Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Graham’s words were a bit harsh, but Quinlyn had expected that.
Chancey and Graham were pretty similar in many ways.
This wasn’t the first time Quinlyn had heard something like that. No matter how hurtful words could be, time had a way of making them sting less.
As Graham spoke, his sharp eyes stayed locked on Quinlyn. He was trying to read her, trying to figure out what this daughter-who had seemed off ever since coming back-was really up to.
But her clear eyes gave him nothing. They looked pure, like she wanted nothing at all.
Suddenly, Quinlyn let out a soft laugh. “You can say I’m twisted or whatever,” she said, “but why do you think I’d want to ruin something just because I couldn’t have it? You really think I want Zachary?”
She shook her head, “I’m not interested in some childish guy like that.”
Just then, a softer laugh rang out.
Graham and Evelyn were already on edge. They immediately turned toward the sound.
Quinlyn thought the laugh sounded familiar. Strangely enough, even though she’d only heard Yasin speak once, she could tell it was him.
She figured maybe it was because they were “co-workers.” After all, they were both characters in the same novel. That had to
count.
So when Yasin walked over and stood beside her, and Graham asked who he was, Quinlyn calmly replied, “A co-worker of mine.”
“A co-worker? You just turned eighteen today, and you already have a coworker?” Graham looked doubtful. He stared at Yasin, trying to place him.
Quinlyn looked at the faint glow above Yasin’s head-the tag that said who he was. “Yeah. I met him at my part-time job.”
Yasin gave a small signal, and Timothy quickly stepped forward, handing Graham a business card with a serious look on his face. The card showed the name of a company Graham recognized.
Timothy quietly explained, “That company was bought by us. We got your invitation three days ago.”
Graham finally understood and immediately acted more friendly. At the same time, he blamed his staff for not telling him earlier, making things a little awkward.
“Yasin-uh, Mr. James-you’re really something,” he said, trying to stay calm while praising him.
Graham still wanted to ask about the “co-worker” thing, but the drama on stage had reached its peak.
Left with no other choice, Zachary had stepped up to the mic to propose to Yalena. If he’d just walked away, it would’ve meant he’d lost to Quinlyn.
He thought about how Quinlyn had looked when she left the stage-so full of energy-and then glanced at her now, still standing tall. Zachary clenched his fists. He didn’t want to lose.
But things suddenly took a turn. The Fletcher family had arrived.
The Fletchers were even more powerful than the Guzmans. That was exactly why Graham cared so much about the
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Chapter 14
engagement.
An old man walked through the door. He leaned on a cane, wearing a black jacket with subtle embroidery, matching pants, and a shiny bald head. This was Zachary’s grandfather, Logan Fletcher.
Logan looked around the room with cloudy eyes. But instead of looking at Zachary on stage, his gaze landed directly on Quinlyn.
“Quinlyn, I heard you came back, but I haven’t had time to visit,” Logan said. “I heard today’s your birthday, so I came by to celebrate with you.”
There was a lot packed into that sentence. Clearly, Logan preferred the just-returned Quinlyn over Yalena, who was still waiting offstage.
Quinlyn frowned as she looked at Logan from a short distance away. With him here, it felt like everyone else in the room had lost a bit of their presence.
She hesitated for a moment, then walked over.
Yasin was watching her, seeming deep in thought.
Graham and Evelyn followed Quinlyn. Graham even turned back to nod at Yasin before heading toward Logan.
Logan still looked the same as in her previous life. If there was anything from her previous life worth remembering, it might be the small kindness this old man had shown her-even if it came with strings attached.
“Mr. Fletcher,” she greeted him..
Logan smiled and nodded, then turned to look at the stage. Most of the audience had left, but Zachary was still awkwardly standing there. “Why are you still standing up there?” Logan said. “Do you want me to go get you?”
Zachary was already feeling unsure. After Logan’s scolding, he stood frozen for a few seconds before finally stepping down. His back was no longer straight.
Yalena stood below, biting her lip, saying nothing. Her face was pale, and her eyes were red.
The moment Zachary saw Yalena looking so sad, his energy returned. He grabbed her hand tightly and walked toward Logan.
Yalena, who had nearly given up hope, lit up with joy. She glanced at Quinlyn, clearly showing off a little.
Quinlyn rolled her eyes. She didn’t think it was necessary.
The two walked up to Logan. Zachary called out, “Grandpa,” while Yalena followed with a timid “Mr. Fletcher.”
There were still a lot of guests around. Nobody was eating or drinking anymore. They’d all moved aside to quietly watch what would happen next.
Logan looked down at Zachary and Yalena’s joined hands, his face blank. But Zachary, who knew him well, could tell he was mad.
He started to lose confidence, but when he met Quinlyn’s big eyes, his courage doubled again.
He gripped Yalena’s hand so tightly her fingers turned white, but he didn’t let go. His face said loud and clear that he wanted everyone to know he loved Yalena-not Quinlyn, the girl who spoke so bluntly and without shame.
Quinlyn caught the message. She could only shake her head and silently curse her past self for being so foolish.
She couldn’t understand how she ever fell for such a stupid loser. Maybe she had just been blinded by the male lead glow.
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Chapter 14
Logan cleared his throat. “The reason I’m here today is simple-I came to deliver a birthday gift.”
Right on cue, someone behind him stepped forward, holding a gift box. Inside the fancy box was a pair of emerald bracelets. The emeralds were high quality-clearly expensive.
Everyone turned to look at Quinlyn and Yalena, waiting to see which one would marry into the Fletcher family.
Yalena stared at the bracelets for a while, then looked at Zachary with hope in her eyes.
Zachary’s handsome face showed a flash of panic. He didn’t know what to do in this situation.
When he looked up, he saw Quinlyn’s bright face. She narrowed her big eyes, like she was enjoying the show.
If he just lowered his head a little, he’d see the hope in Yalena’s eyes.
But he still hesitated. No one knew better than him how ruthless Logan could be.
If Zachary went against him at an event like this, Logan would make him pay
for it-hard.
