NovelStartChapter 280 Shirley's tone shifted, and she gently held Carlisle's bandaged hand in her own, looking at him with concern.
"But... Carlisle," she began, her voice trembling with emotion. "I care about you. You've done so much for this family, working so hard to keep Zachman Group running, yet Katrina still doesn't understand." She paused before continuing, "There is nothing between us. We've explained this to her countless times, yet she still refuses to trust you. Now, she's threatening divorce just to forceand Ivy to leave.
"You've done everything to calm her down, but she hasn't once considered your feelings. Instead, she hurts you and refuses to chome!" She took a breath, trying to downplay the hurt she felt. "I'm a woman, too, Carlisle. I understand what she's doing. She's just trying to pressure you. She doesn't really want a divorce.
"But if she's only targeting me, fine, I can handle that. After all, I'm just a guest in the Zachman family. She's the lady of the house. I get it-I'm supposed to tolerate her, but I can't stand seeing her hurt you, making you this upset." Tears welled in Shirley's eyes as she lowered her gaze. Her well-maintained face was twisted with both frustration and concern. She wrapped her arms tightly around Carlisle, her voice trembling with emotion. "Carlisle, I can't bear to see you suffer like this anymore." She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, then slowly lifted her head from his chest to sneak a glance at his face. When she saw Carlisle remain silent, her confidence faltered.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAt that moment, she made a decisive choice. After all, Katrina wasn't home, and this was her best opportunity to take the next step.
"Carlisle, I hate seeing you upset. Letstay with you, okay?" Shirley asked, intimately wrapping her arms around his neck.
She rose on tiptoe, tentatively leaning in to kiss Carlisle's lips.
Carlisle frowned. Just as he was about to push her away, a loud cough suddenly echoed from upstairs, startling both of them.
Feeling guilty, Shirley quickly pulled her arm away from Carlisle's body. A flicker of resentment and frustration flashed in her eyes at being interrupted so abruptly.
Carlisle calmly straightened his rumpled suit, then slowly turned his head toward the stairs. His face was half- covered in shadows, making his expression unreadable.
At the top of the staircase stood Martha, wearing a silk nightgown with a light mauve shawl draped over her shoulders. Her cold, sharp gaze locked onto them.
When she met Carlisle's eyes, she clenched her jaw, seething with disappointment. She took a deep breath, trying her best to tamp down the burning rage in her chest.
She shot Shirley a cold, piercing look, filled with disdain and contempt. If looks could kill, she would have wanted to tear Shirley, who tried to seduce Carlisle, into a thousand pieces.
Shirley nervously adjusted her clothes, but inside, she couldn't help but awake at this hour, suddenly coming out to ruin everything.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmthat damn Martha for still If Martha hadn't suddenly jumped out, Shirley might've actually gotten what she wanted tonight.
Shirley clenched her clothes tightly, her eyes burning with hatred as she She cursed Martha in seethed inside. her heart, wishing she would just drop dead. But no matter how furious she was, she didn't dare let a hint of it show on her face.
Things weren't like before. Carlisle's attitude toward her had shifted m sparply in recent days.
She couldn't afford to be reckless anymore or rely on bir blindly taking her side like he used to.
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
