10x Cashback: Your Wealth Is Mine

51  The Falling Out

Quinn had spent the day after the conversation with Nico, moving around like a zombie.

No matter how hard she tried to concentrate, it just didn't work.

She spent the night tossing and turning on her bed and now, the day saw her sitting in her car, alone.

No matter what she did, Nico's voice kept resonating in her head. She felt it slowly stirring something deep within her.

It wasn't just anger, although she felt a good share of that.

No, there was something else. Something that felt a lot like pity mixed with empathy.

She squeezed her fingers around the steering wheel, replaying his words in her head.

"Is it wrong to want to succeed on my own?"

The fire in his eyes, the frustration, the determination, the hope… she had felt all of it.

It was the same drive she'd felt so often, one born of wanting to prove herself worthy despite everything against her.

Unable to shake off the feeling, she finally pulled out of the parking lot of her apartment, deciding that she needed to know more.

And there was only one person who could give her the answers she needed.

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As Quinn stepped into the lounge at Pine Press, she immediately saw Jenny sitting at their usual spot with Charlotte.

They were both laughing as if nothing was wrong.

As if Jenny hadn't accused her stepbrother of being a scam artist and tried ruining any chance he had at proving himself.

09:00

"Jenny, we need to talk." Quinn said as she sat at the table, going straight to business. She needed to know.

Jenny raised an eyebrow, her smile fading slightly. From Quinn's tone of voice, she could sense that something was up.

"Well, that was direct. Everything okay?" She asked.

"No. Not really." Quinn crossed her arms, meeting Jenny's eyes. "I want to talk about Nico."

Jenny and Charlotte exchanged a glance with frowns on their faces. Whatever Quinn wanted to discuss, it sounded pretty serious.

Charlotte laughed softly, trying to break the tension. "Let's all just calm down here, okay? Whatever this is, maybe we can talk this-"

"Jenny." Quinn interrupted, talking over Charlotte. "How old was Nico when he was cast out of the family?"

Jenny paused. "Does that matter?"

"Of course, it fucking does." Quinn snapped. "Why didn't you tell me he was cast out of your family when he was only three?"

Jenny's mouth opened slightly in surprise before she quickly composed herself.

"Well, that's…" She hesitated, then shrugged dismissively. "Like I said before, does it really matter? It's irrelevant, Quinn. He's trying to play the victim, make you feel sorry for him."

"Maybe." Quinn conceded, a spark of anger in her eyes. "But you conveniently left that part out. And now I'm wondering why."

"Because it doesn't matter." Jenny insisted, her voice coming out as a hiss. "He's manipulating you, Quinn. Be smart. Don't fall for it."

"Think about it. The Voss family doesn't want anything to do with him for a reason. Can't you see that?"

Quinn let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "And you think that makes it right?"

She leaned forward.

"That he deserves to be pushed aside just because he wasn't wanted from the start? That he deserves to be called a scam artist when he's just trying to make a life for himself?"

Charlotte placed a gentle hand on Quinn's arm. "Quinn, maybe this isn't the best way to-"

"No, Charlotte." Quinn said, shaking her head, her voice rising. "I'm tired of everyone treating him like he's worthless just because he was cast out."

"And you." She turned back to Jenny, her gaze fierce. "You're making it worse. You're turning people against him."

She could see out of the corner of her eyes, people turning to see what the matter was. But she didn't care.

"Why shouldn't he try to build businesses of his own? Because your father said he shouldn't? I'm disappointed in you, Jenny."

Jenny's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, something like hurt flashed across her face. "You don't understand, Quinn. He's dangerous. The real Nico is not what he's showing you. Trust me, it's not."

"Or maybe," Quinn shot back, her voice hard, "you're just afraid he'll actually make something of himself. That he'll prove everyone wrong, and you can't stand it."

She was reminded of her brothers. Always laughing smugly and trying to 'help' her while sitting on their thrones.

It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair.

Jenny scoffed at her words, her expression icy. "You think you know him? He's using you, Quinn. You're just the latest tool he's using to climb the ladder. And if you can't see that, you're a fool."

Quinn's jaw clenched. She could feel the sting of Jenny's words, but they only served as kindling to the fire burning inside her.

Was this how Jenny thought of her? As someone who uses others to climb the ladder? Because she didn't have much of her own?

She'd thought Jenny was better than that.

"Maybe I'd rather take that risk of being a tool than live with myself knowing I turned my back on someone who's trying to make things right."

Charlotte, sensing the rising hostility, quickly tried to step in. "Please, let's not fight. This isn't worth-" n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"It is worth it." Quinn snapped, her eyes locked on Jenny.

"It's worth it to know the truth. And honestly, Jenny, I'm starting to wonder if the only reason you're so against him is because he's family." She paused.

"Because you see him as a threat."

Jenny's face went pale for a split second before her expression hardened, her voice lowering.

"Fine, Quinn. If that's what you think, then go ahead. Help him. But don't come crying to me when he stabs you in the back."

Quinn stood, anger and hurt flashing across her face. "I think we're done here." She said quietly.

Jenny crossed her arms, her voice colder than ice. "Agreed."

Without another word, Quinn stood, turned and walked away.

She didn't need a friend like that.

As she walked back to her car, that was when she heard the news from two men conversing.

"Have you heard?"

"Heard what?"

"Abstract Capital just made an agreement to acquire a twenty percent stake in a new boutique hotel venture called Sunset Inn for a hundred million."

"Wait, what?"

Both men's eyes snapped to hers.

Her brother had seen Nico's venture?