The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 552

Shane wasn't stupid, either. He knew what Sasha was getting at. "So what you're saying is, they might end up as miserable as me?" "Bingo," Sasha said with a nod. He made no reply.

Only then did he realize how he had indeed been living like a man-child under his father's roof before the latter threw him out. Back when he and Carlisle were on good terms, his friends put him on a pedestal and went along with his shenanigans. But now, they wouldn't so much as spare him the time of day. Shane couldn't help but chuckle mirthlessly.

Sasha pointed out, "Your old friends were unreliable and would only show up for a good time, but there are always others who truly care about you."

Shane eyed Sasha eagerly as if suddenly enlightened and asked, "Did you ask me out so you could tell me that you care about me?"

She nearly sputtered. She had asked Shane to meet her for lunch so she could plot her revenge against Yvonne, not turn herself into collateral damage!

She drew a deep breath and blamed herself for letting Shane steer the conversation off-track. She even threw in some sage advice, for that matter! Now that he had brought up the reason why she wanted to meet him, she decided to cut to the chase, cruel as it might be. Feigning indifference, Sasha countered, "Am I the only person you think who cares about you?"

"Is there someone else?" Shane asked, frowning in confusion.

than her. "Did you forget about

making trouble for her, refusing to go down without a fight. As far as

statement. "You may be

means she has romantic

raised a brow. "If she did, why didn't she

you were and what you were like before your father gave up

inherit a large, wealthy family business! More importantly, you were seeing

mention

into his mess and call Jenny his "stand-in lover was

a pawn for her revenge now. "And Yvonne is just an ordinary young woman with no powerful background to speak of. It was only natural

dawned on

a prince back in

walked on, and you