Chapter 234: Chapter 234: Come Back Early, Baby

“I know it’s difficult, but I suggest you find an opportunity to have a proper talk with Mona. You might learn something unexpected. Also, that ’unfortunate incident’ you mentioned… something feels off. It sounds too much like a carefully orchestrated plot.”

“Of course, regardless of whether there’s a plot, Christina Lynch doesn’t trust you, so there’s no reason to continue the marriage. The child is the priority. You have to investigate everything related to Mona thoroughly.”

Victor Vance seemed lost in thought.

Not wanting to put too much pressure on her, Naomi Kenway casually remarked, “I’ve been to this restaurant a few times. The food is excellent.”

“Thank you,” Victor Vance said. Suddenly, she answered a phone call and her expression turned frantic. She apologized, “Something’s happened at the fashion exhibition. I have to go deal with it right now. I have to go.”

Naomi Kenway nodded in understanding. “You should go, then.”

「 」

Naomi Kenway gripped the document in her hand as she watched the floor numbers on the elevator display climb.

This was her first time at the company. She had originally planned to go shopping with Chloe Murray, but as she was passing through the living room, she saw the butler instructing a driver to deliver a file to Ethan Shaw. Since she would be passing his company building anyway, Naomi figured she might as well drop it off for him.

Ethan Shaw had helped her a lot recently, and she wasn’t completely heartless. She did feel a bit of gratitude toward him.

Naomi Kenway’s popularity had skyrocketed lately, so to avoid any unnecessary trouble, she wore a pair of oversized sunglasses that concealed most of her face.

The receptionist recognized her and had someone respectfully escort her upstairs.

Just as Naomi was about to knock, the door opened and Liam Sherman came out. He froze when he saw her, looking at her in disbelief. “Mrs. Shaw?”

Naomi nodded and held up the file in her hand. “Is Ethan Shaw in? I’m here to drop this off for him.”

“President Shaw is in a meeting. It should be over in about five minutes.”

Naomi nodded and handed him the file folder. “In that case, can you hold on to this for him?”

But Liam Sherman didn’t take it. “Mrs. Shaw, I don’t have the authorization to handle President Shaw’s important documents. I’d suggest you wait here for a bit. Five minutes will fly by.”

He sighed. “Life’s not easy for us corporate drones. Please, Mrs. Shaw, take pity on me.”

Naomi glanced at her watch. She still had an hour before her appointment, which was more than enough time.

Naomi walked in and sat down on the sofa. She took a compact mirror out of her purse to check her reflection. Only after confirming her makeup was perfect did she relax. ’You have to look your best when you’re going out with your girls.’

Just as she put the mirror away, she noticed Liam Sherman had disappeared. Feeling a bit restless, Naomi got to her feet.

The next moment, Liam Sherman pushed the door open, carrying a tray with drinks and a chocolate dessert. There were two beverage options: a steaming cup of coffee and a glass of chilled watermelon juice.

“Mrs. Shaw.” Liam Sherman bent over and placed everything on the table in front of Naomi. “I hope you find something to your liking.”

“Thank you,” Naomi said, then asked, “By the way, is it really alright for me to be in here?”

Liam Sherman paused. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Ethan Shaw never lets me in his study. I figured the same logic applied to his office.”

“Not at all,” Liam Sherman said decisively. “From what I know of him, President Shaw won’t mind in the slightest.”

Naomi wasn’t in the mood to eat or drink. Instead, she got up and took a look around the office. It was spacious, with a black, white, and gray color scheme. There wasn’t even a single potted plant on the desk, making the room feel a bit drab and lifeless.

Naomi’s gaze shifted, landing on a family portrait on the desk. It was a picture of their family, apparently taken some time ago. In the photo, Ian’s teeth hadn’t all grown in yet, and his smile was endearingly gummy, revealing his pink gums.

Naomi couldn’t resist picking up the frame. She let out a soft laugh as she looked at Ian’s face in the photo.

After putting the photo down, a sense of delayed surprise washed over her. She never would have expected a seemingly cold, career-driven man like Ethan Shaw to place their family portrait in the most conspicuous spot on his desk.

After a final look, Naomi put the frame back exactly where she found it.

Suddenly, another photo tucked away at the corner of the desk caught her eye. She froze. It was clearly an old picture. The teenager in the photo looked just like Ethan Shaw, wearing a red racing suit and smiling with a wild, unrestrained arrogance.

“Is this… Ethan Shaw?”

Liam Sherman leaned in for a look and nodded. “That’s President Shaw. But this was taken about ten years ago, back when he was still in high school.”

Naomi was stunned. “Ethan Shaw knows how to race?”

The world of “car racing” was not at all unfamiliar to Naomi. Chloe Murray was also a racing enthusiast and had even won numerous awards both domestically and internationally. Naomi just couldn’t imagine a competitive sport like that having anything to do with Ethan Shaw.

Liam said, “He used to be. President Shaw’s study is filled with trophies, but he hasn’t touched the sport since he became an adult. His mother convinced him to quit, claiming it was a ’distraction from his studies.’ And that was just one thing. It was the same with basketball and volleyball, not just racing.”

It was only then that Naomi realized Jane Chandler was a terrifying woman—and a terrifying mother—not just to her, but to Ethan Shaw as well.

“I thought nothing could hold him back. He doesn’t seem like the type to be tied down by anyone…”

A rare, mocking glint appeared in Liam Sherman’s eyes. “President Shaw wouldn’t listen the first or second time, of course. But over time… his mother took to threatening suicide to make him submit…”

The office door pushed open, shattering the cold, tense atmosphere.

“Nina, what are you doing here?”

Naomi turned to see Ethan Shaw striding toward her. She pointed to the file folder on his desk. “Didn’t you need this? I was in the area, so I thought I’d drop it off.”

“Thanks for coming all this way,” Ethan Shaw said. Then his gaze faltered. He gently pressed the pad of his coarse thumb against her vibrant lips, a hint of jealousy in his voice. “Where are you off to? You never get this dressed up at home.”

Liam Sherman covered his mouth, let out two awkward little coughs, and turned to leave the office.

Naomi swatted his hand away. “What are you thinking? Now that you’re back, I don’t have to wait around. I’m going shopping with Kara.”

“Chloe Murray?” he said, enunciating the name precisely as his eyes darkened.

“That’s right,” Naomi said. “Now move. You can’t keep me from going out.”

“Of course not,” he said through gritted teeth. “Come back early, baby…”

He deliberately emphasized that last word. Naomi knew he was still hung up on Chloe Murray hugging her and calling her “baby.”

“Fine.” Naomi had just turned to leave when she heard him call after her, “Don’t drink. If it gets too late, I’ll come pick you up.”

Naomi quickly agreed, pushed open the office door, and hurried out. ’I can’t keep Chloe waiting.’

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