Chapter 24
43%
At the Hawley manor, with its fancy garden, Zack was sitting on the ground, head in his hands, looking really down. “Julius, we offered them 3 billion dollars straight up, but the Divine Alliance said no without even thinking”
Julius wasn’t shocked. He said, calmn as can be, Just keep raising the offer.”
“The Divine Alliance is always so mysterious. If they don’t want to deal, no amount of money will change their minds,” Shane said, adjusting his fancy gold–rimmed glasses.
Shane brought up another thing. “The old man set up a meeting with the Larsons for tomorrow night at Riverfield to talk about your marriage, so you’ll probably have to show up.
Edward hadn’t been feeling well since the start of the year, and they couldn’t find The Seraphic no matter how hard they tried.
This time, when Edward got sick again, he worried his time was almost up and he wanted to make sure his youngest son was taken care of, so he decided to set up the marriage early.
Julius didn’t say anything. He was good–looking, with a little mole by his eye that made him look even more charming. He seemed weak and tired, giving off a dark and mysterious vibe.
The next afternoon, under the West Bridge in Janivielle, an old–fashioned tricycle was parked in the shade. It had a neat row of phone cases and some fancy little trinkets. A sign said: Screen Protectors, Fortune Telling, Magic Pills for Sale.
Hugo was carefully putting a screen protector on a phone and said with a friendly smile, “That’ll be 80 dollars, thanks.”
The guy getting his phone fixed was good–looking but took his time scanning the code, looking around like he was searching
for someone.
With a look of disgust, Hugo said, “Don’t bother, my sister’s not here. This was the tenth guy this afternoon–all regular customers, but they were all looking for Quiana.
Watching the guy pay and leave with a red face, Hugo sighed, “Ah, having a pretty sister is such a pain!”
“If it weren’t for supporting you and your zoo, Quiana jumped out of the car and gave him a playful tap on the head. “would I be out here?”
She was wearing a black, tight top and cargo pants, casually sitting on the tricycle’s edge, swinging a long leg. Even with a baseball cap on, she was still easy on the eyes.
“Quiana!” Mandy stormed over, slapping the car door with a mad face. “What are you doing here?”
The sudden noise startled Hugo so much that he crushed the screen protector he was holding.
Quiana didn’t show any emotion as she pointed at the car door. ‘Can’t you tell?”
“You!” Mandy’s head was pounding with anger. ‘Didn’t I tell you we have a dinner tonight? You’re supposed to be a Larson now, and here you are, setting up shop under an overpass like some street psychic. Are you trying to make me mad?”
Mandy couldn’t get a hold of Quiana on the phone, so she went to Riverfield first. She just happened to see Quiana under the overpass
“Did we do something to you or ignore you? Are you here to shame us?” Simon got out of the car, looking unhappy. “Come with us right now.”
1/2
14:40 Sun, 23 Feb M.
Chapter 24
43%
Mandy reached for Quiana’s wrist.
“What are you doing?” Hugo stepped in front of Quiana, making a face. “Kidnapping in broad daylight? I knew Quiana wasn’t being treated well by you guys!”
Hugo and Winona did look alike. Mandy and Simon figured out who he was right away, and they didn’t look happy about it.
Mandy’s eyes showed how disgusted she was as she whispered to Quiana, “Talready gave him the money. What more do you want?”
“Not much.” Quiana shrugged, with a playful smile. “Just like you can’t ignore your adopted daughter, Winona, I can’t ignore my little brother, right?”
Hugo’s eyes filled with happy tears. He knew Quiana still cared about him.
“Quiana!” Mandy gritted her teeth. “Don’t push your luck!”
Quiana sneered, her eyes cold and tough. “You’re the ones who said I’m the real Larson, who brought me back, and promised to treat me fairly. What now? Besides making me marry instead of Winona, do you have any other plans?”
B
