Chapter 366 Is It Because You Don't Like It?
"Hey, where should we meet up?" Seb asked.
"After work this evening, I'll come to your office to see you." Sharon replied.
After hanging up, Sharon took a deep breath, grabbed her phone, and headed to her room for a shower and some rest.
The next evening, after wrapping up her work in the lab, Sharon went straight to the top floor to find Seb.
Paul, already briefed, spotted her and walked over. "Ms. Roach, Mr. Smith is waiting for you in his office. Let me show you the way."
"Thanks," Sharon said.
Paul led her into the office and quickly left.
Seb put down the document he was reading and looked up. "Have a seat. I'll be with you after I sign this."
Sharon sat on the sofa, waiting for a few minutes. Seb then got up from his desk and sat across from her.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" Seb asked.
Sharon took a deep breath. "I've thought it over. Demetrius is at a sensitive age and needs a stable family. So, I'm willing to pretend to be a loving couple with you in front of him, but I have a few conditions."
Seb frowned. "Pretend? What do you mean?"
He wanted to genuinely be with her again, to make things right for her and Demetrius, not just put on a show.
Sharon looked him in the eye and said calmly, "I don't want to start a romantic relationship with you again. I hope you understand."
If Seb hadn't used Demetrius to pressure her, she might have softened and gotten back together with him. But now, if she accepted his feelings because of Demetrius, he would just use the same tactic to manipulate her in the future. She didn't want a love built on manipulation.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Seb's face. He had hoped Sharon wanted to give him another chance. But now he realized it was just wishful thinking. However, as long as she was willing to come back, he believed he could win her heart again over time.
With that thought, Seb nodded. "I understand. What are your conditions?"
"First, we only pretend to be a couple in front of Demetrius. At other times, we stay out of each other's lives," Sharon stated.
"Second, once Demetrius is an adult, we explain everything to him and then go our separate ways," she continued.
"Third, if either of us plans to start a new relationship, we inform the other in advance and come up with a plan to minimize the impact on Demetrius," Sharon finished.
Seb stayed silent as he listened to her. Then he looked at her and said, "I can agree to your conditions, but you and Demetrius have to move back in."
"Alright," Sharon agreed. She had already decided that either Seb would move in with them or they would move back to the villa. They couldn't live separately if they were going to keep up the act for Demetrius.
"Since the weekend's coming up, I'll send someone to help you pack, and you can move back this weekend," Seb suggested.
Sharon frowned slightly. It felt a bit rushed, but she nodded. "Alright."
Seb stood up. "Since we're done talking, I have work to do. You can head back now."
Sharon said, "Alright, Mr. Smith, I..."
Seb interrupted her, "From now on, don't call me Mr. Smith; just call me Seb."
"Okay, Seb. Demetrius has been feeling a bit down lately. If you have time, come over for dinner tomorrow night," Sharon said.
"I have a business event tomorrow night. How about the night after?" Seb offered.
"That's fine. I'll head back now," Sharon replied.
After Sharon left, Seb didn't go back to his desk. Instead, he grabbed a bottle of red wine from the cabinet, poured himself a glass, and walked over to the window. He stared down at the bustling streets below, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Grace was losing her patience and called Kirk out.
"When are you going to take action? If you're too scared to deal with Sharon, I'll find someone else!" Grace snapped.
Kirk saw the frustration on Grace's face, and though a flicker of disgust crossed his eyes, he still kept a gentle smile.
"Grace, don't rush. It takes time to stage an accident. If we leave any evidence and I get caught, it will all be for nothing," Kirk explained calmly.
Grace's eyes were full of mockery. "Kirk, stop with the excuses. Just tell me how long until Sharon is dead!"
"I promise, no more than a month," Kirk assured her.
"A month? Do you think I'm an idiot?" Grace retorted.
"Grace, one month is truly the quickest I can manage. Besides, you need time to transfer Victor's money, right?" Kirk coaxed.
Grace gritted her teeth. "Fine, I'll give you one last month. If Sharon is still alive after that, I'll tell Seb everything you did at Silvercrest Group. You know the consequences!"
