"What are you doing here, Nadia? Aren't you supposed to be preparing for your graduation showcase? How do you even have time to hang around in a place like this? Why aren't you saying anything? Didn't you say you'd go all out with the preparation?"The moment the man approached, he bombarded Nadia with questions.Quinn frowned deeply at his attitude."What's your problem? Why can't Nadia be here if you can? What kind of place do you think this is?" Quinn didn't like how aggressive he was being.Nadia squeezed Quinn's hand. She didn't want to attract too much attention."Go back and work on your designs. Are you planning to screw up your graduation showcase? Don't start picking up bad habits from the wrong crowd," the man continued. He cast a glance at Quinn.Just from a look, he'd already decided she was bad news. Why was Nadia even associating with someone like her?Quinn was about to respond when Nadia suddenly stood up and rushed to confront him."Who the hell do you think y
Even though Quinn and Nadia were incredibly close, she couldn't make decisions for her."Alright." Xavier didn't press the matter further. He dropped them off at home.Nadia immediately grabbed a sheet of paper and a pencil. She was adamant about working on her designs now. Quinn had no choice but to let her have at it."You should go back," Quinn said. She was staying here tonight to support Nadia. She couldn't just leave her alone when she was so heartbroken.Suddenly, Xavier pulled her into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her for a moment.She'd been staying with Nadia for two days straight."What do you want?" Quinn tried to push him away."Nothing. Just feeling a bit neglected given our 'friends-with-benefits' arrangement," he said with a playful tone. He only held that casual status, after all."You can find someone else."They weren't in a committed relationship, so she wouldn't ask him for anything. She had never made such demands.Hearing h
"Quinny, my chest feels so tight. It's like I can't breathe," Nadia said, panicked.What if she died over someone who didn't like her?"Don't worry; you're fine. Just hang in there. You'll find that any man is better than that jerk," Quinn reassured her.Nadia cycled between crying and laughing. She was a mess of emotions, but Quinn wasn't bothered.She stayed by her side and waited for Nadia to exhaust herself. After that, Quinn went to get a hot towel to wipe her face.Nadia's eyes were likely to be puffy the next day.As expected, the next morning, Nadia looked at herself in the mirror and felt like crying again.How could she face anyone today? She had planned to go with Quinn to the airport to see Victor off.Quinn was brushing her teeth, and she couldn't help but laugh when she saw Nadia's condition.Seeing her laughing, Nadia pinched Quinn's waist."How can you laugh at me like this? Heartless woman!""I'm not laughing at you, I swear." Quinn begged for mercy. "Alrigh
Quinn remained silent. She did not respond.Xavier returned and placed more food in front of her."I can't eat anymore," she said. He always seemed to enjoy feeding her."It's okay. Eat as much as you want. I'll eat whatever you can't finish," Xavier replied. He left the food in front of her.Victor handed Quinn a glass of milk, which she didn't touch."Still not a fan of milk? You've lost a lot of weight recently." Victor was genuinely concerned about her health."I'm fine, really. Don't worry."In the end, Xavier drank the milk.Xavier drove them to the airport, with Quinn in the passenger seat and Victor in the back. Throughout the ride, Victor couldn't stop worrying about Quinn. He gave her a lot of advice.When he first met her, she was just 16, so in his eyes, she was always a kid. Although she had grown stronger now, he still couldn't help but worry.Xavier reached over to hold Quinn's hand. "With me around, no one can bully her."Quinn pulled her hand away. "I can ta
Before Nadia arrived, Xavier took Quinn on a tour of the hot spring resort. The place was vast, with a unique design that stood out.The hot springs were scattered throughout, surrounded by various flowers and trees. The outdoor pools each had their own distinctive shapes."Ian made a good investment here," Quinn remarked. She genuinely liked the place.Just as she said this, Ian came over with a group of friends. Hearing her comment, he immediately responded, "Quinny, if you like it, feel free to come by anytime. Besides the regular hot springs, we also have several herbal pools that are great for your health."He had stumbled upon this location by chance. Since he liked it so much, he decided to buy it and turn it into a hot spring resort."And the springs here are all-natural. They really work wonders," Ian added enthusiastically."Alright, then get me a membership card. I'll come by whenever I have time," Quinn said."Quinny, you're a top VIP here. Come over anytime. I'll pe
Quinn pulled out the swimsuit Nadia had prepared for her, only to find that it consisted of an embarrassingly small amount of fabric.Quinn was rendered speechless.Seeing her expression, Nadia couldn't help but smirk with pride. "Isn't it sizzling hot?""Nads, this design really didn't use much fabric." Quinn regretted not just buying one herself. This was almost too daring."What's the matter? Don't you like it? I designed it for you. Trust me. It's going to turn heads."Quinn's figure was stunning. If she wore this swimsuit, Xavier would be hard-pressed to keep his composure. That was exactly the reaction Nadia was aiming for."Come on, change into it so we can head out." Nadia started changing into her swimsuit right there in Quinn's room.Nadia was a head shorter than Quinn, but her proportions were just as striking. Once she slipped into her swimsuit, she looked like a total bombshell."Get changed, Quinny! Everyone will be in swimsuits soon. There's nothing to be shy abo
