Chapter 4
Hearing the commotion, Shalley slammed down the cup in her hand. “I did. What’s the issue?”
“You let him waltz into my room and touch my belongings without the decency to ask me first?”
“Tell me, Warren Gardner, which of your belongings did I not buy for you? Since I bought them, Jacob has every right to touch them.”
Warren felt like someone had just dumped a bucket of ice water over him.
Jacob interjected gently, as if reprimanding her “Shay, don’t talk to Warren like that. You’ll hurt his feelings.”
He then turned to Warren and continued, “Warren, I heard from the household staff that Shay has clothes and shoes in your bedroom. You know how girls have mountains of clothes–half of your closet space is filled with her items! That’s why I took it upon myself to move them
into our bedroom instead.”
Shailey used to cling to Warren like a moth to a flame. Since he was young, never once had he gotten a love letter. They were all intercepted by her.
Later, she stored her clothes in his bedroom, claiming he could help her pick a dress and heels before work each morning.
Hel
knew the layout of her wardrobe better than she did, from her clothes to her bags.
Hearing this explanation, Warren stormed upstairs to his room.
The chaos that awaited him nearly convinced him he had been robbed. His clothes, collectible figurines, and photography equipment were scattered across the floor in utter disarray.
Pointing to the mess in a fury, he glared at Jacob. ‘Is this how you moved the clothes?”
Jacob’s eyes reddened instantly. “I’m sorry, Warren. It was an accident…”
“An accident? What, unleashing a typhoon in my room? Your ‘accident‘ must be quite the talent!”
Shailey frowned and scolded him, “Warren Gardner, watch your tone!”
Warren scoffed. “So, I did nothing wrong, but it’s still my fault, huh?”
“Jacob is my fiancé, which makes him half your elder brother. You ought to show him some
respect.
“Would you like to see this mess for yourself, Shailey?”
She slowly ascended the steps and froze momentarily at the sight of the havoc.
Nevertheless, it was only brief.
The next second, she turned to Jacob with amusement and chuckled. “Let’s leave it to the servants to tidy up our bedroom in the future, shall we?”
“But I don’t want anyone else touching my clothes. Especially… my pajamas.”
He emphasized the word “pajamas“, and his gaze turned suggestive.
In response, Shailey nodded helplessly. “Fine, then. I’ll do the tidying, okay?”
Jacob questioned in defeat, “Shay, do you think I’m a little clumsy?”
“No worries. With me here. You can afford to be a little clumsy.”
Warren screwed his eyes shut.
Never in his life had he ever resented the agonizing limbo of resignation notice periods.
If not for that, he’d already be flying across the ocean, far away from this disgusting, chaotic
scene.
“Warren, total up the damage Jacob has done to your clothes and equipment and give me the sum. I’ll pay you back for it.”
All Warren could do in response was laugh in disbelief.
Even Shailey Ralston had learned how to play the money card.
On him, no less.
Adding fuel to the fire, Jacob playfully nudged him and whispered, “Warren, you can ask for more. With me around, she’ll have to pay up no matter the amount.”
She fondly chided him, “Turning against your own family now, huh? Are you conspiring with outsiders to empty your wife’s wallet?”
Jacob stuck his tongue out at her. “From now on, I’m half a big brother to Warren. Of course, I will take my little brother’s side.”
Warren let out another sneer.
Turning against family?
Outsiders?
Of course. The two of them were closest to each other now.
In their little world, he was indeed the outsider.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
It was David.
He composed himself before answering the call. “Mr. Keaton?”
David cut to the chase. “Warren, I remember you had a great set of bird photography from before. One of the chief editors here would like to take a look at them. Would you be able to send me the negatives?”
“Sure, hold on for a minute. I’ll send them over in a bit.”
Warren headed back into his room.
He was used to working with film cameras. By habit, he stored all his negatives in a locked drawer.
Instinctively, he reached for the key to unlock it, only to find the cabinet soaked through.
“Warren, I’m so sorry. I accidentally spilled coffee on it, and I was worried it would stain your cabinet. So I decided to wash the entire thing with water…”
The more Jacob spoke, the colder his heart grew.
He couldn’t be bothered responding before swiftly unlocking the drawer.
The moment he pulled it out, his last sliver of hope was utterly crushed.
Rows after rows of film lay soaking in water.
Some had unraveled, while others had changed color. Many were tangled in a chaotic mess. Even the water had turned a murky brownL
Three years‘ worth of negatives from his photography–all destroyed. Warren trembled with rage, unable to form words.
At some point, Shailey walked in. Upon seeing the ruined drawer, she said indifferently, “Add those films to the total damage. I’ll pay for them as well.”
Warren finally snapped. “Can he ever afford that? He doesn’t understand what these negatives mean to me! But what about you? You do, don’t you?”
A slight frown furrowed Shailey’s eyebrows. “They’re ruined already. Losing your temper won’t change anything, will it? Jacob was only trying to help me pack. Spilling the coffee was just an accident.”
“Just because it was an ‘accident‘ doesn’t make everything okay, does it? Will apologizing make the police let you go if you killed someone with your car?”
“Warren Gardner!” Shailey’s tone turned sharp. “Stop being unreasonable! How could you compare your negatives with human lives? The photos may be gone, but you just have to take new ones. Why are you making such a big fuss?”
From the other end of the line, David’s voice came through with concern. “Warren, is everything alright? Did something happen at home?”
Warren heaved an agonized sigh. “Mr. Keaton, now. I’ll find time to shoot a new set and send 11
“That’s fine. There’s no rush; it’ll take at least t
“Got it.”
The keyword didn’t escape Shailey’s ears. “Visa?
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Warren heaved an agonized sigh. “Mr. Keaton,
I’m afraid I can’t provide the negatives for
now. I’ll find time to shoot a new set and send them to you.”
“That’s fine. There’s no rush; it’ll take at least two weeks for your visa to be processed anyway.
“Got it.”
The keyword didn’t escape Shailey’s ears. “Visa? Are you going abroad?”
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