Chapter 92
Three days later was Quinlyn’s birthday. When Stanley found out she was helping DigitalKey Group, he was not pleased, thinking she shouldn’t be helping Warren.
“My gaming company signed up too. You’ll team up with me and crush them!” After selling software on the forum last time, Stanley connected with a bunch of amateur hackers to make games, even starting a company.
After quitting his job at DigitalKey Group, he fully dedicated himself to game design. “If we win, I’ll release the game with an ad. There’s no way I’m letting DigitalKey Group benefit from all that hype.”
Quinlyn thought he made a good point, so she turned around and called Warren to decline his invitation. “Stanley needs me more, but I’ll still take them down during the game.” She agreed promptly, and turned Warren down just as swiftly.
Warren seemed to have figured out her temperament by now, finding it both amusing and frustrating. “Alright, as long as we work together during the match, it doesn’t matter which team you’re on.”
He actually wanted to remind her that she was now a major shareholder of DigitalKey Group too, and winning the match would boost its market value, meaning she’d make a lot of money. But he thought Quinlyn didn’t really care, so he stayed silent.
On the first day of school on Monday, Quinlyn’s classmates all brought small gifts to show their appreciation. There were cards and toys, completely covering the desk.
Mandy even got a good luck charm for her. “My dad said you don’t lack anything, but you can sometimes be in danger, so I’m giving you this charm for safety.”
Quinlyn didn’t know whether it worked, but she valued her friend’s gesture and kept the charm safely in her pocket. The atmosphere in the class was peaceful, except for one empty seat. Harriet had dropped out.
The classmates was talking about Harriet. “It seems her family went bankrupt. Last time I was in the neighborhood, I saw her dad hitting her.”
“Hmm, I heard from my parents that Harriet’s mom and dad are getting a divorce. No one knows who Harriet will stay with.”
“It’s definitely going to be her mom. After all, she’s not a biological child, and the Anderson family won’t let her inherit anything.”
As the discussions continued, Quinlyn glanced at the pile of Mordorian books still sitting on the empty desk. They were overdue at the library, but Harriet hadn’t read a single page.
*****
After school, just as Quinlyn stepped out of the school gate, she was stopped.
“Quinlyn, are you out of school yet? Look what I got for you,” Tina said as she approached, wearing a beige suit, a scarf around her neck, and sunglasses on her face.
Quinlyn was taken aback, unsure why she was being approached. She looked down at the Barbie doll box in Tina’s hand and shook her head, saying, “I’m not into dolls.” Such things didn’t bring back good memories.
Tina’s smile became awkwardly rigid. “Oh, you don’t like it? Why didn’t you say earlier? Never mind, I’ll take you shopping. Pick out anything you like, and I’ll buy it for you, okay?” As she spoke, she reached out to touch Quinlyn’s face.
Suddenly, Mandy stepped forward and pushed Tina away, glaring, “You’re a bad woman. Stay away from Quinlyn.” She clearly remembered how Tina had helped Harriet bully Quinlyn at the restaurant last time.
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Sat, 22 Mar
Chapter 92
Tina almost twisted her ankle, frowning in displeasure. But she flinched when she caught Quinlyn’s cold gaze.
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She wasn’t here to get hit. So she tried crouching down, humbling herself as she reasoned, “Mandy, I’m just here to see Quinlyn. You have a mom, right? You know how wonderful and important moms are. Quinlyn doesn’t have one. Don’t you
want her to have a mom?”
Hearing this, Mandy was taken aback and bit her lip in hesitation. Her mom had passed away just two years ago, but she could still remember how joyful it was to have a mom.
“Quinlyn doesn’t have a mom or a dad; she’s all by herself. Don’t you think that’s really sad? If someone picks on her, there’s no one to defend her, and people might even say she’s a poor kid with no manners.
“At parent–teacher meetings, she’s the one everyone talks about, telling their kids to stay away from a child like her. How can you be okay with that?” Tina said, expressing her thoughts.
Mandy was almost in tears, but they were out of anger. “You just stop it; don’t say anything more!” she shouted, clenching her fists and about to rush forward, but Quinlyn pulled her back just in time.
Tina was taken aback and couldn’t control her temper anymore. “You don’t listen at all, do you, child? I felt sorry for her and offered to be her mom, she should be thankful for that.” Even now, she still saw herself as the superior Mrs. Anderson.
Quinlyn chose to ignore her, holding Mandy’s hand and continuing to walk forward.
“Stop right there!” Tina blocked Quinlyn for the second time, frowning as she said, “Weren’t you pretending to be Hailey just to become my daughter? Now I’m giving you a chance. Call me ‘Mom,‘ and I’ll take you back to the Anderson residence.”
Quinlyn wasn’t upset by her condescending offer. She glanced over at the flowerbed nearby and calmly asked, “And what about Harriet?”
“Harriet…” Tina hesitated for a few seconds before quickly making a decision, “If her presence bothers you, I can send her back to the orphanage. After all, that’s where she came from. The Anderson family has treated her like a princess all these years, so she hasn’t really been shortchanged.”
Hearing this, Quinlyn paused for a moment. “She’s not a toy.”
Her voice was too soft for Tina to hear. “What did you say?” But just as she was about to step closer, a black SUV sped up from the other end of the street and screeched to a halt in front of them.
Tina stepped back in surprise, wanting to scold the driver for no
paying attention and for getting her dress dirty. But as soon as the door opened, several armed men in uniforms emerged.
“Quinlyn, it’s time to go to class.” Ivan, the leader, glanced coldly at Tina before opening the car door and then helped Quinlyn and Mandy in.
“Where are you taking Quinlyn?” Tina recognized them as Curtis’s men, who were said to hold significant positions in the military. Yet she was still confused, not understanding what connection Quinlyn had with these people after the successful hostage rescue.
Ivan noticed the toy in her hand and figured out most of the situation, feeling disdain inside and displaying a cold look. “Quinlyn is now a member of the 901 Military Base and has been awarded first–class merit. She has been specially authorized to study at the base with top–tier benefits.
“Mrs. Anderson, please refrain from approaching Quinlyn casually, or we will arrest you for intentionally harming an honored soldier.” With that said, he aimed his gun at her.
Tina took a stumbling step, not quite able to process it. However, when she noticed Quinlyn sitting calmly in the car, a faint and unreachable sensation filled her heart.
Neither the 901 Military Base nor Curtis, and not even first–class merit, were achievements she could reach as Tina. Besides, Tina had already reached the highest social ladder possible for her.
12:13 Sat, 22 Mar
Chapter 92
Quinlyn’s status had now surpassed hers, making it something she couldn’t even aspire to approach
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Before the car door closed, Quinlyn glanced back at Tina and, considering Stanley’s sake, gave a warning. “Don’t mess with others, or you’ll regret it.”
