Chapter 119 Needs A Lesson
With Zachary back at the helm of Apex Global Group, he commanded attention the moment he walked in. Men with champagne flutes gravitated toward him like moths to a flame.
Some were sycophantic, others transparently fake—all desperate to curry favor and get a piece of the action.
As for the women, they clustered in small groups, pretending nonchalance while their eyes tracked Zachary's every move. He'd broken off his engagement to the Davis family. Single, wealthy, and powerful—he'd become the most eligible bachelor in the room.
In the pool, a group of scantily clad young people splashed around.
"Look at you, practically drooling. Zachary's way out of your league."
"Like he'd look at you either? I've got bigger tits and a better ass than you."
"Yeah, but I'm better in bed. I guarantee he wouldn't be able to resist. Question is—who'd last longer?"
The young women had zero filter, throwing around crude jokes without shame. They laughed and played, but Zachary didn't spare them a glance.
Because he'd already spotted Quinley. The truth was, he'd seen her the moment he arrived.
She wore a moonlight-white gown and looked absolutely stunning. While the crowd pressed in from all sides, she'd tucked herself into the most secluded corner, perfectly content.
Zachary had glanced her way once. After that, his gaze never left.
Word had spread that David was preparing to take over the Brown Group, making him the second main attraction of the evening after Zachary. People surrounded him in layers. He wanted to break away but couldn't, craning his neck to catch glimpses of Quinley's direction, though someone always blocked his view.
Zachary had spent years navigating the business world. He'd attended countless parties like this one. As a titan of industry, he'd made many of the rules himself.
For instance, at parties like these, he never discussed business. After brief pleasantries, those who didn't matter knew better than to linger.
Only a few executives with close ties to Apex Global Group remained by his side. They found a shaded rest area and sat down. Zachary's seat happened to face directly toward Quinley.
A pool's width separated them, but his gaze burned across the distance—deep and intense.
Just then, the Davis siblings made their entrance.
The moment Harold walked in, several longtime associates swept him off to one side. Alicia was dressed to the nines in haute couture that looked expensive as hell. Her sharp eyes scanned the venue and immediately landed on Zachary.
He was tall, striking, handsome—shining like a pearl. Alicia stared so hard her eyes practically glazed over.
"Zach."
She glided over with a champagne flute in hand, but before she could get close to Zachary, Lucas blocked her path.
"Ms. Davis, Mr. Jennings is discussing important matters. He doesn't want to be disturbed."
"I'm just going to say hello to Zach."
Alicia tried to push forward, but Lucas stood like a wall, immovable.
"Ms. Davis, you know Mr. Jennings's temperament. If he takes offense, can you handle the consequences?"
Alicia hesitated. But she wasn't ready to give up.
"I'll come back later."
She swayed away, hips swinging. A few steps later, she ran into the Brown sisters.
"He already broke off your engagement. Why are you still throwing yourself at him? It's not like he's the last man on earth."
Lisa had witnessed Alicia's rejection moments ago. Her words dripped with mockery.
Alicia's expression soured. The broken engagement had made her a laughingstock among Rosewood City's socialite circles. She hadn't recovered from the humiliation.
Talk about rubbing salt in the wound. Alicia shot Lisa a vicious glare.
"At least I was engaged to him. What about you?"
She fired back.
"I'm going to grab a drink."
Helen gave a faint smile, nodded at Alicia, and walked away. She was smart enough to know who to associate with and who to avoid.
Once Helen left, Lisa sidled closer. "Hey, you see who that is?"
She jerked her chin toward Quinley's direction.
Alicia followed her gaze and spotted Quinley reclining in a lounge chair, looking perfectly comfortable.
Alicia had been miserable lately. Seeing Quinley so at ease made her blood boil.
"What's she doing here?"
Lisa let out a cold laugh. "A place like this? She couldn't get in on her own. But then again, her biggest talent is latching onto men. My idiot brother must be blind to treat a slut like her like she's some kind of treasure."
"Mr. Brown is here too?"
Alicia's eyes swept the venue and quickly found David. He was deep in conversation with a group, laughing and schmoozing, completely oblivious to this corner.
"She's about to become part of your family, and you're calling her a slut? Isn't that a bit much?"
Alicia probed with fake concern.
Lisa remembered the three slaps Quinley had given her. Just thinking about it made her molars ache.
"What's wrong with it? She was born cheap. First she seduced Zachary, now she's moved on to my brother. She's asking to be taught a lesson."
Lisa spoke venomously.
She'd accidentally hit Alicia's sore spot. If Quinley hadn't existed, Alicia believed she and Zachary would be married by now.
Instead, Zachary had unilaterally broken their engagement. She'd lost face completely, and now she'd never become Mrs. Jennings.
"So what are you planning to do about her?"
Alicia's fingers tightened around her champagne flute.
Lisa narrowed her eyes at Quinley, sizing her up.
She despised people like Quinley—born poor but somehow managing to play all sides and steal every advantage fate had to offer.
Lisa had been born into wealth but lived without freedom. Why should Quinley have it better?
What she couldn't have, she'd destroy. So...
"Watch me."
Lisa tilted her head back and drained her glass.
A server passed by. She lowered her voice and whispered something in his ear.
The server carrying a tray hurried off, then quickly returned, heading straight for Quinley. But this time, a black cloth covered whatever was on the tray.
"Miss, there's a gift here for you."
The server approached Quinley and bent slightly.
Quinley slowly turned her head toward the unfamiliar server.
"Who's it from?"
She frowned, immediately on guard.
"From the gentleman wearing the same color as you."
Following Lisa's instructions, the server gestured toward Zachary.
By coincidence, they'd both worn moonlight-white tonight. He looked handsome and distinguished; she appeared elegant and refined. They seemed well-matched.
Quinley felt suspicious.
Zachary was a private person. If he wanted to give her something, he'd never do it in such a public setting.
Besides, they had no relationship anymore. She'd come here with David tonight. Zachary wouldn't be reckless enough to do something that would invite criticism.
"Thanks, but could you hold onto it for me? I'll pick it up when I leave."
Quinley found a middle-ground solution that felt safe.
But the server was insistent. "I'm sorry, we can't hold it for you. That gentleman specifically said you must open it now. He said it's a surprise for you."
The more you say, the more you reveal.
When the server said this, Quinley became even more certain—this so-called gift definitely wasn't from Zachary.
"Then I'm giving this gift to you."
Quinley stood up. She wanted to leave.
But the server suddenly stepped forward and shoved the tray into Quinley's hands. He yanked away the black cloth covering it.
"Ahhh!"
Someone in the pool caught sight of what was on the tray and screamed.
Quinley's face went deathly pale.