The last time Quincy was dragged back home, she thought it was just another tedious blind date set up by her folks. To her shock, they dropped a bombshell: she was expected to marry Everett! Of course, she was dead against it.
While at the hospital, Quincy saw how much Everett loved Dorothy with her own eyes! To agree to marry Everett would be like playing the other woman.
She was not about to stoop that low.
But in the cutthroat world of business, only the strong could survive. Quincy's family simply did not have the muscle to stand up to the Lopez family, leaving them without a choice. Though Quincy's dad and Jonathan were old college buddies, the marriage proposal was offered in such a high-and-mighty way that turning it down would be a slap in the face—and could flip their friendly relations to sour in the blink of an eye.
Besides the crux of the matter was that Quincy was the underdog in her family.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThey favored sons over daughters.
She had made peace with it; she did not hanker after the family fortune. In fact, she felt somewhat liberated, knowing her brother would take over the family business, leaving her free to pursue her passion for medicine.
But who would have thought there would still be a way for her to be of use to her family? "Absolutely no way," Everett stated flatly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation, not even bothering to look her in the eye.
"I know," Quincy murmured, pressing her lips together, finding it hard to speak up. "So, could you convince Jonathan to voluntarily back off this business marriage? My family... we're practically voiceless against the Lopez Corporation.” She had wanted to have this very conversation with Everett before he and Dorothy flew home, but she held back, hoping the Lopez family would change their minds once they were back.
But just before she came to change his dressings, Quincy's father had called her again.
The gist was to use any means necessary to make Everett agree to the marriage. That way, Quincy's family could hitch their wagon to a star and climb the social ladder by joining forces with the Lopez Corporation! He even warned her not to screw it up, reminding her of the years of care and upbringing they had invested in her, suggesting she owed it to the Quincy family to make this contribution.
Desperate and cornered, she had maneuvered Dorothy out of the room to speak to Everett alone.
Seeing Everett's unresponsive demeanor, Quincy bit her lower lip and mustered her courage, saying, "I did save your life, after all. All I'm asking is for you to help me out of a tight spot. Is that really too much to ask?" Everett finally met her gaze, though his expression remained unreadable.
"I've told you. I'm not going to marry you." This marriage was dead in the water, so Quincy had nothing to fear.
"Could you at least talk to Jonathan and my dad?" She pleaded.
She knew Everett would not marry her, but she could not withstand the pressure from home. All her hopes were pinned on him now.
"After Dorothy and | remarry, he'll drop the idea," Everett stated, aware that talking to his father would be futile.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmJust like the time they tried to impose Heather upon him.
He could refuse and ignore but could not control his parents’ actions.
Quincy got the hint and nodded reluctantly. "Then you and Dorothy should get remarried quickly, maybe even get your marriage license this month." Everett's lips twitched into a semblance of a smile.
That was also his wish.
When Dorothy returned, their conversation had ended, and the ward regained its previous quiet.
"Dr. Quincy, is this the right medication?" Dorothy asked, holding up a vial.
Quincy took it, nodding. "Yes, that's the one. Thanks for fetching it." "No problem at all." Dorothy smiled, and then her eyes fell on Everett's wound. The sight of the fresh stitches, like a centipede creeping across the skin, was disturbing.
A pang of pain shot through Dorothy's heart, knowing he had suffered this wound for her.
Observing Dorothy's expression, Quincy gently advised, "Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Lopez cares so much for you. You two really should remarry soon."