After Betrayal - I Married a Handsome Tycoon-Chapter 159: Domineeringly Protecting Her Husband
As Shane Jennings said this, his entire body was trembling.
It was as if he would collapse the very next second if Moira Sloan refused.
Moira Sloan narrowed her eyes at him, her normally gentle gaze holding not a shred of pity. "So? Who set the trap?"
Shane Jennings said, "If I told you it was Connor Quinn, would you believe me?"
Moira Sloan gave a bitter laugh, as if she’d just heard the funniest joke. She crossed her arms and nodded. "He set you up to enter a corporate marriage?"
Shane’s hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into fists. "Yes."
Shane’s thoughts were in a jumble. The alcohol he’d drunk only made the chaos in his head worse.
’I can’t worry about too much right now.’
’I just want to tell her the whole truth.’
’I want to expose Connor Quinn’s hypocritical true nature.’
He was so desperate for a quick resolution that he missed the mockery in Moira’s eyes.
Moira mocked him, "He set a trap, and you just walked right into it? He told you to get married for business, so you did? Are you stupid, or just naive?"
Hearing this, the words caught in Shane’s throat. "I..."
Moira continued, "Shane, let’s not even get into whether you’re telling the truth or not. Even if it is true, if your love for me had been strong enough, how could you have fallen into the trap?"
Moira’s words struck a nerve, and Shane froze as if paralyzed.
A moment later, Moira went on with a smirk, "Shane, we’re both adults. Take some responsibility. Can you please not try to pass the buck the second something goes wrong?"
’Look past the surface to see the truth.’
’Moira is thirty this year, not thirteen.’
’She’s long past the age of taking things at face value.’
From Shane’s perspective, perhaps there really were all sorts of reasons. But from her perspective, only one thing mattered: he had abandoned her for his own bright future, for his own benefit.
Whatever the process, that was the result.
She had loved him, but she loved herself more.
This wasn’t selfishness; it was self-love.
Having said all that needed to be said, Moira looked at Shane. "Is there anything else you want to say?"
Shane struggled to speak. "There’s no chance for us anymore, is there?"
Moira chuckled lightly. "Shane, we dated for seven years, and we kept things chaste. Now we’ve both slept with other people. If we got back together, don’t you think that’s disgusting?"
Shane, "..."
Moira said, "Even if you don’t find it disgusting, I do."
In truth, Moira had already said everything clearly enough last night.
She had made her stance perfectly clear then as well.
If Shane hadn’t been drinking today, his damned pride would have never allowed him to do something so impulsive and out of line.
But that’s how things often are, driven by fate.
As Moira finished speaking, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over Shane’s head.
The alcohol wore off, and sobriety hit him.
Seeing the clarity gradually return to Shane’s eyes, Moira knew her words had sunk in. Her voice was faint as she said, "This is the last time. You’re someone who values face more than life itself. If there’s a next time, I’ll march straight into The Jennings Group and tear you down publicly."
Shane, "..."
A corner of Moira’s mouth lifted. "You can decide for yourself if it’s worth it."
If she caused a scene, Shane would lose not only his reputation but his dignity. Worse, it could even cause the stock price of The Jennings Group to plummet.
After Moira’s threat, Shane remained silent, but it was clear he knew what he had to do now.
Shane was silent for a few seconds before saying in a low voice, "Moira, whether you believe me or not, Connor Quinn isn’t the right person for you. You two won’t last."
Moira replied, "Shane, do you know what I like most about myself? It’s my capacity for ruthlessness after I’ve done all I can for someone. That applies to you, and it applies to him, too."
Shane gave a bitter smile at her words.
He never knew that the girl who used to cling to him and tell him how much she missed him could be so cold and heartless.
After a moment, Shane lowered his head and started to walk away.
He had only taken two steps when Moira called out from behind him, "Shane Jennings."
Shane stopped and turned back.
Moira glanced at him, then walked to the doorway under his gaze. She called out "Connor Quinn," then said calmly, "However he hit you just now, you hit him back."
Shane, "..."
Connor Quinn, standing inside the doorway, said nothing.
Seeing Connor remain motionless, Moira spoke again. "Think carefully. If you don’t hit him back this time, he’ll think you’re a pushover, and he might be even worse next time."
Before Connor could make a move, Shane lifted his hand and slapped himself hard across the face. Then, clenching his jaw, he strode away.
Shane walked away quickly, his steps hurried and panicked.
Connor Quinn subtly raised an eyebrow. After watching him get into the elevator, he strode over to Moira Sloan, wrapped his arms around her, and buried his face in her neck. "Moira," he said, "this is the first time in my entire life that someone has stood up for me."
