Chapter 20

Henry was was opposed to leaving Wu City but I urged him incessantly and obstinately stood at the door after he took me back home. He surveyed my stubborn stance and sighed. "You're really chasing me away?"

The people around me were few and far between and my only confidant, Summer, was still stuck in prison.

To be honest, I was crestfallen to see him go.

However, he had been overwhelmed with calls recently.

I was mindful of the responsibilities that he bore at home and would hate to hold him back.

Furthermore, I was averse to him witnessing my passing.

I dipped my head and dispelled his concerns. "Yes, give me some time to myself."

"Were nine years of alone time not enough?"

I was caught by surprise when the realization hit me that this year marked the ninth anniversary of my parents' deaths.

The years had flown past in such a blur that I had done nothing for my own well-being.

The only decision I had made had been the worst mistake of my life.

If I could rewind time, I would not have agreed to marry Dixon Gregg.

I furrowed my brows and insisted, "Thank you, Henry, for your care these past few days."

Discerning my resolution, he begrudgingly agreed to leave.

He sent me to my room and removed my makeup for me with clumsy but patient strokes. He was upset by the faint scar that marked my face and he quivered. "What happened?"

The memories of that day rushed back to me as I relived Dixon shoving me to the ground because of Gwen and his blatant disregard of my feelings as I announced that I was in pain.

Thereafter, he never once worried about my injury.

I smiled feebly. "I fell accidentally."

"How could the injury have been so serious?"

Henry could see through my lie but he did not press further as he detected my discomfort. I blinked my eyes and changed to a more serious topic. "Won't canceling your cooperation with the Gregg family damage the Cook family?"

Henry knew that it would be futile to hide the truth from me as I had been constantly engaged in business affairs. "Yes, there may be adverse consequences, but the Gregg family will suffer as well, so all in all, there may be a silver lining."

I focused on the ground and uttered, "Brother Henry, thank you."

"Carol, you're the Shaw family's only descendant, with blue blood flowing through your veins and the ability to wield incomparable power. Since you've decided to let all that go, it's my duty to protect you and ensure the status quo. I need to let Wu City and Dixon Gregg recognize that you may have been spurned by him, but you're of utmost importance to me."

"Of utmost importance..."

He prepared a piping hot meal for me and left, not forgetting to update me when he reached S City safely. He instructed firmly, "Call me whenever since there's only a two hour traveling time between S City and Wu City. No matter the time or the venue, I'll appear before your eyes in two hours, so please, Carol, don't brave all of the hurdles by yourself."

I replied, heartened, "I am forever grateful to mother for blessing me with such a brother."

"Foolish girl, you're my everything."

I grinned. "Sister-in-law would be jealous."

"She won't because she loves you as much as I do."

"Okay, I'll end the call."

Subsequently, I took a shower and went to bed. I received a call from Miss Green, who had previously given me piano lessons, the next morning. We had been in contact all this while and I would look her up for piano lessons regularly, which nourished my flourishing piano skills. Therefore, it was common for Miss Green to slot me in as a relief teacher at the First University of Wu City when she had to excuse herself.

I figured that my schedule was pretty much empty and consented to taking on a class. To present a more affable image of myself, I changed into a brightly colored dress and slipped on flats, accompanied by some light makeup that just concealed the scar on my face.

The schools were full of students but I only owned sports cars so I ended up taking a cab to avoid potential attention. I reached the school gate and hesitated over answering a call, but it was from a senior and he had been cordial towards me, so I answered half-heartedly, "Dad, is there anything I can help with?"

It had not been snowing in Wu City and it was a balmy day as I lifted my eyes to the brilliant blue skies decked with layers of cloud. Director Gregg's impatient voice sounded through the call. "What's your relationship with Henry Cook?"

I feigned ignorance and asked, "Why?"

"He terminated all contacts with the Gregg family last night and paid a lump sum for the liquidated damages. However, we don't have a lack of money, Carol. We needed those contracts."

"Father, some things are not under my control. Henry wants to avenge me and even I cannot stop him. If you have any trouble, it would make more sense to ask Dixon directly or resolve it yourself because I've nothing to do with the affairs of the outside world. I can't put an end to the problems so you can stop troubling me with them."

The harshness of my tone silenced Director Gregg momentarily.

After a long while, he continued, "Are you no longer my daughter-in-law just because you're divorced? Carol, you know I've always been against Gwen's marriage into the family but Dixon has always felt he owes her."

He hesitated before elaborating. "Dixon doesn't love her, he just feels indebted towards her and that he owes her a wedding. Carol, he has not come to the realization of his feelings towards you. He has been under my strict discipline since he was young and never once went over the line or rebelled because there was never a reason to until he met Gwen. That was his first time going against me and perhaps he felt the divorce with you could be considered a victory against me."

"Dad, Dixon is a grown-up and has his own way of thinking. His preferences are entirely down to him and my decision to divorce him came after thorough deliberation on my side, so we are even."

Director Gregg gave a long sigh and implored, "Are you two unable to revive the marriage?"

"Our relationship is beyond repair."

"Carol, as long as you're willing, I'll be able to convince him."

I refused vehemently. "I'm not willing."

It had been three years since I met him and I was wholly aware of what kind of person he was. Director Gregg only held the Gregg family's interests at heart and he would eradicate any potential threats, including Gwen Worth.

However, he was not in an optimal position to engage with Dixon, which meant he could not do anything to Gwen. According to those presumptions, Dixon would marry Gwen regardless and thus he had turned to me as a last resort. If I revived my marriage with Dixon, the Cook family would renew their contracts with the Gregg family and they would have a tighter relationship because of me.

In Director Gregg's eyes, I was priceless, but Gwen was worthless.

I should have been thankful that I was an esteemed Shaw descendant and had thus been held in high regard these past few years.

I abhorred their petty dealings and had no interest in wasting my time being involved, so I hung up on his call and headed towards the classroom on the first floor where the students were thrilled to see me.

"Ms. Shaw, you've not taught us for a few months."

"Did you forget about us because you got into a relationship?"

"Ms. Shaw, what will you be teaching us today?"

"Ms. Shaw, you're still as beautiful as ever."

I was speechless.

Their questions swamped me and I was too overwhelmed to answer each and every single one of them so I simply maintained a smile. They were not much older than me and if I had followed the natural course of education, I would have been like them, sitting in a classroom and studying for finals.

"Ms. Shaw, why are you so silent?"

A young, thickset boy asked me.

I quipped, "You've taken the words from my mouth, so how could I reply?"

I continued, "Alright, alright. Let's start the lesson."

"What will Ms. Shaw be teaching today?"

"Street Where Wind Resides."