Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion >>
Christopher set his chin on his hand and replied, “My dream is to make my family one of the Ten Elites in Bardoff.”
“Then you should go and pursue that dream. Go back to Bardoff.”
Christopher smiled and continued eating, not answering her.
Danika frowned, then realized something. “This isn’t your way of making your family one of the Ten Elites, is it?”
The man’s smile widened.
“Hah…” Danika didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “You must’ve got it wrong. I’m just a country kid. I’ve never even been to Bardoff.”
Christopher didn’t really know the truth of the matter either. He just trusted in his grandpa’s words. “But what if you’re not?”
“You…” Danika gaped, taken aback at the question.
‘Eat up before your food gets cold,” Christopher continued, changing the topic.
Eat up? She wasn’t in the mood to eat anymore! How was she Christopher’s key to making his family one of the Elites? Wouldn’t that make her one of the Elites herself?
“How ridiculous,” she thought.
Danika’s mood never recovered throughout the rest of the meal. The more she found out, the more questions she had.
The two continued eating in silence. After dinner, before Christopher could offer Danika a ride back home, they met Eustace outside the restaurant.
Danika suddenly felt embarrassed, as if she had been caught cheating. Christopher, meanwhile, crossed his arms across his chest, amused.
“Uh…did you come here for dinner too?” Danika asked sheepishly.
Eustace’s expression was cold. “Didn’t you say you were having dinner with Morgan?”
She did, but…she couldn’t have expected what happened after that. Would Eustace believe her if she told him the truth?
Just as the atmosphere tensed up, Vincent walked over, tucking his phone into his pocket. “The client’s almost here.”
Eustace nodded, then said to Danika, “Go home first.” He said nothing else to Christopher, only glanced at him before turning to Vincent. “Send her home.”
Vincent nodded while Eustace walked into the restaurant alone.
Danika quickly declined, knowing Vincent had to stay with his boss while they met with the client.” It’s alright, Vincent. I’ll just get a taxi. Go on in with Eustace.”
“Let me drive you, Miss Zellweger, else Mr. Quincey won’t let me off easy.” Vincent lowered his head respectfully.
Danika relented. She was about to say goodbye to Christopher when the man said, “Have a safe trip home. Text me once you’re there, okay?”
Vincent frowned at his affectionate tone. “There isn’t something going on between Miss Zellweger and this Spade kid, right? Yes, the Spade family is more powerful than the Quinceys, but Mr. Quincey himself is stronger than Christopher Spade. And Miss Zellweger won’t do that to Mr. Quincey,” he thought.
Danika didn’t bother answering Christopher. She turned to Vincent. “Let’s go.”
The two then left without a moment’s delay. Christopher waited until the car left before heading back into the restaurant.
Eustace had started his meeting with his client about a project in the countryside. The Quincey Group had plans of expanding its sphere of business, so Eustace had been busy putting things into motion.
A knock came on the private room’s door, making Eustace frown. He disliked being interrupted in the middle of a business discussion. His irritation only increased when he saw it was Christopher Spade. “Can I help you, Mr. Spade?”
Eustace’s client stood up to greet the man. “Good evening, Mr. Spade, I’m Chandler Copen.”
Christopher went to sit by their table. “I see. I remember the Copen family. From Claymond City, right?”
Chandler grinned. “Yes. We’ve met before, at a charity event in Claymond City.”
“Really?” Christopher didn’t recall whatsoever. “I guess that makes us acquaintances.”
“Yes, yes, acquaintances.” Chandler couldn’t miss the chance to be acquainted with Christopher Spade.
Christopher eyed Eustace. “What business is this that you two are discussing, Mr. Quincey? Might I have a share in it, on behalf of my family?”
Eustace stared coldly at him and said nothing.
Chandler hurriedly said, “You’re joking, Mr. Spade. I’m sure small deals like ours aren’t worth your time.”
“Well, money is money. More is always good,” Christopher shrugged, making Chandler at a loss for words. Why would the Spade family want a hand in their business deal?
“We can include you as long as you have the assets,” Eustace suddenly said.
“Of course,” Christopher nodded. Working on a project was better than lazing around in
Parrington. It’s not like he had anything else to do. Eustace’s sour expression made it all the better, too.
Just like that, their partnership project suddenly included a new shareholder, permanently disrupting its flow.
Seeing that these two were still at each other’s throats, Chandler left.
Eustace didn’t have any intention to linger around once their third wheel had gone. He stood up, ready to leave, when Christopher stopped him.
“Are you in a rush, Mr. Quincey? I’d like to have a word with you.”
“What do you want to say?” Eustace responded flatly, sitting back down in his seat.
“I’m sure you know as much as I do.” Christopher grinned. They had nothing in common save for Danika.
Eustace sneered, not afraid of him whatsoever. “Then there’s nothing for us to talk about. Danika is a living, breathing person, not some transactional product.”
“Why so jumpy? I haven’t even said anything.” Christopher laughed, finding Eustace being upset amusing. This only furthered Eustace’s assumption that Christopher wasn’t up to anything good when it came to Danika.
Eustace took a deep breath. “Well? What did you want to say?”
“Nothing much, really. Just wondering how much it’ll take for you to break up with Danika.” Christopher didn’t actually have any hope Eustace would proceed with his offer. Still, he had to be polite and ask first.
As expected, Eustace only sneered. “How is second-class scum acting all high and mighty in Parrington?” Clearly, he had no respect for Christopher.
Cristopher gritted his teeth. “Second-class or not, I still have what it takes to take you down.”
“Really,” Eustace drawled. “Try me, then.”
“Are you really going to oppose my family for Danika? Will you do everything it takes?” Christopher asked fiercely. He didn’t believe Eustace had truly fallen in love with the woman.
Eustace didn’t waste his time answering him, only walking out of the room with a slam of the door.
“Eustace Quincey!” Christopher yelled and ran out after him. “Don’t act all proud, bastard! You think I don’t know what your actual motives are?”
Eustace clenched his jaw, finding Christopher’s rambling irritating.
“You and I are exactly alike. Danika is only a pawn to help us get what we want, so stop acting like some lovesick idiot!”
Eustace finally stopped walking, making Christopher nearly crash into his back.
“What the “He looked up at Eustace and flinched in shock.
–
Eustace’s eyes were ominous and dark, brimming with something Christopher had never seen before, not even from the most dangerous people in Parrington. It was deadly and came with the promise of pain, making the hairs on Christopher’s stand on end.
Eustace growled. “I am not. Like. You.”
With that, he turned and left, leaving Christopher gaping in shock.
Eustace was in a terrible mood on his car ride home.
How were he and Christopher the same? They weren’t remotely similar!
Danika had been worrying ever since she got home, wondering what to say to Eustace. She never once found a way to tell Eustace what had happened, even when he had come home. She only stared at him, anxious.
“Hungry?” Eustace asked, much to her surprise.