HPDBC Chapter 51 The Falling Out
Chapter 51 The Falling Out
51 The Falling Out
Quinn had spent the day after the conversation with Nico, moving around like a zombie.
No matter how hard she tried to concentrate, it just didn't work.
She spent the night tossing and turning on her bed and now, the day saw her sitting in her car, alone.
No matter what she did, Nico's voice kept resonating in her head. She felt it slowly stirring something deep within her.
It wasn't just anger, although she felt a good share of that.
No, there was something else. Something that felt a lot like pity mixed with empathy.
She squeezed her fingers around the steering wheel, replaying his words in her head.
"Is it wrong to want to succeed on my own?"
The fire in his eyes, the frustration, the determination, the hope... she had felt all of it.
It was the same drive she'd felt so often, one born of wanting to prove herself worthy despite everything against her.
Unable to shake off the feeling, she finally pulled out of the parking lot of her apartment, deciding that she needed to know more.
And there was only one person who could give her the answers she needed.
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As Quinn stepped into the lounge at Pine Press, she immediately saw Jenny sitting at their usual spot with Charlotte.
They were both laughing as if nothing was wrong.
As if Jenny hadn't accused her stepbrother of being a scam artist and tried ruining any chance he had at proving himself.
09:00
"Jenny, we need to talk." Quinn said as she sat at the table, going straight to business. She needed to know.
Jenny raised an eyebrow, her smile fading slightly. From Quinn's tone of voice, she could sense that something was up.
"Well, that was direct. Everything okay?" She asked.
"No. Not really." Quinn crossed her arms, meeting Jenny's eyes. "I want to talk about Nico."
Quinn's jaw clenched. She could feel the sting of Jenny's words, but they only served as kindling to the fire burning inside her.
Was this how Jenny thought of her? As someone who uses others to climb the ladder? Because she didn't have much of her own?
She'd thought Jenny was better than that.
"Maybe I'd rather take that risk of being a tool than live with myself knowing I turned my back on someone who's trying to make things right."
Charlotte, sensing the rising hostility, quickly tried to step in. "Please, let's not fight. This isn't worth-"
"It is worth it." Quinn snapped, her eyes locked on Jenny.
"It's worth it to know the truth. And honestly, Jenny, I'm starting to wonder if the only reason you're so against him is because he's family." She paused.
"Because you see him as a threat."
Jenny's face went pale for a split second before her expression hardened, her voice lowering.
"Fine, Quinn. If that's what you think, then go ahead. Help him. But don't come crying to me when he stabs you in the back."
Quinn stood, anger and hurt flashing across her face. "I think we're done here." She said quietly.
Jenny crossed her arms, her voice colder than ice. "Agreed."
Without another word, Quinn stood, turned and walked away.
She didn't need a friend like that.
As she walked back to her car, that was when she heard the news from two men conversing.
"Have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
"Abstract Capital just made an agreement to acquire a twenty percent stake in a new boutique hotel venture called Sunset Inn for a hundred million."
"Wait, what?"
Both men's eyes snapped to hers.
Her brother had seen Nico's venture?