Chapter 337 - 324: People in Love Always Can’t Help Themselves 2

At first, she was dead to the world, completely oblivious.

Then she had a dream, one that felt far too real. She couldn’t breathe and was jolted awake, gasping for air.

She woke up with a sore waist and an aching back.

Elliot Sheridan’s explanation was, "A man who’s been abstinent for too long needs a release, and you’re my wife!"

Georgia Thorne shot him a death glare, angrily wrapping the covers around herself as she got out of bed.

But the man was even more of a shameless rogue than she’d thought. After their night together, he was wearing absolutely nothing.

The moment she pulled the blanket, his naked body was completely exposed.

Flustered and annoyed, Georgia Thorne pulled the blanket over to block the view and headed for the bathroom.

Georgia Thorne took a hot bath to soothe her aching body.

The warm water enveloped her body, feeling wonderfully comfortable.

She wrapped her arms around herself and let out a contented sigh.

Just as she’d settled in, she heard a noise at the door, and her attention was drawn toward it.

She remembered locking the door.

Just as she began to relax, the door was pushed open from the outside, and Elliot Sheridan walked in.

Georgia Thorne immediately sank deeper into the water, covering her chest with her hands. "How did you get in?!"

’I’m sure I checked the lock before I came in!’

"I have a spare key!" Elliot Sheridan pulled out a key ring and dangled it in front of her, the metal keys jingling crisply.

Georgia Thorne was speechless.

’I could just kill him!’

This time, Elliot Sheridan was at least decent. He had on a pair of long pants and was standing in front of the mirror, brushing his teeth and washing his face.

They stayed at the villa for two days, returning on the afternoon of the third.

Selena Sheridan happened to be returning from abroad that day, so they drove to the airport first to pick her up.

Selena Sheridan was completely relaxed. "This time, I’m really going to graduate!"

Selena Sheridan had already finished her graduation project. In fact, just a couple of days prior, when Elliot Sheridan’s troubles began, she had been on a trip to Grypholm with her classmates.

She told Georgia Thorne about her trip. "You and my uncle should go visit Grypholm. It’s really nice there!"

"Maybe when we have the chance," Georgia Thorne said, glancing at the man who was focused on driving.

The first trial was over, and the second was imminent.

The second trial was scheduled for four days later.

They had four days until the second trial.

For the first two days, Elliot Sheridan was in complete vacation mode. It was just like any other weekend, as ordinary as could be.

For the last two days, Georgia Thorne had to work on her studio.

Elliot Sheridan stayed with her the entire time. Wherever she went, he went.

The studio renovations were complete, and it was time to get to work.

Erin Irving had originally wanted to recruit a couple of modestly famous designers for her, but Georgia had refused.

It was graduation season, so there should be plenty of interns available.

Georgia Thorne went to her alma mater. After speaking with her former advisor, Preston Larkin, he recommended two students to her.

They were a young man and woman. The female student was named Sylvie, and the male student was Felix Sinclair.

Erin Irving met the two later and didn’t have much to say, but Elliot Sheridan, who had accompanied Georgia to the university, had plenty of opinions.

And all of his opinions were directed at the young man, Felix Sinclair.

He thought Felix Sinclair was too young and too good-looking, and he was worried this young man would steal Georgia Thorne’s heart.

Georgia Thorne didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when she heard his reasoning.

’So even he can feel threatened sometimes.’

Elliot Sheridan wasn’t wrong. Felix Sinclair was a great young man—younger than Elliot, good-looking, with the bright disposition of a "sunny boy," and a much better temper than him, too.

But she wasn’t interested in that type of guy. In her heart, no one could ever replace Elliot Sheridan.

Only after Georgia Thorne’s repeated assurances did Elliot Sheridan reluctantly agree.

The jealous man even did something incredibly childish in front of the younger Felix Sinclair, publicly declaring his claim over Georgia Thorne.

Sylvie and Felix Sinclair learned from Georgia Thorne for two days and quickly got the hang of things at the studio.

The studio was in a quiet location, perfect for creative work.

While Georgia Thorne was in a meeting with Sylvie and Felix Sinclair, Elliot Sheridan sat on the windowsill, watching the three of them conduct their meeting with earnest professionalism.

’This is boring. I should take Georgia to see what I’m like in a meeting someday.’

’A meeting needs to be conducted properly. You have to maintain a certain distance from your subordinates, stay cold and aloof.’

The window was open, and a gentle breeze drifted in, carrying the scent of flowers.

Georgia Thorne looked up, tucking her long hair back, and saw the man across from her was looking right at her, too.

’I told him not to come, but he just wouldn’t listen.’

As far as Elliot Sheridan was concerned, being bored while watching Georgia Thorne was better than being bored at home alone.

Shirley Summers’s dress was in the final stages of production. With only a few minor details left, Georgia Thorne handed the task over to Sylvie.

As a young woman, she had a better eye for detail.

The studio had just opened, and for the past couple of days, they had been getting about ten calls a day.

