CHAPTER 445: CHAPTER 445: OVERTIME

But they’re clearly already... real husband and wife, so why can’t she properly be the lady of The Sinclair Family?

Melody Shepherd stood next to Elias Sinclair, watching as the man furrowed his brow deeper and his eyes gradually turned vacant, she knew he was thinking about Quinn Lockwood again.

A hint of severity, barely noticeable, appeared on her usually gentle face, yet the smile on her lips remained.

These days, she often saw this expression on Elias Sinclair’s face. He, who was always meticulous and dedicated to his work, would become absent-minded and dazed, making Melody Shepherd feel an increasing sense of crisis.

"Elias, everyone has left, Mr. Grant seems to be delayed, why don’t we send someone to the airport to pick him up and go back to the company to handle other matters?"

Melody Shepherd looked at the empty meeting room of Cloudfall Group; the vice president had already been pacing back and forth by the door for over half an hour.

It was already past nine, long past the usual clock-out time, and he must make arrangements for people to be on standby at any moment.

Elias Sinclair heard Melody Shepherd’s words, but he showed no intention of leaving at all. His voice was resolute, uncompromising, and he said in a cold tone, "No, Cameron Grant has his own driver."

"I’m waiting for someone else."

The man glanced at his watch; based on the schedule Elias Sinclair had for Quinn Lockwood, he knew she would soon be here.

Meanwhile, Quinn Lockwood had already dismissed Sharon Shaw and the other employees, staying behind in the studio for overtime work.

She planned to go to the group after Cameron Grant’s plane landed to avoid accidentally running into Elias Sinclair or anyone else troubling her.

Like Melody Shepherd.

The light fresh dishes and stomach-nourishing porridge Sharon Shaw had ordered for Quinn Lockwood before leaving had already been delivered, but she hadn’t touched a single bite.

She really couldn’t spare a moment.

Just now, she seemed to have discovered some bugs in the game design software, which appeared to be rather tricky, even for Quinn Lockwood, requiring quite some time to fix.

One could see Quinn Lockwood’s beautiful face already tight, her entire being focused and seriously staring at the computer screen, her fingers swiftly typing complex numerical codes on it.

Suddenly her actions halted, followed by the sound of the mouse and keyboard falling to the ground, along with the shattering of a cup.

Quinn Lockwood clutched her stomach, her face contorted in pain as she curled up on the floor, her jaw clenched tightly.

Her stomach was in agony, feeling as if perforated, unbearably painful with each passing second.

The code, the code wasn’t finished yet, the bug wasn’t fixed yet, she couldn’t collapse.

Persevere a little longer, just a few more numbers.

Quinn Lockwood gritting her teeth, lifted her hand despite the intense pain, her knees moving forward twice while kneeling, her fingertips trembling as she typed a few numbers.

3, 2, 1.

Counting down in her mind, a layer of fine, cold sweat appeared on Quinn Lockwood’s forehead, her complexion growing paler, as though she could faint at any moment from excessive blood loss.

However, just as she counted to one, the system interface returned to normal. Before Quinn Lockwood could lift her fingers off the keyboard, she collapsed.

Meanwhile, at Cloudfall Group, Melody Shepherd’s face already subtly showed signs of impatience.

"Sir, there’s still no news from Mr. Grant and Miss Lowell; they must have been delayed by something, and Kevin says that Miss Lowell didn’t seem to plan to come today."

"If you are worried, perhaps you should go over and have a look." Melody Shepherd closed the document she was reviewing, concern lightly shimmering in her beautiful eyes.

They had already been waiting for two hours. Melody Shepherd knew Cameron Grant was on a plane rushing back and overheard Elias Sinclair’s discussion with Cameron Grant this morning regarding the game project.

She remembered clearly how Elias Sinclair said they’d discuss the matter in detail upon Cameron Grant’s return, and today’s meeting was held temporarily, proving he was waiting for Quinn Lockwood.

Melody Shepherd was unwilling.

Elias Sinclair would go to such great lengths for Quinn Lockwood, making so many elaborate arrangements, while she could do nothing but feign a supportive role, accompanying him as he awaited another woman.

She looked at Elias Sinclair, who remained silent, suddenly seeming to think of something, a gleam flashing in her eyes.

"Elias, if you feel awkward about finding Miss Lowell, I can go take a look." Melody Shepherd gave a light smile, as if feeling helpless about the cold war between the couple.

Resting her head on her hand, she gazed at the man beside her with smiling eyes, her tone charming, as if easily captivating anyone’s ear.

"Okay, go up and have a look later." The man said nonchalantly, his tightly-knitted brows slightly relaxed.

Melody Shepherd’s smile briefly faltered. Quickly gathering her things from the desk, she prepared to head to Quinn Lockwood’s studio.

Elias Sinclair drove her to the studio, parking the car downstairs.

He didn’t get out but rather gazed deeply through the car window at the entire studio.

A section within the dark building seemed to still be illuminated.

"Elias, don’t worry, I’ll go up and check." Melody Shepherd followed Elias Sinclair’s gaze to the faint light visible and felt a bit anxious.

She wouldn’t really be here, staying in the company so late; it’s like she’s risking her life.

The woman gracefully stepped out, smiling to the man in the driver’s seat, then quickly made her way into the studio.

At the moment of turning away, Melody Shepherd’s expression instantly turned cold, her gaze deep as though buried in a lightless abyss.

Following the direction and height of the light, she directly found Quinn Lockwood’s office.

Indeed, the woman was here.

Seeing Quinn Lockwood collapsed on the floor, Melody Shepherd’s face briefly showed surprise, then her lips curled slightly as she turned and left.

She closed the door while leaving.

Really quite desperate, working herself to this state and still holding on, even fainting.

If she were to die like this, it would be even better; unfortunately...

By tomorrow morning, employees will find her unconscious, at most, she’d suffer a bit.

Melody Shepherd’s eyes were icy, her brow slightly lifted, her mood seeming slightly improved.

Judging by Quinn Lockwood’s collapsed posture and hand movements, it must be a stomach issue.

If it were a perforation or peptic ulcer, it couldn’t be better; by the time anyone found her unconscious tomorrow morning, it would be too late.

She’d already have died from massive digestive tract bleeding.

So, the stomach medication in Elias Sinclair’s office and The Sinclair Residence, they really were prepared for Quinn Lockwood.