Chapter 40
In the garage. I frowned as I checked York’s back.
At the restaurant carbier, he’d only been wearing a thin shirt, but now, his back was soaked and the fabric clung to his skin. Having been burned by hot soup before, I knew exactly how much it man hurt.
“Give me the keys. I’ll drive you to the hospital.” I said, holding nut my hand. This needed to be taken care of right away.
He redan velinow, giving me a playful look. “Feeling sorry for me?”
I furrowed my brows. “You’re still joking around? Doesn’t seem like it’s bothering you much. If you’re fine. I’ll just head out?
I pretended to walk away, but York stepped in front of me, blocking my path. He was taller than me by a good bir, and he looked down at me, his voice soft. Tran’t go to the hospital‘
“Why not Tacked, confused.
He didn’t answer directly. “I remember your place is nearby. If you really feel bad for me, you could help me put some ointment on the word
the car key into my hand.
York had gotten burned while saving me, so I couldn’t just walk away.
Ten minutes lat
later, I drove him back to my place.
Terouched down, rummaging through the cabinets until I finally found a burn ointmen
When I stood up. I tumed around to see that York had already stripped off his shirt and was lying on the couch, bare–chested. His face was smooth and unmarked, the kind of look you’d expect from someone who’d never faced hardship.
But when I saw the scars covering his back, I was taken aback. It was hard to imagine him as the pampered son of the Smith family.
“Did my sexy body hypnotize you?” he reased, his voice raspy.
I rolled my eyes. “Shut up”
I tried to more my curiosity about his scars and didn’t ask how he got them.
Fortunately, the coffee hadn’t been too hot. Once I finished applying the ointment, York put his shirt back on. As he buttoned it up, he casually strolled around the living room.
He stopped in front of the TV. Ed left the cabinet door open, and he spotted a green purse.
“Where did you get this purse?” he asked, his expression suddenly serious.
“No one ever told you not to mess with other people’s stuff?” I frowned and grabbed it back from his hands.
York was the kind of guy who seemed perfect on the surface, but the more I got to know him, the more I realized he was full of surprises.
He kept staring at the purse, and after a long pause, he looked up at me and smiled. “This design is pretty unique. My mom collects things like this. so I was just curious where you got it”
“Didn’t know you were such a mama’s boy,” I teased, carefully putting the purse back in the cabinet. “It wasn’t bought. It was left to me by my family I don’t know where you can get one
I had been sent to an orphanage shortly after I was born, and this purse was probably something my birth p
parents left for me.
“I see…” York squinted, as if deep in thought.
I quickly changed the subject and ushered him to the door. “It’s getting late. Time for you to go.”
After he left, I felt completely drained. I was too tired to even think about eating 1 took a quick shower and went to bed early.
ΙΠ
n the middle of the night, I was woken up by a loud knocking at the door,
“Who is it?” I struggled to get up and peeked through the peephole. When I saw Quinn standing there, I immediately woke up.
Topened the door, and Quinn quickly grabbed my shoulder, his dark eyes wide with panic. “What did Alex do to you? Are you hurt?”
“Quinn” I froze, caught off guard by his sudden concern. “I’m fine. I didn’t get hurt.”
He let out a breath of relief, stepping into the apartment. His usual cold demeanor came back as he asked. “Why didn’t you pick up your phone!”
11:52 AM C
Chapter 400
“Huh?” I quickly grabbed my phone and realized I had missed eight calls from him. “I was asleep and my phone was on silent, so I didn’t hear it.” 1 stammered, feeling a pang of guilt.
Quinn’s gaze was like a laser beam as he turned to face me. His eyes were dark and intense, but there was no hint of anger. “What happened today he asked, his voice low and steady.
I told him everything that went down at the old mansion. When I mentioned I was adopted by the Hinton family, I slowed down, glancing at him. Quinn didn’t seem surprised.
“Georgia, huh?” His voice was cold as he seemed lost in thought. After a long silence, he looked up at me. “Why did York save you?”
I was taken aback. I didn’t have an answer. At first, York had tried to use Georgia’s evidence to blackmail me for the Dazzling Project’s proposal, but in the old mansion, he used that same evidence to save me instead.
Seeing my silence. Quinn’s face darkened. He sneered. “Did you sleep with him!”
“Quinn, are you crazy?” I was furious. Did he really think I was that kind of woman!
Before I could say anything else, my phone rang. York’s name flashed on the screen, and Quinn’s face immediately darkened.
Before I could react, Quinn grabbed my phone, answered it, and put it on speaker.
York’s voice came through, warm and teasing. “Natalia, you’re still awake? I just wanted to ask, what brand was that ointment you put on me? It worked really well”
Before he could finish. Quinn hung up. His eyes were like ice as he stared at me, his voice dangerously calm. “Tonight? Ointment! Already cozying up to a new sugar daddy, huh?”
I couldn’t even begin to explain. No matter what I said, I wouldn’t be able to make Quinn believe me.
I held back my frustration and snapped, “If I don’t find a new sugar daddy, how do I get the thirty million for you? Do you think I want to stay at Madden Group and keep dealing with your crap? Quinn, you’re the crazy one, not me!”
Quinn’s eyes narrowed. He was definitely pissed.
I marched to the door, threw it open, and said, “Mr. Madden, are you leaving on your own, or should I call security to escort you out?”
“Natalia, you’re something else,” Quinn said, striding out without looking back.
I collapsed onto the couch, so mad I felt like my liver was burning.
letting the sound of the rain calm me down.
Outside, the rain started to fall in steady, light droplets. I poured myself a glass of water, letting
I glanced at the time on my phone. It was already past one in the morning. After Quinn hung up, York didn’t try calling back.
That was odd
Then a thought hit me. Why was it so coincidental? York knew exactly when I’d been taken to the old mansion, and he showed up just in time to
have me.
, most people would be asleep. How did York know I hadn’t gone to Then that call asking about the ointment… it came in at 12:50 AM. At that time, bed yet? It was almost as if he knew Quinn was with me and made that call on purpose.
11:52 AM ch
