Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
Danika couldn’t stand his jealousy any longer.She scooched over to Stephanie and whispered, “Is he jealous?”
Stephanie pouted, mumbling, “Who cares?”
She didn’t care what Paul thought.She really did think meeting Leonard today was pretty magical, given they hadn’t contacted one another in so many years.
What else could it be if not fate? “Fate works in mysterious ways.Why don’t you invite him out for lunch sometime?”
Eustace suggested nonchalantly.
That made Paul glare at him, questioning the intentions behind the suggestion.
Eustace smiled but didn’t say anything else.He’d never thought of making connections with the law, but after today he’d realized this might be one of the next best steps to take.
Plus, Leonard seemed to be the most suitable man for the other end of this string.
The man was young and hopeful—he wasn’t tainted with greed or corruption, unlike the families in Bardoff.
Leonard would need someone powerful to support him if he wanted to pursue his goals, and Eustace might be the right person.
The car soon parked by a row of restaurants, the four people inside flocking out for dinner.
Amid their meal, when Danika and Stephanie went to the washroom, Paul turned to Eustace, grunting, “What was that? You know I don’t like that man.
Why still suggest Stephanie have lunch with him? Are you doing this on purpose?”
Eustace grinned, then explained his idea to Paul, who scowled in response.
“Why him of all the people at the station?”
He—a potential rival for Stephanie’s affections! “Because he’s the most suitable person right now.”
Brave, capable, and has a heart of gold.
Qualities Eustace supported, not for his own gain and escape from the law, but to better carry out his plans.He was usually a law-abiding citizen, save when unprovoked, of course, so he supported Leonard’s ideal of weeding out all the injustice in the city.
Paul was still upset, so Eustace consoled him, “Instead of worrying someone else might take Stephanie away from you, why don’t you focus on improving yourself so she chooses you?”
“Heh.Nice try.Would you be so calm if you were put in such a position?”
Eustace was absolutely terrified when Evan showed up, too.Eustace cleared his throat awkwardly but said nothing else.
Sadly that was a fact about consolation.It only ever worked on others but not on oneself.
Once Danika and Stephanie returned from the washroom, the two men dropped their conversation.
“Zeke’s lost both a son and a grandson now.He won’t give up so easily,” Danika warned, looking worriedly at Eustace.
But Eustace didn’t seem worried.He met Danika’s look with a smile.
“Don’t worry.He has other sons and offspring.He can still retire and live well if he doesn’t do anything stupid.”
Eustace didn’t mind playing Zeke’s game until the end.It’d just be hard to pinpoint who would end up as the losing party next time.
Invisible
“Do you have that much confidence in yourself?” Danika asked.
Yes, they escaped unscathed, but who knows if luck would be on their side next time? Their food was then served.
Eustace immediately served Danika some soup, replying, “Here.We’ll talk while eating.”
Danika dug in hungrily, having not eaten anything because of what happened earlier.
“It’s not just confidence, actually.If we’ve done sufficient preparations, all we need left is luck,”” Eustace reassured her.
“Like this time.As precarious as the situation was, all of us had prepared backups, which minimized the threats.”
Danika had Paul contact the station while Eustace had Vincent bring reinforcements; that was partially why they made it out alive today.
“You say that, but it’s not like things will go according to plan each time.”
What if she hadn’t told Paul to get the police? Or what if Zeke had decided to press the trigger on the gun against her temple? Eustace said gently, “Don’t worry about it, Danika.You won’t be put in such danger next time.”
He wouldn’t let Zeke have another chance to threaten them.
The Quincey family would be in danger this time forth, so Eustace would jump on this chance to take all of them down.
Danika pursed her lips but said nothing.
The Quinceys had nothing to do with her after all.
Only Eustace.
While eating, Paul suggested they hang out afterward, to which Danika rejected the offer.
To her surprise, Eustace was onboard.
“It’d help our digestion.”
Eustace didn’t want to be apart from Danika so soon.
Yes, they lived in the same building, but spending time together outside was different.
Paul shared the same view.
Though Stephanie didn’t want to talk to him, he still felt better being able to be by her side.
Danika and Stephanie shared a look, both sighing.
Finally, Danika relented, “Alright.I did plan on hanging out with Stephanie today.”
What a delayed girls’ date, huh.
As if making up for his sins, Eustace proceeded to buy loads of gifts and items for Danika and Stephanie while they walked into the mall.
“Thank you, but I can’t accept these, Mr.Quincey.”
Stephanie felt guilty, knowing Eustace was only doing it because he cared about Danika.
But Eustace disagreed.
“I’m responsible for what happened to you today.I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if you didn’t accept these.”
Stephanie wanted to argue further when Danika tugged on her sleeve.
“Just take them.He is at fault, you know.”
Danika wholeheartedly agreed with Eustace being responsible.She could let it go if only she was involved, but dragging in a total outsider was just inappropriate.
“I can buy these for you if you don’t want them from his pocket,” Paul offered excitedly.
Stephanie instantly shook her head.
“I’ll accept these then.Thank you for being so kind, Mr.Quincey.”
At least she wouldn’t owe Eustace anything by accepting these gifts.
As for Paul, well…
Paul stiffened, mood plummeting into the seven hells below.
He ended up silently—and disparagingly — trailing behind his friends, deciding it was better to stay invisible.
He had never imagined feeling so blue just because someone refused a gift from him.
No Matter What
After shopping for nearly an hour, Danika and Stephanie finally decided to go home to rest.
Vincent drove a car over for Eustace, who then decided to drive Danika home.
Danika was about to ask if he could drop Stephanie off at home, too, when her friend refused.
Danika instantly guessed that Stephanie might be trying to give Paul a chance to prove himself again.
“Go on home first.I can have him drive me.”
It’s not like Paul would bite, right? So, Danika left with Eustace, deciding not to butt in with her friend’s decisions.
After the two left, Stephanie turned to Paul and said, “I’ll get a cab.Why don’t you go back first?”
Ultimately, she still decided against having more connections to the man.
“Do you really need to do this, Stephanie?” Paul asked unhappily.
They’d already left things go sour between them during the day.Did she have to do so right now too? Stephanie stared emotionlessly at Paul.
“I thought I made myself clear, Paul Wagner.Why won’t you just let me go?”