Over the years, Kirk, the leader of the second drug research team at Silvercrest Group, had embezzled a considerable amount of research funds, estimated at over a million dollars.
If Seb found out about such a significant embezzler in his company, he wouldn't let Kirk off the hook. Kirk would end up in prison.
Kirk lowered his eyes, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in them. Since Grace wasn't going to let him go, he could kill her once he get the money.
"Alright, I promise you, Sharon will be dead in a month," Kirk said.
Back at home, Sharon told Demetrius about her plan to move back.
Excitement flashed in Demetrius's eyes, but it quickly turned into disappointment and sadness.
"Mom, are you moving back just for me? If that's the case, I don't want to move back," Demetrius said.
Sharon squatted down to look him in the eye, her gaze full of tenderness, "Demetrius, why would you think that? I'm willing to move back because I want to give your dad another chance. Besides, don't you want the three of us to be together?"
Demetrius lowered his eyes and said nothing.
He did want the three of them to be together, but he wanted Sharon to be happy even more.
"Mom, will you be happy going back to Dad?" Demetrius asked.
Sharon nodded. "Of course, I'll be happy. Otherwise, why would I get back together with him?"
"Really?" Demetrius asked, seeking reassurance.
"Of course it's true. I never lie to you, right?" Sharon replied.
After staring at Sharon for a while, Demetrius finally said, "Right."
Seeing Demetrius smile, Sharon finally let out a sigh of relief.
As long as Demetrius was happy, it was all worth it.
After dinner, Sharon put Demetrius to bed and was about to read a book in the living room when her phone suddenly rang.
Seeing it was an unknown number, Sharon hung up directly.
The call didn't come again, but soon Sharon's phone vibrated, indicating a new message.
[Why did you throw away the roses I sent you? Is it because you don't like them?]
Sharon's pupils contracted sharply, and she immediately called back, but the phone indicated that the number was now turned off.
Her fingers tightened around her phone, and her face turned pale.
The person who had been sending her roses hadn't appeared for a while, so Sharon had gradually forgotten about it.
To her surprise, that person showed up again.
After thinking for a moment, she immediately called Donna. "Donna, I need you to help me trace a phone number."
After sending the unknown number to Donna, Sharon lost the mood to read. She got up and walked to the balcony, pondering who the person could be.
Leo's name once again surfaced in her mind, but she immediately dismissed it. After all, Leo was now married with a child and living a happy life. He shouldn't be doing something like this. But what if he did?
Sharon anxiously waited for over half an hour before Donna called back.
"Sharon, I couldn't find any information on that number. It seems to be deliberately hidden. Why are you looking into it?" Donna asked.
Sharon hadn't expected Donna to come up empty-handed. Donna was very skilled with computers and had previously tracked down the home addresses and life histories of people who had insulted her online, sending them legal warnings one by one.
But this only further indicated that the person hiding behind the scenes had malicious intentions.
"It's nothing, Donna. Thank you. I'll treat you to dinner when I get back to Aidamore," Sharon said, trying to sound casual.
Sensing that Sharon didn't want to elaborate, Donna didn't press further. "I couldn't even find out the owner's last name, so I didn't help much. No need for dinner. By the way, how's everything in Metropolis? Is the project progressing smoothly?"
They chatted briefly about the project before hanging up.
Sharon was hesitating about whether to ask Seb for help when her phone suddenly received another text message.
[Sharon, do you really want to know who I am? I've been watching you from where you can't see. It's cold at night; don't stay on the balcony in the cold wind. Get some rest.]
This message sent a chill down Sharon's spine, making her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.
That person not only knew she was investigating him but also knew she was standing on the balcony right now!
Sharon quickly turned her head, scanning the areas that could see her balcony, but she found nothing unusual.
Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message.
[Sharon, stop looking for me. I'll appear when the time comes.]
Sharon gripped her phone tightly, turned around, closed the balcony door, and drew the curtains. She sat on the sofa, trembling as she typed: [Who are you? If you don't reveal your identity, I'll call the police!]
However, after she sent the message, there was no response.
Sharon called the number again, but it was still turned off.
After calming down, Sharon immediately contacted Seb and told him everything that had happened.
