Chapter 10 Percy Again
Adela had already moved into Quinley's former office, leaving her without a workspace on the entire floor. She led Quinley to the reception area instead.
"I'm afraid you'll have to make do here for now, Ms. Elikin."
Working from the reception area meant Quinley would be a floating resource, required to relocate whenever visitors arrived.
She didn't mind. After all, she was no longer officially part of Apex Global Group, and she certainly didn't plan to stay long.
"It's perfectly fine. This works well."
Adela was busy and didn't linger. As soon as she left, Quinley departed too.
She'd barely slept the previous night, reviewing the entire situation.
Before arriving at Apex Global Group that morning, she'd already formed a theory: someone was deliberately trying to discredit her.
But who? And why?
The answers remained elusive.
Circumstances had changed. No longer Zachary's secretary, she would find it challenging to quickly uncover the truth behind this situation.
But Quinley wasn't easily deterred.
Leaving the Apex Global Group Building, she immediately messaged Nora Carter, her contact at Brighton Alliance. Once again, Nora didn't respond.
Undiscouraged, Quinley found a roadside BBQ restaurant and settled in. She took several photos of the ribs and cornbread, posting them in a private Facebook update visible only to Nora.
Then she sent Nora a screenshot of a receipt.
Almost immediately, her phone rang.
Quinley was turning chicken wings with tongs when she glanced at the incoming call. She deliberately declined it.
Nora called again persistently. The receipt was evidence of kickbacks Nora had accepted—transactions she believed were untraceable until they somehow landed in Quinley's possession.
If exposed, Nora wouldn't just lose her job—she could face criminal charges.
She understood the stakes perfectly.
When Quinley continued ignoring her calls, Nora stopped trying. Thirty minutes later, she appeared at the BBQ restaurant, breathless and anxious.
Quinley had eaten her fill, though the table remained covered with half-finished dishes.
"Ms. Elikin, I'm so sorry. Today has been incredibly busy, which is why I—"
Nora began explaining, but Quinley cut her off. She had no interest in hearing excuses—Being a master of excuses herself, she didn't think Nora would say anything new.
"Ms. Carter, this place serves excellent barbecue. It's lunchtime, and you probably haven't eaten. Have some food first, then we'll talk."
Quinley prepared some meat for grilling, then placed the cooked portions in Nora's bowl.
Sitting across from Quinley, Nora's forehead beaded with cold sweat. Though her plate was piled high, she clutched her utensils without taking a single bite.
"Ms. Elikin—"
"Come on, the food's getting cold."
Quinley silenced her again.
Nora was plump with a round face and shifty eyes that kept darting toward Quinley, who remained frustratingly unreadable.
With a guilty conscience, Nora grew increasingly anxious.
Quinley's refusal to let her speak only intensified her unease.
After wolfing down the food, Nora finally cleared the table.
"Would you like anything else, Ms. Carter? I can order more," Quinley offered, signaling for a server.
Nora, whose stomach was already uncomfortably full, frantically waved her hands. "No need, Ms. Elikin. I'm completely satisfied."
"Are you sure? Don't be polite. It would be disrespectful not to eat your fill when we rarely have the chance to dine together."
The server approached, but Nora quickly intervened, preventing Quinley from ordering more food.
"Ms. Elikin," Nora said deferentially as she poured water for Quinley. "It's not that I don't want to help with the contract issue. I simply can't."
Her expression was strained.
Quinley maintained her composure, taking a small sip from her cup. "You can't? I thought you are capable of everything. Didn't you remove that zero yourself?"
"How could it be me? I wouldn't dare!" Nora protested, her words revealing more than she intended.
Quinley didn't press the point directly, instead guiding the conversation strategically. "When I gave you the contract, there were no errors. Your department handled the signatures and seals. If there's a mistake, it must have happened on your end."
This tactic—seizing the initiative—was something Zachary had taught her.
Nora felt trapped. "Ms. Elikin, I wouldn't dare tamper with the contract even if I had ten times more courage than I do."
