Finished
Chapter 18 The Outcome
Quinn couldn’t stop trembling. Her lips were pressed so tightly together they’d started to bleed.
She’d prepared herself, but watching massive loads of elderflower being shipped into the Fairchild Group’s factory still made her stomach sink.
Damon had told her the flower itself wasn’t the issue. But starting three years ago, the Fairchild family began quietly buying in bulk. It had some medicinal use, sure but the method they used to extract it? Not even close to standard. And the cost? Way higher than any alternative.
—
From a business standpoint, nobody chooses more expensive raw materials unless they’re hiding something.
Which meant something was off- both with her grandfather’s illness and with the Fairchild family’s operations.
Damon’s access was limited. If she wanted answers, she’d have to get them herself.
Quinn tightened her grip on the letter in her hand, her gaze sharp and resolute.
A few days later, she and Stanley met a client at a restaurant
The client glanced at Quinn and smirked.
“You Fairchilds are something else. One daughter with a finance degree who can’t read a stock chart, and the other biological one–stuck working front desk at a law firm. Is this how rich people entertain themselves now?”
Thanks to Olive’s little stunt, Quinn’s identity had been dragged into the spotlight.
But the client’s joke gave her something even more valuable–confirmation that Olive didn’t understand stocks.
It triggered a rush of memories.
the
Back in college, Olive always dumped her assignments on Quinn. Quinn had no idea what any of it meant at first, so she buried herself in textbooks, forced herself to learn, and got it all done. Even when she was in prison, those formulas and rules. stayed locked in her mind like steel traps,
Stanley sighed and pulled out his phone.
“All that education for what? I still can’t read this garbage.”
The screen was flooded with red and green numbers. Quinn leaned in and pointed.
That one’s likely to rise tomorrow. You should buy it now.”
Stanley looked at her like she’d grown a second head. Even the client turned to stare. “You serious? That stock’s been in free fall for almost two years. One glance and you’re telling me it’s about to bounce? You kidding me?”
Quinn shrugged and tapped open a tiny window. “This happened ten years ago too. Same dip, same setup. Then out of nowhere, it surged. Most people wouldn’t remember. It’s been too long
Stanley frantically scrolled through the old records. Sure enough, she was right. Down to the day.
He stared at Quinn like she was made of gold and grinned like a dog begging for treats. “How about this
rades for me?”
you handle the
to say no,
but a
Quinn had always been interested in this stuff. The only thing holding her back was capital. She was going to new plan was starting to form.
I want forty percent of the profits. You keep sixty
Chapter 18 The Outcome
→ Finished
“Am I dreaming”
Quinn was just as surprised. She remembered the dans Damon had her renew. So that’s what it was for
Stanley put away his phone, eyes sparkling “Ms. Fairchild, you’re a gem A freakin financial geniud”
If he had a tail, he’d have wagged it into a tornado
Once the excitement wore off, Stanley muttered under his breath. If the Forhild family knew what they let go, they’d all throw themselves into the river.”
Quinn tucked away her share of the earnings. Before she leth, she told Standes modestly, “Could’ve just been luck. The market’s been hot lately. Don’t get too excited. Be careful
When she got home, the first thing on her mind was a poeten watch the deer of the orphanage had given her as a child. She’d broken it while she was still locked up.
It was an antique — hard to repair and expensive even if she could find someone willing to try. Now that she had money, she finally wanted to fix it
But when she went looking, it was gone.
She searched every drawer, every coat pocket, flipped the closet inside out, but the watch was nowhere.
Quinn started to panic. Back when she was inside, she never let that warch leave her safe.
After getting out, she’d left it at home for safekeeping. When she left the Fairchild residence, she didn’t take anything–jast the watch. With nowhere else to put it she had tucked it into a jacket she rarely wore.
7 was right here… How could it just disappear?”
She tore her closet apart sweat beading on her forehead. Did I really lose it
A year into her sentence, the orphanage director had
visited her.
She had just come out of a brutal round of abuse from the other inmates. Nobody from the Fairchild family had ever shows me face. She was ready to give up.
But the director had handed her that pocket watch. Said the kids at the orphanage missed her. Told her to hang in there
I was the utily thing that kept her from letting go
And now I was gone.
She sat on the flour, clutching her head, and cried silently.
The next few days star was totally out of it until she spotted Olive at the Grant Group building
dungling from her neck was that pocket watch.
file folder in her hands. The watch had been paired with Olive’s outfit like it was hers all along
How end of end up with her? When did she take it
Quma: had come so deliven documents to Zayden. She didn’t need to bring them directly to him his assistant would’ve
But the star w Cie standing by his desk, she walked straight to his office and knocked
Chapter 18 The Outcome
Finished
And now, here she was
The moment she stepped in, it was like a light flicked on in his eyes. He couldn’t take his gaze off her, even though her face was calm and unreadable.
Olive had dolled herself up like a peacock, but Zayden hadn’t reacted at all.
He’d only said one thing when she came in earlier. “Nice watch. But this is work hours. Does Colton know you’re here?”
That was it.
He didn’t even look at her after that. Not until Quinn came in and then he got up to greet her.
What are you doing here?” Olive’s voice was tight, teeth clenched, her eyes locked on Quinn
Quinn didn’t even glance at her. She stepped forward, handed the folder to Zayden, and flashed him a deliberate smile
“I came to deliver these”
The moment she smiled. Zayden felt like sunlight was pouring through the window. Warm. Clear. Bright.
Send Gifts
W
The Stowmed Heress Fire and Auber