Xavier leaned down and kissed Quinn's lips with a fierce urgency. His kiss was anything but gentle.Yet, this was his most genuine reaction at that moment—he simply desired her.Quinn's towel fell to the floor as he held her and kissed her passionately. He wanted nothing more than to take her to bed and consume her completely.However, he managed to restrain himself. He wrapped her in a clean towel and took her hand, guiding her out to the barbecue party.When they finally arrived, Nadia couldn't help but chuckle to herself.Ian's friends were all very laid back. The young women wore bikinis while barbecuing, and the guys were in just their swim trunks.Among these vibrant young people, Xavier's physique was the most striking.A bold young woman, who found Xavier attractive, made a deliberate effort to flaunt herself in front of him. Her provocative bikini barely left anything to the imagination, but Xavier didn't even glance her way.He was busy grilling meat for Quinn, knowin
After the barbecue, everyone returned to the hot springs. Quinn and Nadia started off enjoying themselves, but soon, a playful water fight broke out.Some daring individuals targeted Quinn and Nadia. They splashed them with water until their hair was soaked.Quinn and Nadia exchanged glances and decided to join the fray.They were strong, and the young ladies who started the water fight were no match for them.Some of the ladies had come with their boyfriends. Seeing their girlfriends being drenched, they naturally jumped in to help.Xavier noticed the commotion and, seeing Quinn and Nadia being overwhelmed, joined the battle.The scene quickly turned into a lively splash-fest filled with laughter and cheers. The water fight naturally left everyone soaked but happy.By the end, Quinn and Nadia had made a few new friends.After a day of fun, Nadia's spirits had lifted significantly. They changed into dry clothes and sat on a bench. There, they gazed at the stars."Quinny, I'm r
Whoever said women lack desire was wrong. Sometimes, a woman's longing could catch the man off guard.Faced with Quinn's boldness, Xavier found it impossible to resist. His desire for her was burning within him.Since being with her, he'd wanted her constantly, and tonight was no exception.Quinn tilted her head, and Xavier landed a peck on her neck, one of her most alluring features.His kiss felt like a gentle spring breeze as he began softly at her lips.That light touch flipped a switch within her. It sent electric tingles racing through her body. It was as if he wielded some mysterious power. As he glided his lips down her neck, each caress sent shivers coursing through her, making her tremble involuntarily.With each kiss moving lower, her heartbeat quickened. She felt as though she were immersed in a sweet dream, and his kisses were the leading melody of this ethereal experience.From her lips to her neck and then to her chest, each kiss ignited a flame deep within her. She cou
"I can't go to the hospital. I messed with the wrong people," Edison murmured. He remembered Quinn's warning. She was connected to Xavier, and he wouldn't dare provoke him."Who did you mess with?" Frank asked, but Edison brushed him off. "How's it going with the research institute?"At the mention of it, Frank hesitated. Was Quinn really that influential? Could Edison's beating be connected to her?"It's... fine. You should rest, Dad. I have to go study," Frank replied. He dared not mention how Quinn had twisted his arm.Meanwhile, Xavier and Quinn escorted Edgar back to the hospital.Edgar clearly didn't want to stay. "Ms. Quinn, I'd really like to go home. I don't like staying in the hospital." His days in the hospital felt like years dragging by—an experience that was anything but pleasant."Did the doctor say you could go home?" Quinn asked."I'm really fine, Ms. Quinn.""Only when the doctor says so." Quinn ignored his complaints."It's suffocating in here. I need to che
Edison's plump body crashed to the floor with a heavy thud.Quinn stepped on his hand, eliciting a pained scream from him.Edison stared up at her, bewildered. This young lady, who looked like an angel, was surprisingly brutal."Do you know what Edgar looked like when I found him?" Quinn's voice was icy.Edgar was like a younger brother to her, and she wouldn't stand for anyone hurting him.Edison fell silent after realizing he had underestimated her."How do you plan to pay for this, Edison?" Quinn picked up a fork from the table.Edison tried to get up, but with her foot on his hand, he couldn't move at all. "What are you doing? Let me tell you—"Before he could finish his sentence, Quinn drove the fork through his palm. His screams echoed in the room.Edison had never imagined they would dare to act so brazenly in Dudore. As he looked at his bleeding hand, his entire body trembled in fear. "W-What do you want?"The two bodyguards looked pale at the sight. They had never en
Since they were going to take revenge, Quinn had already ensured they knew the Faulkner family's whereabouts.The current head of the Faulkner family, Edison Faulkner, was responsible for what happened to Edgar. He was also Frank's father.Edison had a dinner engagement that night at a high-end clubhouse in Dudore.Though once a prestigious family, the Faulkner family had been struggling in recent years, but Edison was unwilling to accept that decline.He was determined to send Frank to the research institute, hoping that would restore the family's status. Tonight's dinner was meant to entertain higher-ups from the institute.As the glasses clinked and laughter filled the air, the door to the private room swung open unexpectedly.Edison frowned. Who was the blind fool who chose to enter at this hour? He already had people guarding the door."Who is it? I specifically said no one is allowed to enter!" Edison snapped.The higher-ups from the institute also wore grim expressions.
