CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 35: HIS KINDNESS, MOSTLY ULTERIOR MOTIVES 1_2

When he arrived, he guessed she might already know. He didn’t explain, just letting her vent.

After pummeling him, Christine Quinn rushed into Howard Geoffrey’s arms again, her heart aching unbearably. She held him tightly, as if terrified of losing him, and murmured, clinging to him, "Roye already explained the reason to me. I know I can’t blame you because everything you did was for me... But I really can’t pretend I don’t know anything... Whenever I think of you holding her, kissing her, doing the most intimate things with her, I can’t bear it... It hurts so much, it hurts so much... I really love you; I can’t live without you..."

Howard Geoffrey gently lifted Christine Quinn’s delicate, tear-streaked face and murmured, "Silly girl, I’ve always been by your side. I’ve never left."

Christine Quinn pouted, her words broken by sobs, "I know I’m in your heart... But I’m so scared... Scared that as you spend day and night with her, you’ll develop feelings for her... Roye said she has a good personality, is beautiful, and that everyone in the Geoffrey family likes her..."

Howard Geoffrey’s lips curved into a slight smile. "It seems a woman’s jealousy is innate."

Christine Quinn pouted and pounded his chest again. "You’re still laughing! It’s all your fault I’m so jealous of someone... Thank goodness you don’t love her... Otherwise, I’d be jealous of her until the day I die..."

"Silly girl..."

「The next day, early morning.」

On the way to Skytop Group, Roye nervously watched Howard Geoffrey, who was sitting in the back seat.

Although Howard Geoffrey’s expression was impassive as usual, Roye could feel an icy chill emanating from him. He figured he was probably on the fast track to a death he wouldn’t even see coming. So, Roye had no choice but to explain first, "Er, Boss, Miss Quinn might have already told you..."

Howard Geoffrey didn’t react.

Roye’s face paled, his voice trembling. "I didn’t mean to tell Miss Quinn about it... It was a new hotel attendant. Today, they accidentally let Miss Quinn see yesterday’s newspaper. When Miss Quinn found out it was different from the one she saw yesterday, she came to question me... I really couldn’t fend off Miss Quinn. She said if I didn’t tell her the truth, she’d have you fire me... However, Miss Quinn only knows you married Miss Quentin; she doesn’t know that Miss Quentin has a child!"

After blurting all this out in one breath, Roye held his breath, waiting for Howard Geoffrey’s reaction.

After several minutes passed with no change in Howard Geoffrey’s expression, Roye couldn’t help but sigh in relief. Just then, however, Howard Geoffrey suddenly spoke. "’Skytop’ has a project in Sudan that needs someone to oversee it. Since you’re not busy, you’re just the person to go... Hmm, stay there for six months, then come back."

"Huh? Sudan?" Roye quickly tried to recall his geography, then blurted out in astonishment, "Uh, Boss, Sudan... that’s in Africa, isn’t it? You’re sending me to Africa?"

Good heavens, I’ll definitely be roasted black...

Just as Roye was about to plead for mercy, Howard Geoffrey closed his eyes, feigning sleep.

Roye drove on helplessly, his face a mask of despair. He couldn’t stop inwardly bemoaning his tragic fate.

As the car neared the entrance to Skytop Group’s parking lot, Roye suddenly spotted someone standing ahead and quickly slammed on the brakes.

The screech of tires disturbed Howard Geoffrey’s nap. He opened his eyes, his brow furrowing in obvious displeasure.

"Sorry, Boss. I didn’t mean to disturb you, but up ahead... the Boss’s wife is standing there." Roye had gotten so used to calling Rebecca Quentin that, he momentarily forgot to use a different term.

Howard Geoffrey looked straight ahead and saw Rebecca Quentin looking towards him, her eyes filled with obvious anxiety.

Roye, afraid he’d say the wrong thing if he hadn’t correctly gauged Howard Geoffrey’s mood, wisely kept silent, awaiting his boss’s orders.

The big boss finally said coolly, "Let her get in."

"Yes, sir." Roye immediately got out and helped Rebecca Quentin, who was standing directly in the sun, into the car.

Helped by Roye, Rebecca Quentin settled into the seat beside Howard Geoffrey.

Roye, ever tactful, immediately stepped outside the car, leaving them space and privacy.

Rebecca Quentin turned to Howard Geoffrey and said apologetically, "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stop your car. I just didn’t know which floor you’re on at ’Skytop’... I’ve called you many times these past two days, but you haven’t answered. I had no other choice but to come here to find you. Please don’t blame the driver from home."

Seeing he remained silent, and knowing that a man like him wasn’t accustomed to idle chatter, she got straight to the point. "I came to find you because I need to ask you for..."

Before she could finish, he cut her off, his voice devoid of warmth, "I can’t help with your father’s matter."

Hearing his reply, all the words Rebecca Quentin had been about to blurt out caught in her throat.

"Er..."

She didn’t know what else she could say, her body frozen to the seat.

She wasn’t surprised he’d guessed the reason for her visit, but his coldness was far beyond what she had anticipated.

She had thought that since he’d helped her before—even if their current relationship couldn’t even be called a friendship—he wouldn’t refuse such a small favor, one that would cost him practically nothing, especially since she was carrying his child. She never imagined...

A sob threatened to escape her. For her father’s sake, Rebecca Quentin reined in her emotions and spoke again, her voice low. "I know you’re very busy, but the case goes to court tomorrow. I can’t afford any delays... If not, could you authorize me to use your name to approach that renowned lawyer who handled my previous case? I think our chances of winning would be much better with him."

It wasn’t that she absolutely had to ask for his help. It was just that such a formidable lawyer, and a judge who had been so clearly biased in their favor, seemed to act only out of deference to him.

"Get out."

After she finished speaking, his only reply was those two icy words.

Her heart clenched. It felt like a humiliation, and she wished she could vanish from his sight instantly. But she held back, not getting out of the car, because she knew only he could help her now. So, even as her body trembled against the door, she gripped the seat cushion tightly.

"Howard Geoffrey, I really..."

This time, she couldn’t even get the words out before he cut in coldly, "Roye."