Chapter 201 The Jennings Family's Third Son
"Zach!"
Oliver spotted Zachary from a distance and immediately waved, jogging over .
Quinley was still sitting in the car. Oliver hadn't noticed her yet.
Zachary was heading toward the Maybach when he saw Oliver approaching. His eyes narrowed slightly, deep creases forming between his brows.
"Zach, long time no see!" Oliver greeted him with a wide grin as he stopped beside him.
The two men, with completely different temperaments, created a striking contrast standing side by side.
Watching from the car, Quinley was stunned. She had never imagined Oliver actually knew Zachary.
Faced with Oliver's enthusiasm, Zachary remained expressionless, his lips pressed into a cold, thin line.
"What are you doing here?"
Oliver turned and pointed toward the film crew behind him. "I'm directing a new movie. Came here to scout locations. I really didn't expect to run into you ."
As he spoke, he gestured his team to enter the resort first.
Zachary's eyes narrowed further before he strode toward the Maybach.
"Zach, wait! We haven't seen each other in almost three years. Let's grab lunch together," Oliver called as he hurried after him.
Zachary didn't slow down. His voice was icy. "I'm busy."
He got into the car. The Maybach's door slammed shut, and it roared away.
"Who was that?"
"My brother."
Zachary seemed unwilling to say anything more. He leaned back in his seat, his expression dark.
Quinley's mouth dropped open.
So that was the Jennings family's second son—the one known for never taking life too seriously.
Come to think of it, Oliver was Emily's son and Landon's full brother. No wonder Zachary treated him so coldly.
Still, Quinley felt Oliver seemed different from Landon.
Since Zachary clearly didn't want to talk about it, she decided not to ask further.
They checked into a different hotel. Compared to the resort, the environment was noticeably worse.
Once inside their room, Quinley unpacked their things while Zachary handled a work call. Soon it was lunchtime.
After finishing the unpacking, Quinley quietly sat in a corner.
Her phone buzzed.
Oliver had sent her a message on WhatsApp.
[Cindy, thanks for your help. We're already at the resort. Are you free tonight? I'd like to treat you dinner.]
Being able to help Oliver made Quinley happy. But given her situation, she knew she had to keep her distance.
[Thanks, but I've already left Cloudrest Peak. Maybe another time.]
Once again, Quinley lied.
[Looking forward to seeing you again!]
Oliver replied quickly.
"Who are you chatting with so seriously?"
Zachary had finished his call and walked over.
Quinley's heart jumped. Afraid he might see the messages, she quickly deleted the conversation.
"Just texting my Mom!"
She stood up stiffly and headed straight to the bathroom.
"Let's go grab lunch," Zachary suggested. "I know a local restaurant here with really authentic food."
Quinley's first instinct was to refuse, but she didn't want to brush off his kindness.
"Sure."
They left together. But just as they sat down at the restaurant, Oliver walked in with three other people.
"Zach?"
"Cindy, I thought you said you left Cloudrest Peak?"
Quinley had no chance to avoid him. The moment Oliver spoke, Zachary's brows knitted together.
He looked at Quinley suspiciously. "You know him?"
Before Quinley could answer, Oliver pulled up a chair and sat down at their table.
"Zach, , we were only able to film at the resort today because Cindy helped us. If it weren't for her, the shoot would've been delayed at least a week—"
Before he could finish, Zachary understood everything. He stood up abruptly.
"So that's why you were so eager to move out. You were making room for him?"
He was clearly trying to control his temper, but disappointment filled his eyes.
"How do you two know each other?"
Oliver looked back and forth between them, realization dawning.
"Wait, you're Zach's wife?"
His expression turned even more confused.
"We're leaving."
Zachary didn't wait for anyone to respond. He grabbed Quinley's wrist and dragged her toward the door.
"Zach, wait! We finally ran into each other—let's eat together," Oliver called after them.
Zachary stopped and turned sharply. "Get lost!"
"Zachary, calm down," Quinley said quietly.
"How am I supposed to calm down?"
Zachary's brows were tightly furrowed as he pointed at Oliver. "What exactly is going on between you two?"
Quinley had been about to explain, but seeing the suspicion in his eyes, she realized explanations might only make things worse.
"I'm sorry. I should have talked to you before making decisions on my own. I apologize."
She lowered her head apologetically.
But Zachary was still frustrated.
"Aren't you going to explain this properly?"
He was furious
Quinley decided not to say anything more.
Zachary stormed off ahead, leaving her behind.
Quinley remained standing where she was.
Quinley just stood there.
Oliver hadn't managed to catch up to Zachary, but he did reach Quinley.
"Cindy, did I cause trouble for you two? Let me go explain things to my brother."
Quinley stopped him.
"There's no need. I'll explain it to him myself. I'm sorry about today."
She nodded apologetically before hurrying back toward the hotel.
As she approached the entrance, she spotted Zachary standing by the door, waiting.
She had lied to him and kept things from him.
She had crossed a line.
His anger was understandable.
Quinley quickened her pace, but just as she arrived, Zachary stepped into the elevator. She took another elevator upstairs.
When she entered their room, she found Zachary buried under the blanket like a giant ostrich.
Quinley closed the door behind her.
"I was wrong. Can't I apologize?" she said sincerely. "I promise from now on I'll talk to you before making decisions."
But Zachary stubbornly refused to respond respond.
"It's not what you think," she continued. "I do know him—he saved my life."
She explained everything about the car accident and how Oliver had rescued her.
From beneath the blanket, Zachary's muffled voice finally spoke.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"I was afraid you'd misunderstand."
She softened her tone.
"Stop being angry, okay? You haven't eaten yet, and getting angry is bad for your stomach."
After a moment, Zachary finally pushed the blanket aside and poked his head out.
"But I'm still really angry."
"Are you mad that I hid it from you?"
Zachary shook his head.
"Then are you mad that I lied?"
He shook his head again.
Quinley frowned in confusion.
"Then what are you angry about?"
Zachary looked at her seriously.
"What makes me angry is that when you made that decision, you didn't about yourself—or about me. You put some unrelated person first. Quinny, you're my wife now. I don't want you constantly accommodating everyone else and always putting yourself last. I'll love you with all my heart, but I also want you to learn to love yourself properly."
Warmth flooded Quinley's chest.
She wrapped her arms around Zachary's neck and kissed his cheek.
"I'll remember that."
All her life, she'd been used to giving, used to taking care of everyone around her. Only Zachary was different.
He loved her—and kept teaching her to love herself.
"Thank you."
Zachary's large hands slid around her waist. Supporting her with one hand, he lifted her slightly.
"I'm starving right now. Do you know what you should do?"
He raised an eyebrow.
Quinley laughed softly. "Boss, how about we fill your stomach first, then I'll satisfy you afterward?"
"Deal."