Filed to story: Quinn Lane and Julian Sterling Book PDF Free
Quinn came back to her senses, stammering, “Veronica, I didn’t know… If this makes things difficult for you, I can find another lawyer.”
“No other lawyer will dare to help you,” Veronica said. “Don’t worry. I stand for what’s right, not for family. If Julian really did something so terrible, and we can get the evidence, I will personally see to it that he is punished by the law.”
Quinn was silent, still surprised.
“Do you trust me?” Veronica asked.
“Lucy recommended you to me,” Quinn said. “I trust you.”
Speaking of Lucy, Quinn asked, “So, are Lucy and Julian related too?”
“Our mothers are sisters,” Veronica explained. “My grandfather and Lucy’s grandfather is Julian’s grandfather.”
The fact that Veronica was Julian’s cousin was surprising, but it didn’t change anything. But to hear that Lucy was also related to him made Quinn hesitate. She wanted to sue
Julian. If she won, he could go to jail. But Lucy was her best friend. And she was about to send her best friend’s cousin to prison.
Seeing the change in Quinn’s expression, Veronica said quickly, “Quinn, don’t feel burdened. I’m sure if Lucy knew, she would make the same choice I did. We can’t let a criminal go just because he’s family.”
“I know…” Quinn replied and shook her head. “But…”
“Don’t think about it too much,” Veronica said. “There’s something else I have to apologize for.”
“What?”
“I’ve arranged for Julian to meet us.”
Quinn shot to her feet.
Veronica grabbed her arm, saying, “Listen to me first.”
Quinn’s hands and feet started to go numb, her palms sweating. Her reaction to Chase had been nausea. Now, there was something else. Just hearing Julian’s name made her feel sick.
“I don’t want to see him…” Quinn replied as her voice trembled.
Veronica noticed something was wrong and stood up to hug her.
“Quinn, what’s wrong? You’re shaking!”
Tears filled Quinn’s eyes.
She pleaded, “Veronica, I don’t want to see him!”
She wiped her tears and pushed Veronica away to grab her coat and bag, saying, “I’m sorry, Veronica. Just pretend we never met!”
She turned to leave.
Veronica reached for her, replying, “Quinn! Okay, we won’t see him. Don’t be scared…”
“I’m serious,” Quinn said, her eyes red. “Thank you, Veronica. Just pretend you never saw me!”
She pulled her hand away, opened the door, and left.
Veronica frowned but didn’t follow. She had expected this might happen after telling Quinn about her relationship with Julian. In the end, Quinn didn’t trust her to go against her own family. Besides, she had arranged the meeting without consulting Quinn first.
That misunderstanding only made things worse for Quinn. Looking back, Veronica realized she had not thought it through.
Quinn had already been through something so terrible. Of course, she would not want to see the man she believed had hurt her.
Veronica could understand that.
Quinn walked faster and faster. The moment she stepped out of the restaurant, she almost ran straight into someone.
A man beside the person suddenly rushed forward and shielded him.
“I’m so sor”
Quinn’s eyes were red as she hurried to apologize. When she looked up, she froze. Standing there, surrounded by bodyguards, was Julian.
For a brief moment, she stood there stunned. The next second, she turned and ran.
Julian’s lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to call her name. In the end, no sound came out.
He watched her run to the curb. Within seconds, she flagged down a cab, got in, and the car pulled away.
Only then did he look away and head into the restaurant.
A bodyguard opened the private dining room door. Julian stepped inside. He did not sit down.
“Why did she leave?” he asked.
Veronica stood up. “You’re here. You saw her?”
She sighed. “She didn’t want to see you, so she left.”
Julian frowned.
Veronica continued, “You hurt her. It’s only natural she doesn’t want to see you.”
“That wasn’t me,” Julian said.
Veronica blinked. “What?”
“What happened that night was a misunderstanding.” Julian sounded helpless as he finally told her the truth. “Chase sent her to Maddox’s room. I got there in time. Nothing happened to her.”
“Is that so?” Veronica thought of what Quinn had told her earlier and frowned. “That doesn’t line up. Quinn clearly said she remembers what you did to her.”
She looked straight at him. “Julian, did you violate her physically or not?”
Julian had never known what shame felt like in his entire life.
But today, standing in front of his own cousin, he suddenly did not know how to admit what had happened the night before.
He had held her. He had kissed her. He had seen every inch of her body.
Although he had not slept with Quinn, the truth was still difficult to say out loud.
Watching the expression on his face, Veronica no longer trusted him completely. “What exactly happened?” she asked. “Did you do something you’re too afraid to admit?”
Julian lowered his head and adjusted his cufflinks.
Then he turned and walked toward the door. “I’ll explain it to her myself.”
The moment Julian left, Veronica quickly pulled out her phone and called Quinn.
Thank God she picked up.
“Quinn, listen to me first,” Veronica said quickly. “Julian says it was all a misunderstanding. Your husband sent you to Maddox’s bed, and then Julian arrived before anything happened”
Quinn cut her off. “So he just finished what Maddox didn’t get to do, right?”
Veronica was instantly speechless. Even if Julian had not been involved at the beginning, it was obvious he had touched Quinn.
At that point, whether the situation had started with him or not no longer mattered.
He was already part of it.
Veronica could only say carefully, “Quinn, I don’t know exactly what happened that night. But I trust Julian’s character. Would you be willing to give him a chance to explain?”
“So that’s how it is, Veronica.”
Quinn’s voice was calm. “You trust his character. But I trust my own eyes more.”
“Quinn…” Veronica hurried to clarify. “That’s not what I meant. I’m not saying I don’t believe you. I just”
“Veronica,” Quinn interrupted gently, “I understand the position you’re in. I know how you feel. I respect your professionalism. I also believe you’ll stand for what’s right, not just side with family. But this matter ends here.”
Veronica could not help asking, “Then what are you going to do?”
“I…” Quinn let out a small laugh.
“I guess I’ll just accept my fate.”
After a brief pause, she added, “Please tell
Julian not to come looking for me again. For the rest of my life, I never want to see him.”
The call ended.
Veronica stared at the phone in silence, a strange heaviness spreading through her chest.
She had only met Quinn twice, yet she already had a good impression of her. And because of Lucy, she felt even more unable to ignore Quinn’s situation.
But things had gotten so complicated that she had no idea what to do anymore.
She picked up her phone again and called Julian. He answered.
“Stop looking for her,” Veronica said. “She doesn’t want to see you. She said this ends here.”
Julian said nothing.
Veronica continued, “This whole situation has traumatized her badly. The moment I even mentioned your name, she started shaking.”
Before she finished speaking, the line went dead.
Julian had hung up. Veronica sighed, shook her head, and called Lucy instead. Meanwhile, Quinn had already returned to Lucy’s apartment.
She threw herself onto the large bed. After lying there for a while, she slowly sat up.
Lucy was Julian’s cousin. How was she supposed to face Lucy from now on?
