Chapter 37
Orlando looked like he’d just returned from some exhausting journey. Cassandra noticed how considerate he was, rushing straight to the hospital with Rebecca as soon as he got back.
Orlando looked at Peter and said, “Grandpa-
“Still calling me grandpa? I bet you secretly wish I’d kick the bucket, Peter interrupted.
“Grandpa, I never thought like that. Please don’t say such things, Orlando explained.
Peter brushed him off.
“Dad, relax. Don’t let him get under your skin,” Frederick comforted him. Then, he shot Orlando a cold look and asked, “Weren’t you supposed to be on a business trip when your grandpa is getting discharged? What’s going on now?”
“I just got back. Rebecca wasn’t feeling great, so I brought her to the doctor. I figured to drop by the Quinn manor tonight to visit Grandpa since you, Mom, and Cassandra are there with him,” Orlando said.
“Save your
visit. I might just last a bit longer without you hanging around,” Peter sneered.
Orlando appeared helpless. All he could do was let Peter vent his frustration in silence.
Usually, Cassandra would be the first to step in and ease the tension, but she stayed silent today, showing no intention of defending Orlando
She was at a loss for words. She had learned about his business trip from others, and his return was also news to her.
Peter interpreted Cassandra’s silence as proof that Orlando wasn’t treating her right.
In a frosty tone, Peter remarked, “Look at what you’ve done to Cassie’s heart. Once, a few words from me, and she’d defend you to the end. Now, you’ve turned her heart to ice, and she won’t even lift a finger for you. Orlando, is this how we taught. you to treat your own wife!”
Rebecca approached them with a friendly smile. “Mr. Peter Quinn, Mr. Frederick Quinn, Mrs. Gabriela.”
But her presence went unnoticed.
Rebecca pursed her lips and asked, “Mr. Peter Quinn, are you feeling any better after getting out of the hospital today?”
Peter scoffed, “What? Hoping for me to be sick or something?”
Rebecca felt a sudden pang of hurt and quickly clarified, “Mr. Peter Quinn, I didn’t mean it that way. I just-
Alright, alright. Save the tears for someone else. I might be old, but my vision is still sharp. I won’t turn a blind eye like- some folks who can’t tell right from wrong. Peter’s sarcasmn cut deep.
Cassandra’s eyes widened. Peter had always been kind to her, so hearing him talk in such a different way caught her off guard.
Still, she couldn’t deny a certain satisfaction, especially witnessing Rebecca’s frozen expression.
It brought her a sense of relief.
The tension in the air kept building, and after a long pause, Rebecca finally uttered, “Mr. Quinn, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
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Chapter 37
“Then, get lost. I’m feeling dizzy,” Peter grumbled.
Rebecca shot a hopeful glance at Orlando, wishing he’d say something in her defense, but he remained silent.
Rebecca had no choice but to take a step back.
Grandpa, this place is packed. I’ll have the driver take you back to the Quinn manor,” Orlando suggested.
“What? Yu think you can make decisions for me?” Peter retorted.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Orlando quickly clarified.
Humph, whatever. Make sure you’re at dinner tonight or consider yourself out of the Quinn family,” Peter spat out, his anger apparent as he glared at Orlando. Turning to Cassandra beside him, Peter added gently, “Cassie, let’s go. We won’t let certain people ruin our mood
Cassandra nodded and walked out with Peter, offering him support.
Frederick frowned and cast a disapproving look at Orlando. Though Frederick didn’t say anything, his dissatisfaction was apparent
Gabriela glared at Orlando and whispered, “You’re really pushing your grandpa’s buttons. Sort yourself out, or I might have to step in.”
Without waiting for Orlando’s reply, Gabriela made her exit.
Orlando kept his eyes on the departing trio until Rebecca, standing behind him, said, “Landy, your grandpa seems upset. Do you want to head back?”
Orlando gave Rebecca a kind look. “No worries, Didn’t you mention you’re not feeling well? Come on, let’s go. I’ll take you to see the doctor.”
Rebecca nodded, but her expression remained tense.
She had carefully timed her call to Orlando, knowing when he would return from his business trip. She told him, “Landy, I’ve got this awful headache, and I can’t stop replaying scenes from that incident in my mind. But I can’t remember everything. I need to see a doctor. Can you come with me?”
Orlando agreed, and that was how they ended up in the current situation.
Deep down, Rebecca couldn’t shake the thought that Orlando might have chosen to stay by her side solely because of the images in her mind.
She stole a glance at his profile. His thoughts remained unreadable, leaving her with a sense of insecurity.
At seven o’clock in the evening, the atmosphere within the Quinn manor was remarkably harmonious. Laughter and joy resonated, and Peter was notably in high spirits.
The dining table was already set with delicious dishes..
Orlando walked into the hall, emanating a chilly vibe as he tossed out a greeting. “Grandpa, Mom, Dad.”
Everyone ignored him…
“Cassie, let’s eat, Peter said.
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Chapter 37
Brushing off the apparent cold shoulder, Orlando tagged along into the dining room.
Peter ushered Cassandra to his right and set a plate in front of her. “Cassie, dig in.”
Sure. Thanks, Grandpa Peter. You should eat, too,” Cassandra replied.
Peter beamed, casting an affectionate glance at Cassandra’s way.
Orlando observed the whole scene. His gaze lost some of its spark.
Right in the middle of dinner, Peter said, Tve been doing some thinking. Cassie, since you guys already decided on getting at divorce, my nagging won’t make a difference. I’m not getting any younger, and I just want you both to be happy. Pushing things won’t lead to happiness, so I agree to the divorce.”
Every gaze in the room shifted to Peter.
Cassandra’s grip tightened on her fork. Even though she yearned for Peter’s approval, hearing it out loud caught her off guard.
She sat there, frozen. Her gaze was somewhere in the distance.
Gabriela blurted out, “Peter, weren’t you the one rooting for them to stay together? What’s with the sudden change of heart?”
“I can’t let Cassie endure this. He’s shamelessly flaunting that affair. How is Cassie supposed to handle it if it becomes public news?” Peter’s words carried a mix of intensity and frustration.
Frederick remained silent, seemingly in agreement with Peter.
Orlando stayed quiet, too.
He cast a cold stare at Peter.
Peter turned to Orlando with indifference. “So, are you satisfied with how things played out? When do you plan to move forward with the divorce procedures with Cassie?”
