Chapter 11 Letting It Out
Finished
Before Quinn could react, Zayden had already walked off
The moment the flower shop owner, Mindy, caught sight of the sharply dressed Zayden, she lit up with a smile. “Here to buy flowers, sir? What can I get you?”
4
After witnessing Zayden fixing Quinn’s clothes, Mindy assumed he was taken by her looks. She quickly stepped up, dropping her voice like she was sharing a secret.
“Sir, don’t let that face fool you–she’s done time. No one knows what for. I’ve got a daughter, you know…”
Before she could finish, she looked up and met a pair of icy, expressionless eyes. The man towering over her radiated a chill that had nothing to do with the weather.
It was a bright, sunny day, but Mindy felt cold.
“Did I… say something wrong?” she asked nervously, sneaking glances at him.
Zayden scanned the shop, stopped in front of the tulips, and said, “Ma’am, I want one hundred bouquets of tulips delivered to Southford Retirement Home,”
Mindy’s eyes widened. A massive order. She nearly jumped with excitement. Customers like this didn’t come around often
This young man had money, charm, and clearly came from power. Just the kind of man she could brag to her poker friends about. If her daughter could land someone like him, she’d never worry another day in her life.
“Hey, you heard him, right? Start wrapping–one hundred bouquets, and make it-*
“Oh, maybe I wasn’t clear.” Zayden cut her off. “Ma’am, I’d like you to wrap them. Personally. Money’s not an issue.”
He pulled out a sleek card and handed it to her.
Mindy’s eyes flashed with greed. Without a second thought, she took the card and rushed off to start wrapping.
Zayden turned to look at Quinn, who was quietly gathering flower stems off the ground. His dark eyes were clouded with something hard to name.
She’d been treated like this and still didn’t fight back. That fire she used to have–where the hell did it go?
Quinn noticed his gaze and turned to walk out.
Zayden reached out and grabbed her wrist. “There are reporters outside. They saw me walk in: If you don’t want trouble, you’d better stay put.”
Quinn narrowed her eyes and yanked her hand away.
Zayden didn’t react. That temper she used to have, it seemed, was still alive–just reserved for him.
Mindy kept working with a fake smile on her face, glancing up now and then. She thought Quinn had somehow gotten lucky. but her focus was on the cash. She wasn’t going to blow a sale this big.
Zayden found a seat and watched as Quinn gathered the last of the stems, then went back to trimming other bouquets.
Eventually, Mindy finished. She walked over, trying not to wrinkle her dress. “Sir, the tulips are ready.”
Zayden didn’t even look up. “Then send them.”
Mindy grinned so wide her lipstick cracked. “Of course, of course!” She turned and barked, “Quinn! Go get a cart for the Sowers-
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Chapter 11 Letting it Out
“Me!” Mindy grin faltered. You want
mt me to deliver them?”
” that a problem?”
Quinn understood then. Zayden was deliberately messing with Mindy—for her:
Finist
She remembered the birthday when she saved up for whole year by lima wated wordhaute grand. The next day sh saw it on the wrist of a maid working for the Grant family,
Real feelings don’t always get you real returns.
Watching him toy with Mindy now, she couldnt help thinking about how every gift he gave lier was comethinglite dum’s want. It was pathetic. He’d always acted like he was above everything, including her.
Mindy forced a smile. “No problem at all! I’ll take care of it myself. Of course.”
Si turned and glared at Quinn. “Watch the store! Make sure the place is spotless!”
un took a deep breath, untied her apron, and said. “Mindy, I quit.
Then she walked straight out the door.
Mindy stood there in a daze, completely stunned.
justa Quim reached the entrance. Zayden grabbed her arm again.
rd that make you feel better? Quinn finally asked.
Zaven smigged. “Yeah. Didn’t you enjoy watching her eat her words?”
you did the same to me back then… you enjoyed that too?”
The amlie vanished from Zayden’s face. “Quinn, I
Eter amir wa xof, but it cur deep. Zayden, we have nothing to do with each other anymore. What I do is none of your mummies, he please don’t show up in front of me again.
Zavien inze Hindexqpected her to say that. “Quinn, do you even know what you’re saying?”
20conurella figured it out back in prison. Mr. Grant, do me a favor let me go.
Site dudum of and kenwalang
Zzavimow suppatterier. Quinn. I can help you”
She hadther own hands. Herownies She didn’t need help. Especially not from him.
dhe
Zaynuntiantopdien u stepwalking and the more she refused hum, the angrier he got.
Qum, contyourself–how are you going to visit your grandfather?”
vai
She stopped.
Zayden was just dimu pradiowhim die uittently hotted like the wind, as if something terrible was chasing her.
He stated after her happesaing tigum iuwveritcal dimmed and a sott drizzle began to fall.
mortent later. Finn, the Canon handle dinve ammisarı imule
umbrella “Sir the Old Master wants to
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Chapter 11 Letting it Out
got amazing-
She froze when she saw Quinn dripping wet. “Quinny, what happened to you? Get inside!”
Quinn didn’t explain. The storm outside had nothing on the one inside her. “I need a new job.”
Over the past few days, she’d told Sally a few things about her past. Sally could guess exactly who she’d run into–and her
hemper fared
that the hell is wrong with people? Out of the entire planet, you keep running into the worst ones.”
She handed her a towel and tried to lift her mood. “Anyway, I’ve got good news. I found you a job. Receptionist at Beacoc Geup. Still a service role, yeah, but the pay’s solid, and they don’t dig into your past. They just want someone with a good ummade and decem presentation.”
Qurn’s mood finally eased a bit. She leaned over for a better look. “Companies like that actually exist?”
Beacon Group was a small firm under the Fairchilds‘ legal division.
Quan pawei.
The world really us all.
Send Gifts
19
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The Desowned Hereits Fire and Asher