Chapter 29 Dress
JAME'S POV
“Is this okay enough for you?” Melissa said as she stepped out of the walk-in closet. She did a slow turn, presenting the dress I had specifically told her to wear for today’s event.
I paused what I was doing and looked at her properly, studying the outfit from head to toe. There was a reason I picked that dress. The dark fabric hugged her exactly the way I wanted it to, the slit on the right side was just the perfect height, and I loved the way the hem dragged behind her like she was walking with a personal spotlight on her.
But even with all that, her expression made it clear she hated every bit of it.
“Yes,” I said as I buttoned my cufflinks, letting my voice drip with sarcasm. “This is how a proper woman dresses when she’s following her husband for an important event like this.”
Melissa scoffed, annoyance flashing across her face as she pulled at the tight neckline. “I literally just told you the dress isn’t for me. It’s too tight, James. I can barely breathe, let alone move around. But if you think about it,” she folded her arms and narrowed her eyes at me, “I wouldn’t have to be wearing this at all if you didn’t force me to attend this stupid event that doesn’t benefit me in any way.”
“And that’s where you’re wrong, dear wife.” I dropped the sarcasm and straightened my sleeves, letting my tone switch into something more serious. “Going to this event is more important than you can imagine. Didn’t you hear what my head medical officer said when we went by the company?”
She shifted her weight, her irritation slightly replaced with concern.
“Look,” I continued, “we need as many investors as we can get our hands on right now. And what better place to fish for them than at Quinn’s Enterprise’s ceremony? Just think about it. The Quinn family has finally returned to California after all these years. Everyone who matters will be there. Big names, big investors, old money, new money — even the people who never show up anywhere will show up tonight just because the Quinns are hosting.”
I stepped closer to her, lowering my voice slightly, letting the excitement I felt bleed into my words. “If I manage to talk to Mr. Quinn himself, the CEO… do you have any idea how life-changing that would be for us?”
“Even though we’re already in wealth,” Melissa said, flipping her hair back like it was nothing.
I frowned a little at her answer. “You think this is wealth?” I asked. “No, Melissa. What we have now is nothing compared to the real wealthy men and women in this country. We are still at the bottom of the barrel. We can get more. So much more. We could buy an island. A yacht. Live like actual kings and queens, not just pretend like it.”
My voice picked up a little as my imagination ran with it. The possibilities. The power. The status.
Melissa sighed. “And what about the problem with your drug? What did the medical officer say about that? Because I still don’t understand how patients take a cure, and then five years later they get the illness again. And now the drug isn’t even working at all for them.”
I clenched my jaw slightly. This was the part I didn’t want to think about, let alone discuss.
“The formula…” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Something isn’t right. Something isn’t compatible with the stabilizing compound. And without that compatibility, the medicine can’t do its job. Which means the drug loses effect, the patients get the illness again, and in some cases, the symptoms become worse.”
Melissa’s eyes widened, but I continued. “And I can’t tell the company because if they find out, it’s going to be over for me. Completely. To figure out what went wrong with that compound, we need more tests. A lot more tests. And more tests mean more money. More equipment. More trial batches. More lab hours. All of which we do not have the luxury to waste right now.”
Her voice came out sharp. “Wait…what do you mean we don’t have money to waste? James, I hope it’s not what I’m thinking. I hope we’re not broke.”
“No, we’re not.” I said quickly. “But with the way everything is going with the drug formula, we’re leaning toward that direction.”
She stared at me, shocked. “You never told me any of this.”
“That’s because I just found out about it too,” I said, my tone flat. “And let’s be very honest — you only care about the part where the money increases. You never want to hear when it decreases.”
She glared at me but didn’t deny it.
“Look, we’re wasting time having this conversation,” I said, grabbing my suit jacket from the bed. “Let’s just get to the event. I’ll work my magic with my words. Like I always do.”
She rolled her eyes dramatically, but she walked back into the closet to pick out a pair of high-heeled shoes that matched the dress.
Once she was ready, we headed downstairs, the tension still present between us but muted now that the focus had shifted.
We walked out the front door and into the cool evening air, entering our vehicle. The driver pulled out of the driveway and took us straight to the ceremony.
As we got closer, the roads grew busier, cars lined up with uniformed security guiding the flow of traffic. The Quinn name was truly powerful — one event from them and the entire city felt it.
The moment our car pulled up to the entrance, a valet immediately approached and opened the door. I stepped out, adjusting my suit, while Melissa gracefully followed, though I could tell she was still uncomfortable in the dress.
I handed the valet the keys, then glanced around. Cameras were flashing everywhere as guests posed on the small red carpet laid out before the entrance. Paparazzi, bloggers, reporters — everyone wanted a glimpse of whoever walked in.
But we didn’t come here to stand outside and talk to nobodies or take pointless pictures.
We came here for one reason.
Find the CEO.
And speak to him.