Quinn continued, "You can't blame your parents even though I disagree with them and dislike what they said about you. But if you calm down and think, their prejudice against you is understandable—you were always messing around, while Ryan was smarter and disciplined. All we need to do is have your parents see that you're changing and doing your best, and I'm sure they'll see you in a new light in time. So instead of getting petty with them, prove yourself through your actions instead, alright?"Sam stayed silent, so Quinn had no idea what he was thinking—it was concerning since he had always been radical, and no one could ever force him to do anything he did not like.But now that he had changed, Quinn believed that he must not give up halfway through now."Sam?" she called out to him tentatively."I know," Sam suddenly said, leaving her perplexed.What did he mean?"I mean I know they won't trust me until I show results. It's my fault for being a disappointment before," Sam said
Just a day after Sam and Quinn returned to work, the funding John promised arrived.While the board had been unhappy with Sam after his standoffish attitude, they could not help being excited when they received the money. They were certainly surprised that someone as hedonistic as Sam would be able to resolve a major issue like lack of funding! And once they got their money, Sam, Quinn, and the board discussed how they should be channeling the money and setting a list of priorities."I just started work, and I've seen the numbers," Sam said. "Actually, the numbers are all there in my head even when I take a dump."The board was certainly stumped—could he not be a little more refined with his words?Nonetheless, Sam continued to state his opinion. "I must admit that I don't have a deeper understanding of the numbers, but personally speaking, I want to ensure that the employees are paid. I heard from finance that the average employee has their wages delayed for over six weeks, whil
Quinn hesitated for a moment, but she eventually answered. "Yes, Ryan?""Where are you?! Where's Sam?! Dad was rushed to the ER again!" Ryan bellowed furiously over the phone.Quinn froze, though she soon recovered. "We'll be there right now.""What is it?" Sam certainly noticed the look on her face."Your Dad was rushed to the ER again," Quinn said, working hard to stay calm.Nonetheless, Sam stopped working right away and rushed out of his office, and Quinn hurried after him as they both rushed to the hospital.When they arrived, Marvin was already wheeled out of the ER.Sam was going up to Marvin when Ryan stopped him. "You have no right to be near Dad!"While Sam gritted his teeth, Lindsay glanced at him for a moment. Still, she was more concerned about her husband and asked the doctor, "How's my husband?""Don't worry, ma'am—it's nothing that serious," the doctor assured her. "He's just constipated and pushed a little too hard when he was having a bowel movement. That inc
Nonetheless, Quinn continued loudly, "That's not all either—right after we left the hospital, neither Sam nor myself took a break. We headed straight to the office to resume work. Yes, Sam is working very hard now.'Marvin and Lindsay were left obviously stunned. In fact, even if Lindsay had caught on that they had been prejudiced against Sam, she was still surprised and delighted to see him changing dramatically. "Is that true, Sam?"Sam said nothing—he was always stubborn whenever his temper flared, but they were used to taking his refusal to respond as the obvious truth."That's great, Sam! I'm so happy," Lindsay quickly said. "I've been worried that Saunderia would be neglected, but I'm relieved with you around now.""Oh look, he's learning," Marvin said sternly, but he was clearly acknowledging Sam too.And the sight of his parents' change of attitude toward Sam left Ryan fuming—he was the only son who ever got praised, and Sam never got to steal the spotlight from him before
Marvin was earnestly relieved. All he wanted was that capital injection to keep Saunderia standing—anything else could wait!He did not shy away from affirming Sam too. "We really owe you this time, Sam."Though Sam was not too enthusiastic, he replied, "That's mostly thanks to Johnny's help. He gave me the money once I asked and offered me some suggestions on how to resolve Saunderia's issues.""Yes, you should learn from him," Marvin said, pleased nonetheless. "He's always had an acumen for business even as a youth. You've made a good friend."As Sam nodded, Ryan was left seething.He never expected Sam to easily resolve Saunderia's monetary issue. While he would rather Saunderia be safe instead of going bankrupt as well, Sam's contribution still made him uncomfortable.As such, he could resist adding sarcastically, "No friend can protect you for life in the end, and John Levine won't help you again if you fail this time. Don't keep bothering the man when he has company to mana
Sam was a little unnerved—if not shocked—that Marvin and Lindsay were suddenly poring over him.Having no idea how to respond occasionally, he would just nod or stay silent.Ryan looked on, miffed that their parents never ignored him like this.However, he did not get petty about it since he always considered Sam a failure. He never held out much hope in Sam and was convinced that the more hopes put on Sam, the bigger a disappointment Sam would be."It's late. Your dad's fine—both of you should go home," Lindsay said affectionately then.Sam did not refuse—he had an early meeting the next morning and was concerned he would have trouble waking up the next day. He always had trouble waking up early and had to drag himself out of bed by sheer will for a week now.However, Ryan was following them as he and Quinn left Marvin's ward, and they entered the elevator together.The air in the room was suddenly awkward as they were all silent—despite growing up together, they somehow had
