Charles Hua paid no mind to Quentin Hua’s cold attitude. Instead, he grinned happily all day, forgetting his own injuries. When he heard Quentin had accepted his gift, he was even more excited. Yet he had no idea that Quentin’s real thought was: since someone wants to give me something, why not take it for free?
As for Wendy Hua, Charles seemed to have forgotten her altogether. Perhaps now that things were settled, he could only accept it. After all, he still had a son now.
Autumn Du had once hated Quentin Hua bitterly because of Wendy Hua’s situation, but after seeing Charles Hua’s attitude toward Quentin, her own stance shifted dramatically. Despite her injuries, she personally cooked soup and meals for Quentin to show her care, but Quentin remained entirely unmoved.
Truthfully, Autumn Du was even more detestable than Charles Hua. Charles believed Quentin wasn’t his son, suspected he’d been cheated on, and thus disliked Quentin—though he simply ignored him. But for Autumn Du, Quentin was the child she carried for ten months; even if he truly wasn’t Charles’s son, it wasn’t Quentin’s fault. Yet she pushed all of Charles’s misunderstandings and every blame onto Quentin, giving him not a shred of motherly love and even abusing him frequently. Such a mother was truly hateful!
That’s why Roxy Shangguan never gave Autumn Du any face, often having her food sent out to feed the dogs right in front of her. Autumn Du dared not protest, only looked at Quentin Hua with a pitiful expression every time, but Quentin always ignored her, fueling her resentment.
Wendy was always so obedient and sensible, never causing her any trouble—if only she hadn’t gotten involved with Raymond Lei!
As a mother, all Autumn Du could think about was how Wendy was ruined, and now that Charles Hua treasured Quentin Hua, she tried her best to please Quentin. But she never considered rescuing Wendy, which showed her so-called love for Wendy was never selfless. Wendy was merely a tool to secure her position as Charles’s legitimate wife.
Joyce Du hadn’t been idle these past days, but she no longer pestered anyone. She’d simply check in daily, then go chat with Kathy Ren. Her intentions were obvious—though Autumn Du was Quentin Hua’s mother, Quentin felt no affection for her, maybe even some dislike. But toward his aunt Kathy Ren, Quentin was always polite, so Joyce decided to work through Kathy.
Yet she didn’t know she’d already offended Quentin Hua’s uncle, Evan Hua.
Not only did Joyce Du’s personality fail to appeal to Evan Hua, but her constant pestering of Kathy Ren forced him to chase her away just to spend time alone with his wife. Evan’s opinion of Joyce could be summed up in three words: completely tactless.
After two quiet days, the third brought a new commotion.
Today was Wendy Hua’s official homecoming. Charles Hua and Autumn Du hadn’t paid it much attention, since in their minds, this daughter was gone for good.
Evan Hua and Quentin Hua both had the ability to rescue Wendy, but neither was willing to do it. Besides, they had no other solution. Charles Hua didn’t want to force Quentin to save Wendy, afraid of offending his treasured son.
Autumn Du had even less hope for Wendy. Wendy’s marriage to an almost sixty-year-old man had disgraced the Hua Family. Raymond Lei was the Iron Sand Hall’s leader, so he had some status. If it were someone else, Autumn might not object so strongly, but Raymond was so cruel that she dared not expect any benefit—or flaunt her connection to him as a son-in-law. In fact, she wished Wendy would never return.
Wendy was already ruined. The hope that she’d marry well and elevate her status was gone, so Autumn wanted nothing more to do with trouble.
But she never expected Raymond Lei to actually bring Wendy home.
When news came that Wendy and Raymond Lei had returned, Roxy Shangguan, still lazing in bed, leapt out with excitement written all over her face. She didn’t believe for a second that Raymond was just being kind by bringing Wendy home!
"Quincy, get up!" Roxy stood barefoot on the bed, grabbing Quentin Hua’s bare arm and tugging hard.
Quentin lazily lifted his eyes to look at her, then closed them again, his whole demeanor relaxed and enticing.
Roxy swallowed, her gaze drifting from his face to his neck, then to his collarbones and bare chest, before swallowing again, even harder.
Quentin Hua sensed her gaze and looked up, amused by Roxy’s hungry-wolf expression. She was so adorable, yet her face was all mischief—he really didn’t know how to describe it.
He tightened his grip on her hand, pulling Roxy straight into his arms.
Quentin pinched her little chin, his voice low and tempting: "Want a kiss?" The curve of his lips was wickedly lazy and irresistibly charming.
Roxy met the teasing look in his eyes, pouted, and sighed, "Quincy, be honest. If you want to kiss me, just say so! It’s not like I’d stop you!" Before she finished, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely.
Quentin’s deep laughter was muffled in his throat, the low sound even more sexy and alluring.
After getting her fill of affection, Roxy snuggled against his cheek and asked, "Quincy, are you sick?"
"Hm?" Quentin was startled. Roxy frowned, worried. "You don’t want to move, and... it’s like you have a fever!" She touched his forehead, then her own, murmuring, "You’re a bit warm!" Her little hand pressed to his chest, seriously declaring, "Hot—almost sweating!"
Quentin’s mouth twitched, and he finally said helplessly, "I’m just a bit warm. Hurry and get dressed, or you’ll miss the show!"