Chapter 594 - 592: Very Important News
Aria Joyce scoffed, "Jealous? Mr. Shaw, you’re giving yourself far too much credit."
Ian Shaw, however, was unfazed. He straightened up and pulled his hand from Chelsea York’s grasp. Seeing her displeased expression, he made a show of saving her face by wrapping an arm tightly around her waist. But his eyes remained fixed on Aria Joyce, his tone losing its earlier flippancy and taking on a sinister edge. "Isn’t Miss Joyce jealous? From where I stood, the look you gave my sister-in-law was sharp enough to kill. But I must offer you a piece of advice, Miss Joyce. It’s fine to like other men, but you should never try to destroy someone else’s relationship just because of a crush. Not only does it lower your own standing, but it also invites scorn from others. After all, ’homewrecker’ isn’t a label most people can bear."
It was safe to say that Ian Shaw had exhausted all of his patience on Aria Joyce lately.
Right now, for some unknown reason, a fire was churning in his gut. He just couldn’t stand seeing Aria Joyce’s eyes follow Tristan Grayson everywhere.
His brother had been through too much. Even if Mika Summers wasn’t someone he liked—even if he despised the woman—he would never let Aria Joyce interfere.
Aria Joyce’s fair face paled and flushed at Ian Shaw’s words. She glared at him furiously. "Mr. Shaw, my affairs are none of your business. You should worry about yourself."
If Ian Shaw weren’t Tristan Grayson’s best friend, Aria Joyce would have thrown him out right then and there.
’It must be my destiny to clash with Ian Shaw! Our fates are just star-crossed!’
’That’s why the sight of Ian Shaw made her stomach churn! The feeling was so repulsive she couldn’t bear to be near him for another second.’
Seeing Aria Joyce turn to leave, Ian Shaw showed no sign of letting her go. He reached out, grabbing her arm tightly. "Tonight, you’re staying by my side. You’re not going anywhere."
"Mr. Shaw, have some respect! This is Joyce Family territory, not a place for you to be a creep," Aria Joyce said angrily, trying to pull her arm free.
Ian Shaw wasn’t the least bit intimidated. A cold smile played on his lips. "Miss Joyce, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from Tristan and his wife. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what I might do in a moment of impulse."
Aria Joyce glanced across the room. Tristan Grayson was with Mika Summers, moving from one guest to another, chatting and greeting them. He hadn’t spared her a single glance the entire time. Her eyes grew red-rimmed as she shot a fierce glare at Ian Shaw. "Are you threatening me on Tristan Grayson’s behalf?" ’She remembered the night of Tristan’s engagement party; he’d had Ian Shaw follow her then, too, keeping her from getting close. So tonight, had Tristan sent Ian Shaw to do the same?’
"If that’s what you want to call it, then fine!" Ian Shaw had no more patience to waste on Aria Joyce and replied coldly.
"Fine. Just fine! So this is how Tristan Grayson treats me, like a threat." ’Even if she had genuinely hoped to use this banquet to spend time with Tristan, seeing him guard against her like this was unbearable.’
’She had been looking forward to this for so long, only for it to end like this?’
’She didn’t understand. How could a man who once risked his life to save her change so completely overnight?’
’What’s so great about that Mika Summers, anyway? She can’t help Tristan Grayson with anything. She just holds him back. Why would he choose Mika, and not her?’
’She was Aria Joyce! The daughter of the Joyce Family! The advantages she could bring Tristan Grayson were something no other woman in Tridell could offer—advantages every man in Tridell dreamed of.’
’She refused to believe Tristan Grayson wasn’t tempted. She refused to believe he genuinely liked Mika Summers.’
’Besides, the information she and Jasmine Warren had dug up proved it all: Tristan Grayson didn’t like Mika Summers.’
’Tristan Grayson used to be an actor. If he wanted to put on a show for everyone, no one would ever spot the deception.’
’She couldn’t give up so easily. Absolutely not. Her love was just as strong as any other woman’s—stronger, even. She loved Tristan Grayson more than anyone.’
’She believed that no one could love Tristan Grayson more than she did. And no one else could give him everything he desired.’
"..." Ian Shaw’s expression was grim as he watched Aria Joyce. ’If there weren’t so many people around, he would have dragged her out of there, kicking and screaming if he had to.’
’Whatever it took, he had to make this woman give up completely. He had to snap her out of it!’
’He really couldn’t understand it. Tristan Grayson was married. Why couldn’t Aria Joyce just give up?’
’Was she really scheming to become a homewrecker?’
The pain in her captured arm grew sharper, pulling Aria Joyce back from her spiraling thoughts. Her face was ashen as she said coldly, "Mr. Shaw, I understand your message. Please let me go."
At her words, Ian Shaw snapped out of his thoughts and released Aria Joyce. His eyes, however, remained glued to her, as if fearing she would go after Tristan and his wife.
But Aria Joyce didn’t go after them. Instead, she walked off in the opposite direction.
Ian Shaw frowned as he watched her retreating figure.
Having been ignored for so long, Chelsea York was feeling quite unhappy. Seeing that Aria Joyce was long gone but Ian Shaw was still staring after her, she called out softly, "Shaw."
"Hm?" Ian Shaw arched an eyebrow and responded coolly, finally tearing his gaze away to look down at the woman in his arms.
Chelsea York pouted and said softly, "Shaw, I’m hungry. Can we go get something to eat?"
With a look of displeasure, Ian Shaw pushed her away. His tone was icy. "If you want to eat, go get something yourself. Call me when you’re ready to leave, and I’ll come find you then."
"But I..." Chelsea York hadn’t expected Ian Shaw to ditch her so bluntly. Her expression fell. She glanced around, feigning a timid fear. "But I..."
"I have things to do, I can’t stay with you. If you don’t like it here, you can leave now." Without another glance at her, Ian Shaw turned and walked in the direction Aria Joyce had gone.
Chelsea York watched Ian Shaw actually abandon her, her eyes welling with tears of indignation. She turned and walked away. ’Even if I don’t know a single person here, I have to stay until this banquet is over.’
’Otherwise, if my friends found out, they’d just laugh at me again.’
After Mika Summers and Tristan Grayson finished making their rounds, they found a sofa and sat down.
Chelsea York knew of Tristan Grayson, though he didn’t know her. But she did know about his relationship with Ian Shaw. So, being a stranger in the room, she sensibly picked up two desserts and went to find Mika Summers.
’In any case, it was never a bad idea to get on the good side of Ian Shaw’s friends. Besides, she had just overheard some very important information.’