Shannon was left dumbfounded.
âPurity and innocence?â Shannon wondered, her disbelief deepening. These terms seemed better
suited for Gregoryâs mother, the woman
he adored.
The more she pondered, the more it grated on her nerves.
âBut now, it seems you donât need my protection anymore. Even in my absence, youâd find ways to
pursue your desires and go to great lengths to seek revenge against those you despise.â
Gregoryâs expression grew stern, and his brows furrowed. âHowever, consider this your last warning. I
expect you to behave yourself from now on, refrain from causing trouble to innocent individuals, and
stop bringing any more trouble to me or the Salvador family. Otherwise, Iâll have no choice but to send
you abroad for a quieter life, away from
the conflicts and disputes of Savrow.â
Upon hearing Gregoryâs intention to send her away, Shannon was overwhelmed with a mix of shock
and anger. Her entire body started trembling with fear.
âGregory⦠What do you mean by that? Are you trying to say that youâre over me? Are you planning to
abandon me after a few words of slander by Bella? Or is it because you have illicit intentions toward
Wyattâs wife? Is that why youâre taking this out on me? Is that why youâre trying every means to get rid
of me? So that you can welcome
a new woman into your life?!â
âWhat nonsense are you spewing now?!â Gregoryâs brows furrowed in anger, his voice hoarse.
âWell⦠I got that right, didnât I? Youâre feeling guilty, arenât you?â
Shannonâs back stiffened, her neck tensed, and her eyes tinged with red as she glared at the man.
âBack when Celeste was still on the TS Channel, there were rumors about your ambiguous relationship
with her! There were even talks of you privately favoring her with resources and showing intentions to
keep her!â
Gregoryâs eyes narrowed, his fists clenching in silence.
âCeleste is your ideal partner, while Iâm just the fallback option, right?â
These words, long suppressed within Shannonâs heart, felt like a thorn finally extracted, unleashing a
surge of both anger and relief.
âIf Celeste hadnât ruined her reputation with drug abuse, she wouldâve been the one to marry into the
Salvador family, not me. I wouldnât even stand a chance, would I?â
âAre you done talking?â Gregory questioned her sharply, his tone icy. Veins bulged on his forehead.
âWell, since youâre so fond of Celeste and so eager to defend her, why didnât you step in when she
faced that humiliating incident on stage during the anniversary celebration? You were present in the
audience. Why didnât you rush to her aid like Wyatt? Why didnât you marry her?!â
âYou didnât because you were afraid You were afraid of being tainted by such a scandalous woman.
You were worried she would tarnish your reputation as the Salvador familyâs CEO! Since you ignored
her back then, whatâs the point of pretending to be righteous and
compassionate now?â
Gregory bellowed, âShannon, shut up!â
Shannon smirked with disdain, her gaze filled with contempt. âYour son longs for another manâs
daughter, and you yearn for that manâs wife. The Thompson family must be something extraordinary.â
Gregory, enraged and humiliated, lashed out and slapped Shannon.
Shannon felt her eardrums throb with pain. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she seethed with
hatred.
Gregory recoiled. His fingers trembled as he clenched them tightly.
This marked the first instance in Gregoryâs life where he resorted to violence against a woman,
contradicting the values instilled in him by his upbringing. Yet Shannonâs actions had left him with no
choice.
âYou⦠You actually laid your hands on me! How dare you?!â
Shannon erupted into tears, sprung up from the bed, and ran barefoot
toward the balcony.
âWhatâs the point of living anymore? I might as well be dead!â
Gregoryâs eyes widened in alarm. âSomeone get in here now! Hurry!â
Gregoryâs secretary and bodyguard who were stationed outside the ward, rushed in at once. Upon
seeing that Shannon was about to jump off the balcony, they immediately grabbed her arms from both
sides as if they were apprehending a criminal.
Shannon wept hysterically, tears streaming down her face, looking utterly wretched.
âHave two maids take turns to watch over Shannon, and the both of you shall remain stationed at the
door around the clock. If anything happens to Shannon, I will hold the both of you responsible,â
Gregory
ordered sternly.