Chapter 19
Chapter 19
As Bennett looked around, he saw staff being questioned, rich kids still live–streaming, Joseph and Stanley standing there, and Quinly, the kid he’d seen earlier.
The memory of Quinlyn knocking over Yvonne’s bag flashed through his mind, and Bennett found himself making his way
toward her.
Before he could approach her. Joseph stepped in front of him. “Tcalled the police, Joseph said, looking innocent. “I figured you should hear the whole story”
“You did this?” Bennett asked, sizing him up. “Did you call the cops just for a little fight, or did you know something bigger was up?”
Joseph glanced around at the hidden cameras and said, “I saw the needle marks on her arm.”
“Is that all: Bennett frowned, pointing out the flaw. “Even diabetics need insulin shots. Most people wouldn’t immediately associate that with drugs.”
“Oh, right,” Joseph replied, looking genuinely surprised. “Guess I’ve watched too many crime shows. I got a little paranoid. But hey, it ended up helping the police, right?”
He shrugged it off, but Bennett was still skeptical. When Bennett turned to find Quinlyn, she was already gone.
In the corner. Quinlyn sat on a high stool at a small table, eating a little cake with a spoon–the one Stanley had just gotten for her before the chaos erupted.
Stanley glanced around to make sure they were alone, then leaned in close. “You’re the one who told Joseph to call the cops, right?” he whispered.
Quinlyn’s eyes narrowed as she savored the cream, clearly enjoying the taste. She gave a small nod, still holding her spoon, to let him know he was on the right track.
Stanley’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How’d you know she was suspicious?” he pressed, his curiosity growing.
Quinlyn reluctantly swallowed the cream and, still clutching her spoon, said, “When she bumped into me, I saw needle marks on her arm. And she had this metallic, foil–like smell.”
“Foil?” Stanley repeated, clearly out of his depth.
Quinlyn had seen people using that stuff in the borderlands. They’d sprinkle powder on foil and light it up, saying it gave a stronger effect and tasted better. So when she smelled it, she knew Yvonne was no amateur.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Stanley asked, irritation seeping into his voice.
They weren’t family by blood, but they lived together, and he’d always thought they were closer than she was to Joseph. Seeing her team up with Joseph instead left him feeling a little jealous.
Quinlyn paused, thinking it over. “Because you can distract the enemy,” she said finally.
She explained that live–streaming or making a scene could lower Yvonne’s guard–and that was important
100
Stanley felt a warmth in his chest, and his prickly attitude softened. He couldn’t help but tease, “Hmph, Joseph is useless. I stepped out for a second to get a cake, and he let someone push you around. We’re done hanging out with him.
As soon as he said it, he felt a chill run down his spine and turned to see Joseph standing there, smiling quietly. It g Stanley goosebumps all over.
gave
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“Standey, I asked you to distract the onlookers, not diss me,” Joseph said, sitting at the table and giving Stanley a pointed look.
He then glanced through the screen at Bennett outside and asked Quinlyn, “Quinlyn, have you talked to that officer before? He’s really got his eye on you”
“Yeah. He came to take my statement. Quinlyn said, shrugging as she took another bite of cake. He seemed nice, so she didn’t worry about it”
Joseph shook his head, feeling a bit frustrated. “Stanley, if I’m not around, keep Quinlyn out of this stuff. Her background is delicate, and it could get messy if the wrong people notice.”
Bennett was their immediate problem. If he found out about Quinlyn, he’d either drag her to the station for questioning or worse, start digging into her past. That’s why Joseph had stepped in so quickly.
“I don’t need your input. I know what I’m doing.” Stanley snapped, his face scowling. He didn’t want to be one–upped. But before he could finish, a bunch of smartphones were shoved in his face.
The group of rich kids who’d just finished their statements swarmed around him, acting like he was some kind of star
“Stanley, you’re amazing,” one of them gushed. “You scored us an exclusive on a huge case that even the media couldn’t crack, and we live–streamed it”
“Look at how our views have gone through the roof, another chimed in. The people who were calling you a bully are now saying you’re brave and smart.”
“When the new term starts and we hit the survival training. Stanley’s the obvious leader. Anyone got a problem with that? Speak up, someone else shouted. The group cheered, all eyes on Stanley,
Stanley was soaking it in, feeling like he’d finally found his moment. Meanwhile, the live–stream viewers were starting to see things differently. They were realizing that rich kids could step up and do the right thing.
Everyone seemed happy, but no one noticed Quinlyn, the real hero who sat quietly in the corner, munching on her snack
As the police finished their investigation and cleared out of the sales office, a middle–aged man hurried over.
“Claude, weren’t you supposed to be out of town? What brings you back?” Joseph asked, standing up to greet him.
Claude, the president of Horizon Properties, clapped Joseph on the shoulder, looking relieved. “Heard what happened to you, and I couldn’t just sit still. I rushed back as fast as I could. You okay? You didn’t get hurt, did you?”
Joseph shook his head and said, “Tm fine; they didn’t even get close.” He then introduced Stanley and Quinlyn. “We’re here to help her find a house. We just got caught up in this case by accident.” His words hinted at something more..
Claude smiled at Quinlyn and tousled her hair. “Ms. Anderson, you’re my lucky star. Without you, this place could’ve turned into a crime zone. So, what kind of house are you looking for today! I promise you’ll get a great one.”
Later, Claude took Quinlyn on a tram ride around the community, showing her each house to help her decide.
Quinlyn stood for a long time in front of a villa with a pool before turning to Claude and asking. “How much does this house.
cost?”
Claude chuckled at her mature way of asking. He tousled her hair again and said generously. “You don’t need to pay anything. I’m giving this house to you.”
Quinlyn looked up at Claude, her eyes squinting in confusion. “Why?” she asked, still not getting it.
Claude glanced at Joseph, who smiled knowingly and nodded, as if checking if Claude was as impressed by her as he was.
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Claude chuckled, leaned down, and said to Quinlyn. “Because if it weren’t for you. I’d have lost a lot more money. This is my way of saying thank you. You really earned it.”
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