Year Five The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 113

Shipley wasn’t a fool.

Quite the opposite—his instincts were razor-sharp.

Finn, for all his jokes and constant banter, wore his emotions openly. If Finn was upset, you could hear it in every word.

And right now, Finn was definitely upset.

All because Shipley hadn’t answered his calls lately?

The thought brought a flicker of darkness to Shipley’s usually bright eyes.

Looking back, he realized why he’d started dodging Finn’s calls in the first place—it was because of Vianne.

At first, whenever Finn called, Shipley would reach for his phone, but Vianne would tell him she didn’t want any interruptions when they were alone together.

Eventually, it became a habit—he’d just stopped picking up Finn’s calls.

After all, every time Finn got through, he’d start grilling Shipley about Silvia. Shipley would dodge the questions, but the routine was exhausting.

Avoiding the calls had seemed like the easiest solution.

Shipley snapped out of his reverie, lifting his eyes to Finn. He forced a gentle smile, the same smile he always used.

“Sorry. Things have been a bit hectic lately—I just couldn’t find the time,” Shipley said softly. He paused, searching for the right words, then continued, “Finn, I actually wanted to come by and…”

He trailed off. Suddenly, he didn’t know how to finish the sentence.

Should he ask about why the Ashford Group had taken over the project? Or should he bring up Silvia?

A restless frustration churned in his chest.

He hesitated, struggling for words, but Finn didn’t wait. He jumped in, his voice sharp: “Shipley, you’re here about the project, aren’t you?”

But Shipley didn’t seem to notice. He just asked, “Did Silvia close the deal on this project?”

It was obvious enough—Sanderson’s decision had everything to do with Silvia. Shipley knew it, but seeing Finn, he couldn’t help but ask anyway.

But the moment he mentioned Silvia, Finn’s expression hardened.

He stared Shipley down, fists clenching at his sides, a dangerous edge to his voice.

For all three years his sister had spent in Luminova City, Shipley had done nothing but let her down.

And now, this man had the nerve to show up at the Ashford family home?

Finn drew in a slow breath, jaw clenched tight. “Yes. Silvia closed the deal. What’s your point?”

The hostility in Finn’s voice was unmistakable. Shipley felt it instantly.