"Is there anything you wouldn't dare do?" Quinley asked pointedly, referencing the kickbacks.
She had identified Nora's vulnerability and knew precisely when to apply pressure.
As expected, Nora's resistance crumbled.
"Ms. Elikin, please have mercy. I have elderly parents and young children to support. My salary barely covers our expenses. I wouldn't have broken the law if I weren't desperate."
She played the sympathy card, but it had no effect on Quinley.
"I could overlook your indiscretions, but would a judge be so forgiving? That's beyond my control."
Quinley showed no softness.
Nora wasn't foolish. Being an informant might damage her reputation, but prison would ruin her life.
"If I tell you, you absolutely cannot reveal your source."
Nora was yielding.
Quinley smiled innocently, playing the fool while actually being the predator—a role she performed expertly.
"Ms. Carter, we're friends, right? Have I ever betrayed your trust? Rest assured, I only need the truth. I won't implicate you."
With Quinley's guarantee, Nora finally spoke freely.
"Someone ordered it. Yesterday, I went to the director's office for signatures. He was on the phone, and I overheard fragments from outside the door. Afterward, he instructed me to contact Apex Global Group about contract issues."
Just as Quinley suspected—not an accident but deliberate sabotage.
"Please don't betray me, Ms. Elikin. I'm just a minor player, and this job is crucial to me. I can't afford to lose it."
Nora pleaded quietly.
Quinley nodded reassuringly. "I keep my promises, Ms. Carter. You won't be implicated. As far as I'm concerned, we never met today."
Expressing profound gratitude, Nora quickly departed.
Quinley didn't immediately return to Apex Global Group. She remained at the restaurant all afternoon, thinking.
Few people had the authority to direct Brighton Alliance's director. She could guess who was behind this.
She had always been diplomatic and prudent in her dealings, never creating enemies who would sabotage her after she left Apex Global Group.
After careful consideration, Quinley began forming a theory, though without evidence, she couldn't prove anything.
By cruel coincidence, Percy entered the restaurant before she could leave. He arrived with three rowdy young men, immediately spotting her.
With a derisive snort, he led his group toward her table.
"We meet again," Percy announced, dropping heavily into the seat across from her.
His hostile intent was obvious. Quinley, still preoccupied with her thoughts, had no desire to engage with him.
She picked up her purse and stood to leave, but one of Percy's companions pressed a hand on her shoulder.
"My boss is talking to you. Where do you think you're going?"
The other two positioned themselves behind Percy, making it clear Quinley wouldn't be leaving easily.
Outnumbered, she faced an inevitable confrontation.
"Mr. Thomas, you're here for barbecue too? Unfortunately, I've arranged to meet someone."
Quinley smiled pleasantly, improvising a quick lie.
"Have they arrived? Let's all join together," Percy challenged, spreading his hands with aggressive confidence.
Having been humiliated by Quinley before, he was clearly seeking revenge.
"They're on their way. If you prefer this table, I can move elsewhere."
Quinley attempted to stand again, but the young man tightened his grip on her shoulder, baring his teeth menacingly.
She was clearly outmatched.
"My boss is showing you respect. Don't be fucking ungrateful," the young man growled.
Percy tacitly approved of his underling's behavior, tossing the menu to a server. "We'll have one of everything."
He specifically ordered extra-hot smoked ribs.
Heat rose from the grill as the pungent spicy sauce mingled with the smoky aroma, causing Quinley to sneeze repeatedly.
Percy showed no hesitation, tearing into the ribs with gusto, sauce covering his hands as he ate with evident satisfaction.
Quinley recoiled at the sight.
"Weren't you so capable? Can't handle a little spice?" he taunted, signaling someone to serve Quinley.
She couldn't refuse without consequences, yet eating such spicy food might be unbearable for her.
"Let me check with my friend to see where they are," she said.
Percy didn't stop her from making a call, but who could Quinley possibly contact in this situation?
Following the principle of minimizing damage, she dialed Zachary's number.
Surprisingly, the call connected briefly before being abruptly disconnected.