Chapter 96 Congratulations!
David's eyes transformed from hopeful anticipation to pure elation.
"This is amazing, Quinny! You finally said yes."
Unable to contain his excitement, he stood and pulled her into his arms. But as his lips moved toward hers, Quinley's palm shot up to block him.
"Dr. Brown, did you forget what the agreement says?"
Article Three: Neither party shall force the other to do anything against their will.
David grinned sheepishly. "Right, right. I remember."
He released her, but his joy was impossible to contain. He started bouncing around her apartment like an overgrown child.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!"
His whoops of celebration echoed through the space while Quinley remained perfectly composed—just like three years ago.
She walked into the kitchen, filled a pot halfway with water, and set it on the stove. Blue flames licked at the bottom as she stood watching, waiting for it to boil.
"Quinny, what are you doing?" David had finally calmed down enough to lean against the kitchen doorframe.
He watched her watching the pot.
"Making pasta. Want some? I can cook you a bowl too."
Her voice was flat and distant as she pulled out a half-empty package of pasta from the cabinet.
"No thanks." David sounded almost petulant as he stepped forward and turned off the gas. "Quinny, we're about to get married. This cheap pasta has no nutritional value—let me take you somewhere nice for dinner."
He snatched the pasta from her hands and tossed it in the trash, then tried to pull her toward the door.
She slipped from his grasp, maintaining careful distance.
"Dr. Brown, I hope you'll remember the terms of our agreement."
Her formal tone didn't irritate him—if anything, it intrigued him more. Things that came too easily never brought real satisfaction.
"Absolutely. I'll memorize every single clause." His eyes sparkled with mischief as he walked to the balcony and peered down. "Go change clothes. I'll wait here. If we don't leave soon, those vultures downstairs will turn into permanent fixtures."
Quinley understood his strategy. She wasn't one for dramatics—having signed the contract, her interests were now aligned with David's.
And Zachary would have to become nothing more than history.
"Alright."
She went to her bedroom and deliberately selected a pink sleeveless cocktail dress—the same one she'd worn to her first business dinner with Zachary. He'd chosen it for her personally.
Maybe because of its significance, she'd worn it only once before storing it away like a treasured memory.
Today felt equally momentous.
She pinned her hair up in an elegant twist. Her naturally delicate features, enhanced with subtle makeup, created a breathtaking effect.
When she emerged from the bedroom, David's jaw dropped.
"Quinny, you're absolutely stunning. Like an angel."
He circled her several times, as if distant admiration wasn't enough. He started to move closer, then remembered their agreement and restrained himself.
"I hope I won't embarrass you."
Quinley didn't smile—a beautiful ice queen.
David didn't mind at all. His grin was so wide it created crinkles at the corners of his eyes.
"Embarrass me? You'll make me the envy of every man in the city. Ready? Once we walk out that door, there's no going back."
Quinley understood better than anyone that crossing this threshold meant becoming someone entirely new. This was a gamble with herself as the stakes—winning or losing would depend purely on luck.
"Let's go."
Her voice was steady, her steps determined. David rushed ahead to open the door for her.
He looked like a victorious general while she resembled a warrior making her final stand.
In the elevator, David slipped one hand into his pocket and offered her his arm.
"Just for show—doesn't count as taking advantage."
His smug smile was infectious.
If they were going to perform for an audience, they needed to make it convincing.
Quinley was a natural actress who understood her role perfectly.
The moment the elevator doors opened, she slipped her hand through his arm with practiced ease.
Just as David had predicted, reporters clustered around the elevator entrance like hungry wolves. Camera flashes exploded, leaving them nowhere to hide.
"Ms. Elikin, Apex Global Group's CEO broke his engagement because of you. What's your response?"
A microphone was thrust toward her lips.
David moved with lightning speed, knocking it away with a sharp slap.
"Which outlet are you from? Do you have any manners?" His fury was magnificent to behold. "What does Zachary's personal life have to do with my fiancée? I'm warning all of you—anyone who upsets her will never work in this city again!"
Quinley had never seen this side of David—dangerous, protective, every inch the arrogant heir wielding his family's power without apology.
The reporters backed away, properly intimidated.
"Mr. Brown, why are you getting so worked up? You'll make yourself sick with all that anger. If people want to spread rumors, let them. We don't have to care, do we?"
David's eyes widened in surprise. He'd never seen this version of Quinley either.
Her smile was radiant, her voice honey-sweet as one hand rested on his arm while the other traced gentle patterns on his chest. The intimate gesture looked completely natural.
The sudden surge of happiness nearly overwhelmed him. His large hand covered her small one against his chest.
"Quinny, you're about to be Mrs. Brown. I won't let them drag your name through the mud."
He gazed at her adoringly before turning cold eyes on the reporters.
"Listen carefully—Quinley is my fiancée. We've been together nearly a year, living together for two months. Next week we're having a grand wedding. You're all welcome to attend, but if anyone dares spread lies about my future wife, don't blame me for destroying your careers!"
David's announcement was delivered with absolute authority—a public declaration of their engagement that brooked no argument.
The reporters had received anonymous tips to stake out Quinley's building, hoping to catch her with Zachary or get quotes about their alleged affair. Zachary's scandal would have been front-page gold.
They'd missed the Zachary exclusive, but David had just handed them an even better story.
Quickly reading the room, they shifted tactics.
"Congratulations, Mr. Brown and Ms. Elikin!"
"Mr. Brown, can you share details about your courtship?"
"What moment made Ms. Elikin fall for you?"
David's smile turned predatory, his eyes glinting with hidden meaning. He raised a finger to his lips, and the chattering reporters immediately fell silent.
"My fiancée is hungry, and we have dinner reservations. Save your questions for the wedding—you'll have plenty of time then. For now, please give us some privacy."
His tone was deceptively gentle, phrased like a request but clearly a command.
Remarkably, the reporters actually stepped aside to create a path.
"Come on, baby. Let's go."
His arm slid around her waist, his palm burning against her skin like a brand. Quinley shot him a warning look, but he maintained his adoring smile.
"Don't look back. We need to sell this performance completely—you don't want all our work to be for nothing."
While the show was ostensibly for the reporters, Quinley knew the real audience was Zachary. Whether others believed it didn't matter—Zachary's belief was the only thing that counted.
Within an hour, photos of David and Quinley leaving together in intimate embrace had gone viral across every social media platform.
And they cut straight through Zachary's heart like a blade.