Chapter 385: Chapter 384: Belated Affection is Cheaper Than Grass

Clay Yates froze for a moment, then his face flushed red. He scratched his head. “Okay, then… then let’s not fight…”

The hopeful look in Walter Ford’s eyes dimmed, turning cold. He struggled to get up from the floor, sneering at Jenna Shaw and Clay Yates. “All these excuses… The truth is, you two have been hooking up for a while now, haven’t you? Can’t wait to finally dump me? I really misjudged you, Jenna Shaw. I can’t believe I actually thought you were some deeply devoted person…”

Clay Yates snapped, “How can you slander Jenna like that? Just because you cheated, you assume everyone in the world is just like you?”

Jenna Shaw grabbed Clay Yates’s hand. “Let him think whatever he wants. It doesn’t matter, we’re not together anymore.”

Hearing Jenna Shaw say this, Walter Ford’s head, which he had held high, drooped slightly. He tried to look past her exterior, to truly see her.

’She used to love me so much. How could she just stop, just like that?’

Walter Ford coughed twice, lowering his eyes slightly to hide the desolation in them.

’Why… why does this hurt…?’

’I finally got rid of that clingy pest. I should be happy, shouldn’t I? From now on, no one can use her family’s status to restrict or control me. I can fool around as much as I want, free and unrestrained.’

’But then why did I come here?’

’If it’s because I can’t accept this, why does the pain overshadow the humiliation…?’

Walter Ford clenched his fists tightly. Looking at Jenna Shaw’s nearby figure, he suddenly felt as if they were worlds apart.

Naomi Kenway had been enjoying the show. Seeing Walter Ford’s desolate and battered state, she couldn’t help but feel like laughing. She rose elegantly from the sofa, slowly walked over to Jenna Shaw, and asked with concern, “Do you feel better now? Should I get a few more bodyguards over here to land a few more punches?”

Jenna Shaw nodded, then shook her head. “But will that bring trouble to our family?”

“It won’t,” said Naomi Kenway. “This scumbag cheated on you. It’s completely reasonable for us to have someone beat him up. Since he came knocking on our door himself, we might as well teach him a lesson.”

Jenna Shaw nodded.

A few minutes later, Walter Ford was lying on the floor, almost unable to get up. His white shirt was soaked with bloodstains and marked with several glaring footprints. He gasped for air as if on the verge of death, looking utterly wretched.

The butler came over and advised, “Should we get someone to treat him? He doesn’t look like he’s in good shape.”

Naomi Kenway said coldly, “A worthless life like his isn’t snuffed out that easily. Let this be a lesson to him. Next time, he won’t dare to mess with anyone from the Shaw Family.”

Walter Ford was indeed as tenacious as Naomi Kenway had said. With fingertips turning white from the strain, he forced himself up from the floor on his arms, his body swaying unsteadily.

“You… you’ve gone too far…”

Naomi Kenway smiled dismissively. “You’ve been drinking tea for so long, it’s about time you head home. We won’t see you out, Young Master Ford.”

“I’m not leaving.” Walter Ford looked at Jenna Shaw with determination. “Come with me, Jenna. I promise I’ll treat you well from now on. Can we start over? I… I really don’t want to lose you… If you liked the way I was before, then let’s start over…”

His voice was gentle, his gaze pure and soft, as if he had become a different person in an instant.

Clay Yates grew worried. He was afraid Jenna Shaw would be coaxed away by Walter Ford; after all, they had a history of so many years together.

Naomi Kenway also glanced at Jenna Shaw instinctively.

Jenna Shaw did freeze. For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw the shy, gentle Walter Ford of their youth. But soon, she let out a bitter laugh, and her gaze grew cold.

“Belated affection is cheaper than dirt. Do you think putting on this pitiful act will make me feel sorry for you? I’m telling you, it won’t. Every time I think of the man you were, I feel disgusted.”

The things Walter Ford once said were still vivid in her mind. The indelible image of the youth from her memories was just a disguise, a product of her own fantasy. She had romanticized Walter Ford into a pure, flawless, kind, and innocent young man, but all of it was fake.

Walter Ford’s eyes wavered. He looked at Jenna Shaw’s cold expression, unable to lift his stiff hand. He squeezed his eyes shut.

“Jenna, I’m not leaving…”

Clay Yates said angrily, “How can you be so shameless? Do you need to be physically thrown out?”

Naomi Kenway had just called for the butler when, in the next second, a tall figure walked in from the entrance. His voice was cold and heavy, carrying an invisible sense of intimidation:

“Walter Ford, what are you doing just standing there?”

Walter Ford’s eyes lit up. “Ethan, help me convince Jenna. I don’t want to break up with her. I’ve already handled things, and I guarantee it won’t happen again.”

Ethan Shaw frowned at him, his brow lowering, making him look particularly cold. “Canceling the marriage was the most we could do to save face for your Ford Family. Don’t be ungrateful.”

“But…”

“No buts. You are not to pester my sister again. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you learn the meaning of regret.” Ethan Shaw’s voice rose. “Butler, show him out!”

Walter Ford looked at Jenna Shaw, but when he saw her gaze wasn’t on him at all, he looked away in defeat. He knew she would never look back at him again.

The moment that thought surfaced, a dull ache suddenly spread through his heart. He called out in a hoarse voice, “Jenna…”

“Why isn’t he gone yet?” came Ethan Shaw’s impatient voice.

Two bodyguards quickly hustled Walter Ford away.

Clay Yates discreetly studied Jenna Shaw’s expression and only relaxed when he saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Jenna Shaw first introduced Clay Yates. “Brother, this is my friend, Clay Yates. He’s a really good guy.”

Hearing Jenna call him a friend, Clay Yates was overjoyed. He extended his hand to shake Ethan Shaw’s. “Hello, Brother. I’m a really good guy—no, that’s not it, I’m Clay Yates! I’m Clay Yates…”

Jenna couldn’t help but laugh. “How can you be so silly!”

Ethan Shaw smiled faintly. “Hello. I remember you. You’re Sean Yates’s younger brother, right?”

“Yes, Sean Yates is my eldest brother, and I have a second brother named Chester Yates. I didn’t expect you to remember me.”

“The Third Young Master Yates is so outstanding, it’s hard to forget.”

Receiving such high praise from Ethan Shaw, the smile on Clay Yates’s face became impossible to hide. He said humbly, “You’re too kind. I’m not even in your league.”

“Stay for dinner.”

Clay Yates thought for a moment, then swallowed. “N-No, that’s alright. I have some things to take care of at home…”

His second brother, Chester Yates, had taught him that pursuing a girl had to be a gradual process. Coming on too strong or being too clingy could easily backfire. You had to give her some breathing room.

Ethan Shaw said, “I’ll have the butler see you out.”

After Clay Yates left, Jenna Shaw said, “Brother, Sister-in-law, thank you for today. I’m going to head home now.”

“Stay and have dinner before you go.”

“No, it’s fine. I’d rather eat at home.”

“Stay and have dinner with us.”

Jenna Shaw had no choice but to nod. “Okay.”

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