Chapter 690


    Chapter 690 Gentle Actions


    When Alicia''s tone suddenly turned cold, I could tell that I had touched a nerve. I looked at Shawn


    helplessly, seeking his assistance. He reached out and grabbed my arm, saying, "Let''s discuss this in a


    calm manner."


    Alicia softened her tone and apologized, "I''m sorry."


    After exchanging a few words with Shawn, Alicia left. Once she was gone, I asked Shawn, "What did I


    do wrong just now?"


    "Mother doesn''t really like celebrities, especially those involved in modern pop culture. She ns to


    invite some famous traditional opera performers."


    I pouted and said, "That doesn''t conflict with my idea. She can invite whoever she wants, and I can


    invite whoever I want. Didn''t you see her expression just now? It''s like I did something wrong—"


    I quickly stopped myself and asked, "Am I being too sensitive?"


    Shawn reassured me, "She was just speaking her mind. She didn''t mean to target you, so don''t take it


    personally."


    "But I am being quite petty. I''ll keep this in mind."


    Shawnforted me, "You don''t have to be so cautious."


    That was my mother-inw, after all. So I had to be more polite to her.


    I nestled in his arms and asked, "What''s your schedule for this afternoon?"


    "I''ll be practicing calligraphy and brush painting. Would you like to learn it?"


    I was terrible at calligraphy.


    "I can try painting."


    Then, I praised him admirably, "You''re good at everything."


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    "It''s just a habit I developed since I was young."


    Once he was done, he got up and went upstairs first. I took the cake into the kitchen and put it on a


    te. Then, I poured two cups of coffee before going upstairs to the study.


    Shawn had already prepared some cartridge paper, and he called me over to hold the pen and imitate


    andscape painting on the wall. While doing so, he exined how to hold the pen, outline the


    painting, and add color. Then, he instructed me to start by drawing rocks, tree branches, mountains,


    and then rivers and figures. Perhaps I had some talent in this area, as the final result looked quite


    decent.


    Iplimented myself, saying, "It''s really beautiful."


    But Shawnmented, "It''s a mess, but not bad for a beginner. Practice makes perfect. Try copying


    another painting on the wall."


    While nodding, I grabbed a new cartridge paper and continued copying the painting on the wall. As I


    painted, I casually said, "In the past, I''ve only ever learned modern culture, like ying the piano,


    dancing, and flower arranging."


    Shawn was interested and asked, "Do you know how to dance?"


    "Well... Does attending dance sses count?"


    I attended dance and piano sses since I was young but only ended up excelling in piano. My teacher


    once praised my talent for dancing, and I worked hard at it. Merlin used to bring me to the bar to


    perform on stage, and I could always find the beat urately.


    I exined, "I can do things like bending down and doing splits, as well as other flexible movements. I


    still remember quite a few dance moves."


    Shawn picked up on the key point and asked, "Flexible movements?"


    Still painting, I asked, "What''s the matter? Is there something special about that?"


    "Why are you so stiff when we make love?"


    I replied nothing.


    His tone was filled with genuine confusion.


    So I red at him and ignored him.


    While Shawn continued practicing calligraphy at another desk, I continued painting. After two hours, I


    lost interest in painting, and when he wanted to teach me how to write calligraphy, I resolutely refused,


    "I can''t learn it no matter how."


    In the end, Shawn continued practicing his calligraphy while I went over to sit next to him, resting my


    chin on the desk as I asked, "Can we arrange a dance party for the children''s first birthday? Troy said


    he would attend the party, and he''s the hottest and most talented celebrity right now. It would definitely


    be a hit if he participated, and he''s so handsome. It would make the birthday party even more special!"


    With furrowed eyebrows, Shawn asked, "Just because he''s handsome?"


    Um… Do I smell jealousy?


    "What I mean is that the guests would like him because he''s handsome."


    Shawn rxed and assured me, "You don''t have to worry about that. I will let Waylen invite them, and I


    will also invite some famous traditional opera performers."


    "Then I''ll leave it to you."


    I took out my phone and sent a message in the group chat, ''We''re inviting celebrities to the birthday


    party. Thank you in advance for your hard work, Troy!''


    Troy replied, ''Sure. Don''t worry about a thing, Renee.''


    Then, Emma suddenly created a new group chat.


    She added me, Amy, and May to the group.


    She sent a message, ''Sisters, let''s surprise everyone!''


    May asked, ''What kind of surprise?''


    ''Let us four perform together! Since it''s going to be a lively event, it would be even more exciting if we


    performed ourselves, right?''


    I didn''t expect Emma would suggest that we have our own performance.


    Amy quickly replied, ''I''m still in the middle of filming.''


    But Emma blocked her escape route. ''You can practice on set. Troy is a professional in this field, so


    you can ask him for guidance.''


    Then, May asked, ''What kind of performance would it be?''


    Emma sent a voice message, "Singing is too ordinary, so let''s dance. But not just any ordinary dance. It


    should be a passionate and energetic dance that can liven up the atmosphere. Eve, asking Troy to


    introduce a dance teacher who can help use up with a choreography. It would be best if you can


    do that by tomorrow, or else we won''t have time to practice. I''ll be back in Bryxton tomorrow."


    Emma always had new ideas.


    She was such a versatile girl.


    However, the most memorable thing about her was when she pretended to be innocent.


    I expressed my opinion. ''I''m fine with it.''


    ''We can''t just be supporting roles because it''s Renee''s children''s birthday party. All four of us should be


    the main characters!''


    Amy said firmly.


    Emma replied, ''Of course we will. After all, there would be men watching us from below, so we have to


    give them a stunning performance.''


    I sent a bouquet of flowers emoji and replied, ''I have no problem with that. But I won''tpete with you


    young girls for these things. I can dance less.''


    But May disagreed, ''That won''t do! Let Troy arrange for that. After all, we have a ready-made


    choreographer, so we don''t need to start from scratch.''


    Amy replied, ''Okay, I''ll talk to himter.''


    Once the conversation ended, the group chat fell silent. When Shawn saw that I was ying with my


    phone, he no longer forced me to paint. Soon, he instructed, "Come with me somewhere."


    I looked up and asked him, "Where are we going?"


    "To check up on Rudy."


    I got up and put away my phone, saying, "His injuries are quite serious, and he only has two doctors


    looking after him. To think of it, he doesn''t have many family members."


    Shawn spoke frankly. "He brought it upon himself."


    It was his actions that caused May to leave him.


    "Alright, I''ll apany you to see him."


    Suddenly recalling something, I asked, "Are the childrening home with Kevin?"


    The man put down his pen and replied, "Yes. They will be reaching Bryxton tomorrow."


    "Is everything settled at Espoo?"


    "There won''t be too much pressure for now."


    I linked my arm with him as we walked out. Shawn asked my bodyguards to stay at the vi as he


    would be personally driving me to the city center.


    We went to a flower shop, where I picked out a bouquet of roses.


    It wasn''t specifically for Rudy.


    It was to decorate the vi.


    An hourter, we arrived at the seaside vi. Shawn parked the car on the beach, and I held the


    bouquet of flowers, linking arms with him as we entered the vi. The bloodstains by the pool were still


    there, and Shawn frowned after seeing them. "May still needs to mediate the conflict between Rudy


    and Alfred. She can''t keep escaping it."


    "May probably doesn''t want to face Rudy right now."


    Just as Shawn was about to enter the vi, he suddenly stopped and looked at the umbre at the


    entrance. He remarked, "We have an unexpected guest."


    I curiously asked, "Who is it?"