Chapter 223

Chapter 223

She had barely finished speaking when she felt a scorching gaze on her back.

The moment she turned around, she saw Zachary standing there.

Realizing what she'd just said, Gwen's cheeks immediately flushed. "You... what are you doing here?"

Susan covered her mouth, practically squealing with excitement.

What perfect timing—they'd just been talking about him, and now here he was!

As a good friend, Susan knew better than to stick around and ruin the moment. She quickly grabbed her shopping bags and waved at Gwen. "Oh! I just remembered I left soup on the stove. I'd better get home and cook dinner. You two keep chatting!"

Gwen shot her a helpless look.

If Susan was going to make up an excuse, she could've picked a better one. The woman had never cooked a day in her life—how could she possibly be making soup?

Susan was already speed-walking away. Gwen had no choice but to turn to Zachary.

She avoided his eyes, embarrassed. "When did you get here? Did you... hear everything?"

Zachary walked up to her and nodded. "I did."

He'd heard it all.

He'd just finished dealing with his family situation and came to the mall to buy gifts for Gwen and Charlie when he happened to spot Gwen walking out of a store.

He'd only meant to catch up and say hello, but he'd accidentally overheard their conversation.

When he heard Gwen had bought him a gift, his heart had soared.

But what came after—that made him even happier.

He took a deep breath, and when he spoke, his voice trembled with barely controlled excitement. "Gwen... you..."

He didn't know what to say.

Just the thought that they might actually be together left him tongue-tied.

He'd performed at countless major events without breaking a sweat, yet in front of the woman he loved, he felt like a nervous teenager.

Seeing Zachary so flustered, Gwen couldn't help but smile.

Still, she was more concerned about the broken engagement. Just as she was about to ask how he'd handled it, Zachary spoke first.

"I've already taken care of the Neville family situation." His tone was serious. "I know this matters to you, so I made everything clear with Niamh. She won't bother you anymore. And... my grandfather wants to meet you."

Gwen tensed. "Meet me?"

"Don't worry." Zachary's voice softened. "He wants to thank you. You convinced Ms. Elikin to see him back then, and now they spend every day together. He really wants to thank you for talking to her."

Oh. That made sense.

Gwen hadn't expected her help to mean so much. She smiled. "That's nice to hear, but I was just trying to have a conversation with Ms. Elikin. He doesn't need to thank me specially. Let's skip the meeting."

Zachary had only mentioned it in passing. If Gwen didn't want to meet his grandfather, he wouldn't push.

After everything that had happened, it was perfectly normal for her to want to avoid him.

He looked at her. "I heard you bought me a gift?"

"Yes." Gwen handed him the box. "It's a tie clip in a color similar to your cufflinks. I thought the color would suit you."

Zachary took the box, and when he saw the tie clip, he smiled. "Thank you. I love it."

Gwen remembered what she'd just said and felt awkward about how to act around Zachary. "Um... Charlie really misses you."

She wasn't exactly lying. Charlie had asked about him a couple days ago, but since she hadn't been sure when they'd see Zachary again, she'd brushed it off.

Zachary chuckled softly. "Don't you miss me?"

His voice carried a smile, gentler than she'd ever heard it.

Gwen looked away, her tone unconsciously taking on a hint of girlish petulance. "I do not."

She'd only occasionally wondered when Zachary would finish dealing with everything.

"But I missed you," Zachary said.

It was the first time she'd heard him say something so sappy, yet her heart skipped a beat.

She didn't know how to respond. Face burning, she lowered her head.

Zachary took her hand, his ears faintly pink. "Let me drive you home. I'd like to see Charlie too."

"Okay."

Lynn placed all the confidential files on the table and slid them toward Echo.

Echo grabbed the documents, and her eyes lit up when she saw the contents.

Perfect. Getting her hands on files this sensitive—she could definitely sell them for serious money.

Satisfied, she said, "I knew I could count on you. Your dad's medical bills are covered now."

Lynn was exhausted. The words barely registered. "When can I take Nora and leave?"

"Whenever you want. I'm not stopping you."

Lynn clenched her fists. "I don't have any money."

Echo sneered. "That's rich, coming from you. Your dad's still sick, remember? You think I've got cash lying around? You're the one with no spine, too pathetic to squeeze any money out of Justin. And now you have the nerve to ask me for money? I should be charging you!"

Lynn bit her lip. "But you said you'd give me a cut after this was done."

If not for that money, she never would've done something this dangerous. If Justin found out beforehand, she'd be ruined for life.

Echo looked annoyed. She tried to grab the files and leave, but Lynn blocked her.

"If you don't give me the money, I'll tell Justin everything right now. I don't care anymore. Worst case, we both go down."

Echo stared at her, shocked. "How can you say that? I'm your mother!"

"So what?" Lynn's eyes gleamed with a wild light. "All I want is to get out of here as fast as possible. If I don't, I'm capable of anything."

She looked unhinged. Echo didn't dare gamble on whether Lynn would actually do something crazy. She backed down.

"How much do you need?"

"Three million dollars."

Echo's eyes went wide. "Are you insane?"

Three million dollars!

What a terrifying number!

If this were the old days, maybe. But she didn't have that kind of money now. Three million—she couldn't come up with it.

"Then sell this stuff," Lynn said matter-of-factly. "You got these files to sell them, didn't you? It's just a matter of sooner or later. Give me the money, and I'm gone."

Echo wanted to strangle this ungrateful daughter.

She couldn't just sell confidential files like this on a whim. She needed time to drive up the price in the shadows.

If she rushed the sale now, she'd lose a fortune!

What a curse. How had she given birth to such a terrible daughter?

Echo gritted her teeth and agreed. "Fine. I'll sell them as soon as I can."

"You have three days."

Lynn grabbed her purse and walked out, leaving Echo standing there, seething.