Chapter 23
Chapter 23
The Fletcher Group moved quickly. Just two days later, they called to say the event was all set.
When Quinlyn got the news, she calmly grabbed a bag of snacks and a sleeping bag and headed downstairs.
Yalena was already there, dressed in a crescent-white dress, a pearl shell bag across her body, and a matching sun hat, looking like a total rich girl on a day trip. She was chatting with Evelyn about sunscreen.
“The sun’s gonna be brutal there,” Beatrice chimed in. “It’ll burn you. Don’t just bring sunscreen. Grab some arm sleeves.”
“But that’ll make me look ugly,” Yalena said. “Zachary told me Logan might turn this outdoor event into a livestream. There’ll be tons of celebrities, and we’ll have to take photos.”
The scene was exactly like the birthday party a few days back.
Yarden sat on the leather couch in a tight-fitting floral shirt. From his socks to every other piece of clothing, everything was designer-flashy as could be. At Yalena’s words, he sat up straight and asked, “Can we invite more people?”
Everyone’s eyes turned to him.
Yarden kept his cool. “Yalena, slip someone in for me. It’s no stranger-your sister-in-law.”
Shortly after moving into the Guzman residence, he’d been cruising around in his car, playing the rich kid and fooling plenty of girls. The “sister-in-law” he wanted to sneak in was Elsie, a social media influencer he’d just started dating a few days earlier.
Elsie was sharp, though. After a few days with Yarden, she’d dug up his entire family history and realized he had no money. But she didn’t dump him, making Yarden think he’d found true love, totally inflating his ego.
In reality, she’d caught wind of the ties between the Guzmans and the Fletchers. After asking around, she heard about this event and wanted in, hoping she might land a real catch.
Before Yalena could respond, Beatrice scowled. “Are you serious? That gold-digging wannabe with Yalena? Talk about embarrassing!”
The words were harsh, but Evelyn thought they hit the nail on the head.
But Yarden was the type who always got his way. When denied, he started making a scene, nonstop. Then he turned to Yalena. “C’mon, can’t you put in a good word for me?”
Quinlyn thought to herself, ‘Good thing I decided to come back. Better to have everyone suffer together than to suffer alone.’
Yalena definitely didn’t want Yarden to go. Beatrice might bite her tongue, but Yarden would push things to the max just to show off his connection to her.
Just imagining Yarden introducing himself to everyone with, “I’m Yalena’s brother,” made her blood boil. A sick feeling churned in her chest. ‘Isn’t he supposed to be Quinlyn’s family? Why is he latching onto me like this?’
Yalena glanced up, only to see Quinlyn standing on the stairs, and their eyes met.
Quinlyn gave a small smile. “Morning. Go on. Just pretend I’m not here.”
Silence hung in the air.
1/3
Chapter 23
If even Beatrice couldn’t rein in Yarden’s nonsense, the Guzman mother and daughter stood no chance. Finally, Yalena ground her teeth and caved.
“Don’t worry. I’ll talk to him,” Beatrice said, then dragged Yarden aside to scold him. But even with her voice lowered, bits and pieces still drifted over.
Stuff like, “Don’t call Yalena your sister. Quinlyn’s your only sister. That brat can’t keep up this act forever. When the time comes, you spill every dirty thing she’s ever done.”
Quinlyn was a good distance away, but she could still hear. There was no way Evelyn and Yalena couldn’t.
Evelyn looked up at Quinlyn, only to see her playing on her phone calmly, like she couldn’t care less. A belated, niggling feeling hit Evelyn-something was off.
Yalena had been spoiled her entire life. With a toxic mother and brother, Evelyn went out of her way to shower her with love, determined she’d never feel abandoned.
As for Quinlyn? She’d been with Beatrice for years and turned out okay, so Evelyn hadn’t worried. Plus, ever since Quinlyn came back, it was one problem after another. It grated on Evelyn-sometimes, she even found herself wishing she’d never tracked Quinlyn down.
‘Still, Quinlyn is my daughter, Evelyn sighed silently. ‘Beatrice’s words were pure poison, but Quinlyn didn’t react at all. She
Quinlyn set her phone down, grabbed her bag, and started walking downstairs. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Evelyn staring.
She’d been feeling tired a second ago, but that look jolted her upright, sending a chill down her spine. She wanted to tell Evelyn, “You’ve already got three kids. Please don’t waste that motherly love on me.”
Just then, the Fletcher Group car arrived to pick them up.
5
Yarden, as if he’d planned it, had Elsie-with big eyes and a sharp chin-standing next to him. They were all over each other, holding hands and wrapped in each other’s arms, like they were about to hook up right then and there.
Everyone in the car looked away.
Only Quinlyn was watching, practically glued to the scene. ‘Wow, this girl’s a pro. Putting up with Yarden’s ugly mug takes serious skills. If she walks away with nothing, especially after dropping all that cash on plastic surgery, I’d feel sorry for her.’
The van drove around for an hour, heading to the coast, and then everyone piled onto a yacht. By the time they reached the island, it was already midday.
Quinlyn had just stepped off the yacht when she spotted Yasin standing on the shore.
He’d leaned into the island vibe, dressed casually: a loose navy shirt, black pants, sleeves rolled up to show off his toned arms. His brown hair was wind-tousled, giving him this rough, rugged look that hit different.
‘Damn, this guy is seriously hot, Quinlyn thought.
Yasin noticed her too. In a crowd of women decked out in frilly dresses and full makeup, she was in jeans, a tee, sun sleeves, sunglasses, and a baseball cap. She stuck out like a sore thumb-looked more like staff than a guest.
Quinlyn strolled over, her hiking backpack slung over one shoulder.
Yasin eyed her up and down. “What, you here for a wilderness survival challenge or something?”
“You’ll find out later.” Quinlyn flashed a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She even had a windbreaker in her bag, but it was way too hot to put it on.
2/3
Chapter 23
Back in the van, Yalena had already lectured Quinlyn about her outfit. She kept going on about how the Fletcher Group would handle everything, so why bother overpacking?
Now, Yalena was busy explaining Quinlyn’s “weird” choices to everyone else, and they were all laughing. Without thinking twice, Quinlyn knew they were making fun of her.
The “later” didn’t take long. Soon, everyone found out the trip wouldn’t cover food, clothing, or lodging. When they heard the details, most people thought it was some kind of prank.
Zachary, who’d also been kept in the dark, suddenly whipped his head toward well-prepared Quinlyn. ‘Grandpa must’ve told her, he thought.
