Chapter 35
He walked in, headed to the window, and glanced outside with a casual ease. “Yes, but not entirely, he said, his tone light.
1 froze. I could sense York had an agenda, but I couldn’t figure ill what it was. “Just say what you came to say.” I cut to the chase, unwilling to play guessing games.
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York settled onto the couch and placed a USB drive on the coffee table. His voice was calm but firm. “The person who paid Owen to kidnap you was Georgia. The evidence–her wire transfers to him–is all in here.”
His words hit me like a thunderclap. I knew Georgia hated me, but I never thought she’d stoop this low.
York’s sharp eyes glinted with amusement as he studied my stunned expression. “You look surprised. I thought you’d be used to this by now. Dirty tricks like this are pretty standard in the world of power and privilege.”
Snapping back to reality, I leveled a cold stare at him. “What do you want? Whatever his reasons for delivering this evidence, it certainly wasn’t out of the goodness of his heart.
He leaned back, smirking. There’s something I’ve always been curious about. What’s so special about Brandt Care Home that you visit every week?”
My whole body stiffened, a wave of unease crawling up my spine
“You’ve been following me?” I asked, my voice tight with anger as my mind raced. Did York know about Benedict?
He chuckled softly, holding up a hand as if to calm me. Don’t get the wrong idea. My grandmother lives there. I visited her. a few days ago, and she happened to mention you. She even told me to invite you out to thank you. That made me curious, so I asked the staff and learned about your weekly visits.”
His grandmother–Mary. The same Mary I’d met at the care home.
For a moment, I couldn’t tell if York was lying or telling the truth. Everything about him felt calculated, like he was always several moves ahead. Dealing with someone like him required constant vigilance.
Suppressing my unease, I asked bluntly, “What are you after, York?”
He raised an eyebrow, still smiling. “I hear the Madden Group is bidding on the Dazzling Project. I’d like to borrow your proposal.”
So there it was his true motive. The Dazzling Project was one of Madden Group’s biggest collaborations this year, and the proposal was the result of months of hard work by the entire tean,
“No way” I said, my voice sharp. I gave a dry laugh. “Maple Media is supposed to be one of the country’s top companies. Does pulling stunts like this really not bother your conscience–or your reputation? Or do you think you can blackmail me with just a USB drive?”
I stared him down, trying to gauge if he had any other cards to pay. Thankfully, it didn’t seem like he knew about my
connection to Benedict.
York shrugged, unfazed. “If you’re unwilling to help. I’ll just have to think of another way.”
That’s it? He was giving up that easily? His easygoing derneanor made me uneasy.
“Don’t let the door hit you on your way out, I said, showing York the door and making sure he left.
After he left, I called Rose and asked her to keep an eye on Benedict, letting her know I wouldn’t be able to visit the care home for a while.
Later that afternoon, I went to work and reviewed the Dazzling Project files. I decided to visit Quinn to thank him for saving me and warn him about Georgia.
When I reached the door to the CEO’s office, I noticed his assistant and secretary weren’t around. That was unusual. Just as I was about to knock, I heard Quinn’s voice through the door.
“Diana. I’ve arranged everything for you in Nordia. Once you’re here, you can live the life you want,” he said, his tone steady
but firm.
I froze mid–knock Diana’s tearful voice came through next, pleading. “Quinn, why are you sending me away? I came back just to be with you. I don’t want to leave!”
He was sending Diana abroad? I was puzzled.
Her sobs grew louder. “Quinn, you promised to marry me! You’re divorced from Natalia now–why won’t you make it official? Marry me. We can have another baby after the wedding
I’d never seen Diana sound so desperate. Her cries were heartbreaking.
Quinn stayed silent for a long moment before speaking in a lowvoice. “You know as well as I do–the child you were carrying wasnt mine.
I stood there, stunned.
I had always assumed that during Quinn’s overseas trip, Diana had gotten pregnant with his child. He never denied being the father after she announced her pregnancy.
Quinn sounded weary. “That time I visited you in Nordin, you said you were feeling down and insisted I stay. Yes, I got drunk that night, but not so drunk that I didn’t know what happened. I never touched you, not even once. I don’t know who the father of your child was, but it wasn’t me. The only reason I didn’t expose your lie was because I promised to look after
you.
“Quinn. I’m sorry… Diana stammered through her sobs. “I only lied because I was scared you’d leave me. I’ll never do it again. Please, let me stay. Marry me. I’ll spend my whole life making it up to you.” Her voice broke into desperate, trembling
cries.
“Diana, you’ll find someone better suited for you, Quinn said with a sigh.
“Is it because of Natalia? Do you love her?” she asked, her voice sharp with despair.
My chest tightened as 1 waited for his answer. “It has nothing to do with her, Quinn replied evenly.
Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket and started to ring. The sudden noise shattered the moment. I quickly silenced it, but the voices inside had already stopped, Feeling panicked, I rushed into the elevator and headed straight back to my office.
My mind raced as I replayed what I’d overheard. I had always thought Quinn and Diana shared a genuine love. But now, their relationship seemed far more complicated.
What exactly did Quinn feel for Diana? Perhaps a man like him wasn’t capable of love at all
Back at my desk, my phone buzzed again–it was my father.
“Natalia, how have you been?” he asked softly after I answered.
“Everything’s fine,” I said flatly, already guessing he wasn’t calling just to check on me. I decided to get straight to the point. “What do you want?”
“My birthday is next Tuesday,” he said after a brief pause. “If youre free, could you join me for dinner? I still remember how you used to spend every birthday with me. I’m not getting any younger, Natalia. Who knows how many more birthdays I’ll
