Chapter 160 He Is a Loser
"Cindy, why are you calling 911?"
The moment Quinley dialed, Marlee panicked. She tried to grab Quinley's phone, but it was too late.
"You think I'll leave just because you called the cops? Let me tell you something—if you don't get Zachary to give me a job, I'm not budging. He loved my sister. You're just her replacement. Bottom line—you should thank my sister that Zachary even noticed you. Besides, my sister was with him for three years. He owes us compensation."
Dennis shouted shamelessly. Quinley stood calmly at the door, watching the Elikin mother and son, her heart frozen to its core.
Was this the family she'd protected so selflessly? What was the difference between them and vampires?
"Hasn't Zachary compensated you enough? The dead can't speak, but the living sure have a lot to say. Dennis, is this all you're capable of?"
Quinley stared Dennis down, unflinching. If the Elikins raised her and she owed them for that, fine, she'd accept it. But what gave them the right to treat Zachary like a cash machine? With Dennis's temperament, if he got into Apex Global Group, who knew what disasters he'd cause. Quinley absolutely wouldn't allow that to happen.
"He used up three years of my sister's youth. He should compensate us. He owes us, and he has to pay."
Dennis remained shameless.
"Your sister would never want this compensation."
"You're not my real sister. What makes you think you know what she wants?"
Dennis snapped. Quinley's blood boiled too. 'I am your real sister.' The words surged to the tip of her tongue, but she didn't say them. She was Quinley, but she didn't want to be Quinley at all.
"You're not her real sister either. What makes you think you know what she wants? You think she's as greedy as you?"
Tension filled the room, a full-blown fight about to erupt.
Just then, the police arrived.
"Who called the police?"
One of the officers walked over. Quinley stepped forward.
"I did."
Quinley explained the situation. The police tried to remove Dennis, but he refused to budge.
"I'm not leaving. Why should I?"
He was stubborn as a bull. When the officer approached, he lost control and threw a punch. That punch sealed the deal—assaulting an officer. So everyone was taken to the police station.
Zachary was in a meeting when he got the call from the station. He and Lucas rushed over and quickly got the full story.
"Mr. Jennings, it's all a misunderstanding. Denny just got impulsive. Please put in a word—don't let them hold him."
The moment Marlee saw Zachary, she grabbed his arm and begged. But Zachary's deep eyes only saw Quinley. She sat alone on the bench, arms crossed.
"Are you okay?"
He walked over, his voice gentle. Quinley nodded.
Lucas had contacted Jameson on the way. He arrived quickly and got the full picture. Quinley was fine. She was free to go.
"Let's go."
Quinley stood and headed for the door. As she was leaving, Marlee wouldn't have it.
"Cindy, your brother's still locked up in there. We all came together—we should leave together. You can't just abandon him."
Hearing this, Zachary's brow furrowed. He looked at Quinley in surprise. Quinley's gaze was calm as water.
"Mrs. Elikin, he's your son. He's not my problem."
Marlee suddenly burst into tears. "How can you say that? Denny treats you like his sister. I treat you like my own daughter. This happened at your place—how can you say you won't help?"
Stripping away the family ties, Quinley realized Marlee was masterful at emotional manipulation. Before, she'd willingly let herself be manipulated. But now, she was awake.
"You treat me like that, but I'm not."
Quinley's stance was firm. She pried Marlee's hands off and walked quickly to the door. Seeing she'd gotten nowhere with Quinley, Marlee grabbed Zachary's arm.
"Mr. Jennings, for Quinny's sake, please help our Denny. He was impulsive today. I didn't discipline him properly—it's my fault. If anyone should be locked up, lock me up instead."
Zachary looked down at Marlee and brushed off her hand. "Mrs. Elikin, you've used up whatever goodwill Quinley had. Dennis has such an impulsive temper—if you can't handle him, let the police help. It's for his own good. Don't be ungrateful."
When no one would help, Marlee collapsed on the floor, wailing. The sound was helpless and pitiful.
Outside the station, Zachary held Quinley's arm. "You're really not going to help them?"
Quinley took a deep breath, calmer than ever. "I can't."
If family becomes a cage meant to tame you into an obedient animal, what's the point of that kind of family? If family only knows how to take, never grateful or understanding, what's the difference between them and enemies?
They got in the car. Everyone was quiet. More than ever, Quinley wanted to find her biological parents. Even if they'd never raised her, she still wanted to know—were they doing okay in this world?
"Have you found Adela?"
Quinley couldn't help asking. Detective Wilson had pulled every string, but Adela had vanished like smoke. No trace of her anywhere. Not only had she disappeared—Kevin was gone too.
Zachary shook his head. "No rush. She'll surface eventually."
But Quinley couldn't help feeling anxious. Her instincts told her Adela might be connected to her origins. Finding her might lead to her biological parents.
As the car passed East Street, Zachary signaled Lucas to pull over. "Wait here for a minute."
He opened the door and stepped out quickly. In about fifteen minutes, he returned with a bouquet of stargazer lilies and a takeout box. Quinley recognized the box—roasted turkey from The Old Tommy's, her favorite.
In the three years she was with Zachary, they'd gone to The Old Tommy's three times. Each time on Quinley's birthday. She loved The Old Tommy's roasted turkey. Quinley never imagined Zachary had remembered one of her few preferences.
"Try it while it's hot. See if it's still the same."
As soon as he got in, Zachary opened the container. The aroma hit her, making her mouth water. Quinley picked up a piece and popped it in her mouth. The familiar flavor spread across her palate.
"Is it good?"
"It's good."
"If it's good, have more. We'll go to the restaurant in a few days."
Zachary tenderly pulled out a napkin and wiped the grease from the corner of Quinley's mouth.
Just as the Maybach was about to pull away, David appeared. He wore a white casual suit and oversized sunglasses, strutting over with that cocky swagger. Quinley noticed he had his arm around a tall, model-thin woman.
"Well, if it isn't Mr. Jennings."
David yanked open the door, stuck his head halfway in, his eyes brazenly landing on Quinley's face. Clearly, he didn't recognize her.
"Get out."
Zachary said coldly. David's lips curled into a sleazy grin.
"Ooh, is this your new girl? Zachary, your taste has really changed over the years. You used to go for tall and slender like Quinley. When did you start liking them chunky?"
His words were sharp and nasty. Zachary's face instantly darkened.
"Get lost—"
He barked, and Lucas was already out of the car. He walked quickly toward David.
"Mr. Brown, please leave."
Lucas raised his voice. David squinted, his gaze still assessing Quinley.
"Beautiful, we'll meet again!"
He threw Quinley a flirtatious wink. Then he kissed the woman beside him. "What a loser."
"Are you okay?"
Zachary looked at Quinley with concern. She shook her head.
"I'm fine."
The door closed. Lucas started the engine, and the car merged into traffic. The car was quiet. No one spoke. The scent of lilies filled the air.
Quinley turned and glanced at Zachary. His expression was dark. David's provocation had gotten under his skin. Quinley saw right through his insecurity but didn't call it out.
"David and I aren't what you think. Between us—"
But before she could finish, Zachary interrupted. He gripped Quinley's hand and forced a smile.
"Let's let the past be the past. Let's look forward."