Chapter 324 Shattered Composure
Chapter 324 Shattered Composure
Leander stood frozen before Quinn’s tears, a tight ache blooming behind his sternum, as though someone had slipped an unfamiliar key into a locked chamber of his heart and turned.
In his memory, this woman was forged of iron–decisive, unswerving, made to chase thermals like an eagle above open sky. Never, not once, had he pictured her trembling beneath the weight of sorrow.
He exhaled, reached for a folded handkerc
tracks on her cheeks.
and, without thinking, dabbed gently at the shimmering
Even he could not explain the impulse that guided his fingers.
Serena’s shout knifed through the air. “What are you doing?” The sudden blast of sound yanked Leander back to himself, as if a switch had been flipped behind his eyes.
Quinn stiffened, hurriedly brushed the damp from her lashes with the heel of her hand, and composed herself in a single breath, shoulders squaring as the pilot within reoccupied her frame. “Thank you,” she murmured.
Serena stormed forward, fury blazing. “I knew it–you’re after Leander, you have no shame!” She swung, intent on slapping Quinn’s face.
Quinn’s palm shot up, clamping Serena’s wrist with effortless precision. Serena yelped as pain lanced from bone to shoulder.
Leander’s voice cut in, low and controlled. “Ms. Bridger, let her go.”
“Fine.” Quinn released her grip, wrist flicking free. “For your sake, I’ll let this slide. But if Ms. Fane raises a hand again, I won’t be so polite.”
At that moment, Julius arrived with Harlan pacing beside him, the two men radiating contrasting shades of power–one cool and aristocratic, the other sharp as a drawn blade.
Serena rubbed her abused wrist, shooting Quinn a venomous glare. “Mr. Whitethorn, your girlfriend is hitting on my brother in broad daylight. Aren’t you furious?”
“Serena.” Leander’s brow knotted. “Ms. Bridger did nothing of the sort. I don’t want to hear that accusation again.”
“But-” Serena started.
Leander’s tone hardened. “And apologize to her. Now.”
“What? Me apologize to her? On what grounds?” Serena fumed.
Harlan’s voice drifted over, calm as falling snow. “If you won’t apologize, I guarantee news about you will be trending online by tomorrow Whether they’re true or not–well, who can say?”
Color drained from Serena’s face; the threat was unmistakable.
He was blackmailing her, plain as day.
Chapter 324 Shattered Composure
Yet what unsettled her more was the certainty that this man would follow through. As a member of the Fane family, she had met countless players of power and wealth.
Still, the aura coiling around Harlan was that of a born ruler–very much like Julius, equally dangerous to provoke.
“Mr. Whitethorn, surely you agree I deserve an apology. Doesn’t it bother you that your girlfriend and another man sneak off for private chats, maybe even disgraceful secrets behind your back?”
She hoped to weaponize Julius‘ jealousy against them.
Julius‘ expression remained smooth as lacquered wood. “If Quinn truly wanted Leander, Serena, I’d hog- tie the man myself and deliver him to her doorstep.”
“You’re insane!” Serena spat, teeth grinding.
A dry laugh slipped from Julius‘ throat. Insane? Yes, I am. If Leander weren’t Quinn’s brother, and if she simply needed a stand–in to soothe her longing, I would tie him up and hand him over without hesitation.
He cut through the murmurs like a razor. “Apologize,” Julius said, his voice cold enough to frost glass.
Leander turned to his cousin, tone clipped yet restrained. “Serena, you’ve crossed the line today.”
Serena swallowed her pride, cheeks flushed. Facing Quinn, she forced out, “I’m sorry. I spoke wildly–I shouldn’t have.”
“See that it doesn’t happen again,” Quinn said, each syllable a measured warning.
Serena’s mouth opened, fury flooding her lungs. Yet in this room, with so many eyes, she swallowed the outburst and fell silent.
He clasped Serena’s wrist. “Come,” Leander said, steering her toward the exit. When they drew level with Julius, he halted, voice low but sharp. “Mr. Whitethorn, I’m not easy prey. If you intend to tie me up, make sure you have the skill to pull it off.”
Julius‘ reply was a whisper of ice. “Is that so?” he murmured, though his gaze drifted past Leander and anchored on Quinn.
As though her single nod could unleash him, the air around Julius tightened, promising he would abduct Leander himself if Quinn so wished.
Quinn lifted a hand, placating. “Mr. Fane, please don’t take it to heart. He was only joking.
Julius straightened like an obedient soldier. “Indeed–only a joke,” he agreed.
The way he echoed anything Quinn said was as if her words were law he had long vowed to obey.
Leander studied Julius, a frown tugging at his brow. Earlier, the man hadn’t sounded playful in the least.
He filed the detail away. Whoever Quinn truly was, she was impressive enough to have Julius be so obedient to her.
With that, Leander ushered Serena out, the click of their shoes fading down the corridor.
Chapter 324 Shattered Composure
Harlan stepped close, noting the redness rimming Quinn’s eyes and the faint tracks of tears. Quinnes why were you crying?”
He had served beside her on missions where bullets outnumbered breaths, moments balanced between life and death, and never–never–had he seen her weep.
19:52 Wed, 20 AU0.
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