Chapter 4

I don't know if it's my imagination.

Sean seemed to like me.

Boys in their early twenties are too easy to read—his face turning red when making eye contact with me, his nervous fidgeting with his sleeves.

And deliberately finding topics to chat with me—it all exposed his feelings.

Not surprisingly, he confessed to me.

And I immediately rejected him.

He was so different from Shaun Hale.

Faced with my rejection, Shaun Hale wouldn't care about my opinion. He'd just find ways to possess me.

Even if he couldn't have my heart, he'd have my body.

But Sean obviously had a thinner skin. After my rejection, his eyes immediately reddened as he left with a "Sorry, I bothered you."

At eleven PM, seeing he still hadn't returned, Mrs. Brown paced anxiously in the room.

I was about to call him when I saw his message—

[Mia, I'm at the police station. Can you come get me? Also, don't let my grandma know.]

My heart jumped.

Sean didn't seem like someone who'd cause trouble and end up at the police station?

When I rushed to the station, I finally relaxed.

He hadn't done anything rash because of the failed confession. He'd gone to work as usual.

During dinner with a client that evening, after several rounds of drinks, the client said he'd take Sean somewhere fun.

Sean was somewhat drunk and groggily followed along.

Not until someone started unbuckling his pants at a bar did he suddenly wake up.

"I didn't know my client was gay, and the place he took me was a gay bar... I panicked and called the police."

"But then that man told the police first that I seduced him!"

"The client said he won't let this go," Sean was on the verge of tears. "My boss is coming too..."

"Your boss," an uneasy premonition rose in my heart. "Which boss?"

"It's..."

Before he could finish, he suddenly stood up and walked toward someone behind me with tears in his eyes.

"Mr. Hale, you're here."

After half a year, Shaun Hale really hadn't changed at all.

Still unpredictable as a ghost.

I didn't want to face him, so I pulled my cap down low and huddled in the corner.

He efficiently handled the follow-up with the police and mercilessly sent that client to detention.

Through the window, I heard him comfort Sean: "Don't panic when you encounter things like this in the future. I'll always prioritize my employees' safety."

"When socializing, no matter what client you meet, you have the right to refuse drinking."

Sean sniffled: "I'm sorry, Mr. Hale. I just... my confession was rejected and I was in a bad mood, so..."

"Love is inherently random, and having someone you like also happen to like you is a low-probability event." Like a gentle, understanding elder, he patiently counseled Sean.

"There are many girls in the world. Someone will be right for you. Some things shouldn't be forced."

I eavesdropped from the side, feeling somewhat comforted.

First time hearing Shaun Hale talk sense.

Felt weird getting used to it.

"By the way," Shaun suddenly asked, "where's your family?"

Sean came to his senses and pointed at me in a fluster: "Ah, over there."

Shaun Hale looked toward me following the sound.

And at that exact moment, I turned my head.