Chapter 40 I Love Money
"Zach!"
Alicia's cry pierced the air as she abandoned Quinley and rushed toward Zachary. But it was already too late.
The teacup struck his chest before crashing to the floor with a sharp crack, shattering into pieces. Tea splashed everywhere, soaking his expensive suit.
"Are you hurt?" Alicia was frantic, reaching out to brush the tea leaves away and dab at the stains. But Zachary pushed her aside.
"Looks like I missed quite the show." He strode into the living room, his sharp gaze sweeping over Quinley, who stood protectively in front of Sylvia. She wore the same outfit from earlier that evening, except now her pale cheeks bore two angry red marks.
"Quite the show indeed," Sylvia said with a cold snort, her words loaded with meaning.
"Did you hit her?" Zachary casually poured himself tea but didn't drink it, instead blowing gently at the leaves floating on the surface. He appeared calm, but anger was already gathering between his brows.
"She deserved it." Sylvia's words were final.
Zachary leaned back against the sofa, loosening his tie. "She's no longer my secretary. Why keep going after her?" His voice rose with authority. "Quinley, please leave."
Quinley understood—he was giving her an escape route. "Yes, Mr. Jennings." She turned to go.
"Wait." Sylvia's sharp voice stopped her cold. Her face was twisted with suppressed rage, wanting to explode but holding back. "Mary, bring me the wooden box from my nightstand."
Mary hurried to comply while everyone else held their breath. Soon she returned with a brown wooden box, handing it respectfully to Sylvia.
"Open it." Mary revealed a folded white paper inside. Sylvia directed her to give it to Zachary instead. "Take a look."
From her distance, Quinley couldn't see the contents, but she watched Zachary's expression darken as he read. When he looked up, his gaze cut into her like a blade.
"What is it?" Alicia suddenly appeared behind him, snatching the paper. "A cooperation agreement?"
At those words, Quinley's face went deathly pale. Three years ago, she'd signed this secret deal with Sylvia—keep an eye on Zachary, and Sylvia would help cure Colin. But there was one condition: if Zachary ever got into a relationship, Quinley had to leave.
Zachary had never known about it. Until now. Sylvia was crushing whatever hope remained in his heart. The deep feelings he'd treasured had been a lie from the start.
"You signed this?" Zachary stood, advancing on her step by step, his tall frame looming overhead.
Quinley kept her eyes downcast, unable to meet his gaze. After a long moment, she whispered, "Yes."
That simple word meant three years of deception.
"Zachary, do you understand now?" Sylvia's voice was harsh. "She never loved you. She had an agenda from the start. Are you going to keep lying to yourself?"
The veins in Zachary's forehead bulged. What he hated most was being deceived. And the woman he cared about most had deceived him the deepest.
"Why did you do this?" His voice was low and rough.
Quinley remained silent. Furious, Zachary grabbed her arm. "Answer me! Are you deaf or mute? Why did you do this?" He shouted, his fingers digging into her arm until bruises formed.
In this moment, he was a maddened lion, ready to devour anything in his path.
Alicia foolishly stepped into his line of fire. "Zach, you're going to hurt her. If she kept this secret, she must have had her reasons. Please calm down—"
"Get out!" Zachary roared.
Alicia stumbled backward in terror.
"Why did you do this? Why?" He pressed Quinley desperately, needing something that might ease the pain in his heart. But a lie was still a lie. It was there in black and white.
Quinley slowly raised her eyes to meet his. "Mr. Jennings, you know how much I love money. For money, I'll do anything. I could be your secretary and your mother's pawn. The two didn't conflict, and I got to collect two paychecks."
"Now that you know the truth, I won't hide it anymore. I approached you for money, played along with your little game. Mr. Jennings was so generous—I made out like a bandit. I really should thank you!" A satisfied smile actually crossed her face.
That smug expression pierced Zachary's heart once more. Blinded by rage, he couldn't distinguish between fact and fiction. He remembered all the times he'd swallowed his pride to try winning her back, and every time she'd refused him with cool indifference.
Back then, he couldn't understand why she was so heartless. But now he understood everything.
"Quinley, you're disgusting." The words scraped from his throat. He turned and strode toward the entrance.
"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Jennings." Quinley's professional smile was frozen in place, painfully stiff.
Zachary slammed the door behind him, leaving only the three women. Alicia stared at Sylvia in confusion. "Is this real?"
Sylvia didn't answer, turning her cold gaze to Quinley instead. "Leave. I don't want to see you again."
"Yes, ma'am." Quinley bid farewell and walked steadily toward the door. With each step, a chill spread through her chest.
Outside the Jennings estate, light drizzle had begun—fine and dense. Quinley walked bareheaded through the misty rain. Around the corner, Zachary's car sat parked. Seeing it, she sighed heavily and turned in the opposite direction.