Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Everyone had understood their purpose tonight. They came to curry favor and forge ties with Harlan Ingram. Instead, it was painfully clear that what they’d earned was his disdain.
Sweat gathered on Trent’s brow. Though Harlan was younger, the weight of his gaze carried an oppressive force that made Trent’s spine stiffen.
Suddenly, Yorick’s voice rang out, loud and indignant. “It’s ridiculous to compare the dead to the living! One person collecting the ashes is enough. Sidonic’s mother twisted her ankle. It could’ve been serious! Trent was just trying to do the right thing!”
A flash of fury flickered in Harlan’s eyes. He stood and crossed the room until he was face–to–face with Yorick. His voice was low, sharp as a blade. “Repeat what you just said.”
Still oblivious to the shift in atmosphere, Yorick shrugged casually. “I’m just saying, come on, it’s been three years since Quinn’s parents passed. You can’t expect Trent to drop everything for that. He was helping someone who was actually hurt.”
Slap!
The sound of a slap cut through the room like a gunshot. Yorick reeled from the force of it, stumbling backward and nearly crashing into the tea table behind him.
“Mr. Ingram, don’t you think you’re going too far?” Trent finally stepped in. After all, Yorick was his friend.
Harlan turned, his expression twisted with fury. “Too far?” he snapped. “Hell, I haven’t even hit him enough!”
Without warning, he drove a swift, brutal kick into Yorick’s side, sending him crashing to the ground.
Yorick groaned, trying to scramble upright, but Harlan stepped forward and planted a boot squarely on his chest, pinning him in place.
Trent rushed forward, alarmed. “Mr. Ingram, what are you doing?”
“What am I doing?” Harlan’s voice was low and venomous. “Putting down a beast. Only animals say things like that. He has no right to speak about Quinn’s parents. None.”
Yorick gasped beneath the weight, still defiant. “What’s so wrong with what I said? I can’t even talk about Quinn’s parents now? What’s so great about her anyway? She’s been married to Trent for three years, and what has she done? She lives off him and contributes nothing. Anyone with eyes can see Sidonie’s the better choice. Mr. Ingram, surely you’re not getting swept up in rumors and pitying that woman? Quinn’s- not worth your sympathy!” His voice shook, but he pushed on, trying to salvage pride or perhaps curry favor with Trent.
After all, his small business only stayed afloat because of the contracts and projects funneled to him through Trent’s company.
“““Haha… Hahaha…” Harlan laughed bitterly, the sound laced with fury.
In Yorick’s mouth, Quinn, the woman Harlan held in the highest regard, had been reduced to nothing.”
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Chapter 42
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What made it even more absurd was Trent’s silence. Her own husband hadn’t uttered a single word in her defense.
“Do you
also think your wife doesn’t measure up to Sidonie?” Harlan asked coldly, his gaze like ice boring into Trent.
Trent hesitated. “In terms of temperament and ability, Quinn does fall short compared to Sidonie. But regardless, she’s my wife. Even if she lacks certain strengths, I don’t mind.”
Harlan removed his foot from Yorick’s chest and turned to Trent, his expression frigid. “What do you even know about her abilities? Without her help, do you really think your little company could’ve gone public in just three years?”
“That’s because Trent has sharp instincts and excellent judgment. His ability speaks for itself,” Sidonie interjected smoothly.
Harlan’s eyes remained fixed on Trent. Trent didn’t respond. His silence spoke volumes. It was clear he agreed.
After all, he believed he had built his success entirely on his own.
Harlan sneered. “Trent, without Quinn, you’d be nothing. The vision and skills you’re so proud of? All made possible because of her support.”
“What?” Trent blinked, visibly caught off guard.
Sidonie’s expression tightened. “Mr. Ingram, even if you’re trying to defend Quinn, that doesn’t give you the right to insult Trent like this.”
“Exactly,” Yorick added, his voice weaker than before as he gingerly straightened up. “What could Quinn have possibly done to help Trent?”
Harlan’s eyes
narrowed as he swept a cold, contemptuous glance across the room. “What could she have done? Back when she served in the military, her research completely overhauled and upgraded the security systems. And when it came to drone technology, she wasn’t just skilled; she was the leading expert. If she hadn’t retired, there’s no telling how many awards she’d have racked up by now.”
As soon as Harlan finished speaking, the room fell into stunned silence.
-Yorick’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That’s impossible… How could Quinn have that kind of capability?”
Harlan shot him a look, his voice laced with disdain. “Do I look like someone who needs to lie?”
No one dared respond. Everyone in the room knew that Harlan, heir to one of the most powerful f in the country, wouldn’t fabricate a story just to defend Quinn.
Trent’s expression darkened with embarrassment. Harlan’s words had, in front of everyone, exposed the unspoken truth: that much of Grafton Technologies‘ success was rooted in Quinn’s unseen contributions. It was because of her that he had become the rising star everyone admired.
es
He wanted to argue, to deny it, but the words got lodged in his throat.
Unbidden, memories flickered in his mind: Quinn beside him during long work nights, calmly analyzing problems he couldn’t solve. The way she would offer quiet, thoughtful suggestions when he was stuck, How
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Chapter 42
Chapter 42
so many of their key contracts had come through her networking and negotiation.
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