Chapter 123 Not Meant To Be Yours
+8 Pearls
Although Mandy appeared to be retired from the company, anyone who wanted to see her still had to get past Louis. His position was unquestionable.
Henry didn’t dare show anything but respect.
Louis didn’t take the gifts, only said, “Thank you, Mr. Harrison, but since Ms. Quinn and Mr. Goodman are back now, and Quinn Group and Harrison Group are still in collaboration, sending gifts at this point might be a little premature. Other partners might not appreciate the gesture.”
Louis, crafty as ever, didn’t outright tell Henry to leave; he used business as an excuse.
After being rejected repeatedly, Henry looked a bit awkward. Just then, Chase walked over. “Louis, who’s at the door?” Chase asked, pretending not to know.
Though both men liked Wendy, Louis treated Chase like his own son. His eyes lit up with a genuine smile.
Louis turned back and said, “Mr. Harrison.”
“Oh,” Chase replied casually, pulling the door open wider so he could face Henry directly.
“Mr. Harrison, what brings you here so early? Hey, you didn’t bring Joy along? It’s Christmas! How could you leave your daughter at home alone?”
Henry forced a polite smile. “I just came to visit Mandy. I thought Joy might be too noisy. Is Wendy here too?”
“She is. We came together. It’s Christmas, of course we came home as a family. And look went all out again. Didn’t you already bring bird’s nest last night?”
his… You really
Henry glanced down at the stack of gifts at his feet. “That was for Wendy. These are for Mandy. They’re different ages, so the supplements should match accordingly. All this was just shipped in from Oceania.”
“Mandy’s in great shape, doesn’t look her age at all. You probably don’t want to say things like that in front of her,” Chase said, pausing for effect. “Actually, I think Louis made a good point. We’ve got a lot of business partners. Showing up now might make others feel you’re a little too eager. Why not wait a few days?”
“Louis, could I have a word alone with Chase?” Henry stayed polite, though it was clearly forced.
Louis looked to Chase for instruction. Chase said, “Sure. I’ve got a few things to say to Mr. Harrison too. Louis, go brew some tea. Mandy wants Earl Grey.”
“Alright, sir. Just don’t stay by the door too long. It’s cold and windy out.”
As soon as Louis left, Henry dropped the polite act. He stepped forward, practically ready to grab Chase by the collar. “Chase, don’t you think you’re being a bit much? You and Wendy are divorced. Why are you still showing up here? You’re no longer part of the Quinn family!”
“Whether I am or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that Mandy still sees me that way. Henry, being rejected over and over doesn’t feel good, does it? I actually get it. I’ve stood where you are now.”
“Chase, don’t get smug. Sooner or later, Wendy will get tired of you. She’s meant to be mine!”
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ivicant to Be Yours
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+8 Pearls
Chase asked, “Is Wendy some kind of object to you? You think whoever claims her owns her? Henry, is that how your mind works? Is that how it was with your ex–wife too?”
Henry stepped forward again, clearly about to say more, but Louis’s voice came from behind, reminding Chase that Mandy was asking for him. Henry stopped and shot Chase a glance.
Any further confrontation ended there.
Chase turned back, responding to Louis, then looked at Henry again. “Mr. Harrison, Mandy’s calling. You’d better take Louis’s advice–come back another day. The other partners will be around then, too.”
Henry started backing away, but Chase didn’t let up. “As long as you and Wendy aren’t together, Mandy will never treat you as anything special. Right now, you’re an outsider to us. Know your place, and stop wasting your time.”
Chase had wanted to say this to Henry so many times before, to tell him to stay away from Wendy,but had always held back, worried that confronting him might cause trouble for Wendy. For the bigger picture, he had endured it.
He and Wendy were the real couple–everyone knew it. They had even been married. But just to keep up appearances, every time Henry visited, Chase had to hide in the room like some secret lover.
That feeling was awful, and Chase was done putting up with it. Today, he finally let it out, even just a little. Henry left with obvious reluctance, glancing back at Chase before getting into the car.
Come to think of it, Joy really did look a lot like Henry. Even their expressions were the same.
“Took you long enough,” Wendy said as she walked over, having listened from just insic closed it, she added, “Was he that hard to get rid of?”
e door. As Chase
Chase shook his head. “Not really. Just gave Henry a warning, told him not to act like he has any place here.”
Wendy immediately understood what Chase meant. She chuckled and tugged him back toward the living room. “I don’t mind that at all. Might save me from having to deal with Henry again.”
Henry came all the way over, but neither Mandy nor Wendy even saw him.
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