"Kid, you should just go face your punishment," Quinn said, declining."Come on, miss. Help me out here!" the young man pleaded."I can't help you. You can go now."The young man looked disappointed, but since Quinn had clearly rejected him, he had no choice but to leave."That poor guy," Nadia joked.Xavier, however, didn't share her sentiment. "I think Quinny handled it well. If she gave just anyone her number, she'd be in trouble someday."Besides, it wasn't like their game had anything to do with her. Why should she comply?They sat in the bar for over an hour.Quinn had something to attend to, so she took Nadia home first."Where are you going? Do you need my help?" Nadia asked. Although she wasn't good at fighting, she was willing to lend a hand."Just get some rest. It's nothing major. I'll handle it and be back before you know it," Quinn replied."Are you sure you'll be back tonight?" Nadia glanced at Xavier. She knew he couldn't leave her alone."Go home. Just make
"Nada, this fish is delicious. You should try it," Quinn said, passing the dish over.Nadia took a piece and nodded in approval. "This place really has great flavor. We should come here again."With both of them being people who didn't particularly enjoy cooking, they would probably end up eating out frequently."If you like it, I can have them deliver to your house. I'll get the manager to give you a business card later," Xavier offered.This restaurant didn't just have excellent food. The hygiene and service were top-notch as well."Really? I thought such a high-end restaurant wouldn't do deliveries.""They do," Xavier said. It was just a matter of asking anyway.After dinner, Nadia wanted to unwind a bit. Since arriving in Dudore, she hadn't had the chance to visit a bar, and Dudore was known for its nightlife.Now that she was here, she naturally had to experience it for herself."Quinny, are you heading back to the research institute tonight? If not, let's go to a bar for
Lisa's tone was especially gentle. After nearly three months of treatment, her condition had improved significantly.Gradually, she was becoming the serene Lisa she once was.Once the call ended, Quinn gazed out the window, oblivious to the fact that Xavier was still holding her hand.Xavier was holding her hand with one hand and gripping the steering wheel with the other. It wasn't until they reached the restaurant that he finally let go.He dropped Quinn and Nadia at the restaurant entrance while he went to find parking. The parking area was quite far, so he didn't ask them to come along.As he drove off, Quinn and Nadia waited at the entrance."Quinny, it's great to see Lisa coming back to herself," Nadia said with a smile.Although the past five years had been challenging, it was comforting to see everything getting better.Quinn felt a wave of joy as she reflected on Lisa's remarkable recovery. Given how bad Lisa had been before, it brought her immense happiness to see her
Nadia opened the car door and hopped in.Quinn wanted to join her at the back, but she declined. "Just sit in the front. It's a hassle switching around."Xavier smiled at this. Nadia, indeed, knew how to read the situation.She returned his smile.Xavier was a big shot, after all. Of course, she had to be wise."How's the hiring going? Do you need my help?" Quinn turned to Nadia."Don't worry. I've already hired three people. Since Sully is just starting out, I want to take it slow. I don't want to hire too many at once.""Alright, I'll leave it to you, then." Quinn was just the investor. She wouldn't interfere too much with how Nadia chose to run things."By the way, Quinny, how's everything at the research institute? You need to be cautious around those who hurt Edgar," Nadia said with a hint of worry."I know. Don't worry. There's no need to be concerned about them."Nadia shook her head. "Quinny, this is Dudore. You should be careful." People here would do anything for pr
Kimberly was also present. Noticing Simon's concern for Quinn made her fists clench unconsciously.She had her own plans to go out today. Gregory was going to introduce her to a big shot. He was slowly coming to recognize her potential and would provide her with all his resources."Simon, you know I'm not Maurice's daughter. I'm Gregory's daughter. Gregory Thorpe from the Thorpe family of Dudore. You're aware of that, right?" Kimberly spoke with pride.Simon looked into her eyes. "So what?""My dad is introducing me to a big shot today. Do you want to come? If you agree to get back with me now, I'll overlook everything that happened before.""No, thanks. I really don't need that. You go ahead," Simon replied firmly.In the past, it had always been Shania pushing him. Yet deep down, he wanted to stand on his own. It might seem naive, but he wanted to give it a try.Seeing him try to walk away, Kimberly grabbed his hand. "Simon, don't you want to get your mom out soon?"Why was h