CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31: UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER

On the way back, Quinn Lockwood couldn’t help but worry about yesterday’s news, pondering how to clarify it. This was very important to her; she didn’t want to endure any more undue pressure, nor did she want to see that sarcastic face of Elias Sinclair.

While the car was moving, the face of Ariana Lynch once again flashed in Quinn’s mind. Just now at the company, she deliberately tried to cozy up to her, pretending to be very close.

Not knowing what she was plotting again, but such tricks could only fool her in a past life. She now understood Ariana too well, and just seeing her feigned care made Quinn nauseous.

In the past, she was too naive and was simply deceived by Ariana’s exterior; all those meticulous concerns turned out to be just empty words.

More infuriatingly, she shamelessly stole her boyfriend.

Thinking about that shameless couple, Quinn gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white and her fingers flushing from the pressure.

She hated herself for not being able to see through Ariana’s lies earlier and expose her true colors. If she had sensed it earlier, her mother wouldn’t have been harmed, and she and her father would have reunited sooner.

Quinn’s eyes were blank, lost in deep self-reproach for her mother.

"Bang!"

With a loud crash, due to inertia, Quinn was thrown forward, her head hitting the steering wheel. If not for the seatbelt, she might have hit the windshield.

Quinn rubbed her aching forehead, suddenly waking up, and slowly looked forward.

Seeing the car so close, oh my god, she had rear-ended someone.

"Hey, how are you driving?"

The driver of the front car got out, inspecting the damage while pointing at Quinn in the rear car and scolding her.

Quinn quickly opened the car door and got out. In front of her was a burly man who seemed to work out often. Quinn worried he might hit her and immediately apologized, "I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I got distracted."

It was all her fault for zoning out and forgetting she was driving.

"Be careful in the future, didn’t you see the red light ahead and just kept going?"

The driver looked displeased, unable to refrain from cursing.

"Yes, yes, sorry about that."

Quinn was sweating with anxiety; it was her first time in such a situation, and to say she wasn’t panicking would be a lie. She was unlike Savannah Lowell, who feared nothing.

Seemingly having thought of something, Quinn pointed at the damaged part of the front car with a smile and said, "Don’t worry, I will compensate for all your losses."

The driver was speechless, "The car isn’t the main issue; shouldn’t you be concerned about the people’s safety inside?"

Hearing this, Quinn gave herself a hard pinch on the thigh. How could she forget about that?

Her mind was probably fogged, and seeing the driver so burly, she guessed it probably wasn’t a big deal, but she was flustered enough to actually forget.

"Are you all right?"

Quinn finally realized that if someone was seriously injured, her guilt would be immeasurable.

"I’m fine, but you..."

"Charlie."

The driver was about to say something but was stopped by a middle-aged woman’s voice from the car and could only give Quinn a glare before heading back to the car.

"Madam, what’s the matter?"

Standing by the rear car window, the driver bowed slightly, as if waiting for some instruction.

"Don’t waste time."

Although the woman in the car spoke with a cold tone, she did not blame Quinn. It was clear she was a person of gracious demeanor.

"Yes."

The driver respectfully replied and headed towards the driver’s seat.

Madam?

Quinn stood in place, dumbfounded. Was there someone else in the car?

"Wait, wait."

Seeing them about to leave, Quinn quickly ran over. Although she was relieved they weren’t holding her accountable, it was her responsibility, and she felt she should express something.

"Madam, are you okay?"

Quinn knocked on the rear car window glass. Although a bit rude, she wanted to ensure the person inside was safe, or else she wouldn’t be at ease.

Maybe finding it noisy or indeed in a hurry, the window inside slowly rolled down.

Seeing the person inside, Quinn was incredibly surprised, her face full of disbelief as if she were dreaming. She blinked, "Mr. Sherman."

She never expected it to be the teacher she watched online every day learning from, the one teaching her acting, Wendy Sherman.

"Young lady, do you know me?"

Upon hearing this, Wendy Sherman glanced sideways at Quinn, feeling that this face seemed somewhat familiar.

"Of course I know you. You’re a renowned performing artist. I love watching your plays and am learning by attending your classes."

Meeting the teacher she admired, Quinn was naturally delighted. She had thought she would one day have the opportunity to ask for advice in person, never expecting to meet under such serendipitous circumstances.

Realizing her earlier mistake, she said, "I’m sorry, Mr. Sherman, are you okay?"

Concern filled Quinn’s eyes along with a hint of guilt.

She really didn’t want Mr. Sherman to have a poor impression of her because of this incident.

She didn’t introduce herself because she didn’t want Wendy Sherman to have a preconceived notion of her because of the name Savannah Lowell. She wanted to one day introduce herself confidently through her own efforts.

"No worries, you don’t have to take it to heart."

Wendy Sherman said, turning her head away. The sudden collision had indeed unsettled her, but she didn’t intend to hold it against her.

"Mr. Sherman, I really admire you. Could I visit you at your home later?"

Quinn looked hopeful.

Wendy glanced at her watch, "Thank you for your admiration, but we’re in a rush, sorry." After saying this, she rolled up the car window.

"Miss, please step aside, we really need to go."

The driver walked over to remind her again.

Feeling a bit disappointed from the refusal, Quinn slowly stepped aside.

Seeing Quinn’s expression from the car, Wendy impulsively took a business card from her bag and handed it to the driver, "Give it to her."

The driver looked at the card incredulously but eventually replied, "Yes."

"The madam asked me to give you this."

The driver handed the business card to Quinn.

Quinn took it hesitantly, and upon seeing Wendy Sherman’s name, a happy smile appeared on her face, "Thank you."

But when she looked up again, the car had already driven far away.

However, Quinn didn’t know that Elias Sinclair had observed her conversation with the driver just now.

He had originally intended to go home but unexpectedly saw Quinn in a dispute with a car on the road.