Chapter 19

When Shannon finished speaking, a look of bewilderment flashed across Adam's usually calm face. It was as if he hadn't understood what she meant just now. They were talking about switching rooms, right? Why did it turn into moving out? Scott and the others were in disbelief as well. They felt that Shannon was making mountains out of molehills. "Do you really have to go that far?" It wasn't even anything serious! Hank had a disdainful look on his face. "You're not a kid anymore. Running away from home won't have any effect on the Jensens." He felt that Shannon didn't mean it. After all, the Jensens were different from the Grays. They were one of the top wealthy merchant families in Seatone City. Hank doubted that Shannon would want to leave. Nearby, Linda said hypocritically, "Shannon, you did something wrong, and Adam just gave you a gentle reminder. Why do you have to go so far as to threaten to run away from home? You have such a terrible temper." It was only at that moment that Adam sensed that something was off. He did notice Scott's attitude toward Shannon yesterday, but he just assumed that Scott was still young and couldn't get used to a sudden addition to the family. But now, Adam could see that Hank, Caleb, and even Linda weren't quite friendly toward Shannon. If they were already saying such things with him around, how much worse would it be in his absence? "Shannon, you—" Frowning, Adam wanted to get to the bottom of this, but Shannon didn't intend to continue listening. Turning around, she suddenly called out to something in the house. Soon, a small white fox with a round body instantly leaped into her arms. Shannon caught it straight away. Then, she grabbed her bag, which she had just brought back from her rented house. She didn't even open her bag, leaving it exactly how it was when she came. Turning around, she went downstairs. It was only then that Adam realized that he must have done something wrong just now. He hastily reached out to stop Shannon. "Shannon, if you were mistreated in any way, please tell me. Don't…" Adam wanted to tell Shannon not to let her emotions cloud her judgment. But Shannon just looked at him with a calm look in her eyes. "I'm fine." She had simply given up. Shannon had always known that she would never have strong familial ties. In the past 18 years, she had never experienced familial bonds in the Gray family, so she wouldn't expect to get them in the Jensen family. Perhaps Hector had sincerely accepted her, but the Jensen family didn't belong to him alone. Since they couldn't get along, Shannon decided to stop trying. She had finally broken free from the chains of the Gray family. In the future, she would live her life however she wanted. With the little fox in her arms, Shannon walked around Adam. She didn't even spare a glance back at them as she left without hesitation. "What… She got into trouble, but she left just like that? How irresponsible!" Scott was shocked to see that Shannon had left like she said she would. He couldn't help but complain under his breath, but as soon as he said those words, Adrian slapped him on the head. "How does this concern you at all? You keep yapping non-stop every day. Just shut up for once!" With violent suppression from his father, Scott finally shut up obediently. Hector had been silent all this while. At that moment, he finally did something and went after Shannon. Shannon thought that he was trying to get her to stay, but to her surprise, Hector turned around and told the butler to get a car ready to see her off. Hector gazed at Shannon, his handsome face filled with his unique tenderness. "You didn't do anything wrong." Shannon was stunned. "You've just returned home, so if you do nothing but tolerate them, they would only think that they could bully you however they want. So, things will only get worse in the future. But if you stand your ground like what you did just now, they will think twice before bullying you." As Hector spoke, he even sounded a little comforted. Shannon was speechless. Did Hector assume that she was just standing her ground when she said that she would be moving out? But she had really planned to move out. She opened her mouth to explain. "I wasn't—" But Hector cut her off in a gentle voice. "I have an apartment in Clear Bay. You can stay there for a day or two. During that period, I'll get a maid to cook and clean for you every day. Just stay there and don't worry about anything." As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes a little. "I promise I'll bring you justice for what happened today." Shannon met Hector's earnest gaze. For a moment, she didn't know what she should say. If a model elder brother existed, he would probably look like Hector. Shannon was quite fond of her brother. She lowered her head a little, feeling surprised when a large hand was gently placed on the top of her head. It was a reassuring warmth. "You are my sister. If they can't come to terms with that, we'll just have to hammer it into their heads. They'll understand it eventually." When Hector said that, he had his usual gentle smile on his lips. However, there was a slightly cold and dangerous look in his pretty eyes. Shannon could almost picture Hector smiling as he mercilessly smacked his cousins one by one. Guping, Shannon said softly, "Alright." She actually wanted to see that in person. After thinking for a moment, Shannon put Marshmallow in the car before retrieving two pouches from her backpack. She handed the pouches to Hector. "I made these talismans myself. I was planning to give one each to you and him." Of course, the "him" referred to Adam. But after what happened just now, she couldn't be bothered to give the gift in person. So, she could only ask Hector to pass it on to Adam. When Hector heard that Shannon had made the talismans herself, the gleam in his pretty eyes flickered a little. Then, he smiled as he accepted them. "I'll make sure to bring it everywhere with me." Shannon nodded. Without another word, she turned around and got into the car. Hector stood where he was, watching the car drive off into the distance. A long while later, he slowly turned around. The faint smile on his lips disappeared as soon as he turned around, and it was replaced by complete coldness. In the villa, Adam and the others were waiting in the living room. When they saw Hector returning alone, they knew that he hadn't managed to get Shannon to stay. Adam had a sullen look on his face. "So, Shannon refused to stay?" Instead of answering the question, Hector walked up to Adam and said in a calm voice, "Dad, I think I'm obliged to explain to you what exactly happened today." For some reason, when Scott and the others heard the calm tone in Hector's voice, they felt a shiver running up their spines. … In the car, Shannon no longer cared about the Jensens and their house behind her. She took out a talisman from her bag. She indeed hadn't expected the others to realize so soon that she was one of the Jensens. Still, the Shaws couldn't possibly ignore the connections between the two families and complain to Adam just because Shannon had spouted nonsense at them. Judging by the huge response from the Shaw family, something must have happened to Emily.