Chapter 53
Quiana didn’t flinch. “Just a slip of the finger”
Zack and Leo exchanged a glance. So, all the gifts, the house, the mition–everything Julius did to get Quiana’s info from Hugo and she just erased him? This is a new one.
Jubius casually buttoned his white shirt collar, the stairwell lights softening his features and casting a glow on his mole, giving him an almost fragile, ethereal look
He pulled out his phone, its gold case gleaming, and held in out to Quiana, his face a mask of indifference. “Let’s get reconnected.”
Quima was silent.
Hugo, on the other hand, was internally panicking. Why does this guy keep showing up? I’m so close to my dream apartment. If he gets upset and takes it back, I’m done for.
He rugged on Quiana’s shirt, his eyes wide and hopeful “Quuuuiana
Julius’s wheelchair was caught between the elevator doors, a silent declaration that they weren’t going anywhere until Quiana added him
With a resigned sigh, Quiana took out her phone, her frustration barely in cheek. “What’s the move to call off the engagement” she asked, her voice edged with annoyance.
Julius, has eyes framed by thick lashes, had already saved Quiana’s number as “Sprite” in his phone. His lips, pale and thin, delivered a resolute response. ‘No take–backs.
Quiana stepped up, a confident glint in her eye, and casually rested her leg on the wheelchair’s armrest, pinning Julius in place. Her demeanor was a mix of sass and defiance.
Julius, with his cool, detached air, offered with a faint smile. “You want this now? Perhaps we can get inside.”
Quiana took a moment to size up Julius’s flawless face, the kind that could make anyone question the hand they were dealt. With a playful sneer, the drawled, “Let’s be clear I’m not into you”
She withdrew her leg and moved out of the elevator, with Hugo, weighed down with bags, hurrying to keep up.
Zack, fighting a grin, stepped in to assist. “Here, let me help you.”
Hugo’s eyes glistened with gratitude as he said, “You’re a real saint”
There was something oddly sincere about the way he said it, and Zack responded with a wry smile, T take that as a compliment.”
“Mr. Hawley“” Leo, looking confused, quickly wiped down the wheelchair’s armrest
Despite the murmurs about who would outlive whom between Julius and Edward, no one dared to disrespect Julius except Qulana. Yes, he seemed to tolerate her, even with the flashy gold phone case that he, for some reason, kept on his phone.
A soft laugh escaped julius, and a rare emotion flickered in his usually unshaken gray eyes.
The sun had set on the Larson residence, and with it, Simon’s mood soured as he digested the latest on Quiana’s shenanigans. She was nowhere to be found; her phone was off the hook
“Pay off the kid and send him packing. Simon grumbled, still stewing over Quiana. “But what about her.. His voice hung in the air, unfinished.
Xavier piped up. pulling a tiny vial from his pocket, a black pill inside. “We should keep her in the loop,” he suggested.
Winona’s eyes gleamed. “Is this the Mystic Pill” she wondered aloud.
Simon had heard the buzz, but he was still dubious as he gave the pill a once–over. “This better be worth it,” he muttered.
Xavier was all in. Tve dug deep, and this stuff is the real deal,” he insisted. “We need to squeeze Quiana for info–where’d she score this?”
Winona looked to Simon, hope in her eyes. “Dad, what about this one!”
Mandy wasn’t buying it. “Are we sure this won’t bite us? If something happens to Mr. Hawley, we’re all sunk.”
3.07 PM
Chapter 33
Simon weighed the risks. “If Jordan’s that keen on it, it’s probably not a scam” he reasoned.
Xavier played the devil’s advocate. “If it hits the fan, we can shift the blame on Quiana”
Simon handed the vial to Winona “Hold onto this. We’ll pay a visit to Mr. Edward Hawley soon, and we can bring up Quiana’s future while we’re at
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