Chapter 175 - [Bonus ] Visiting Quentin II

"Derek, Dion, stay outside for a moment. I would like to speak with Mister De Luca in private." Lewis didn't look away from Quentin as he raised a hand. 

"Yes, Young Master." Derek bowed before facing Dion. "Third Young Master, let's wait outside."

"Alright," Dion replied, glancing at Lewis as he perched on the chair where Gabriella was sitting down earlier. 

Once there's only two of them inside the hospital room, silence reigned. Quentin just stared at Lewis and the latter did the same. Lewis rested his leg over the other, arms crossed while waiting patiently for whatever the other party had to say. 

"I see," Quentin let out a ridiculing chuckle while rocking his head lightly. "That's why you broke the deal with us. She's that woman...?"

Lewis didn't answer, but his silence was enough. Quentin recalled the time before the Qin Empire messed with the De Luca so suddenly. It was when Quentin and Gabriella bumped into Lewis in the hotel with his girlfriend. Now that memory was refreshed in his head, he recalled Devon was trembling in fear back then. 

"Because you knew about us?" he raised his eyes back to Lewis, and this time, the latter nodded. "That makes sense. Now, I don't think you're an unreasonable jerk. You have all the reasons to mess with me, but well, it's still unprofessional. I don't think you care about that, though."

Again, silence descended in the room as Lewis kept his mouth shut. Quentin still looked weak, but he looked better. At least, he didn't look like he would die soon. 

"So, how is she?" Once again, Quentin broke the silence as he leaned back, wincing at the wound on his back. "Devon. Is she alright? And your bastard of a brother, I will fucking sue him just in case you don't know."

"Julian is recovering. I understand if you sue him, but it will be a nasty court battle, Mister De Luca."

"Hah...! Are you saying you will still protect him? After all that he did?" Quentin couldn't believe what he was hearing as he scoffed, staring at him in dismay. "If I didn't take the bullet for you, I will be the one sitting there and you'll be the one in my situation. What kind of bull are you talking about?"

"Sending my brother to prison or in an institute is an easy exit, Mister De Luca. He crossed me, and I will not let him get away from it." Lewis' tone dropped and so was the temperature in the room. The man on the bed could not help but furrow his brows, grasping what the former meant by that.

"You want to put justice in your hands?" came out a weak inquiry, staring at Lewis' stoic countenance. Even though Lewis didn't nod or shake his head, the answer was obvious to Quentin. 

"Man... you're scary," Quentin murmured, shaking his head as he felt conflicted about this blunt resolution of Lewis. It was crazy and something he didn't expect, but well, this man was Lewis Qin. He was the man who could abuse his power, but somehow, he hadn't done that until now. 

"I'm just saying, Mister De Luca. The Qin Empire will surely compensate you to express our sincerity. However, I will not back down if you sue Julian as well. He is not yours to punish." Lewis's demeanor remained cold and immovable. He was like a mountain that no one could move. 

"If that is all, then I will take my leave."

"You haven't answered the most important question. How is she? And if you want to compensate me, I'd rather see her. That is my request." Since Lewis was being too formal, as if everything that had happened did not affect him, Quentin also didn't beat around the bush.

"If you are sincere, let me see her once."

"I can't." Lewis's answer was quick and dull. "I can allow other things, even if you want to change the contract in your favor. Anything but that."

"You're a jerk, CEO Qin. Are you threatened that I will coax her and ask her to come with me instead?" Quentin taunted in ridicule, aware that was impossible. He had met Devon before this incident, and he was aware of how Devon loved her fiance. 

"I didn't think you're this pathetic. She always attracts toxic people," he continued in a low grumble, clicking his tongue in irritation. "If I were you, don't be so possessive. She is the type of person that the more you show her affection, the more she wants to break free. Don't make the same mistake that I did."

Lewis remained silent and glanced down. He didn't plan on telling Quentin about Devon's condition, even if the man would start assuming things. 

"She is a lovely lady. Devon... I really loved her, CEO Qin. I still do, but because I know she is now happy, I don't want to be a hindrance in her life again." Quentin's eyes softened as he hung his head low, recalling the beautiful smile on her face when she was staring at her ring. "Please take care of her."

He slowly raised his head and set them on Lewis. However, as soon as he laid his eyes on Lewis, Quentin furrowed his brows. Lewis's cold front broke for a second. It was the type of look when someone had lost an important person and it made Quentin's heart pound against his chest.

"Mister Qin, how is she...?" he asked once again. Lewis never answered this question, and he just realized that.

"What... happened to her?" this time, his voice broke while watching Lewis raise his head. 

"She will be fine."

"What do you mean, she will be fine?" Quentin's query came out almost immediately. "Is she not fine now? Don't tell me she is in a coma?"

He studied Lewis's reaction as the latter shook his head. "No."

"Then what? Surely, something happened for you to look like someone just died! And it makes more sense since you are pissed enough to want to kill your brother in the worst possible way!" Quentin panted, wincing at the sudden pain in his back. "If she is not in a coma, what is? I want to see her and make sure she's fine, just like you claimed!"

"You are not in the position to demand Mister De Luca. You are a part of her past. Don't forget your place." Lewis's stony countenance once again resurfaced while staring at him menacingly. "I appreciate what you did for me, but honestly, I'd rather you didn't take that bullet."

"What..." Quentin scoffed, watching Lewis assist himself up to leave.

"I'm glad you are doing fine. I will take my leave."

As Lewis marched away, Quentin hung his head low. 

"I promised to let her go, but you're making that hard, CEO Qin." He warned under his breath. "Once I recovered, I will get her out of here."

"You can't, but good luck," Lewis replied without stopping in his tracks.

"Why? Is it because she's dead?!" this time, Lewis stopped as Quentin yelled. The second Lewis froze, Quentin felt his heart drop to his stomach. The pain in his back as his wound reopened by his yelling felt nothing compared to the pain in his heart.

"No way...."