Seb arrived quickly, within half an hour.
He was still in his business attire, clearly having come straight from the company.
After reading the messages on Sharon's phone, he said coldly, "You can't stay here anymore. You and Demetrius will move in tonight. I'll have someone pack your things tomorrow. I'll handle this. Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you."
As Sharon thought about the messages, she still felt a lingering fear and nodded. "Alright."
Sharon wrapped the sleeping Demetrius in a blanket, packed some essential items, and left with Seb.
Back at Seb's villa, she finally began to feel at ease.
Seeing Seb carrying Demetrius into the living room, followed by Sharon, Dana was surprised but quickly approached.
"Mr. Smith, Mr. Demetrius Roach and Ms. Roach's rooms are ready," Dana informed.
Seb nodded and carried Demetrius upstairs, tucking him into bed before leaving.
As Seb closed Demetrius's bedroom door, he saw Sharon standing not far away, looking a bit dazed.
Seb walked up to her and spoke softly, "Don't worry. I've already had someone start investigating. We'll catch that person soon."
Sharon nodded. "Thank you."
"Sharon, please do not consider it an inconvenience; this is what I ought to do. I am delighted that you called me tonight." Seb said. At least he felt needed by Sharon.
Sharon's eyes flickered, and she lowered her head, "I'm a bit tired. I'll go to my room now. You should rest early too."
"Alright," Seb replied.
Sharon didn't look at him again, turning to open her room door and walking in.
Only after closing the door did she lean against it and let out a sigh of relief.
Feeling her heart racing, she gave a wry smile and grabbed her clothes to take a shower.
Outside, after Sharon's figure disappeared behind the door, Seb's expression turned cold. He quickly walked downstairs and went straight to the study.
Paul worked quickly and found out who the phone number belonged to within an hour.
"Mr. Smith, the person is named Terrence Banks, twenty-nine years old, working as a security guard in Ms. Roach's apartment complex. He has almost no friends and keeps to himself," Paul reported.
Seb said coldly, "From the messages he sent, he has known Sharon for five years. He can't just be a random security guard."
"Should we continue investigating?" Paul asked.
"Yes. Keep an eye on that security guard and find out who he's been in contact with. Besides, check on Leo," Seb instructed.
If there was anyone Sharon knew who could be this twisted, Seb thought it might be Leo.
"Mr. Smith, Mr. Wendy has a family now. He probably wouldn't..." Paul began.
"I need evidence, not your assumptions," Seb interrupted.
With that, Seb hung up the phone.
He put down his phone, his face dark.
The next morning, Demetrius woke up to find himself in a room at Seb's villa. Surprised, he quickly got out of bed and ran out without even putting on his shoes.
As soon as he opened the door, he bumped into Sharon.
Sharon couldn't help but smile, picking him up. "Why are you running around without shoes? The floor is cold."
"Mom, why are we here?" Demetrius asked.
"Your dad missed you, so he brought us over while you were asleep last night," Sharon explained.
Demetrius's eyes lit up with excitement. "Where's Dad?"
"He's downstairs having breakfast. I came to wake you up. Wash up and then go downstairs," Sharon said.
"Okay," Demetrius replied.
After putting shoes on Demetrius and helping him wash up and change clothes, Sharon took him downstairs.
After all, he was a child, and his emotions were plain to see. Sharon could clearly see that his steps were lighter than usual.
It was amazing how strong blood ties could be; even though Demetrius hadn't spent much time with Seb, he seemed to really like him.
As soon as they reached the living room, Demetrius let go of Sharon's hand and quickened his pace towards Seb.
"Dad, good morning," Demetrius greeted.
Seb looked at him, his gaze softening. "Good morning, Demetrius. What do you want for breakfast today?"
"I want fried eggs," Demetrius said.
"Alright, I'll have Dana make some for you," Seb replied.
Sharon, a few steps behind, pulled out a chair next to Seb and sat down. "Good morning."
Seb looked at her, his gaze even softer. "Good morning."
After breakfast, the driver took Demetrius to school, and Sharon finally had a moment to ask Seb about the unknown number.
"Did you find out who sent me those messages?" Sharon inquired.
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