Chapter 37 Jumping into the Trap
"You want me to keep your secret?"
David squinted his narrow almond-shaped eyes, studying Quinley intently.
She really was different. If this had been any other woman who'd landed a catch like Zachary, she'd want the whole world to know.
So why didn't she want people to find out? David's curiosity shot through the roof.
"Will you?"
Quinley asked in return.
She had the slippery quality of a catfish—impossible to grasp. But for someone trying to catch fish, the more elusive the prey, the more determined they became to catch it.
Quinley didn't understand David—she was underestimating him.
"How are you going to thank me?"
David's lips curved upward as he started a new round of extortion.
Quinley laughed. "I'll take you to more good places to eat."
"Deal."
David extended his hand, a predatory gleam flashing in his eyes.
Quinley shook it lightly, oblivious to the danger.
After breakfast, Rosewood City's day officially began. People hurried along the streets.
David got a call about an emergency and immediately headed back the way they came.
Quinley rushed to the office.
They parted ways in different directions.
She'd barely arrived at work when Alicia's call came through.
"Ms. Elikin, I've requested leave for you from Ms. Morgan. Percy's parents want to meet you tonight—remember to go early."
She was really going all out to transform Quinley into what she wanted her to be.
"Okay."
Quinley agreed.
Soon, Alicia sent Quinley the time and location for tonight's meeting.
Quinley felt dejected and sat at her desk for a long time.
She and Percy had only met twice, and neither encounter had been pleasant.
Two virtual strangers suddenly sitting down to discuss marriage—it was absurd.
Was she really going to tie her entire life to such a worthless man?
Quinley asked herself this question over and over.
Suddenly, Zachary's words began echoing in her ears again.
"Think about it—let's get married."
Zachary and Percy were at opposite extremes. He was handsome and wealthy on the outside, steady and ambitious on the inside, generous and respectful toward her—he'd make an excellent husband.
It wasn't that Quinley hadn't considered it, but such an outstanding man attracted not just her but other women too.
Romantic competition had existed since ancient times—what did she have that would make her stand out in this contest?
Alicia was ruthless and calculating, already extending her claws toward Quinley's family. Quinley couldn't afford to provoke her—she could only avoid confrontation.
And Sylvia had spent half her life carefully building her position. How could she possibly allow her son to marry an ordinary woman?
Quinley wasn't a gambler—she couldn't bet her own life and her family's on this.
Zachary and Percy stood at opposite ends of a scale—one too perfect, the other too rotten.
She couldn't marry either of them.
Quinley thought about it all day but couldn't come up with a way to make Percy not want to marry her.
At 5 PM, she left work an hour early and went back to her apartment to get ready.
A light purple suit—gentle and elegant, perfect for meeting elders.
Quinley had a clean, intelligent look, and the light purple suited her well.
The dinner location was a distinctive seafood restaurant. Quinley had been there several times with Zachary—their spicy fish was particularly delicious.
As soon as Quinley arrived, she ran into Alicia at the restaurant entrance.
Alicia's eyes swept over Quinley once before she exclaimed, "Ms. Elikin, how could you come here without getting dressed up?"
Quinley was dressed plainly with simple makeup and no jewelry—she did look rather understated.
In contrast, Alicia was dressed quite fashionably. She wore a haute couture Chanel tweed suit and a complete set of Cartier's latest diamond jewelry. Her hair was freshly styled, and her makeup was particularly exquisite.
"I'm not very good at dressing up," Quinley said modestly.
Alicia rolled her eyes and led Quinley inside.
"Ms. Parker is quite concerned about your situation. When I saw her today, she was still asking whether you and Percy had set a wedding date. When you meet Percy's parents later, you need to be sweet-talking, understand?"
Quinley smiled innocently. "Thanks for the reminder, Ms. Davis. I'll remember."
Alicia walked ahead of Quinley like an arrogant princess, with Quinley following behind like the princess's maid.
In the booth at the very back of the main hall, Quinley immediately spotted Percy. He'd been discharged from the hospital and had returned to his previous arrogant demeanor.
The couple sitting across from him had similar builds to his.
The table was loaded with seafood, and Percy was eating with his head down, as were his parents.
"Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, this is Quinley."
Alicia pointed at Quinley, and three unfriendly gazes swept toward her.
Percy responded with a snort.
"So you're Quinley?"
Percy's mother spoke up, her sharp eyes landing on Quinley as if she wanted to dissect her.
Percy's father had just cracked open a crab leg with his teeth and spat the debris on the ground—some splattered onto Quinley's skirt.
Quinley's brow furrowed slightly. This family was clearly no good.
"Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Thomas, hello!"
She smiled sweetly and proactively greeted them before taking her seat.
"Where are your parents? Why didn't they come? For something as important as marriage, is this how little your family cares?"
Percy's mother spoke aggressively, her manner intimidating.
Quinley remained composed. "Mr. Thomas hasn't met my parents yet, so bringing them directly wouldn't be appropriate."
"Hah, poor families sure have a lot of rules."
Percy's mother rolled her eyes again.
"I want to eat shrimp. Peel them for me."
Percy pushed a large plate of shrimp toward Quinley.
He wanted to order her around, to make her humble herself in front of everyone.
"Sure thing, Mr. Thomas. Since you like them, I'll peel them for you."
Quinley felt disgusted inside but smiled on the surface.
If he wanted her to peel shrimp, she'd peel them.
Quinley peeled one, Percy ate one.
"Peel faster! Are you trying to starve me?"
Percy deliberately made a scene.
Quinley had only met Percy twice, but she understood his nature—give him an inch and he'd take a mile. If she gave in to his demands, he'd just find new ways to torment her.
So she slowed down her shrimp-peeling even more.
"Our son loves seafood. Since he was little, I've always peeled them and fed them to him. With your technique, you'd better practice more, or else this good seafood will be cold by the time it reaches his mouth. What if he gets sick?"
Percy's mother couldn't stand it anymore and began picking on Quinley.
Quinley said nothing and continued peeling shrimp at her own pace.
Percy's mother sensed the stubbornness in Quinley's bones and decided to teach her a lesson.
"I want some hot water. Go get me some."
She handed Quinley a glass, her fat face drooping like Garfield's.
"Of course."
Quinley took the glass, got up to pour hot water, and brought it back.
"Mrs. Thomas, your hot water."
Just as she was about to place it in front of Percy's mother, the woman suddenly jerked her arm backward. Quinley couldn't dodge in time, and all the hot water spilled onto her hand, instantly leaving a large red mark.
"Are you trying to scald me? Such a grown person being so careless—how will you take care of my son in the future? Landing my son Percy is like the Elikin family hitting the jackpot. Don't be ungrateful!"
Before Quinley could even complain, Mrs. Thomas was already playing the victim.
"Get Mrs. Thomas a fresh cup."
Alicia ordered Quinley.
Quinley covered her scalded hand and looked deeply at Alicia.
What had Alicia offered the Thomas family to make them willing to marry Quinley despite their reluctance? Quinley wasn't sure.
But one thing she knew—marrying into the Thomas family would be like jumping into a pit of fire.
"I'll get you a fresh cup."
Quinley took a new glass and went to pour water for Percy's mother again.
But she'd only taken a few steps when a familiar figure blocked her path.