Everett exhaled deeply, striding forward to envelop her in a firm embrace.
The force caught Dorothy off guard, her nose crashing against his chest, flooding her with a sharp pang of pain.
"Everett..."
"Don't ever makeunable to reach you, Dorothy. Even if you're mad, you can't just ignore my calls!"
Dorothy opened her mouth to respond, but before words could form, she felt a cool, damp sensation along her neck, sending her into a momentary
panic, her arms instinctively wrapping around Everett's waist.
He held her tightly, as if wishing to meld her into his very being, to becone.
"I'm sorry... | won't do it again." Dorothy found herself tangled in her emotions, instinctively choosing to evade further confrontation.
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It wasn't that she truly wanted to be angry with Everett; jealousy was a new emotion for her, unfamiliar and unmanageable, leaving her sulking in
silence.
"Dorothy, about what's going on with Quincy, | can't explain now, just this one thing, can you truston that?"
Dorothy sighed softly, "It's not that | don't trust you."
"Just trustingis enough."
"Everett! |..." she hesitated, then deflated, conceding, "It's not that I distrust Dr. Quincy. I'm just afraid she'll end up hopelessly in love with you like
Heather did. I... I'm afraid | won't stand a chance against Dr. Quincy!"
The brighter Everett shone, the more inadequate Dorothy felt.
Always prepared to walk away, Dorothy believed Everett was beyond her exclusive claim, her own merits and assets insufficient to fully embrace him.
But Quincy was a different story. Her father and Jonathan were old friends, Jonathan even openly expressed his wish for her to marry into the Lopez
family. As a potential daughter-in-law, she was already approved by the entire Lopez family!
While Dorothy had nothing but Everett's steadfastness, no ace up her sleeve to best Quincy.
"She doesn't like me."
"Not now, but what about later?" Dorothy looked up at him, "The more you two interact, the more likely her feelings will change.”
Back in Swevia Country, Quincy had often expressed envy of Dorothy's pure love for Everett, wishing for similar affection, stirring unease in Dorothy
upon reflection.
"Don't you get it? You're all I've ever wanted."
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"I know, | understand, but..."
"Trust me."
Those were the only words Everett could offer now.
Gradually, Dorothy lowered her gaze, and after a moment, nodded, "I trust you."
Quincy knew her father wouldn't let her off easily, but she hadn't expected him to act so quickly.
After ignoring several of his calls, Ronin tracked her down to her hotel.
"How did you get Everett to willingly part with that money?" Upon opening the door, Ronin couldn't wait to ask.
"What's it to you?" Quincy's voice was cold, treating the man before her as a stranger.
"Sweetie." Ronin realized his eagerness had betrayed him, softening his approach, "You have to believe me, | had no choice! We couldn't just watch
our family's legacy crumble overnight. With Everett's timely financial aid, it seems... you still hold a place in his heart!"