Chapter 957

The man stood off to the side, his features sharp and cold. He carried himself with an imposing, almost aristocratic aura. He certainly didn't look like a guy who lived off a woman's money.

Sensing the gaze, Channing looked over at Shanley. The two men stared each other down, silently evaluating the competition.

Just then, Juniper and Coralie walked out hand-in-hand. Instantly, both men snapped their attention back to their respective women.

"Ms. Quill," Shanley stepped forward, lowering his head in a display of total respect. "I am truly sorry for putting you through that."

"I just want to know why you grabbed me," Coralie asked. She had promised Juniper she'd forgive him, but she still needed answers. "If I wasn't connected to Juniper, were you really going to kill me?"

"No." Shanley frowned. "I just thought your sudden approach to her was suspicious, so I brought you in for questioning. If you were innocent, I would have let you go."

"And if I meant her harm..." Shanley's eyes turned icy. "Then killing you wouldn't have been out of line, would it?"

Coralie was speechless. Put that way, he wasn't entirely wrong. His only motivation was protecting her little sister.

"Stop talking nonsense," Juniper scolded, shooting him a warning look.

Shanley immediately shut his mouth and stepped obediently to Juniper's side.

Coralie watched the exchange, amused. The big, bad Shanley Schwartz was completely whipped. She loved to see it.

"The cars are ready, and your siblings are waiting," Shanley said smoothly. "Jimmie has been rushing me."

He already arranged everything? Juniper glanced at him, surprised by his thoughtfulness.

"Let's go," Juniper said to her sister.

"Okay," Coralie nodded. As she walked past Channing, she paused. "Channing, go back to the hotel."

This was a family reunion. He was just her boy toy; it wasn't appropriate to bring him along.

Channing understood perfectly. He stood frozen, his brow furrowed as he stared at her with deep, pleading eyes. He looked like an abandoned puppy begging to be taken along.

Meeting his gaze, Coralie's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly grounded herself. She liked his face, he liked her money. It was a transactional relationship-how much genuine affection could there really be? She had kept him around to numb her loneliness, but now she had her family back. She didn't need a placeholder anymore.

Besides, the longer she kept him, the harder it would be to sever ties.

"You..." Coralie started, fully intending to dismiss him for good. But looking at his

face, she just couldn't force the cruel words out.

Whatever. He had kept her company for a long time; he deserved some

compensation. She'd deal with it later.

"Go back to the hotel for now," she sighed. "I'll come find you when I'm done here."

"Okay," Channing agreed softly, turning and leaving without another word.

Meanwhile, in a private VIP room.

Shanley had summoned Jimmie

Tate, Harold Houston, Melvin Steele, Ebony Fox, and Celine Sherwin with her husband. He had announced that he had something of the utmost importance to share with the family.

"What's with the mystery and the grand setup?" Melvin lounged on the sofa,

crossing his legs. "Don't tell me our little sister is pregnant."

The entire room froze, and every single person slowly turned to glare at Melvin with murderous intent.