“I haven’t met them, but their story is kind of well–known in our circle, Jessica said, picking up on the fact that Reba wasn’t big on gossip and deciding to give her the scoop. “They tried to mess with the rtionship between Charlotte and her brother, but it totally blew up in their faces.


    Reba nodded, signaling that she got the gist.


    She’d heard snippets about the Pierce family from her mom before.


    There are only two kids in the younger generation of the Pierce family: the older brother and the younger sister. Everyone in their circle knows that Ms. Jensen and her brother don’t really get along.


    Brian and Jasmine were probably hoping to get on William’s good side by bringing Charlotte down a notch.


    After all,pared to Charlotte, who hardly ever bothers showing up at work, William–the CEO of Pierce Group–is the real asset here.


    But what they didn’t seeing was that, while Charlotte and William seem at odds on the surface, when outsiderse poking around, those siblings always team up together.


    “Just keep an eye on those two from now on,” Jessica said, giving her a heads–up. “I’m not always around, so stay wary, and steer clear of them whenever you can.”


    Reba nodded. “Okay.”


    “Let’s move somewhere more private so we won’t be bothered,” Jessica said, knowing Reba liked a quieter vibe.


    Reba was just about to say yes when a stylish woman in a crisp white suit, high heels, and sleek long hair walked up to them. She called out, “Reba?”


    Reba nodded. “Yeah.”


    She recognized her immediately.


    ording to the Quinn family files, Max Quinn, CEO of the Quinn Group, had a personal assistant named Winston–a woman whose reputation for efficiency was well–known.


    “Mr. Quinn would like to see you,” Winston said, all business and keeping a professional distance. “He has something important to discuss.”


    Reba nodded. “Okay.”


    She’d barely taken two steps with Jessica when Winston spoke up again. “Mr. Quinn wants you toe alone.”


    Jessica’s brows knitted with concern.


    Reba shot her a reassuring look. “It’s fine.”


    <b>11:44 </b>Tue, <b>Oct </b>7


    <b>67 </b>


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    Reba and Winston made their way over to Max Quinn’s table, where there was an impressive spread of top–shelf wine and snacksid out for the three of them–clearly the hotel had set it up special.


    Winston, acting the consummate assistant, brought her over and announced, “Mr. Quinn, she’s here.”


    Max told Winston, “You can go.”


    “Okay,” Winston replied.


    Once Winston left, Reba found herself standing there alone.


    Three pairs of eyes focused on Reba–some curious, some appraising, and some openly intrigued.


    Max reached out his long, pale fingers, gripped the chair back, and pulled it out for her. His deep voice, cool and slightly detached, said, “Sit.”


    “Thank you,” Reba replied politely.


    “Let me introduce you: this is Reba, my aunt’s daughter and my cousin,” Max said, his tone still as frosty as


    ever.


    The two people across from her nodded in turn and greeted, “Hello.”


    Max turned to the two guys and introduced, “William Pierce, Eric Shea.”


    Reba yed along and greeted them, “Hello.”


    “See how polite she is,” William quipped, his tone totally shing with his refined trust–fund kid vibe. “Unlike you–always sitting there with that ‘the world owes me billions‘ expression.”


    Eric nodded, “Preach.”


    Maxpletely ignored their banter, keeping it cool and distant as he asked Reba, “What would you like <i>to </i>drink?”


    Reba gave the table a quick scan.


    It was all booze.


    She hesitated, unsure how to politely pass on the alcohol, but Max immediately picked up on it. He called over the waiter: “Bring us some juice and champagne.”


    “Yes, sir,” the waiter replied.


    Seeing how thoughtful and well–bred Max had been since she’d sat down, Reba found herself feeling a rare flicker of doubt.


    ‘Did Max really take part in Mom’s ident, along with his father and brother?‘ Reba couldn’t help but question in her heart.


    “Cousin? Cousin!” William grinned, saying it like he’d known her forever.


    <b>11:44 </b>Tue, Oct 7


    Reba deliberately avoided his gaze. “Mr. Pierce.” <fne0c5> This text is hosted at F?nd-Novel</fne0c5>


    5/55 vouchers


    “What ‘Mr. Pierce‘? If you don’t mind, just call me William–or William bro, whatever works. If you’re notfortable with that, straight up William is fine too,” William teased, acting nothing like he did around his own sister. “You know, I’m actually best buds with your brother.”


