Both Jay and Sam spotted Zoe on the couch just then, but Quinn put a finger on her lips, warning them to keep it down.She tucked Zoe under the blanket and put a pillow beneath her head, helping her lie down comfortably.Even as she did, Zoe was still mumbling something horrible about Jessica.It was certainly hilarious.Once they tucked in Zoe, Quinn returned to her desk while Jay and Sam sat opposite her.Knowing why they had come, she took out the file she had on Cordy's case and said quietly, "Here are all the details I got from her after meeting her. I've combed out all the key points."As she spoke, she slid it toward them.As Jay studied the contents solemnly, Quinn asked casually, "Have you found Mr. Levine, Mr. Parker?" "If there aren't any other surprises, tomorrow.""That's good," Quinn said. "There are a lot of points for investigation in there, and we would need Mr. Levine to help us in cases where we can't reach."Jay nodded. With that, the trio started to an
Quinn understood that Zoe thought poorly of Sam because of her, but she did not want Zoe to get upset for her sake either."We're more or less done discussing the case, and I'm hungry," Sam said. "Let's go eat.""Okay." Jay agreed. "What do you like to eat? I'll book a place," Sam asked, turning toward Zoe just then. He usually never held a grudge, since he considered her a headstrong younger sister."You boys go on your own—I'm eating with Quinn alone." Zoe refused immediately, before adding, "It's hard to eat around people you don't like."Sam sighed. "Can't you be a little less petty, Zoe?" "Wasn't talking about you," Zoe replied and started pulling Quinn along. "Come on, let's go."Sam watched as they left, and it was only after a long while that he realized what Zoe meant. Wheeling on Jay right then, he exclaimed, "Did she actually mean… you?!""Yeah," Jay replied. "Well, I don't get it. You've always been nice and never been harsh to Zoe… Why would she hate you so
Cordy scoffed. "Well, you don't. All you can do is be two-faced so the one with actual power has to pull your strings."Noel's face fell.So, Cordy guessed everything."Word of advice, Noel—you shouldn't upset people way above your league. You'll only hurt yourself.""Hmph." Noel snorted, not bothered with pretenses just then. She came to laugh at Cordy anyway, and she had suffered Cordy's strut for far too long!"Don't get so conceited, Cordy. You're just jealous that I managed to get someone so powerful to support me while you fall to such disgrace!" Noel laughed with eyes filled with disdain. "It's your own fault for not knowing your place, upsetting people you shouldn't. And here I thought how tough you'd be and that John Levine was really hopelessly in love with you. So what? You've been here for 24 hours, but did he come to bail you out? How much do you think you're worth in the face of personal gain?"Cordy stared coolly at Noel, who looked more smug and more excited the
Why was Jessica visiting Cordy with John? What was going on here?!And yet, no one bothered looking Noel's way, ignoring her as if she were thin air.That was when John walked right up to Cordy and said, "You can go now. The paperwork for your bail has been filed."Noel could not help clenching her knuckles.What on earth did Cordy do to John that he would go so far for her?And what the hell was Jessica doing?! Why was she not stopping this?!Still, Noel did not dare to let her feelings show, and she suddenly exclaimed happily, "This is great, sis! You can finally leave now. This place is terrible. You'd never eat or sleep well…"Cordy was honestly impressed by how two-faced Noel was, but she was used to it.She did not even bother shooting a disgusted look at Noel before walking up to John.She would never allow herself to suffer.Even if John were the reason for all this mess, she would not turn down something that worked in her favor.And right now, she was really eage
Zoe was ranting endlessly along the way home, and Cordy listened to everything calmly.It was not as if she did not feel angry, but the priority now was to find a way to clear the charges against her.Noel was right—this was a dog-eat-dog world, and her ability to resist was insignificant.As they returned to Cordy's apartment, Zoe told her, "Go take a shower—I'll order takeout. You need to get your strength back.""Yeah," Cordy replied and returned to her room. She looked at her own reflection in the mirror and found herself considerably haggard even though she had only been in there for 24 hours.She took a deep breath and told herself that she must not lose herself.That she must not give up, not until the last moment.After she was finished with her shower, she stepped out to find the entire dining table stacked with scrumptious food.Zoe was beckoning warmly at Cordy and sliding plate after plate of food toward Cordy. "You look so skinny. Eat some more."Staring at the
Zoe was seething. "Someone was obviously trying to plant fake evidence to incriminate Cordy.""Even if we know that, the judge won't buy it," Quinn told her. "Also, I met Helen Zalenski, who insisted she was just following your orders to the letter, and it's the same response to every question I had. As for your secretary Vince Cartman, he said he only approved all the documents in question with office automation because they bore your written signature. I checked, and all the original copies did have your signature—here, I've made photocopies. Could you check if you did sign them?'Quinn passed the documents to Cordy as she spoke, and Cordy glanced at the signatures. "The signature is mine," she said. "But I am positive that I did not sign them.""In other words, someone faked your signature and had Helen send it to your secretary. He approved it via online automation since you'd already signed them, stamping and sealing them into a revenue report," Quinn concluded. "They really
The room was once again silent, since Cordy's words left John dumbstruck.They stared each other down for a while until John smiled wistfully. "Is it that hard to work with me, Cordy?"Cordy's chest actually stung. John had always been harsh, but those words carried such heartbreak and helplessness.Even so, she said, "I've already made things very clear to you after the announcement of your engagement with Jessica Stuart. We aren't that close that I have to suffer everything for your sake. In fact, the Stuarts want to take me down right now because of you, and I don't have what it takes to fight back. Why should I suffer for whatever it is going on between you and Jessica? Do you think it's fair?!"Cordy remained staunch as ever to the point that John actually felt like he would never have her.All his perseverance now had been futile, even incurring her disgust and bringing her more harm.In fact, he wondered if he should compromise himself as she suggested, stay jaded and ac
John eventually asked, "Do you mind if I take a copy?""No," Cordy replied. "Thank you." Cordy pursed her lips—he was thanking her even though he was helping her with her case."I'm going now. I'll call you right away if there are any developments on my end," he said and left without a delay."I only have two weeks," Cordy reminded him."I know."With that, she watched as he left.He had looked composed and showed no nerves when he read the file, but he left in such a hurry.So, was it going to be difficult for him too?-Zoe returned soon after John left, but she and Quinn probably did not leave, and Zoe returned once she saw John leave. "Quinn said that she has other stuff to do," Zoe told her. "She said that she'll inform you immediately once she has something on the case and that you should contact her as well if you get something. Her phone is on 24/7.""Alright," Cordy replied. As she continued to read through her case files again, Zoe was staring at her for a l
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