He Wouldn't Claim Me — Another Man Did-Chapter 42 - 38: Connections

That last question was clearly a test.

Ever since bumping into them holding hands at the school, Shane Sterling had been restless. He was genuinely worried her unforgettable first love would suddenly reappear and make Isla Prescott’s heart flutter again.

"He didn’t tell me," Isla Prescott said.

This was the answer Shane Sterling wanted, but now that he heard it, it didn’t feel definite enough.

"Then, you and Silas..."

"Isabelle!"

Annabelle Leighton suddenly popped out of the hallway, interrupting their conversation.

"Annie? What are you doing here so late?" Isla Prescott went to greet her.

"I was just passing by and saw the lights on upstairs, so I came up to check. Why haven’t you gone home yet? It’s so late." Annabelle Leighton looked at Isla Prescott with concern. "I’m sorry, Isabelle. I haven’t had any time to come by recently. You’ve been working so hard."

"It’s fine. I’m not always here this late. I just had to wait for a delivery today," Isla Prescott said, excitedly grabbing Annabelle Leighton’s hand. "Oh, by the way, the lights in the dance studio are installed! They’re gorgeous. I’ll take you to see them."

"Okay, okay!"

Annabelle Leighton was about to turn and follow Isla Prescott to see the lights when she looked up and saw Shane Sterling. She changed direction and walked over to him.

"Huh? Young Mr. Shaw? What brings you here?"

"I was inspecting the mall today and decided to drop by."

"Inspecting the mall? Does a simple mall inspection require your personal attention?"

Shane Sterling glanced at Isla Prescott. "Well, now that you two have set up shop in my mall, don’t I have to come and personally make sure everything is up to par?"

"Wow, well, thank you so much," Annabelle Leighton said with a laugh. "Don’t leave yet. I’ll treat you and Isabelle to a late-night snack later. I know a new barbecue place nearby that’s amazing."

"I’ll have to pass on the late-night snack. I have something else to do today. We can celebrate together on your opening day."

"Alright, that works too." Annabelle Leighton patted Shane Sterling’s arm. "Young Mr. Shaw, don’t forget to bring an opening gift."

"Of course."

The dance studio’s grand opening was set for the beginning of next month.

After the renovations were complete, Isla Prescott and Annabelle Leighton used the month-long airing-out period to start recruiting dance instructors and handling marketing and promotions. They were swamped every day.

The day before the grand opening, with everything finally in order, Isla Prescott at last had time to go home and visit her mother, Susan Dudley.

Susan Dudley didn’t know that Isla Prescott had already resigned from the Meritopia Song and Dance Troupe. The moment she saw her, she asked, "Isabelle, is work going well?"

Isla Prescott told her mother about quitting her job and starting her own business. Her mother was surprised, but only surprised.

"Mom, aren’t you mad that I’m only telling you this now?" Isla Prescott asked.

"Why would I be mad? Mom trusts that every choice you make is one you’ve thought through carefully."

"I took on some debt for the initial startup costs, and I’m not sure how things will turn out. To be honest, I’m a little anxious, and I was afraid I’d make you worry if I told you too soon."

"It’s okay. You’re still young, and being young means you can afford to make mistakes. If it really doesn’t work out, you can always come home. Mom will always have enough potatoes for you."

Isla Prescott wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck. "Thanks, Mom. You’re the best mom in the world."

Susan Dudley wasn’t used to such effusive displays of affection from Isla Prescott. Her face quietly flushed, and her eyes reddened.

--

On the day of the dance studio’s grand opening, Annabelle Leighton invited many of her friends to come and show their support.

Most of Annabelle Leighton’s friends were from Meritopia’s wealthy second generation. They were all loaded and knew how to make a splash. Besides the standard opening flower baskets, some even used drones and robots to promote the studio all over the plaza.

The atmosphere at the opening was electric, and potential customers inquiring about dance classes streamed in endlessly.

Shane Sterling arrived at noon. He had already sent his first batch of opening gifts half a month ago—ten air purifiers. Today, he brought another: an oil painting titled "Dance" by the famous artist Eve, to be the studio’s inaugural hanging piece.

It was said that Eve’s works were priceless and nearly impossible to find on the market, making them incredibly valuable.

When Shane Sterling arrived, Isla Prescott had just finished with the morning rush.