    Eric, rocking a sharp gray suit and nerdy sses, chuckled, “Don’t bother with him, he’s just a shy peacock, always needing to be the center of attention.”


    William scoffed, “Who are you calling a peacock, you undercover show–off?”


    Eric just shot him a look, keeping silent.


    To William, that re was pure provocation–he looked ready to throw down right then and there.


    “Are you settling in okay here in Honn?” Max asked, ncing over and striking up a conversation.


    “I’m doing alright,” Reba answered, returning his courtesy with her own.


    “You should bring your mom back for a visit sometime,” Max said, his tone still gentle but distant. “No matter what happened back then, the Quinn family will always be your home.”


    Reba chose not to answer.


    “The Quinn family could never be my home,‘ Reba thought, but with Max being so courteous, she couldn’t bring herself to snap back. She just dealt with it by keeping quiet and shing a polite smile, letting the topic drift away.


    Soon enough, the waiter arrived with juice and champagne, cing them right in front of her within easy reach.


    As Reba reached for a ss to smooth things over, William suddenly piped up, “Little sis.”


    Reba immediately corrected him, “Reba will do.”


    “Word in Jsburg is, you’re engaged to Jeffrey?” William asked, his tone nosy but casual. Though he was based in Honn, as CEO of Pierce Group, he clearly kept up with the public gossip from Jsburg.


    Reba’s hand froze around her ss.


    Max shot William a frosty nce. “Isn’t all this booze enough to keep you quiet?”


    “Hey, I’m just curious,” William said, coughing to hide his embarrassment. “Everyone’s been spreading rumors about you and Jeffrey getting divorced, so I wanted to see if the gossip is real or not.”


    Max instinctively nced at Reba, surprise flickering in his eyes.


    ‘Divorced?‘ Max wondered to himself.


    William raised his ss and tapped it gently against Reba’s juice. “Sorry for being nosy, Reba. I’ll punish myself and drink to that.”


    <b>11:44 </b>Tue<b>, </b><b>Oct </b>7


    “It’s fine,” Reba replied, purposely ignoring his question.


    Even with all the mess between her and Jeffrey, Reba refused to let their story turn into everyone he’s gossip.


    Whatever happened between them was their own business–and nobody else’s


    “You and Jeffrey?” Max finally asked after hesitating for a long moment, breaking the silence.


    Reba switched gears instantly, making it clear she wasn’t up for small talk about that. <b>“</b>Didn’t Winston say you needed to talk to me about something important?*


    Her simple answer made it obvious she didn’t want to go there. “Yeah,” Max replied.


    Reba kept her guard up, asking, “So, what do you want?”


    Max nced at William and Eric, clearly wanting some privacy. “We’ll talk about itter?


    Reba just answered with a nod and didn’t say anything else. Her phone buzzed with notifications–Jessica was blowing up her messages again.


    Jessica: [What’s Max saying to you??]


    Jessica: [Is he threatening you?! ]


    Jessica: [You haven’t moved much since you sat down. Did they just leave you hanging there?]


    After reading thatst message, Reba instinctively looked toward the hotel, scanning for Jessica’s face in the crowd–but didn’t spot her anywhere. What she did notice was Max’s eyes lingering on her phone.


    She tapped the lock button on her screen without a second thought.


    Honestly, she had no clue why she suddenly felt so guilty inside.


    “I’ve got something to discuss with Reba,” Max said, still distracted by the texts he’d glimpsed on her phone. He shot William and Eric a look, then added, “Why don’t you two take ap and give us some space?”


    “Got it,” William and Eric said in unison, getting to their feet.


    As soon as they left, the chill in the air got palpable–the easygoing mood instantly reced by an awkward, icy silence.


    Reba just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible, so she cut straight to the chase. “What did you want to talk about?<b>” </b>


    Max’s dark eyes pinned her in ce; after a long, heavy pause, his voice came out cold and pressing. “I want you to give up your shares in the Quinn Group.”


    <b>1:45 </b>Tue<b>, </b>Oct 7