Ryan snorted grumpily. "What good is that? Have you thought of a backup plan in case the joint venture falls true? Wouldn't the company face another crisis?""Of course we are going to prepare a backup plan," Quinn explained. "We are having a board meeting for that agenda tomorrow, and we'll decide on improvements or reforms in case that happens."While Ryan was left speechless since he could not find fault in that, Quinn added, "Sam and I are thinking we could abandon the new energy car project if the joint venture does fall through.""What about the losses sustained?!" Ryan snapped in agitation right then. "Don't forget that John Levine's loan was used precisely to make up for that! Or are you going to leave it as bad debt?!""We will repay it—friendships aside, business is business," Quinn said firmly. "We'll use the profits from Saunderia's other operations.""And the investment is just going to be abandoned?!" Ryan was still disgruntled—that would lead to a 100% loss, while t
The car was silent as Quinn reclined against her seat and rested her eyes.After having discussed it with Ryan just now, all she could think about was work. It was also concerning since there had been no word from Damian, and if the plan for a joint venture fell through, Saunderia would suffer a huge loss anyway.Still, Sam suddenly asked, "Why didn't you leave with Ryan when he asked?"Quinn actually flinched—she was too engrossed with her thoughts and did not expect him to say something out of the blue.As she took a moment and realized what Sam was saying, she frowned. "Why would I leave with him?""You… With him…" Sam trailed off hesitantly, and anyone watching would see that he was clenching his knuckles without realizing it. "Don't you have feelings for him anymore?"His heart was pounding even as he asked that, unsure what response Quinn would give. "Nope," Quinn said bluntly.As Sam's heart skipped a beat, he repressed his excitement and kept his tone neutral. "You lik
Soon, another nurse emerged from the delivery room with a small bundle. "Is the mother's family here?""Yes!" John exclaimed loudly."The delivery was successful," the nurse said. "The baby weighs eight pounds—""How is she?" John asked in agitation, not caring about the child."She's fine. The doctor is just helping her clean up and she'll be out soon," the nurse replied.As John breathed a sigh of relief, the nurse reminded him, "Aren't you the father? Here's your child."John took the baby off her arms, staring at her for a moment as the others flocked around him. "Oh, she's so fair!" Zoe could not help exclaiming. "That's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.""Are you saying that your son's ugly?" Bob teased."To be honest, yeah," Zoe replied without thinking.Jay cleared his throat—even if it was a subjective opinion, it still hurt to have his own baby called ugly."Let me carry her," Zoe volunteered just then, and John did not hesitate to hand her his baby.As Zoe
"What?!" Zoe exclaimed in shock.Beside them, John's face fell despite being usually stoic.Still, even before anyone could react, he scooped Cordy up in his arms and left.Zoe did not hesitate to follow, but Jay reminded her, "We're the hosts, Zoe.""Don't care." Zoe was completely unconcerned. "Ask my mom and your sister to handle the guests. I'm going with Cordy!"Jay hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow since there was no reasoning with Zoe.Sam and Quinn also realized that something was out of place.As they pulled away reluctantly, Bob shouted from below, "If you're done kissing, we're going to the hospital! Cordy's going into labor!"Quinn hurried after them as soon as she hurt, but Sam caught her. "Slow down. We can catch up."In fact, most of the guests were leaving as well—it was as if the banquet for Zoe's son was actually intended for everyone else.The poor boy was certainly unlucky to have such unreliable parents!-As everyone rushed to the hospit
"I'm swelling from my pregnancy," Quinn explained. "It's not your fault."Sam was left staring at her for a while before asking, "So, what should I do?""I'll put it on when I slim down.""Oh." Sam was a little disappointed, since he had always dreamed of having her put on the ring he had custom made.But this was fine—they had all the time they needed, and the most important thing for him is that Quinn was marrying him!He rose to his feet just then, and everyone was cheering as soon as he did. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"Quinn blushed right then, and Sam could see that she was embarrassed.He did not want to make things awkward for her, even if he was quite eager at the moment.Heaven knows how much he missed that night's drunken fumble they had. In fact, during the times he remembered it in dreams, he had to wash his pants when he woke up.Still, just as he took Quinn's hand and started to leave, he felt a softness on his lips—Quinn was kissing him! Sam's heart pounded thunderous
