Chapter 179 Seeking Family
Quinley was in the passenger seat replying to work messages when she looked up and saw Zachary making a call, his expression dark.
She got out and walked over.
"What's wrong?"
Zachary exhaled slowly. "Dennis did this."
Quinley's heart sank.
Kicking Dennis out of Apex Global Group wasn'twrong, he had no ability, no integrity. He didn't belong there. But retaliating like this out of spite? Unbelievable.
"Call the police."
Quinley immediately dialed 911. She'd handled this kind of thing before and knew the drill.
Since it involved Zachary, security cooperated with the police. Surveillance had caught Dennis slashing Zachary's tires clear as day.
With concrete evidence, Dennis was taken away again.
---
They switched cars and headed to the hospital. Quinley's burn wasn't serious, but Zachary was anxious. He had the doctor prescribe medication and insisted on taking her home to rest properly.
"I'm the boss, you're the employee. I'm telling you to rest, so rest."
Pure overbearing CEO mode.
"Keep spoiling me like this and I'll get demanding."
Quinley pouted.
But Zachary just doted on her more. "Be as demanding as you want. As long as you're happy."
"Really?"
"Really."
Soon, Zachary would pay dearly for that promise.
Quinley reached up and flicked his forehead hard.
Zachary's forehead was smooth and clean, and something playful stirred in Quinley. She'd suddenly wanted to flick it.
Zachary pretended to wince, clutching his head like he was in pain.
"You told me to be demanding. Sorry, did I hit too hard?"
"I was faking."
Zachary dropped his hand, grinning like he'd won something.
He was used to keeping a straight face around everyone, maintaining that icy wall. But with Quinley, he wanted to rip the mask off.
"You tricked me?"
Quinley gasped and made to retaliate, but Zachary pulled her into his arms.
"I'll trick you for a lifetime."
Then he kissed her gently and sweet.
Quinley felt lighter than she ever had.
---
They were laughing as they headed upstairs, but Quinley froze when she saw Marlee outside her door.
Tears streaked down her face, panic flooding her eyes.
"Mr. Jennings."
The second she spotted them, Marlee dropped to her knees.
Before Zachary could even get close, Marlee started kowtowing.
"Denny was wrong. I'm apologizing for him. It's my fault. I didn't raise him right."
She started slapping herself.
Quinley rushed forward and grabbed her wrist.
Their eyesmet,Quinley's filled with heartache, Marlee's with desperation.
"Mrs. Elikin, don't. You're putting Mr. Jennings in a terrible position."
The reason makes Quinley stopped for a moment.
Did Marlee's coddling contribute to how Dennis turned out? Absolutely. He'd gotten completely lost in all that spoiling.
"Cindy, please help Denny. He's still young. He can't go to jail. He has his whole life ahead. He can't be ruined like this."
Marlee sobbed, voice worn thin.
Quinley's chest tightened, but she didn't know what to say.
Zachary walked over and pulled Quinley to his side.
"Mrs. Elikin, you shouldn't be asking me to let him off. You're his mother. You know exactly what Dennis is like."
He held up Quinley's injured hand.
"I kept every promise I made to you. He didn't know how to appreciate it. He's young, yes, but he can't spend his whole life making mistakes. Don't you agree?"
Zachary didn't waste more time. He nodded for Quinley to unlock the door.
Just as it was about to close, Marlee grabbed it.
"Mr. Jennings, you want to know who Quinley's birth parents are, right? I can tell you. If I tell you the truth, will you let Denny go?"
Desperate. Clutching at straws.
Quinley went rigid.
"Who are they?"
The words burst out before she could stop them.
Zachary pulled her closer, patting her arm. "Go inside. I'll be right back."
He gently pushed Quinley through and closed the door behind her.
"One chance. That's it."
Marlee crumbled completely.
"They... they came from Lakeside City. The woman's name was Elise Ginger. The man,I don't know his full name. I just heard her call him Gary. Mr. Jennings, that's everything I know. I swear I'm not hiding anything."
"Please, I'm begging you. Let Denny go this once. I promise I'll discipline him. He won't cause trouble again."
Zachary's expression darkened. "Once I find the couple you mentioned, I'll release Dennis. Go home. Don't come here again."
Before Marlee could say more, Zachary slipped inside and shut the door.
---
Quinley stood in front of him, face pale, arms wrapped around herself. Her eyes looked hollow.
"Did you find my birth parents?"
Her voice cracked.
Twenty-five years. The first real lead she'd ever had.
Zachary didn't sugarcoat it. He walked to her and pulled her into his arms, gently rubbing her back.
"Yes. I told you I'd help you find them. Now that we have information, I'll send people to bring them to Rosewood City."
Quinley shook her head.
"No. I want to go see them."
Too many emotions had been building. She needed to see them face-to-face, needed to know who they were and why they'd abandoned her.
"I'll go with you."
Firm. Final.
---
That same day, with Lucas driving, Zachary and Quinley set off for Lakeside City.
Zachary had already sent people ahead to gather intel. Lakeside City wasn't large.Quinley had spent half a year there once. Finding people wouldn't be hard.
But tracking down someone from twenty-five years ago? That was another story.
By the time they arrived, rain was falling steadily.
Lucas had booked a hotel, but as they neared it, Quinley objected.
"I know a place we can stay."
She didn't mention owning a small courtyard there.
When Lucas pulled up, lights glowed from inside.
Quinley produced a key, unlocked the gate, and led Zachary in.
"Where is this?"
He was tall, one arm around her, the other holding an umbrella. She stayed dry under his protection while half his sleeve got soaked.
"My home."
She said it quietly.
Zachary's eyes narrowed, then something softened. The weight in his chest lifted.
"You have a home here? How did I not know that?"
The courtyard was small but charming.
"There's a lot you don't know."
Quinley headed for the door.
Suddenly, it swung open from the inside.
A familiar face appeared.