Chapter 104 The Leverage of Saving Someone
When Quinley walked out of the police station, Zachary was already being led inside. They passed each other like ships in the night.
But while she'd avoided an awkward encounter with Zachary, she couldn't escape Lucas. His fists were clenched, looking like an enraged wolf. The moment he saw Quinley walk out unscathed, he charged at her.
"Why would you do this? Mr. Jennings is innocent! Why would you frame him?" Lucas was relentless, his questions coming through gritted teeth.
Quinley lifted her gaze, her eyes frighteningly cold. "Whether I framed him or not, the police will investigate. Mr. Murphy, please move aside."
"Bullshit!" Lucas pointed directly at Quinley's nose. He'd always treated her with respect, but right now, he couldn't contain his anger. "Do you have any idea how many people are waiting to see Mr. Jennings fall? He's already lost his position as CEO of Apex Global Group—what more do you want? Will you only be satisfied when he's behind bars? Quinley, Mr. Jennings treated you so well. How can you be so heartless?"
Lucas was fighting Zachary's battle for him. Quinley understood that perfectly. There was no point in arguing with him.
Just then, David's car pulled up. Quinley glanced over, feeling not even a flicker of joy. But in front of Lucas, she had to play her part.
"Mr. Brown!" She raised her hand above her head, waving at David with a smile spreading across her face.
Lucas's expression turned even more sour seeing her act like this. "Mr. Jennings must have been blind to fall for someone as ungrateful as you." He stormed off furiously.
David opened his door and got out, jogging toward Quinley. "Quinny, are you okay? I'm so sorry—I got held up yesterday and couldn't come right away. But I came by last night! They wouldn't let me in though. The moment I heard you were released this morning, I rushed over! You're not mad at me, are you?"
He put on the perfect devoted-boyfriend face. Lucas hadn't gone far yet, so Quinley's performance wasn't over.
"Of course not! You're so busy, I'm just touched you came to pick me up at all. Let's go!" She took the initiative to loop her arm through his.
Lucas paused under a tree to look back, watching Quinley and David chatting and laughing as they walked to the car. Zachary had been framed and arrested, yet there she was, perfectly fine and flaunting her relationship with David.
Lucas punched the tree trunk in frustration.
As they reached the car, Quinley released David's arm and got into the passenger seat.
"Quinny, what do you feel like eating for lunch?" David asked with that ingratiating smile.
Lucas was gone now. Quinley's show was over. She leaned back against the seat, her expression darkening. "I want to go home. I'm exhausted. I need to rest."
She wasn't really that tired—she just didn't want to look at David's please-me face when she couldn't tell if it was genuine or fake.
"What would you like to eat then? I can make it for you." David asked as he drove.
"No appetite. I'm going to sleep. Wake me when we get there." Quinley leaned against the seat and immediately closed her eyes.
She was tired, but she couldn't actually sleep. What she'd done was pretty low—teaming up with Landon to frame Zachary. Morally, emotionally, logically—she was in the wrong on every level.
Everything Lucas had said was right. But Quinley knew exactly what she was doing and why. Only by being ruthless enough could she completely sever ties with Zachary.
And to destroy someone, you first had to drive them mad.
Half an hour later, the car arrived at the downtown apartment. Quinley opened the door to get out, and David immediately sidled up to her.
"Quinny, why don't you move in with me? That way I can take care of you. Things have been unstable lately—I'm worried something else might happen to you."
David kept pushing gently but persistently. Quinley hesitated for a moment before responding, "In a few days. I'll let you know when I'm ready to move."
She already had a plan forming, but she absolutely couldn't tell David about it yet. His eyes immediately lit up like stars. "Great, great! I'll have the staff get the room ready. Quinny, I'm so happy you agreed!"
"You're busy. Go ahead and head back. I'll go up myself and text you after I've rested." Quinley's tone softened slightly, and David ate it up, nodding enthusiastically.
"Quinny, you're absolutely wonderful." Sweet talk came easily to David. Fortunately, Quinley was immune to sugar-coated bullets.
She went upstairs and looked down from the balcony window. David had already left. Quinley let out a breath of relief and collapsed on the sofa.
She pulled out her phone, sent a few messages, then tossed it onto the couch. She closed her eyes, looking like she was asleep, or perhaps waiting for something to happen.
About ten minutes later, Quinley's phone rang with a call from an unknown number. She pressed the answer button. The person on the other end didn't waste time.
"Quinley, what's your game?" Ruby's voice came through.
"Exactly what I said." Quinley's voice was equally cold.
Ruby was silent for a moment. Quinley heard the click of a lighter, then after a pause, Ruby spoke again. "What do you want me to do?"
"Help me." Quinley was concise.
Ruby let out a cold laugh. "Help you? Why would I help you?"
Ruby needed a reason, so Quinley gave her one. "Colette's always been your little shadow. She stole your clients—that's betrayal. I heard from Ms. Morgan that you're the big sister at Skyline PR. Everyone respects you, but Colette doesn't give you any face. Rosewood City's scene is small—if word gets out, where does that leave you?"
"She latched onto Landon and climbed up—that must really burn you up, right? I bet she's been rubbing it in your face constantly. Instead of putting up with it, why not do something about it? When the rules get broken, you'll pay the price eventually."
"I'm asking you to investigate her. It's helping me, but it's also helping you. And if anything comes out, you won't have to take the fall—I'll handle it alone. Plus, I'll pay you handsomely."
Nobody in this world could resist money—unless the amount wasn't enough. Quinley finished speaking and said nothing more, waiting for Ruby to think it through.
"How much?" After another pause, Ruby asked.
"Two hundred thousand dollars." Quinley threw out a substantial offer that clearly surprised Ruby.
"Do you even have that much money?"
"If you agree, I'll transfer half right now as a deposit."
Years at Zachary's side had taught Quinley how to negotiate. She was neither humble nor arrogant, giving the other party space to think.
Ruby went silent again. Time ticked by slowly, seemingly dragging on forever. Just when Quinley was about to doze off, Ruby's voice came through.
"Alright. I'll help you."
Once she'd made her decision, Quinley kept her word and immediately transferred a hundred thousand to Ruby. Money made the world go round—especially with people.
After handling that business, Quinley turned off her phone and went back to the bedroom to lie down. She slept straight through until eight o'clock that evening.
When she woke up and turned her phone back on, Ruby had sent her dozens of messages. Her efficiency was impressive—she'd already dug up all of Colette's dirty secrets.
[You did excellent work.] Quinley transferred the remaining hundred thousand to Ruby.
[You promised to keep this confidential. If word gets out, I won't be able to work in this industry anymore.] Ruby sent another message.
Quinley glanced at it briefly and replied with just two words: [Don't worry.]
She'd been awake, but drowsiness came over her again. Turns out, what gives people hope isn't just a lifeline—having leverage over others works too.
But Quinley hadn't expected that just when everything was going smoothly, an accident would throw a wrench in her plans.