Chapter 20 The Donation Three Years Ago
At the orphanage, the younger the child, the higher the chance of adoption. The older ones rarely got picked. Most of them ended up staying to help run the place.
If Finn had grown up there too, how had Quinn never seen him?
Finn scratched his head with an awkward smile. “I was different from the others. I had severe autism when I was little. I spent most of my time in the infirmary and barely came out. I remember sitting by the window and watching you and the other kids playing outside. I was so jealous.”
Quinn felt a pang in her chest. She looked at him again, this time with a softer gaze.
“I didn’t really get better until I was about fifteen. Even then, it wasn’t fully gone. I thought that was it for me, that I’d be stuck like that forever. Then three years ago, Mr. Grant donated a bunch of money to the orphanage. That funding let a few of us get treatment overseas. You wouldn’t know it by looking at me now, but I was still having episodes just last year.”
“You’re saving Zayden donated to the orphanage?”
Finn nodded hard, pride in his voice. “You haven’t been back since, have you? The orphanage is completely different now. Mr. Grant even helped some of us find jobs. I really admire him.”
Quinn didn’t hear the rest. Her mind got stuck on that one detail – Zayden had donated.
Three years ago. That was when she’d learned the orphanage was in serious financial trouble. She’d been out of options and happened to mention it to him. Not long after, she overheard him belittling her behind her back.
Then everything spiraled. She’d forgotten all about it. But apparently, he hadn’t.
A warmth bloomed quietly in her chest. She looked up at the stars outside the car window and whispered, “Thank you.”
To get her pocket watch back. Quinn returned to the Fairchild estate. She was fully prepared to be mocked.
Instead, the moment they saw her, they lit up like it was Christmas.
“Quinny, thank God you’re home! Why didn’t you say something? I would’ve made your favorite dishes, Betty said, pulling her into the dining room.
Colton and Olive were already seated. Betty and Eugene followed behind.
Xavier was still off on his business training
Soon the housekeeper brought out the food. Betty kept doting on her, insisting she eat more.
Quinn scanned the table. Unlike before when every dish was some version of celery–half the plates were things she actually liked.
The Fairchilds really were shameless, switching sides like the wind.
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“We were actually planning to visit you today. Didn’t expect you to come back on your own” Eugene said with a smile.
Quinn raised an eyebrow. “And what were you planning to see me
e for?*
Everyone exchanged looks but no one mentioned the whole cutting ties‘ incident.
“It’s your birthday today. Did you forget?” Betty said warmly, then turned to get a gift box.
That caught Quinn off guard.
Olive rolled her eyes. “She just helped Stanley earn $140,000. What’s the big deal?*
Chapter 20 The Donation Three Years Ago
12:11 AM
Olive grumbled and dropped her fork, stomping upstairs.
Finished
Quinn already understood what was going on. She scanned their fake smiles and didn’t need to guess what they were thinking.
While Olive was gone, Colton pretended to ask casually, “I looked over Stanley’s records. Every single trade was faleu. You don’t get that good without at least ten years of experience. When did you learn all this?”
Quinn shrugged. “Maybe I just got lucky”
Colton narrowed his eyes. He knew she was dodging. “With your skills, you should be helping the Fairchild Group. That front desk job at the law firm has no future.”
“And what’s Mr. Colton offering in terms of salary?”
He clearly wasn’t expecting that. “You’re a Fairchild. Everything we have is yours. Why talk about salary?”
Quinn smiled.
The Fairchilds wanted something for nothing. When she helped Stanley, it was because she could name her terms. But these people just wanted a free ride.
Colton really thought a few vague promises would win her over? Not one word about what she went through. Just fake concern and hollow flattery,
At that moment, Olive came downstairs holding an armful of clothes.
“These are my expensive pieces that I never wear. I’m giving them to you,” she said smugly.
Betty and Colton nodded like this was some incredible act of generosity and Quinn ought to be grateful.
Quinn didn’t believe for a second Olive would actually give her anything nice.
She picked up a few of the top pieces and tossed them to the floor underneath were several items clearly stained on
purpose.
Olive hadn’t expected her to expose it right in front of everyone. She’d planned to humiliate Quinn with those dirty clothes.
Betty and Colton both looked uncomfortable.
Olive scrambled to gather the clothes, “Oops, I must’ve grabbed the wrong pile. I’ll go get the real ones.”
“Wait
Quinn stopped her. “If you’re going to give me clothes, why not give me the ones you were wearing the last time we ran into each other? I really liked the accessories too.”
She stood in front of Olive, blocking her from leaving, the dirty clothes still in her arms like a live grenade.
It wasn’t an unreasonable request. Colton and Betty had been hounding Olive for days to be nice to Quinn.
Flustered, Olive didn’t realize Quinn had a plan. Fine, I’ll get them.”
“I’ll come with you. I want to make sure they fit.”
Still in a panic, Olive didn’t notice Quinn’s wording or that the rest of the family was following behind
–
She found the outfit and handed it to Quinn, only then realizing everyone was behind her.
“You all came upstairs?”
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12:11 AM & c
Chapter 20 The Donation Three Years Ago
Quinn stepped closer and scanned the shelf.
There were at least seven or eight identical tins, all tossed together careleuly
Finished
She remembered Olive’s smug expression as she handed her those dirty clothes. Quinn had gone to prison for her- three whole years and she never showed a shred of gratitude. All the ever wanted was to stomp her down.
Quinn pointed toward the cabinet. “That tobacco tin looks exactly like the one Dad has
Everyone turned to look. Betty stepped closer. “It really does”
And then she saw the others.
“Olive, she said slowly, “didn’t you say that tin was one–of–a–kind?”
Send Gifts
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