have selected for you has to be wonderful. I don’t think there’s any harm in you returning to see what she’s like.”
He looked at her in resentment. “Do you really want me to go along with what they want and marry someone they’ve picked for
She couldn’t help feeling like she’d said something wrong upon seeing the look on his face. “Gabe…”
“What do you really think of me, Quinn? Am I just a brother to you, or do you consider me a friend?” he asked. Before she could
answer, he continued, “Could you do me a favor if you think of me as a friend?”
“Let’s hear it.” Quinn felt a little flustered.
“Pretend to be my girlfriend. My parents won’t be at ease with anyone else, but I’m sure they won’t say anything if it’s you,” he
said.
He wasn’t flattering her–his parents had indeed been taken with Quinn and had secretly tried to matchmake them whenever
speaking to Steven over the phone. It was just that she’d never considered this because she’d only thought of Gabriel as a friend.
Later, she’d met Nicholas. She’d even cut off contact with Steven for his sake, so there was no way for her relationship with Gabriel to go anywhere.
That was why she’d never thought of Gabriel in that way. She fell silent at his words.
He gave her an aggrieved look when she didn’t say anything. “It’s just something off my head. If you’re unwilling
“I’ll do it.” Quinn looked into his eyes seriously. As far as she remembered, Gabriel rarely cried. He was always optimistic and warm, no matter what happened. However, his eyes had turned red at the thought of having to marry whoever his parents had
selected for him.
1/3
+15 Bonus
It was clear he was genuinely opposed to the idea. Since he’d helped her so much, it was only right for her to return the favor.
“Will you really?” He looked at her in astonishment, unable to believe his ears. He’d never expected her to agree, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to rest easy without asking her once.
He’d prepared himself for rejection before asking, the fact that she’d agreed was a pleasant surprise.
“Yeah, I will. I’ll be your girlfriend from now on. Let’s head upstairs to tell Professor Hartman about this–we wouldn’t want your parents to ship you abroad to marry someone else, would we?” Quinn held out a hand to Gabriel.
He held it excitedly as a rare hint of embarrassment flitted past his face. He didn’t even dare meet her eyes as they headed
upstairs.
Quinn wasn’t as calm as before when facing Steven. She couldn’t help feeling guilty for stealing away her mentor’s grandchild.
To her surprise, Steven let out a booming laugh after she awkwardly told him about her and Gabriel’s relationship. “I’ve waited for this day for years, Quinn. I’ve long since felt Gabriel isn’t any worse than that ex–fiancé of yours.”
Gabriel cried, “Grandpa!”
He didn’t want to be compared to Nicholas, nor did he want to lose to him.
“Gabe is wonderful. He’s not any worse than anyone,” Qu
“Quinn said.
Steven laughed again at that, and a trace of bashfulness flashed on Gabriel’s face.
Though she was only pretending to be Gabriel’s girlfriend, she’d still made a promise to Steven. Quinn secretly decided she would do everything expected of her as Gabriel’s girlfriend.
Jasmine took off her sunglasses as she stood outside the airport, a trace of resentment mixed with hatred flashing in her eyes.
She’d been so close to reaching the pinnacle of her life, yet Quinn had destroyed everything. She’d thought doing those things would push Quinn into knowing her place and leaving Nicholas, yet Quinn had turned the tables on her.
Now, she’d turned into someone everyone in Heathridge despised. Without Nicholas‘ help, she would never have a chance to make a comeback. That was why she’d trailed him after learning where he’d gone.
Jasmine found a temporary place of shelter after leaving the airport. Then, she sent Nicholas a video.
He hurried to her in a flurry of anger upon watching it. Before she could say anything, he slapped her hard and warned her, “Don’t even think of hurting Quinn! Touch a hair on her head, and I’ll make your life a living hell!
“Also, you’d better delete all the videos you have! I didn’t push you into the abyss because of our long relationship, Jasmine. You’d better not ruin that by causing more trouble!”
