With an unexpected stumble, Quinn found herself awkwardly seated on hisp, her gaze lifting to meet his impassive eyes. His finger traced the corner of her eye, his whisper a cool breeze against her skin, "Everyone has their own fate, Quinn. This has nothing to do with me."


    Tears welled in Quinn''s eyes as she studied his face, desperately seeking the truth in his expression. But his countenance was unreadable, a mystery she couldn''t solve.


    She shook her head, her hands forming a question in the air, "Why was Ariel at the hospital?"


    "I told you, I don''t know," he responded, his voice as t and unaffected as his gaze. It was as if the matter held no importance to him.


    Quinn''s fingers clenched in frustration. She was torn between believing him and doubting his words. Ariel had seemingly relinquished any im on Juliet.


    So why had Ariel shown up at the hospital, immediately after she had settled the medical bills, and deliberately provoked Juliet? It was as if Ariel was acting out Alexander''s chilling words from the previous night, "Don''t ever think you''ll see her again."


    As she pondered this, a shiver ran down Quinn''s spine. Alexander was bing more of a stranger with each passing day. She pushed herself to her feet, only to sink back down beside him.


    Anticipating her next move, Alexander caught her wrist, halting her gestures. "Quinn, don''t do anything unnecessary. It''ll just backfire on both of us."


    Taken aback, Quinn crumbled to the floor, her spirit deted. Alexander rose and walked away, not once looking back. He made sure to lock the study door behind him.


    The clicking sound of the lock echoed in the room. Quinn scrambled to her feet and tried the handle, confirming her suspicion-it was locked. She pounded on the door with balled fists, but her efforts were met with silence. Leaning against the door, she slid down to the floor. Once again, he had locked her in. She hugged her knees to her chest, her mind swirling as if she had consumed too much alcohol, her consciousness blurring.---


    The following day, Freya found herself meeting with the man again. This time, Alexander was absent, leaving just the two of them in their usual café.


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    "Miss Rowe, if you''ve made your decision, please sign this transfer of shares agreement. We''ve prepared the money," he said.


    Freya skimmed through the agreement, feigning understanding. Without Alexander''s presence, she felt a wave of unease wash over her.


    The man waited patiently as she read. After a few minutes, Freya picked up the pen. She hesitated at the signature line, then, with a firm resolve, she signed her name.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    The man watched her sign, aposed smile ying on his lips. Once she had stamped it with her personal seal, she looked up. "I''ve signed. When will the money be transferred?"


    He nced at the contract, noting the confirmed signature, and replied, "Soon. It''s arge sum, so it won''t hit your ount immediately. You might need to wait a bit." Freya felt a twinge of hesitation, a fear of being cheated.


    "If you have any doubts, you can ask Alexander directly. He and I go way back," the man reassured her.


    His words brought a slight relief to Freya. She had no other option but to trust Alexander now.


    "Alright, just make it quick," she said tersely, rising from her seat to collect her bag and leave.


    After their parting, the man strolled a short distance down the street behind the café. Turning a corner, he slid into a Bentley.


    "Alexander, the contract is signed, if you''d like to review it," he said, handing over the document.


    Alexander epted the contract, flipping through it casually.


    "Should we transfer the money to her?" the man inquired.