Chapter 182 Another Quinley
In Zachary's world, the number three was forbidden territory.
Why?
Because when he was three years old, he became an orphaneven though his parents were still alive.
Any date with a 3 was off-limits. Zachary avoided big decisions on the 3rd, 13th, 23rd, 30th, and 31st.
Jeremy's hint made him deeply uncomfortable.
His memory dragged him back to being three years old. The time he least wanted to remember.
1208 was just a string of numbers. But connect it to Zachary at age three, and everything fell into place.
If he was willing to remember, that day was when Sylvia had been thrown out of the Jennings family.
December 8th. The day he became an orphan.
Jeremy had just ripped open a wound Zachary kept buried deep.
It hurt. But he hid it.
"What are you trying to say?"
Zachary's lips barely moved.
Jeremy's hawk-like eyes gleamed with cold malice.
"You've already figured out what those numbers mean, right? So I won't beat around the bush. Keep me safe, and I'll tell you what really happened back then."
For over twenty years, Sylvia's life had revolved around one thing, clearing her name. She'd burned through most of her life trying to prove her innocence, nearly sacrificing both her happiness and Zachary's in the process.
Now she lay in anhospital bed, unconscious. If Zachary, the devoted son, could find a way to clear his mother's name, wouldn't that be perfect?
Jeremy was certain his bait was irresistible.
But he'd underestimated Zachary.
Zachary turned and stared at him coldly.
"I don't need you to tell me. I'll find out on my own eventually. You made your choices. Now suffer the consequences."
He stood and strode toward the door.
Jeremy hadn't expected this. His voice chased after him. "Zachary, you'll regret this! The Davis family gave up onme, you think they won't give up on you too?"
Of course the Davis family wouldn't let go. Harold circling like a predator, Alicia clinging like a vinein the end, wasn't it all about Apex Global Group?
"Let's see if they've got what it takes."
---
That night, he went to Quinley's.
Quinley was worried about Elise. She'd called so many times, but the number was turned off now.
Elise had spent most of her life in Lakeside City, never going anywhere.
And now she'd vanished.
Zachary's people still hadn't sent word.
1:00 AM in the morning. Neither of them could sleep. Zachary tossed and turned, his mind racing.
"Can you come to the hospital with me?"
Zachary threw off the covers and got out of bed.
"Now?" Quinley was surprised.
He nodded.
"Okay."
After a moment's hesitation, she got up and followed him out.
---
The moment Zachary appeared at the hospital, Mary rushed over.
"Mr. Jennings, Mrs. Parker's fingers moved today. The doctor said there's been a change in her condition."
"Thank you, Mary."
Zachary gave her a nod.
Inside the room, Sylvia had been lying there motionless for almost a year. When she slept, her face looked peacefulnot angry, not bitter.
"Do you hate her?"
Zachary stood by Sylvia's bed.
Quinley exhaled slowly. "No."
She'd made peace with the past. Every choice had been necessary at the time, hadn't it?
"Do you hate her?"
Quinley turned the question back on him.
Zachary's eyes darkened.
If Sylvia hadn't caused that scandal all those years ago, his life would have been completely different. He should have grown up in a happy, whole family. His heart wouldn't be full of shadows. He'd be lighterand brighter.
"I did once. But it doesn't matter anymore."
"Today, Jeremy said he knows the truth about why my mom was kicked out of the Jennings family. But I turned down his deal."
"What did he want?"
"Freedom. He wanted to trade what he knows for his freedom. But he doesn't deserve it."
Quinley fell silent. She stepped forward and gently patted Zachary's back.
She'd been Sylvia's pawn for three years. Of course she knew what Sylvia wantedthe most, he wants the truth to be revealed.
This decision wasn't easy for Zachary.
"You won't regret it?"
"Never."
As they talked, Sylvia's fingers suddenly began to tremble.
"Her hand's moving."
Quinley noticed first and immediately told Zachary.
He stared at the trembling finger, then reached out and held it in his palm.
"I'll investigate the truth. I'll clear your name."
He spoke quietly.
Strangely, Sylvia gradually calmed down.
---
As they were leaving, Mary was still awake, standing guard by the door.
"Mr. Jennings, I need to tell you something."
Mary glanced at Quinley but didn't recognize her.
"Say it here."
Zachary's brow furrowed slightly.
"She's not an outsider."
Mary hesitated, then spoke. "This afternoon, that... that woman came."
"Which woman?"
Zachary looked confused.
"That... that bitch."
It slipped out. Realizing Zachary didn't like that word, Mary immediately shut her mouth.
"You mean Quinley?"
Mary nodded vigorously. "Yes, her. This afternoon, she came to the hospital, tried to go into the lady's room. I happened to be inside. When she opened the door and saw me, she turned and ran."
Both Zachary and Quinley looked shocked. They exchanged glances.
"You're sure it was her?"
"She was wearing a hat but no mask. I recognized her instantly. If I hadn't been in the room today, who knows what that woman might have tried to do to the lady!"
Mary spoke with such conviction, like she'd seen it with her own eyes.
"Alright. I'll arrange for security to rotate watch."
Right in front of Mary, Zachary made the call. Lucas quickly sent people over.
"Let's go."
He didn't linger, leading Quinley out.
---
In the elevator, Quinley looked at him. "Aren't you going to ask me about it?"
They hadn't been together that afternoon. She could have been at the hospital.
"I know that wasn't you."
Zachary was certain. But if it wasn't Quinley, who was it?
"Who do you think it was?"
The body double was dead. Adela couldn't have found another replacement that fast.
Zachary's eyes darkened. This was complicated. Guessing wouldn't help. But Adela had done it beforeshe was the most obvious suspect.
"I'll find a way to track down Adela soon."
---
By the time they got back, it was late.
After washing up and lying down, Quinley scrolled through her phone before bed.
She saw a strange message.
[Save me!]
No name. Just two words and an exclamation point.
Quinley immediately tried calling the number back, but no one answered.
"What's wrong?"
Zachary noticed her expression change.
She showed him the text.
"I'll have Lucas trace it."
Zachary was about to give the order when Quinley said with absolute certainty, "It's Adela. She sent this to me. She must be in trouble."
But what kind of trouble?