A lot of people had signed up that morning. Isla Prescott and the newly hired dance instructor, Kiki Ford, had been typing up registration forms so furiously that their keyboards were practically smoking.

"Have some water, Boss Prescott."

Isla Prescott was checking the information on a registration form when a bottle of mineral water was handed to her from behind.

She turned her head and saw Shane Sterling leaning an elbow on the back of her chair, a roguish smile on his face.

"Thanks." Isla Prescott really had been so busy she hadn’t had a sip of water all morning. She took the bottle and noticed he had already loosened the cap for her.

"Business is good."

"Yeah, today turned out even better than I imagined." Isla Prescott was very happy. "It’s all thanks to Annie. Her network is just so extensive."

Shane Sterling glanced at the noisy young masters and ladies helping with promotions at the entrance. He recognized a few faces and said dismissively, "It’s alright."

"Just alright? Being able to get Young Mr. Shaw to show up... that network must be top-tier in Meritopia, wouldn’t you say?" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Who said I’m part of Annabelle Leighton’s network?" Shane Sterling circled around to face her, his voice lazy. "I’m part of *your* network."

Across from them, Kiki Ford covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. Isla Prescott’s face instantly flushed crimson.

"Isabelle! Congratulations!"

At the entrance, Ivan Fulton walked in.

Isla Prescott took the opportunity to stand up, avoiding Shane Sterling’s gaze, and walked toward Ivan Fulton. "Ethan, you came too."

"Of course! You and Annie are starting a business, so I definitely had to come and show my support!"

"Thank you."

"Don’t mention it, don’t mention it."

Ivan Fulton walked over to Shane Sterling and slung an arm around his shoulder. "You came alone? Didn’t Silas come with you?"

Shane Sterling shrugged his arm off. "I didn’t know he was coming."

Isla Prescott also hadn’t known Silas Lockwood would be here today. She had thought that after she rejected him the other day, he wouldn’t want to see her for a while.

"I was on the phone with him yesterday, and he said he’d be here today." Ivan Fulton glanced at his watch. "Seriously, that guy... his own sister is starting a business, and he’s still late to such an important event."

The moment Ivan Fulton finished speaking, a commotion erupted at the entrance.

"Whoa! What’s all this, Silas Lockwood?" Annabelle Leighton joked loudly. "Why did you bring so many roses? This is a grand opening. Did you walk onto the wrong set?"

Everyone laughed.

Hearing the commotion, Shane Sterling and Ivan Fulton walked to the entrance. Isla Prescott followed to take a look.

At the entrance of the dance studio stood Silas Lockwood, dressed in a custom-tailored suit, pushing a cart with 999 roses. Silver balloons floated above the bouquet. The spectacle indeed looked less like a grand opening celebration and more like a public love confession.

Isla Prescott was suddenly filled with a terrible premonition.

Sure enough, Silas Lockwood’s gaze fell directly on Isla Prescott.

"Isabelle!" he called out to her.

Isla Prescott frowned, her eyes pleading with him not to do anything rash. But either Silas Lockwood didn’t understand her meaning or he had already made up his mind. He pulled a single rose from the enormous bouquet and walked straight to her, flower in hand, his eyes gazing at her with deep affection.

"You said you wanted to love someone out in the open. So today, I’m taking this opportunity to tell everyone that I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?"

His gaze was sincere and intense, like a lone crane at the edge of a chasm, filled with the do-or-die desperation of someone who had burned all their bridges.

The shoppers passing through the mall assumed it was just an ordinary public confession and gathered around to applaud and cheer. But Annabelle Leighton, Ivan Fulton, and the others in their group were all frozen in place.

Everyone in Meritopia’s high society knew that Mrs. Lockwood, Yvette Shaw, had very publicly adopted a girl from a poor, mountainous region. She had raised this girl in the Lockwood Family for many years, treating her like her own flesh and blood, and she and Silas Lockwood were known as brother and sister.

’And now, the brother was confessing his love to his sister?’

’What kind of high drama was this?’

The young masters and ladies Annabelle Leighton had invited to show support loved nothing more than high-society gossip. They all whipped out their phones to record the scene.

Isla Prescott went from initial panic to utter helplessness the moment she heard Silas Lockwood say those words.