Chapter 159 Shameless
Quinley was passively pulled into this embrace. In that moment, her heart felt warm. But that warmth quickly turned cold.
"Cindy, are you and Mr. Jennings getting married soon?"
Marlee wiped away her tears, gripping Quinley's hand and refusing to let go.
"Mom, that's obvious, isn't it? Cindy's definitely going to marry Mr. Jennings." Dennis said with certainty.
"Yes, yes, our Cindy will definitely marry Mr. Jennings."
Dennis and Marlee tag-teamed the conversation, barely giving Quinley a chance to get a word in. They seemed to have forgotten that the woman standing before them was called Cindy, not Quinley.
"Denny, go peel an apple for your sister."
"Sure thing!" Dennis responded cheerfully, happily going to peel an apple for Quinley.
"You don't need to go to that trouble." This long-lost family affection caught Quinley off guard. But she knew clearly that right now, she was Cindy.
"Cindy, come sit for a bit. Mom wants to talk to you."
Marlee took Quinley's hand and led her to the sofa. The moment Quinley sat down, Marlee's face filled with worry.
"Cindy, you know about how your brother got scammed. He's young and ambitious, always trying to prove himself, but he's had terrible luck this past six months—nothing's worked out. You and Mr. Jennings are getting married, right? Could you possibly ask Mr. Jennings to get your brother a position at Apex Global Group?"
Hearing this, Quinley's expression went cold. She never imagined that Marlee and Dennis had come to ask her to arrange a job for Dennis. But the panic lasted only a moment before calm settled over her.
"What kind of position are you looking for?"
Marlee didn't really understand the business world. She quickly called Dennis over. "Denny, you tell her yourself. If you went to Apex Global Group, what would you want to do? Your sister's ready to help you now."
She'd completely misunderstood Quinley's meaning. Quinley had no intention of arranging any job for him.
Dennis finished peeling the apple and handed it to Quinley. She took it but didn't take a single bite.
"Cindy, I majored in international trade in college, and I'm really interested in sales. I did some research—Apex Global Group's sales manager just left last week. Could you talk to Zachary and let me take that position? I promise I'll use everything I learned to build something big and not embarrass you guys."
After all this time, Dennis hadn't changed one bit. He was still all talk, full of big ideas with nothing to back them up. Quinley's heart sank.
"But the sales manager position requires ten years of experience in the field. Can you handle that?"
Dennis let out a cold laugh. "What's there I can't handle? I graduated from a top university with a relevant major. My professional skills, learning ability, communication skills—all first-rate. Give me a lever and I can move the earth. Cindy, just say something to Zachary. If you help out, it's just one sentence from him. Who knows, I might even become sales director!"
Quinley had underestimated just how arrogant Dennis was. He'd spent too many years in his ivory tower, completely lacking self-awareness. Quinley had criticized him before, but he'd never listened to a single word. Now, she didn't plan to say much, and she certainly didn't plan to enable him.
"I'll mention it to Mr. Jennings later. Ultimately, it'll be his decision."
She didn't agree immediately, using the same tactic as Zachary. The moment Marlee heard this, panic crossed her face.
"Huh? Why make such a simple thing so complicated?"
Dennis's eyes darkened too. "Cindy, you're my only sister now. If you don't help me, no one will. Trust me—I can make something of myself. I absolutely won't let you down."
Marlee immediately grabbed Quinley's hand, squeezing tightly. "Cindy, why don't you just call Mr. Jennings right now? He cares about you—your words carry weight. Denny's business failed and his confidence took a hit. He just wants to prove himself. If you just put in a good word with Mr. Jennings, your brother's future is set."
They took turns trying to convince Quinley. But they'd forgotten—the person sitting before them was Quinley, but also not Quinley anymore.
"I don't think that call is necessary."
Quinley refused directly. When she was still living as Quinley, Marlee had used family loyalty to manipulate her over and over. Back then, she hadn't realized it. She'd been grateful to Colin and Marlee for raising her, doing everything in her power to take care of this struggling family. Because she was the eldest, she always shielded Dennis.
But this devotion hadn't earned their understanding or appreciation—it had only fueled their sense of entitlement. When receiving becomes expected, it easily turns into a blade that cuts. And this blade had been handed to her by the people she considered family.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Dennis erupted in fury. He stood up, glaring at Quinley.
"Cindy, your brother can only count on you now. I'm begging you, please just call Mr. Jennings. One phone call and your brother's job is secured."
Marlee cried, her lips trembling as she pleaded softly. Before, Quinley would have softened. She couldn't carry that mountain, but she'd forced herself to shoulder it anyway. No one had seen the tears and sweat she'd shed. No one had acknowledged her struggles. They just assumed she could handle it.
After everything she'd been through, Quinley had gradually seen the truth.
"Apex Global Group has its own hiring process. Dennis doesn't meet the qualifications. Why put Mr. Jennings in an awkward position?"
Her refusal was even more definitive.
Dennis suddenly became agitated, clutching his hair as he paced the room.
"Cindy, I'm begging you!" Marlee suddenly dropped to her knees. She wrapped her arms around Quinley's legs, sobbing inconsolably.
Tears flowed in Quinley's heart too. Her mother would sacrifice anything for Dennis—including this daughter.
This time, Quinley was calmer than she'd ever been. She pried Marlee's hands away and walked to the door. Opening it, frost settled over her features.
"Mrs. Elikin, I'm sorry, but I need you and your son to leave."
The room fell silent. Quinley had drawn a definitive line between them in the most resolute way, bringing everyone back to reality.
"Cindy, are you really going to be this heartless?"
Marlee cried herself hoarse. She pulled at Dennis, signaling him to kneel too. "Denny, beg her properly. Beg her to help you. She's the only one who can help you now."
But Dennis wouldn't kneel. His eyes fixed on Quinley with pure hostility.
"You really won't help me?"
"Please leave!"
Quinley raised her voice but held firm to her position.
"Damn it."
Dennis cursed. He grabbed the glass from the coffee table and hurled it in Quinley's direction. The glass hit the floor and shattered instantly, shards flying everywhere. One piece struck the wound on Quinley's forehead dead-on. Blood immediately began streaming down her face.
"Cindy, you're bleeding!"
Marlee rushed over in a panic. But Quinley stepped back. "Leave my home, or I'm calling the police."
The three of them stood frozen in the doorway, at an impasse.
"Denny, let's go." Marlee tugged at Dennis's sleeve. Annoyed, he shook her off roughly.
"You leave if you want. I'm not going anywhere." He turned around and plopped back down on the sofa. "Today, whether you want to help or not, you're going to help. If I can't get a job at Apex Global Group, nobody's getting out of this easy."
"Cindy, please just call Mr. Jennings, okay? Your brother's in this state—I'm really scared. If he loses control and does something reckless, I don't know what will happen."
Marlee started crying again, working on Quinley emotionally.
"Fine. I'll call."
Quinley agreed.
But they didn't expect that Quinley's call wouldn't be to Zachary.