Chapter 565: It's All a Ruse
The Truth Revealed
Looking at the girl, Siobhan didn't know whether to be envious or speechless. From an outside perspective, Luke had been nothing but generous to Linda, compliant, giving her whatever she wanted, and never saying a harsh word. Even when she nearly bankrupted Tesla, he glossed over it.
What girl wouldn't want a man like that?
As for being a womanizer, that was a joke.
A twenty-year-old, handsome, charismatic super-rich billionaire worth tens of billions of dollars—girls who admired him could line up for blocks. Hundreds of people confessed their love on ShowMe every day, not to mention all the fame-hungry models and stars. Yet, this diamond bachelor had never been involved in any scandal, maintaining a strictly professional relationship with his female employees. If this was considered "womanizing," what did that make the rich second-generation heirs frequently featured in tabloid news?
Of course, this was the perspective of an outsider. Linda, as an insider, didn't see clearly.
Siobhan grabbed her hand.
"Still don't understand?"
Linda was filled with hesitation. "He... he... he really did mean it."
Siobhan tapped her on the forehead.
"I've never met anyone as foolish as you. If Luke Shaw truly wanted to kick you out, a simple 'Get lost' would suffice. Why would he specifically tell you to take the Conquest? The only reason he did that is because he realized he might lose. To ensure your survival, he forced you to leave Earth."
"He was trying to protect you, and you, silly girl, didn't understand anything."
Linda's mind reeled. She sat blankly on the sofa.
Siobhan continued,
"Think about how Luke usually treats you. Even if he genuinely chose Carol Ferris, he wouldn't just let you go. You..."
The girl jumped up and rushed outside.
"What are you doing?"
"Going to see him."
"Now is not the right time!"
"I don't care anymore!"
Siobhan's words were a revelation to her. Her heart was on fire. She couldn't wait another second. Leaving the hotel, she flew straight into the sky, accelerating to her limit. In a short time, she crossed hundreds of kilometers to arrive at Lake View Villa. Once there, she found the villa gates closed and no one inside.
"Ava, come out."
The virtual avatar floated in mid-air. "Hello, Miss Danvers. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Where is Luke?"
"I apologize, but the Young Master told me to tell you to leave quickly. He does not wish to see you."
Linda raised her fist. "If you don't tell me, I'll smash the house."
Ava was silent.
"Tell me quickly, where is he?"
After a few seconds of hesitation, Ava provided the answer.
"The Young Master is in Coast City, with Miss Ferris. It is better if you do not go see him."
"Mind your own business."
The girl glared at Ava, flew up, leaving a sonic boom in her wake, and vanished instantly.
The Unexpected Arrival
Coast City, inside Shaw Manor.
Luke opened the car door, leading out a very reluctant Carol.
"From now on, this is our home. Our home for life."
"What about Linda? What happens to her?"
Luke gave a forced smile. "I've explained it eight times already. She's in the past. It's just the two of us."
Carol scoffed. "You really have the heart to do that."
Her tone was cold, but her mood was good. Her eyes swept the surroundings, then she suddenly said,
"I heard Linda is Mr. Ling's apprentice."
Luke nodded.
"Then we should leave a room for her. It doesn't need to be too big. A few square meters will be enough."
Luke was stunned.
"What, are you unwilling?"
Her sharp gaze pierced him. What could Luke do but offer a wry smile?
"Alright, alright, whatever you say. You are the mistress of the house. Your word is law."
"Smart boy."
Carol rolled her eyes beautifully, linked her arm with Luke's, and walked toward the villa. Dinner was already prepared. The three elders were chatting while anxiously watching the door. They were very curious: who would appear at the door? Linda, or Carol?
A familiar laugh rang out. The three elders exchanged a look, their expressions confirming their expectations. Lingxu Zi's mood was complex, unsure whether to be happy or sad.
Entering the dining room, Carol greeted everyone familiarly. The family sat down at the table, eating happily together. Suddenly, a rush of sonic booms came, and before anyone could react, an extra person was in the dining room.
Golden-yellow hair, a distinctly curved body, arms crossed over her chest, a slight smirk, and an expression that showed three parts disdain and three parts anger on her sweet face.
Carol put down her knife and fork, staring coldly at the newcomer. If looks could kill, Linda would have been sliced into a thousand pieces.
Luke was secretly overjoyed, but his face was grim.
"Didn't I tell you to leave Earth? Why are you back? You're not welcome here."
"You tell me to leave, and I just go? Why should I? I'm not leaving. Let's see what you can do about it." The girl lifted her chin, dragged a chair to the table, and extended her right hand. "Auntie Li, I'm hungry. Can I have a bowl and chopsticks?"
Everyone was speechless.
What in the world?
Didn't they agree on one or the other? How did both girls end up back here?
Carol was shaking with rage, her eyes seemingly ready to devour someone. He told you to leave, and you still came back? How utterly shameless! Linda bared her teeth like a combative kitten, meeting Carol's gaze without hesitation.
The two were like needle points against wheat awns, a fireball against a cannon, neither willing to back down.
The sound of crackling energy filled the air, the oppressive tension making everyone uncomfortable.
Luke was caught in the middle, feeling utterly miserable. Seeing the situation escalating, he could only try to persuade Linda.
"I've already packed your supplies into the Conquest. It's enough for decades of expenses. Why are you still here?"
The more he spoke like this, the better Linda felt. She couldn't help but beam, saying to Grandpa Shaw,
"Grandpa, this is my home. Can I stay here?"
Changlin Shaw opened his mouth, looking at Linda, then glancing at Carol. His heart was filled with bitterness. How could he, an elder, answer such a question? He could only give a non-committal answer.
"A home is a place to live."
Linda giggled.
"Grandpa is the one who loves me most."
She then picked up her chopsticks and began to eat, completely ignoring Carol.
That dinner was truly a battle of wits and hostility—extremely dangerous.
The Perfect Ruse
After dinner, Luke quickly went to Carol's room.
"You don't need to explain. I can see what's happening."
Luke's body stiffened. He asked guiltily, "See what?"
"She's doing it on purpose! Deliberately trying to annoy me, to disgust me. That wretched woman! You told her to leave, and she still won't go. She's shameless!"
Luke breathed a sigh of relief. He immediately consoled her.
"Don't be angry. I'll figure out a way to make her leave Earth so she doesn't disrupt our lives."
Carol rolled her eyes at him. "You have the heart to do that?"
Luke nodded seriously. "She must leave within two months."
Hearing this, Carol's displeasure vanished. She hesitated.
"Will that put you in a difficult position? After all, she did save..."
"It's fine. If you really feel bad about it, give me a little compensation."
Luke whispered something in her ear. The girl's face flushed crimson, and she nodded softly. Luke gave a wicked grin, pinning her to the sofa, his hands slithering like snakes into her clothes.
"No, she hasn't gone to sleep yet."
"Who cares? If she wants to watch, let her. It's none of our business."
"No, we can't do this. I'm not used to it."
Luke sighed helplessly, then set up a sound-proofing barrier and a visual barrier in the room.
"Surely this is enough!"
As the two tumbled on the sofa, the excited Carol didn't notice that the barrier had completely merged with the air.
It was all a ruse.
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