Chapter 168 Calculation
How long had it been since she'd kissed him?
Quinley had lost track of time.
All she knew was that the moment their lips met, the world spun. Every rational thought in her brain shut down like someone had flipped a switch.
That kiss was earth-shattering. Impossible to pull away from.
Zachary kissed her fiercely, like he wanted to consume her whole.
As if devouring her was the only way to truly possess her.
Her body softened incrementally, surrendering bit by bit to his assault.
His large hand slid to her waist, trying to meld her into his very being.
At the critical moment, Quinley's rationality kicked back in.
She shoved Zachary away hard.
They both stood there panting.
Quinley's cheeks blazed with color, her eyes misty and dazed.
"I'm sorry."
She lowered her head.
She'd come back, but she didn't want to return to the past.
The misunderstanding between her and Zachary might be cleared up, but there were still so many unresolved issues.
She didn't want history to repeat itself. Didn't want the tragedy to happen again.
"I'll wait."
Zachary's control returned too.
He understood what was in Quinley's heart. He wouldn't force her.
The air between them gradually settled.
Quinley unlocked her door. He followed her inside.
"You went to see Jeremy?"
Zachary cut straight to it.
Lucas had staked out all night without spotting anything unusual.
But Zachary knew Quinley. She was the type who wouldn't quit until she got what she wanted.
"Yeah."
Quinley pulled the document from her bag. "Good news came early."
Jeremy had already signed it.
With that signature, the downtown redevelopment project could proceed smoothly.
Zachary's eyes narrowed as he studied Quinley for a long moment.
Should he be happy? Quinley had cleared another obstacle.
But he couldn't bring himself to feel joy.
"What did you do?"
Darkness flickered in Zachary's eyes.
As a man, he understood exactly what was on Jeremy's mind.
Quinley wasn't just anyone. He absolutely wouldn't allow someone to treat her as prey.
"You really want to know?"
Quinley smiled slightly. She pulled out her phone, opened a video, and handed it to Zachary.
The footage showed two naked bodies tangled together in graphic detail.
Zachary didn't recognize the woman, but he identified the man instantly.
Jeremy.
The corner of Zachary's mouth curved into a smile.
The Quinley he knew was back.
"You're still just as bold as ever."
He sighed, handing the phone back to Quinley.
She took it and settled back into the sofa. "Can only blame him for thinking with the wrong head."
Quinley stuck her tongue out playfully.
"Too dangerous. Leave this kind of thing to me next time."
His voice was gentle as his large hand brushed over the top of her head.
Warmth seeped into Quinley's heart little by little.
Since coming back, she'd noticed Zachary had changed in many ways.
Exactly how, she couldn't quite pinpoint.
Maybe she'd changed too. She just hadn't realized it yet.
But she still planned to handle these things herself.
Quinley murmured her agreement.
Zachary sat a while longer. He'd originally planned to stay over, but when Quinley insisted he leave, he didn't push.
So many things seemed like they'd returned to how they were before. But they hadn't. Not really.
After going downstairs, he tilted his head back and stared at that window for a long time.
That night, Zachary didn't return to Maple Estate.
He stayed in Quinley's old apartment instead.
The two buildings faced each other. He dragged a chair onto the balcony and watched Quinley's bedroom window until the lights went out.
Jeremy had definitely drunk too much. After half a night of activity, he slept like the dead.
The girl finished her job and left under Detective Wilson's safe escort.
"You sure you want to do this?"
Detective Wilson messaged Quinley.
They had the video—already major leverage. But Quinley wanted to go even bigger.
"We need to do it clean."
Quinley insisted.
Early the next morning, a video of Jeremy's rendezvous with a young woman had spread everywhere.
His phone was off. Calls couldn't get through.
Before leaving, the girl had even unplugged the room's landline.
He slept like the dead until noon.
The woman from last night's passionate encounter was gone.
Jeremy felt thoroughly satisfied. He got up slowly, washed up, took a shower.
He was shaving when someone knocked on the door.
Shirtless, wrapped in just a towel, he went to answer it.
The doorway was packed with reporters.
Camera flashes went off, so bright he couldn't open his eyes.
Before he could cover his face, they'd already gotten their shots.
"Mr. Davis, is the content of the video real? Rumor has it you're married with a wife and daughter living elsewhere. Who is this young woman you met with?"
A reporter shoved a microphone in Jeremy's face, demanding a response.
Jeremy was confused, but he realized something had gone very wrong.
He'd been back in Rosewood City less than a month. With his impressive credentials and high-ranking position, he'd immediately taken charge of the massive downtown redevelopment project. Lately he'd been all over the public eye. Countless pairs of eyes were watching him.
"That's nonsense. There's no young woman here."
Jeremy denied it outright. He even stepped aside, letting reporters peek into the room.
"This is my office meeting room. Your behavior today has seriously violated my privacy rights. I will absolutely report this to your supervisors. This must be thoroughly investigated."
He put on his official tone, trying to use his authority to shut them down.
But several video bloggers had mixed into the crowd of reporters. They'd been livestreaming the whole time.
Jeremy had no idea.
Someone bold enough ventured into the room and looked around. "This was a misunderstanding. We'll definitely punish whoever spread the rumors."
Jeremy had spent years in government. He knew how to use public opinion to turn the situation around.
"Everyone see clearly—there's no young woman here. As for these malicious accusations, I will get to the bottom of this."
But before he finished speaking, a pair of red lace panties fell out from the bedding.
In an instant, every eye in the room landed on those red lace panties.
"Mr. Davis, what's that?"
Someone bold pointed at the underwear and questioned Jeremy.
Jeremy panicked, grabbing the blanket to cover them.
But it was like whack-a-mole.
Several used condoms tumbled out from under the covers.
Realizing he couldn't hide it anymore, he furiously started shoving people out of the room.
"Get out! All of you, get out!"
What he didn't know was that his disgrace had already been exposed on the livestream.
That morning, nearly two million people had witnessed his humiliation.
"Mr. Davis."
Just when Jeremy was at his most helpless, his secretary arrived.
Through sheer force of will, the man broke through the wall of reporters outside and squeezed inside.
"Mr. Davis, your superiors need you to come in immediately for questioning."
Jeremy's head buzzed. Cold sweat dripped down his face.
"What's the situation right now?"
After a long moment, he finally managed to ask.
"Mr. Davis, please don't ask. Your situation is being livestreamed across the entire internet right now. Everyone's watching. Also, someone filmed what happened last night, and the disciplinary committee has already received the video. Mr. Davis, you've been set up."
The secretary lowered his voice and explained everything.
Now Jeremy understood it all.
He understood. But it was too late.