Everyone waited patiently for the final outcome.Quinn's eyes were welling up with tears, threatening to gush if she so much as blinked.She did her best to hold back her tears—to be strong!Sam pursed his lips in turn, his Adam's apple bobbing.A long while passed, and it felt like a century for Quinn when she finally heard him say, "Yes."Quinn's tears started falling in happiness as Sam declared loudly, "I'll marry you, Quinn—it's what I've always wanted to do! I won't let you go even if you regret it eventually! You only get to be with me, and I'll never let any other man claim you! I'll become very overbearing… eventually!""I won't regret it," Quinn said, determined.She certainly would not regret marrying him!Zoe walked up to them with perfect timing just then, and Sam did a double take.He finally remembered that Zoe was the host of this luncheon and was going to leave with Quinn when Zoe whipped out a small red velvet box."You know what's in here, don't you?" Zoe a
However, Sam had already pushed Quinn away before she could tell him. But even if he did not love her or did not want to be with her, she would never stay with Ryan.She had been disappointed in Sam, wondering why he would give up so easily.Was she that unimportant to him?Therefore, if it were not for Zoe and Cordy showing her that video or telling her so much, she would never have known that he loved her for years…Sam's heart ached even as he looked into Quinn's tearful eyes.He reached out a hand, but soon withdrew it—would he not burden her?Even so, it hurt to restrain himself as he watched her, and he was actually getting the feeling that Quinn loved him…But she already had Ryan's child…Well, he was fine with that, as long as the child was Quinn's.But would she not mind?"I will marry you, Sam," Quinn said slowly and clearly then. "Not because you're a good man, not because you prepared so much for me, and not because of how much you prepared for me, but because I
Everyone in the hall was staring at Sam and Quinn, while Quinn took center stage, staring fixedly at Sam.He stood in the middle of the crowd, watching her silently.She in turn felt fear that he would turn and leave, just as she did not know if she had the courage to stand before him again and to declare her feelings for him in front of so many others.Nonetheless, amid the deafening silence, Sam suddenly walked toward the stage.His pace was slow as if his feet were made of lead, but he was also unusually determined.Quinn's heart raced uncontrollably right then!Everyone else was watching them nervously, especially Cordy and Zoe, with the latter being especially concerned that the cowardly Sam would bail.Fortunately, he was a man who showed responsibility. He would not leave Quinn alone and embarrassed.Hence, as everyone looked on, Sam stood before Quinn, his gaze flickering as their eyes met.He gulped ever so slightly, his emotions clearly ruffled even as he did his bes
The guests were encouraging, loudly asking, "Why?!""Because of a woman," Sam's recording replied."Who is it?""Quinn Summer," the Sam on the screen said slowly and clearly, leaving the Sam who was in the hall stunned.What the hell?! That was the proposal video he prepared before! Why did it show up here? Did Zoe make a mistake?!He knew it—leave anything to Zoe, and she would mess it up!He started striding toward the stage, intent on stopping the recording, when John and Bob intercepted him with a look of utter guilt while the recording continued. "Quinn is my wife, and we've been married for years, but I've never really loved her—not because I don't, but because I'm afraid to. I feel too insignificant in comparison to the one she loves, so I'd always hurt her… painfully and childishly. I regret that so much now, Quinn. How could I have abandoned you for so long because of my own jealousy? I'd rather hold you in my sleep every night, but my damned pride denied me that for y
At the banquet hall, Jay and Zoe were thanking their guests with their children in their arms.Then, Zoe announced excitedly, "Please give my best friend, who is also my son's godmother, a warm applause as she comes on stage!"Sam stood at a corner of the hall, watching as Quinn walked up the stage, only realizing just then that her belly was clearly swelling despite her baggy clothes.Time flies—he had not left that long ago, but she and Ryan already had a child.She was not worried about giving him a stroke, was she?He watched as Quinn took the mic and looked around below searching, seemingly searching.After a while, he thought she was looking at him, but by the time he looked up, she had already turned away.Maybe she was looking for Ryan before remembering that Ryan was not there?Nonetheless, Quinn spoke into the mic, saying, "I'm honored to be chosen as the godmother to Zoe's son, and she's been saying he'd be engaged to my child if it's a girl. I already love my godson
As their eyes met, Sam turned frantic and averted his. "Of course.""Really?" Quinn asked."Would I lie to you?" Sam asked a little grumpily."And you didn't bring her back?" Quinn asked."I'm on a schedule, and it'd be taxing for her if I bought her along," Sam said, making things up as he went along. "I'll bring her along when things are less busy.""Is she pretty?" Quinn pressed."What, have I ever picked an ugly one?" Sam snorted smugly. "You know I prefer curvaceous types, and there are plenty of those abroad.""Do you have a photo?"Sam was silent for a while and eventually said, "Yeah.""Can I see it?""What, does she have to pass your assessment?""Just curious about the girl who can tempt you to settle down," Quinn replied. "You'd be humbled." Sam hastily came up with an excuse."I won't," Quinn said, determined."You'll see her when I bring her home." Sam refused nonetheless."I would like to see a photo now.""No, she's not that photogenic. It'd be slander a