Chapter 78
Outside the car window, the sun shone brightly, and the sky was clear. An occasional breeze drifted in, tousling Zina’s hair and stirring her thoughts.
Seated in the passenger seat, she studied Chris‘ chiseled profile, raising an eyebrow slightly.
“Chris, haven’t seen you for a few days–you’ve become a lot more composed, haven’t you?”
Chris blushed slightly. I’m grateful for your mentorship, Boss. Everything I’ve learned comes from your example.”
Zina stopped teasing him. Her demeanor became serious as she changed the subject.
“Let’s put Springvale on hold for now, Chris, how much do you know about the Quinn family?”
It took Chris a few seconds to register who Zina was referring to.
Then the image of the nearly ruined Quinn family, miraculously rebuilt overnight, flashed through his mind.
He replied solemnly, “Boss, the Quinn family might be far more complicated than we imagined. If possible, I’d strongly advise you to steer clear of them.”
The deep concern in his eyes made Zina decide to drop the subject, for now.
She withdrew her gaze from him and began to nap.
Suddenly, the car screeched to a halt, as if something had slammed into them from behind. Her eyes also snapped open.
Chris had gotten out to handle the situation. Through the rearview mirror, Zina saw a woman standing beside him.
The woman dabbed at the tears in her eyes, tilting her head to reveal a pitiful profile.
“Sir, it was an accident, I swear! But you see… I’m just a fresh graduate with no savings. There’s no way I could afford to repair such a luxury car.”
Mid–sentence, she dissolved into fresh tears again, her voice breaking with exaggerated sobs.
Chris was flustered. “Don’t cry. You’re making me look like the bad guy here. We can just file an insurance claim for the car
“Really?” The woman looked up, her tears vanishing as she broke into a radiant smile. There was exaggerated admiration in her eyes. “That’s wonderful. Thank you so much! How about this–could I get your contact info? I absolutely promise to pay you back every penny.”
Before Chris could reply, Zina called out with impatience. “Chris, what’s taking you so long?”
She stepped out of the car. When she met the woman’s startled gaze, her brows furrowed slightly
Noticing the dent in the car’s trunk, she turned to Chris.
“A car crash?”
“Yes, but all has been taken care of.
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Chapter 78
Chris replied and continued to address the woman. “Everything’s settled here. You can head home now”
“But I still haven’t got your contact info.”
The woman fixed Chris with an intense, eager gaze, her eyes locked onto him unblinkingly
Tucking a strand of hair behind her car, she made sure to shoot Zina a disdainful glare.
Zina crossed her arms as she watched the duo before her with amused interest.
That’s interesting, she mused.
“Wonder what kind of tricks she’s got up her sleeve.”
So she watched Chris’s reaction intently.
Chris waved it off at the woman. “It’s nothing, just a minor scratch. Don’t worry about it. You don’t need to pay a thing”
But the woman insisted, “No, you really must leave me your contact information. Otherwise, my conscience simply wouldn’t let me rest!”
She plastered on a smile, straining to appear natural.
Yet despite her efforts, the eagerness in her eyes showed through.
Without hesitation, Zina strode up to Chris and locked gazes with the girl.
The faintest hint of jasmine clung to her–subtle, but unmistakable. Her makeup was understated, enhancing rather than masking her features, and her clothes, though not expensive, were chosen with thoughtful precision.
But it was her eyes that commanded attention, blazing with confidence so absolute that it bordered on defiance.
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