Chapter 211 Who Made the Move
Twenty minutes later, the meeting started. Quinley followed Oliver into the conference room.
The day's meeting was about investing in and filming a new project. Everyone sitting in the room was part of Oliver's elite team. Quinley took a seat just behind Oliver's right side.
The conference room was loud and chaotic—everyone freely voicing their opinions. It surprised Quinley quite a bit. She was used to the oppressive, orderly atmosphere of Apex Global Group's meetings, used to Zachary's intimidating presence. But here, even though Oliver leaned back in his chair without speaking, he was genuinely listening to what everyone had to say.
Suddenly, the conference room door was kicked open from outside. A tall, slender woman stormed in. Quinley had seen her on TV before—she'd been in several dramas, always playing supporting roles, never really making it big. Just moments ago, Quinley had heard the team discussing this woman, something about potentially casting her as the female lead.
Her name was Jennifer Green.
"Mr. Jennings, what the hell is this? Didn't you promise me before? You said I'd be the female lead in this new show. Why are you suddenly changing your mind? I turned down every other job for you. You can't just screw me over like this."
She marched aggressively toward Oliver, arms crossed, glaring at him with full force.
"Ms. Green, we're in a meeting. If you have business, please wait outside." Oliver shot Quinley a look, and she immediately stood up.
"Ms. Green, I'm sorry, but could you please come with me to the lounge?"
Quinley tried to lead Jennifer out, but the woman wasn't having it.
"I'm not going anywhere. Give me a straight answer right now—am I the female lead or not?"
Oliver looked gentle as he smiled faintly. "Do you think you're capable of carrying a lead role?"
Jennifer snorted coldly through her nose. "Mr. Jennings, have you forgotten what you said when you first approached me? Whether I can handle the lead isn't up to me—it's up to whether you give me the chance."
"I won't."
Oliver's response was brief and decisive. His voice wasn't loud, but it rang clear through the conference room. Everyone heard it. Then silence fell.
Jennifer's face went pale. She stood there, utterly humiliated.
"Ms. Green, could you please step outside?" Quinley reminded her again.
But that reminder became the outlet for Jennifer's rage and embarrassment. She swung her hand back and slapped Quinley across the face.
The slap came so fast there was no time to react. A sharp crack echoed through the room, and half of Quinley's face immediately swelled red.
"Why didn't you dodge?" Jennifer had the audacity to blame her victim.
Quinley covered half her face but said nothing.
Oliver stood up immediately and pulled Quinley behind him protectively. "Are you okay?"
She shook her head. "I'm fine."
"Mr. Jennings is so tender with the ladies. I barely touched her—what could possibly be wrong? Is she trying to scam me or something?" Jennifer rolled her eyes, completely clueless.
"Get out."
Oliver said just one word. He took Quinley's arm and headed for the door.
"Mr. Jennings, I'm fine."
"Fine or not, you're going to the hospital right now. You're my assistant, but you're also my brother's wife. You got hit while working for me—I owe him an explanation." Oliver was already pulling out his phone to call Zachary.
Quinley quickly stopped him. "Mr. Jennings, I'm really okay. This is nothing—let's not tell him. I'll just put some ice on it."
Quinley hurried back to her office, but Oliver still made the call to Zachary.
When he heard Quinley had been hit, Zachary exploded.
"Oliver, what the hell are you trying to do? I'm warning you—if anything happens to her, I'll kill you!"
"Zach, I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I wasn't careful enough."
No matter how much Oliver apologized, it was useless. Zachary hung up immediately.
He'd had two meetings scheduled that morning, but he didn't care anymore. He grabbed his coat and stormed out.
"Mr. Jennings, where are you going?" Seeing Zachary's face dark as thunder, Lucas immediately followed.
Zachary strode out, radiating fury.
"To kill someone."
Right now, he genuinely wanted to murder someone.
The car screeched to a stop at the Revelation Building. Zachary rushed inside.
"Where's Cindy?"
The moment he stepped out of the elevator, he barged in aggressively. The receptionist recognized him, but company policy was strict—no unauthorized visitors during work hours.
"Sir, please wait outside."
But Zachary ignored her. He moved fast and walked straight into the work area.
"Oliver, get out here!"
He shouted at the top of his lungs. In the massive workspace, everyone poked their heads out to look.
Quinley heard the commotion outside. Realizing what was happening, she quickly opened her office door and rushed out.
"What are you doing here? Get out, now." She grabbed Zachary's arm, trying to pull him away.
But his eyes were locked on Quinley's face. The red handprint was still there, stark against her delicate skin. Zachary stared at the mark, his eyes rimming red.
"Does it hurt?"
Quinley shook her head. "I'm fine, really. Don't make a big deal out of this. Please leave—it's work hours."
Just then, Oliver appeared. Before he could even greet Zachary, a fist came flying at him.
Zachary charged forward and swung his fist straight at Oliver's face.
"Zachary!" Quinley panicked and tried to pull them apart.
But Zachary was like a crazed lion. His fists rained down on Oliver like a storm. The entire time, Oliver didn't fight back. When Zachary shoved him to the ground, he just lay there and took the beating.
"Zach, I'm sorry."
Oliver apologized.
"Sorry doesn't mean shit."
Zachary wouldn't let up.
Quinley grabbed his arm and desperately tried to pull him away. "This has nothing to do with him! Just leave, please!"
"Nothing to do with him? How is it not related? You got hit while working here!"
Suddenly, he seemed to realize something. His cold gaze swept across all the people gawking at them.
"Who hit her just now?"
Whoever laid a hand on Quinley would answer to him.
The heads that had popped up to watch now shook frantically like rattles, then quickly ducked back down.
"It wasn't them."
The moment Oliver spoke, Zachary's fist smashed into his face again.
"I didn't ask you! Shut the fuck up!"
His anger made him lose control—he cursed outright.
"Are you done?"
Quinley was starting to get angry herself. She knew Zachary was worried about her, and she was touched by it. But his indiscriminate violence disgusted her.
"No."
Zachary snapped back.
"Who did it?"
He demanded again.
Oliver braced himself with one hand and pushed up from the floor. "I'll handle this seriously. I'll give you a proper explanation."
"Handle it? You?"
Oliver's eyelids drooped. "Zach, can you trust me just this once?"
"No."
"Zachary, get out." Quinley dragged him by the arm out of the workspace and pushed him into the elevator. To prevent him from causing more trouble, she rode down with him.
"Quinny, let's go home."
Zachary's voice cracked slightly. His woman—how dare anyone touch her? The woman he treasured above all else—he wouldn't allow anyone to disrespect her.
"I'm fine. Stop worrying about me. Today was my own carelessness. I'll be more careful next time."
"Next time?"
"There won't be a next time. I know you're worried about me. Look, you've seen for yourself—I'm really okay. So please, go back to work, alright?"
Quinley patiently coaxed Zachary. He obediently got in the car, but the moment Quinley turned to leave, he dialed Oliver's number.
"Send me that person's information."