Chapter 123: Not Meant To Be Yours

Although Mandy appeared retired from the company, access to her still required navigating Louis. His position was unassailable. Henry dared not show anything but respect.

Louis didn't accept Henry's gifts, instead saying, "Thank you, Mr. Harrison, but since Ms. Quinn and Mr. Goodman are back, and Quinn Group and Harrison Group are still collaborating, sending gifts now might be premature. Other partners might not appreciate the gesture." Louis, ever crafty, avoided directly dismissing Henry, using business as a convenient excuse.

Repeatedly rejected, Henry looked awkward. Just then, Chase approached. "Louis, who's at the door?" Chase asked, feigning ignorance. Though both men liked Wendy, Louis treated Chase like a son, his eyes brightening with a genuine smile.

Louis replied, "Mr. Harrison."

Chase casually opened the door wider to face Henry directly. "Mr. Harrison, what brings you here so early? Hey, you didn't bring Joy? It's Christmas! How could you leave your daughter home alone?"

Henry forced a polite smile. "I just came to visit Mandy. I thought Joy might be too noisy. Is Wendy here too?"

"She is. We came together. It's Christmas; of course, we came home as a family. And look, you went all out again. Didn't you already bring bird's nest last night?"

Henry glanced at the gifts at his feet. "That was for Wendy. These are for Mandy. They're different ages, so the supplements should match accordingly. All this was just shipped in from Oceania."

"Mandy's in great shape, doesn't look her age at all. You probably don't want to say things like that in front of her," Chase said, pausing for effect. "Actually, I think Louis made a good point. We've got a lot of business partners. Showing up now might make others feel you're a little too eager. Why not wait a few days?"

"Louis, could I have a word alone with Chase?" Henry asked, maintaining a forced politeness.

Louis looked to Chase for guidance. Chase said, "Sure. I've got a few things to say to Mr. Harrison too. Louis, go brew some tea. Mandy wants Earl Grey."

"Alright, sir. Just don't stay by the door too long. It's cold and windy out."

As soon as Louis left, Henry dropped the pretense of politeness. He stepped forward, almost ready to grab Chase by the collar. "Chase, don't you think you're being a bit much? You and Wendy are divorced. Why are you still showing up here? You're no longer part of the Quinn family!"

"Whether I am or not doesn't matter. What matters is that Mandy still sees me that way. Henry, being rejected over and over doesn't feel good, does it? I actually get it. I've stood where you are now."

"Chase, don't get smug. Sooner or later, Wendy will get tired of you. She's meant to be mine!"

Chase asked, "Is Wendy some kind of object to you? You think whoever claims her owns her? Henry, is that how your mind works? Is that how it was with your ex-wife too?"

Henry stepped forward again, but Louis's voice called from behind, reminding Chase that Mandy needed him. Henry stopped and glared at Chase. Further confrontation ended there.

Chase turned back, responding to Louis, then looked at Henry again. "Mr. Harrison, Mandy's calling. You'd better take Louis's advice—come back another day. The other partners will be around then, too."

Henry started backing away, but Chase pressed on. "As long as you and Wendy aren't together, Mandy will never treat you as anything special. Right now, you're an outsider to us. Know your place, and stop wasting your time."

Chase had wanted to say this to Henry many times before, to tell him to stay away from Wendy, but had always hesitated, worried that confronting him might cause trouble for Wendy. For the bigger picture, he had endured it.

He and Wendy were the real couple—everyone knew it. They had even been married. But to maintain appearances, every time Henry visited, Chase had to hide like a secret lover. That feeling was awful, and Chase was done with it. Today, he finally spoke his mind. Henry left reluctantly, glancing back at Chase before getting into his car.

Come to think of it, Joy really did look a lot like Henry. Even their expressions were the same.

"Took you long enough," Wendy said, approaching. Having listened from the door, she added, "Was he that hard to get rid of?"

Chase shook his head. "Not really. Just gave Henry a warning, told him not to act like he has any place here."

Wendy understood immediately and chuckled, pulling him toward the living room. "I don't mind that at all. Might save me from having to deal with Henry again."

Henry had come all this way, yet neither Mandy nor Wendy even noticed.