Chapter 15 Face to Face
Quirin had been feeling dry lately, so she borrowed a sheet mask from Sally and half–heartedly replied, “Oh
Salty wasn’t terring it go. She rugged Quinn’s arm, Look! That car down there–the hot guy is in a
it
att
Tenie
Quirin gaunend on the window without much thought, but her eyes immediately locked with Zayden’s.
two unseres passed before she yanked the curtain shor
Sadidit, she had me interesa in the mask She almost threw it away, then decided not to waste it and slapped it onto Sally v
Salty might not be great in a lot of things, but she was good at reading people, Judging by Quinn’s reaction, she figured the
dewentin, had definitely wronged her friend at some point. She rolled her eyes toward the window and picked up he phone thurst Sundry.
Frustrated, Quinn opened bet phone and started digging through old news, hoping to find anything about her grandfather.
hast them a call came in thrown an unknown number.
Working at a law firm had mumbed her to random calls, so she picked up without thinking.
“Come dow
Two short words. One famillun wes. She didn’t need to gura who it was
She hung up immediately
He called again. And again. He wasn’t greing up.
Quinn blocked the number Bun Zayden was purgared–he capped SIM cards and kept dialing
Over the past three years. Quinn had beamed games better than anyone. If stubbornness were a contest, she’d place second only because she didn’t care to win.
Zayden kept calling nonstop for thirty minutes, swtching our cards like clockwork. And eventually, he understood that Quinn had made up her mind. She wasn’t going to forgive him. She wasn’t even going to see him.
By the time another half hour passed, it was already chose to madright.
Quinn assumed he’d finally left. But then, someone vocând on the door.
Sally, half–asleep shuffled over before Quinn could stop her. She peeked through the peephole, turned around, and whispered in shock, It’s him. The hot guy from downton. He’s here”
Quinn frowned. “Don’t open it. He’ll leave soon.
She knew Zayden well–too well. He cared about his pride more than anything. The fact that he’d even stayed this long was already out of character. He’d give up eventually
Three years ago, it was that same pride that made him say she wasn’t presentable enough. So what was he doing here now?
She gave a hollow little laugh.
As expected, five minutes passed. Then their neighbor started shouting through the walls, annoyed by the knocking.
A minute later, it went quiet.
Thoisted fuded mou
Chapter 15 Face to Face
niore
Just as she turned away from the door, there was a strange noise from the balcony–like wood creaking under pressure–and a shadow fibered across the window
Both girls froze, hair amanding en and
Sally churched Quinn’s arm, “Quemy, whai Mas
Quinn’s skin priced She’d grow peed of ghost stores, and Olive had used that against her more than once.
This wasn’t like the fear she’d faced unde person. This was the land that made her stomach drop. And if she was scared, Sail
was worse.
She gently parted Sally’s hand and tried to sound brave. Till go check
“No, no–let’s go together.”
They tiptoed toward the balcony, inch by inch, every meal of the floor making them jump. It was the dead of winter, and a blast of cold wind sent shivers straight through their bodies
Then a tall figure appeared outside the glass door
Zaveden
“Are you kidding me?” they both said at once.
Relief hit Quinn like a wave. At least it’s a person. Then came the anger “Didn’t you leaver I should call the cops for breaking and entering
Zayden didn’t answer. He walked straight toward her.
Quinn backed away, alarmed. “Zayden, what do you think you’re doing?”
“Quinny, give me a chance.”
His voice was calm, even a little soft. Not at all like the man she used to know
Quinn stared at the messy, disheveled Zayden standing in her apartment
Their balconies were connected, He’d climbed over just to see her.
Mr. Grant–so proud, so high and mighty–had thrown all of that away for this?
But she didn’t let herself believe it meant anything. Zayden didn’t do things out of love. So whan did he want from her this
She was about to snap at him when he held out a photo.
“My people took this inside the Fairchild estate.”
It was her grandfather, lying in bed, pale as paper. His face was sunken, his eyes closed. He looked lifeless.
Quinn took the photo with trembling hands, covering her mouth as tears poured from her eyes.
For so long she’d wanted to see him. And now that she frully had–he looked like this.
mamy emotions hat her all at once–shock, relief, grief, guilt–they nearly crushed her.
Zayden watched her expression shift and thought back to the girl she used to be. For the first time in years, she looked like then he remembered
12.10 AM
Chapter 15 Face to Face
He didn’t press. He let his hand fall and nodded again. There are from now. Mees me behind Gary Hospital”
His imal had been achieved. There was no reason to NDİY
But still, he lingered
Sally cleared her throat from the back of the room, Sirf you’re done talking.. weid reality like to get some sleep”
Zayden didn’t move. His eyes were still jxed on Quinn.
She was too focused on the photo to look back
Finally, he reached out and gently tapped her shoulder. “Don’t worry too much. Get worde nest
Then be lef
Sally watched her silently.
And Quinn–her walls finally crumbled.
“Sally” she whispered. I’m really going to see my grandfather.”
“The hot guy’s gone. Sally said softly, wrapping her arms around her friend.
She knew what this meant. She knew how long Quinn had been searching for Norman.
199
Finished
Three days later. Quinn arrived at the meeting point dressed in plain workout clothes and a black baseball cap
A black car pulled up behind her and gave a single honk.
She turned and got in
Finn was waiting inside. He handed her a nurse’s uniform.
“Mr. Grant asked me to give you this. The top button has a hidden camera. It should help you.”
Then be stepped out to give her privacy to change.
Quinn tied up her hair, slipped on a mask and cap, and buttoned up the uniform.
She climbed out of the car, steady and calm.
Finn briefed her “In a few minutes, the Fairchild family will send someone to pick up a team of doctors for Mr. Norman’s exam. Blend in and don’t let them notice anything”
Quinn nodded.
She looked like she wanted to say something but Finn beat her to it
“Mr. Grant will meet you inside. If both of you go in together now, it’ll raise suspicion
Outside the hospital, a few doctors appeared in white coats. One of them was Zayden Masked, hair styled differently, barely recognizable.
Everything went smoothly.
They arrived at the Fairchild estate
12:10 AM & c
The Disowned Heiress: Fire and Ashes