A Night of Desire

As she was thinking, Seth Quinn had already walked over to her. Clara Grant instinctively looked up at him.

"Clara, you heard everything I just said, didn’t you?"

Clara Grant nodded instinctively.

Seeing her reaction was no longer as intense, Seth Quinn breathed a sigh of relief.

Explaining everything would have taken a great deal of effort, and given her state just moments before, it was uncertain whether she would have even listened to a word he said.

That was why he had chosen to call Theodore Quinn, explaining the situation to her under the guise of reporting the investigation’s results to him.

For one, this indirect approach wouldn’t provoke her, making it easier for her to listen to what he was saying.

For another, the explanation was more direct and easier to follow this way.

"Investigating Autumn Shelby’s illness... that was Dad’s idea?" Although she had heard him clearly, she asked again.

"Yes. He was worried that if Autumn Shelby had lied, I would be saddled with guilt for no reason. So, it’s not what you think. I didn’t investigate because I was worried she was actually sick and felt guilty for not knowing.

"As for seeing her today, I ran into her by chance at a teahouse. I didn’t go there specifically to meet her. Later, when I went to the restroom, I left my phone on the table, and that’s right when you called. The only reason I lied to you just now was because I was afraid you’d let your imagination run wild."

"But you told me you were going back to the office to deal with work, so why did you end up at a teahouse?" Clara Grant figured that since she was asking, she might as well get to the bottom of it.

Seth Quinn gave a wry smile. He hadn’t wanted to tell her, fearing it would only make her worry, but now it seemed he couldn’t keep it from her any longer.

’He couldn’t let this business with Sarah Shelby drive a wedge between him and his wife, could he?’

So, he explained, "Actually, I went to the teahouse to see Ewan Stratton."

"Ewan Stratton? You managed to contact him?" Hearing that he’d met with Ewan Stratton, Clara’s eyes instantly lit up, and she forgot all about being upset that he had lied to her.

Seth Quinn nodded. "Yes. I didn’t tell you sooner because I was afraid that if things didn’t go well, you’d only end up worrying for nothing."

"So what happened? What was the result? What did he say? Did he agree to your conditions? Is he not going to marry Sarah?" Based on Seth Quinn’s choice to keep it from her, Clara Grant already had a feeling she knew the answer, but she still asked, refusing to give up hope.

Seth Quinn shook his head. "I proposed that if he gave up marrying Sarah Shelby, Aegis would unconditionally inject capital into the Stratton Group, reviving the company and restoring it to its former glory. But, unfortunately, Ewan Stratton didn’t agree. He insists on marrying Sarah Shelby."

"Why?" Although she had been mentally prepared, Clara Grant was still disappointed and confused. "Why does it have to be Sarah? If the Stratton Group recovers, what kind of woman couldn’t he find? Why must it be her?"

"I asked him the same question, but he didn’t answer. Perhaps he really fell for Sarah Shelby at first sight and now feels it has to be her."

"But Sarah doesn’t like him. How could she possibly be happy marrying someone she doesn’t love?" Clara Grant shook her head. Even if Ewan Stratton fell in love with Sarah at first sight, that was his business.

’Besides, she didn’t believe for a second that he was insisting on marrying Sarah just because he liked her!’

"Then what do we do? Are we just supposed to stand by and watch as Sarah marries him and throws her life away?"

Seth Quinn didn’t speak, only shaking his head again.

If Ewan Stratton wouldn’t agree, there was nothing more he could do.

"I want to meet with Ewan Stratton. Can you arrange it for me?" Clara Grant asked, looking at Seth Quinn, apparently still not ready to give up.