Chapter 178 Openly Loving You
"What gives you the right to hit me?"
Dennis clutched his face and glared at Zachary, both furious and bewildered. Just moments ago, the man had seemed perfectly calm—yet now he had slapped him.
Quinley was just as stunned. She had never expected Zachary, who was usually so composed, to lose his temper like this.
"Mr. Jennings, let's go back to your office."
Quinley reached out to guide him away. There were too many people watching in a place like this.
Several executives were still lingering near the conference room. Now they craned their necks, eager to watch the drama unfold.
"Apologize."
Zachary's voice cut through the air like a blade. His handsome face was rigid with anger, cold authority radiating from him.
"Why should I apologize to her? She's just a secretary. Secretaries do grunt work."
Dennis spoke quietly, but Quinley heard him.
So did Zachary.
Another sharp slap landed across Dennis's face.
Dennis had a quick temper. After being slapped twice, he couldn’t hold back any longer.
"You hit me again?”
He pointed angrily at Quinley, ready to explode.
“You’d hit me over a woman like her? Zachary, you're throwing me under the bus. She's just your woman, right? She slept with you, so you—"
Before Dennis could finish the sentence, Zachary’s fist slammed into his face.
Dennis stood no chance.
The punch sent him crashing to the floor. One of his teeth flew out as blood filled his mouth.
The pain brought tears to his eyes.
"You're bullying me!” he cried hoarsely.
Throughout the chaos, Quinley stood to the side, watching coldly and saying nothing.
Dennis had been arrogant from the moment he arrived.
He deserved a harsh lesson.
"Whether she's my woman or not, you will respect her,” Zachary said in a low, steady voice. “Disrespecting her is the same as disrespecting me."
His voice carried a heavy authority that made Dennis shrink back instinctively.
Quinley had already realized that the moment Dennis appeared at Apex Global Group, her relationship with Zachary could no longer remain hidden.
The company had strict rules: employees weren’t allowed to date each other. If they did, one of them had to resign.
Zachary was the CEO. If people found out he was involved with his own secretary, the gossip would be relentless.
In the conference room, the gossip-loving executives had already heard everything. Now they whispered among themselves.
"Mr. Murphy, what are you waiting for? Get him out of here."
At Zachary's command, Lucas immediately called security.
Two guards quickly arrived and moved to escort Dennis out.
That was when panic finally set in.
"Mr. Jennings, I'm sorry! I was impulsive earlier. I apologize—doesn’t that count for something?"
"Ms. Promise, please don’t hold it against me. I was rude and said things I shouldn't have. I won’t do it again. I promise."
Dennis knew when it was time to bow his head.
But Quinley didn't soften.
"Dennis, I hope the next time you face a situation like this, you’ll know how to behave. I support Mr. Jennings’s decision. You’re not suitable for Apex Global Group."
She made her stance clear.
"I said move."
Zachary's voice cracked like a whip.
Dennis kept pleading, but it was useless. The guards dragged him away.
"Notify HR,” Zachary added coldly. “Dennis has failed his probation period."
Lucas immediately got to work.
After the matter was settled, Zachary noticed the curious faces still peeking out from the conference room. One sharp glance from him was enough to make them all retreat inside.
He walked over to Quinley and openly took her hand.
"Come on. I'm taking you to the hospital."
That coffee earlier had been scalding hot. Blisters were already forming on Quinley’s hand.
"It's fine. I can go myself."
Quinley tried to refuse.
But Zachary didn’t let go. "Let's go."
He held her hand all the way to the elevator.
Once inside, Quinley tried to pull away.
Zachary looked at her. "Are you scared?"
Of course she was.
Quinley hated being the subject of gossip. After today’s scene, rumors would spread through the company like wildfire. How was she supposed to face everyone tomorrow?
Zachary had created the rules himself.
Now he was the one breaking them.
How would he explain that to the entire company?
"Aren't you scared?"
Quinley shot back.
A relaxed smile tugged at Zachary's lips.
“I am. And I’m not."
He was CEO of Apex Global Group—a position that often felt like a cage of his own making.
At the top, he demanded perfection from everyone, especially himself.
If the leader broke his own rules, criticism would come from every direction. His authority could easily be undermined.
But aside from being the CEO, he was still just a man.
A man with emotions, desires, and the right to love someone.
Quinley was the woman he had chosen.
No matter what her position was, she deserved to be acknowledged openly. That was the least he could do as a man.
"What do you mean?"
Quinley asked curiously.
Her injured hand still throbbed, but somehow her heart felt light.
Suddenly, Zachary leaned down and kissed her.
"Zachary!"
Quinley's ears turned bright red as she pushed him away.
Zachary laughed, looking like a mischievous child who had successfully stolen candy.
Then he took her hand again.
“From now on, I want everyone to know you’re my woman. I won’t let anyone disrespect you again. I’ll protect you. You won’t have to suffer in silence anymore."
Hearing those words from the man she loved felt like an incredible gift.
Quinley looked at him, emotions swirling in her eyes.
She was deeply moved.
But she was also worried.
“This isn't the right time."
"No,” Zachary replied firmly. “Right now is perfect."
He was stubborn.
"Mr. Jennings, you're twenty-nine years old. You're not three. You can't behave this reckless."
Quinley tried to to reason with him.
But Zachary only tightened his grip on her hand.
“I’ve spent my entire life being careful and responsible. Can’t I be reckless just once—with you?"
"What if they use the rules against you?"
Apex Global Group was huge. Employees dating was normal, but that rule forced everyone to hide their relationships.
"Then I'll change the rules."
Zachary was a man of action.
He said it and immediately did it.
"Post a new company policy. Employees who date and get married receive a congratulations package from the union. Employees can date as long as they keep work and personal life separate. No one has to resign."
He personally called the head of HR.
Quinley smiled.
But mostly, she felt warmth flooding through her.
The elevator doors opened. Zachary held Quinley's hand and walked out without hesitation.
People stared at them, but their faces only showed radiant smiles—no fear, no embarrassment.
---
At the Apex Global Group Building parking lot, Zachary opened the car door and slid into the driver's seat, only to realize something was wrong with the Maybach.
He quickly got out to check.
All four tires of the Maybach had been slashed.
His eyes darkened.
Someone was about to have a very bad day.