1
20 vouchers
“Do you think Reba’s got something against me?” Sebastian grumbled, his brows still knit tight, obviously not over what just happened.
Max just kept quiet. <fn201c> Find the newest release on fι?dnοvel</fn201c>
The answer was so freaking obvious, he didn’t even bother saying it. ‘Does anyone here actually need me to spell it out?‘ Max thought.
“I’m talking to you, Max. Seriously?” Sebastian snapped, clearly annoyed. “Cat got your tongue?”
“You really want me to answer that?” Max shot back.
Sebastian was left speechless.
He was so pissed he stormed out.
“This brat never says anything decent,‘ Sebastian muttered to himself.
“Your dad gets on my nerves, and now you too,” Sebastian snapped. “You two just wanna make my life miserable, don’t you?”
“Whether Reba likes you or not reallyes down to whether you’ve actually settled the score with my mom,” Max said, ever the straight shooter–he was never one for ttery. “The Quinns always look out for their own, so it’s only natural Reba cares about all that went down with my mom.”
Just hearing that made Sebastian’s mood tank even further.
He shot Max a heated re. “With that sharp tongue of yours, don’t count on evernding yourself a wife.”
Max just stared at him, lost for words.
“Whatever, if she doesn’t want to call me, fine. I’ve got all the time in the world,” Sebastian muttered.
“The most important people always make their grand entrancest,” Max said after thinking it over for a bit. “What you really oughta be thinking about is–who’s she gonna call first, you, or Mr. Guzman?”
Sebastian paused.
His eyes darted over Max a couple of times.
‘He’s got a point!‘ Sebastian thought.
“Let’s go,” Max said casually. “Peter’s over there, and if he decides to give Oliver a hard time, even I might struggle to deal with it.”
“He wouldn’t dare!” Sebastian snapped.
For all his big talk,
Sebastian still found himself picking up the pace toward the main hall.
970
20 vouchers
When Reba and Oliver arrived at the main hall, it was almost empty. The only person there was a shy man in his fifties, lounging in a suit, looking every bit the rogue yboy.
Spotting Reba walking in with Oliver, his eyes sparkled with mischief.
He put down his teacup and, with a smirk, said, “Well, well, who’s this hot chick? She’s drop–dead gorgeous.”
“Please mind your words, Mr. Peter Quinn,” Oliver said with a gentle cough before introducing her. “This is Reba, Amelia’s daughter.“.
“So you’re my niece, huh?” Peter said, his gaze raking over Reba with an obvious sleazy grin. “Why are you just standing there? Come over, let your dear uncle have a good look at you.”
Reba didn’t budge. She just stared at him; cold and unimpressed–her gut reaction was pure dislike.
Jack had his share of swagger too, but he always seemed wild in a harmless, yful sort of way.
But Peter? He was flirty, arrogant, and t–out scummy.
“What’s with you, girl? Acting all scared of your own family?” Peter drawled, getting up and reaching for her arm. “Heard your mom’s been out ofmission for years. So, what’s the deal, she dead yet or what?”
“Trust me, by the time weeds are growing six feet high on your grave, my mom will still be alive and well,” Reba shot back, smoothly dodging his hand with zero hesitation.
Peter’s face twisted in annoyance. “You got a mouth on you, huh!”
Reba looked away, not even bothering to acknowledge him.
Oliver stepped in to defend her, keeping his tone respectful. “Mr. Peter Quinn, Reba is a guest of honor, personally invited by Mr. Quinn. Please think before you speak.”
“I’m not holding back today, so what are you gonna do about it?” Peter scoffed, his gaze dripping with contempt as he looked at Reba. “Young as you are, you don’t even know how to show respect to your elders? If Amelia won’t discipline you, I will.”
As he spoke,
he began walking toward Reba, closing the distance step by step.
From the way he moved, it was clear he was ready to dish out some old–school family punishment if Reba dared give him attitude again.
“Apologize, or I’ll make sure you regret ever stepping in here,” Peter barked, acting like he ran the show.
Reba heard footsteps outside; she tamped down her emotions and replied coolly, “Do as you please.”
Peter snapped. “Don’t think just ‘cause Amelia’s got your back that I won’t deal with you myself!”
14:18 Wed, Oct <b>8</b>.
20 vouchers
“Just try touching her–1 dare you!” Sebastian said, moving over with slow but forceful steps, his old face dead serious. “If she so much as loses a single hair while she’s here, you’ll wish you’d never been born.”
Peter opened his mouth, but couldn’t say a word.
Sebastian came right up to Reba. “Are you shaken up?”
Reba didn’t want to make a scene. “I’m fine.”
“Come here and apologize to Reba,” Sebastian snapped, fixing his second son with a harsh stare. “Acting this rude as an elder–is this really how I raised you?”
Peter wrinkled his brow. “Dad, isn’t your favoritism getting a bit out of hand?”
Sebastian’s face soured. “You’ve got the nerve to call me out for that?”
Back then, Sebastian had been pushed by Peter, his brother, and even outsiders to force Amelia to hand over her shares to them. Anyone else could use him of favoritism, but those two? They had absolutely no right.
“Apologize, now. Don’t make mey down the familyw,” Sebastian snapped.
“Sorry.” Peter shrugged, his tone casual and way too insincere. “Guess I got a little carried away with the jokes. Don’t take it so seriously.”
Reba just stared back, refusing to even dignify that with a response.
Ever since Peter had knowingly asked if her mom was dead–when he knew full well Amelia was back in Honn–Reba had marked him as someone to hold a grudge against. He was officially on her cklist.
“Since Peter’s apologized, let’s just let it slide,” Max said, stepping in to break the tension. “We’re all family here–no need to make things awkward with harsh words.”
“Sure, I’ll listen to you, Max,” Peter replied, ncing at Reba with that same cocky attitude. “But let’s see if you can keep talking like that once you find out why she’s really here.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Max retorted.
Peter opened his mouth, then thought better of it and stayed silent.
People on Max’s side were always good at ying nice. As for Peter, he only held a minority stake–if the shares really got bought back, he wouldn’t be the one losing the most anyway.
If they’re not stressing, why should he be the one worrying?
“I’ll let it go this time, but if anyone acts up again, don’t me me for chewing you out,” Sebastian warned. “Reba is both our honored guest and a member of the Quinn family–I won’t allow anyone to disrespect her.”
Word about what went down quickly reached Michael.
Victor asked, “Should we find a chance to take Reba out?”
“No need. Sebastian justid down thew–it’d be stupid to make a move right now,” Michael said, his voice much steadier now. “Let’s just watch her for a bit. For all we know, she might not even make it through thepetency test for the shares.”
Victor nodded. “Got it.”
Michael’s eyes narrowed. ‘What really worries me is… he thought, but didn’t finish the sentence aloud.
“What is it?” Victor pressed, curiosity piqued.
Michael paused, then brushed it off. “It’s nothing. Just have someone keep tabs on Max for now. If <b>anything </b>strange happens, report to me immediately.”
All these years, and he still couldn’t see through that son of his.
“Understood,” Victor replied.
Michael nced at his watch. “Is Peter back yet?”
“He’s on his way,” Victor replied, already up to speed. “Should be here in about half an hour.
Michael asked, “Did he bring the people he was supposed to?”
Victor gave him a knowing look. “Yeah, he did.”
“Alright,” Michael said, clearly in high spirits as he straightened his clothes, practically itching to watch the drama unfold. “Let’s go meet my niece.”
?