an inchs By noon, the sun was so oppressive that Shirley felt dizzy, and her vision blurred. Unable to bear it any longer, she asked, “Arthur, when will Benjamin arrive?

Arthur lowered his head slightly, “Ma Weiss, your only task is to wait.”

His words implied that even he didn’t know when Benjamin would show up.

Shipley frowned and struggled to speak. “Could you get me a bottle of water? can’t holden much longer.”

She didn’t want to fant here.

Jath hesitated for a moment bein instructing a nearby bodyguard to get sour water Alter dawning a full bottle of purihed water, Shirley finally felpally better. She handed the empty bottle back to the bodyguard, thanking him.

Then, she turned to Arthur and said, “I’m feeling much better now. You should go lunch. You don’t have to stand here with me. I won’t leave,”

Arthur frore for a moment before responding “I can’t go anywhere until Mr. Blackwood turn.”

“Return? Are you saying Band was here and then left?

Chapter 4