Georgia Thorne only accepted two or three jobs, putting the rest on a waiting list.

There was one thing that needed to be settled before she could focus on her work with a clear conscience.

The studio’s first official commission was to design an evening gown for a wealthy local lady.

The client was a woman of nearly fifty whose son was getting married soon.

She wanted to look her absolute best on the wedding day, and since Georgia Thorne was the talk of the town, the woman had sought her out.

Elliot Sheridan went with her to the appointment. The wealthy lady looked him up and down.

Anyone who was anyone in Portmire had heard the news about Elliot Sheridan.

Despite the scandal, the wealthy lady was still flustered in Elliot Sheridan’s presence, treating him like an honored guest.

"Give me the measuring tape," Georgia Thorne said, holding her hand out to the man behind her.

When nothing was placed in her hand, she turned to find Elliot Sheridan just staring at her. "What?"

Georgia Thorne was speechless.

’He’s actually acting like a guest, here for tea and a chat.’

The wealthy lady quickly interjected, "Oh, we couldn’t possibly trouble Mr. Sheridan! I’ll have someone bring a measuring tape right over!"

Georgia Thorne turned back to the wealthy lady with a bright smile. "No need, I brought one!"

Then she said to Elliot Sheridan, "The measuring tape is in my bag. Go get it for me."

She spoke with the tone of someone ordering a servant, and Elliot Sheridan, his face expressionless, turned to get the measuring tape from her bag.

Georgia Thorne handed him a notepad and pen. "You can take notes for me."

Georgia Thorne treated Elliot Sheridan exactly like her assistant, ordering him around nonstop.

The wealthy lady watched their dynamic with astonishment. Georgia Thorne was the one in charge, while the man rumored to be cold and noble was utterly henpecked.

He showed not a hint of impatience with Georgia Thorne’s demands.

Though his expression remained aloof and he didn’t say a word, he did everything she asked.

Even after they left, the wealthy lady remained in a state of shock.

That couple was nothing like the rumors said.

It seemed Elliot Sheridan truly doted on Georgia Thorne—spoiled her to the bone.

As Elliot Sheridan drove, Georgia Thorne recalled the client’s requests, jotting them down on her notepad.

This was Georgia Thorne in work mode.

They returned to the Sheridan residence just in time for dinner.

The whole family was there—even Mr. Sheridan and Miss Sheridan had been invited over.

The second trial was tomorrow, and no one could predict the outcome. It could go either way.

So, tonight’s dinner could very well be their last one together for a while.

With the exception of Mr. Sheridan and Miss Sheridan, who were kept in the dark, everyone’s spirits were low, thick with worry and unease.

Elliot Sheridan, however, acted as if nothing was wrong, behaving just as he always did.

After dinner, the family sat together in the living room, watching television as usual.

With the two elders present, no one dared to bring up the subject.

A little after nine, Elliot Sheridan led Georgia Thorne upstairs to bed.

That night, Georgia Thorne lay in Elliot Sheridan’s arms. "Tomorrow..."

"It’ll be fine," Elliot Sheridan interrupted. "Get some sleep."

Georgia Thorne thought for a moment, then held her tongue. She buried her face in his chest and tightened her arms around his waist. "I believe in you."

After the lights were out, Georgia Thorne found she couldn’t fall asleep.

After tomorrow, there would only be two possible outcomes.

A deep sense of unease filled her heart; she couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.

The chances were fifty-fifty, but Byron Shaw had too much damning evidence.

"I promise you," he said, his voice low in the darkness, "I’m going to be fine."

Georgia Thorne’s eyes welled with tears. Her arms tightened around his waist, and the tears that escaped dampened the collar of his shirt.

’Promises are usually made when they can’t be kept.’

The second hearing was scheduled to begin at two in the afternoon.

Georgia Thorne went to the studio in the morning to assign tasks to Sylvie and Felix Sinclair. Afterward, she used the last bit of free time to meet with another client.

A little after noon, she left the client’s house, checked the time, and hailed a taxi to the courthouse.

She arrived at the entrance at one-forty.

Sharon Ennis and James Sheridan were standing by the entrance. Sharon Ennis waved to her. "Over here!"

"Hurry inside, it’s about to start!"

Georgia Thorne nodded and went inside the courtroom.

This second hearing was also the final one, which made today the most important day of all.

Georgia Thorne scanned the room. The proceedings hadn’t officially begun, but the gallery was already crowded. Numerous reporters were snapping photos with their cameras.

Among the reporters, she spotted Justin Sullivan.

His presence was both surprising and not surprising at all.

He was the one who had given that file to Byron Shaw. His goal was simply to see Elliot Sheridan behind bars; he wouldn’t miss this crucial trial for anything.

Her relationship with Justin Sullivan had been slowly deteriorating, and without her realizing it, they had ended up on opposite sides.

’People’s hearts really do change.’

Justin Sullivan turned to look at her, his eyes full of triumphant certainty.

The second hearing officially began. Elliot Sheridan was brought in, and the lawyers for both sides began their arguments.