Chapter 97

“I’m sorry, but I have to go,” Quinn said, turning to leave. She didn’t even want to see Caleb, let alone have dinner with him. His image in her mind had completely shattered at that engagement party.

However, Caleb grabbed her hand and insisted, “I need to talk to you.”

“Well, I have nothing to say to you,” Quinn replied coldly, pulling her hand away.

“Do you have to make this so difficult?” Caleb’s eyes burned with resentment as he looked at her.

“What?” Quinn was taken aback. She could not understand how she was making things difficult. Since the beginning, Caleb and Zoe were the ones causing trouble. They had lured her to that engagement party, arranged for two sleazy men to assault her, and slandered her name. She hadn’t even confronted them about it, yet here he was questioning her. It was simply ridiculous.

“What will it take for you to leave the Jakeman family alone?” Caleb asked, his tone heavy as he tried to control his anger.

Quinn froze, suddenly realizing his motive. “So that’s why you called me here. You’re pleading Zoe’s case.” A bitter smile crossed her face. She should have known better than to expect an apology for that night.

“Was Zoe wrong about you that night?” Caleb asked.

Deep down, he did not want to believe Quinn would sell herself for money, especially considering the substantial settlement she had received when they broke up.

For some reason, Quinn felt a lump in her throat, and her carefully controlled emotions threatened to spill over. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked at him.

“Would you even believe me if I told you the truth? Have you ever truly believed in me?”

Caleb faltered. The harsh words he prepared were caught in his throat, and his resolve weakened at the sight of her tear-streaked face.

Quinn chuckled bitterly. “You’ve always only believed what you see and hear from others. It was like that before, and it’s still the same now.”

“Isn’t it a fact that you took the breakup money my mother gave you?” Caleb countered, unwilling to admit his bias.

“Yes,” Quinn nodded.

“And is it true that you worked at a nightclub for money?”

“Yes,” Quinn admitted. She didn’t deny her past actions, even if they were not something to be proud of.

Hearing her candidly admit these two facts only ignited his resentment for her. His expression turned menacing as he raised his hand and slapped Quinn hard.

At that moment, Melody burst into the room, excitedly asking, “So, what did you order—?”

She froze as she took in the scene before her—a bright red handprint marred Quinn’s fair complexion. The door remained open, and a group of young men in suits passed by outside. One of them glanced into the room, and his handsome face turned cold and grim the instant he saw the scene.