Chapter 3 Childhood Sweetheart

Jacob's nature was a paradox of reckless charm and sharp edges.

He never minced his words and didn't care to.

His blunt honesty often left no room for pleasantries.

Patrick's smile didn't falter when Jacob spoke, though the subtle tension in his jaw betrayed him.

Still, he feigned regret. "Jacob, believe me or not, but what happened was really just a misunderstanding. My mom and Callie had no idea Quinn couldn't hold her liquor."

Jacob drained the wine Patrick had handed him in one go, a lazy smirk playing on his lips.

"You know, from a distance, everyone looks so damn kind."

Patrick stiffened. "...."

Jacob handed the empty glass back, his grin widening as he clapped a hand on Patrick's shoulder.

Leaning in, he murmured, "You're afraid I'll come for the CEO position of Simmons Group, aren't you? Don't worry..."

After a beat, his voice dropped lower, almost a purr. "...I absolutely will."

Patrick kept his polished composure, replying with an easy smile, "Jacob, you've got it all wrong. If you want the CEO position, I won't stand in your way."

Jacob leaned back, the grin turning cocky.

"Good. Then why don't you go tell Granddad? I'm sure he'll be thrilled."

Patrick's grip on the empty wine glass tightened, the effort to maintain his serene facade visible in the flicker of frustration in his eyes.

Jacob chuckled softly, turning to head upstairs.

"And, Patrick? Drop the fake nice-guy act when you're talking to me. It's exhausting."

The moment Jacob disappeared up the stairs, Patrick's smile vanished.

From her perch in the corner, Callie had been watching the exchange like a hawk. When Jacob was out of sight, she hurried over.

"What did Jacob say to you? You look like you're about to explode."

Patrick yanked at his tie, irritation flashing across his face.

"He said he's going after the CEO position of Simmons Group."

Callie gasped.

"What? He told you that outright? Is he insane?"

Patrick's lips thinned.

"Oh, and he also made it clear he knows Quinn's little drunken episode was orchestrated by you and Mom."

Callie's pout shifted into a nonchalant shrug.

"So what if he knows? Mom only wanted to teach Quinn a lesson-make her stop chasing after you. How was she supposed to know..."

Her voice trailed off as realization dawned. Eyes wide, she clamped a hand over her mouth.

Patrick's expression darkened.

"What do you mean, Callie?"

Callie stammered, "I didn't say anything! It's late. I'm going to bed."

She turned to flee, but Patrick grabbed her wrist, his grip firm and unyielding.

"What. Did. You. Say?"

Callie hesitated, clearly intimidated. While Jacob's mischief was bold and brash, Patrick's calculated nature was far more unsettling. Even as his sister, she was wary of him.

Taking a deep breath, she mumbled, "Quinn had a thing for you. Mom was worried it would mess up your future alliances, so she... set her up. But-" She yanked her wrist free, massaging the reddened skin.

"It's not Mom's fault Quinn ended up in Jacob's room instead."

"Get out," Patrick growled through clenched teeth.

Callie froze, blinking at him in disbelief.

Patrick's voice rose, his frustration boiling over. "I said, GET OUT!"

Callie scurried away, her steps unsteady.

Meanwhile, Jacob had made his way back to his room.

He shrugged off his jacket, tossing it carelessly over a chair before sinking into the plush couch. The sound of water running in the bathroom filled the silence.

His gaze flickered toward the door as he leaned back, half-lost in thought.

Inside the bathroom, Quinn paused mid-shower, cursing under her breath. She'd forgotten to bring her clothes.

Wrapping a towel tightly around herself, she cracked the bathroom door.

"Jacob? Are you out there?"

When no response came, she peeked through the gap, spotting him seemingly asleep on the couch. Relieved, she padded barefoot across the room, quickly pulling a nightgown from the wardrobe before retreating back to the bathroom.

The second the door clicked shut, Jacob opened his eyes, his gaze catching the delicate curve of her ankle as she disappeared.

Moments later, Quinn emerged, freshly changed. Her gaze landed on Jacob, now wide awake and casually scrolling through his phone.

"You weren't asleep?" she asked, her tone incredulous.

Jacob's eyes sparkled with amusement as he looked up.

"What?"

Quinn inhaled sharply.

"If you weren't asleep, why didn't you answer me earlier?"

Propping his chin on his hand, he smirked.

"Did you call me? Must've missed it."

Quinn stared at him, clearly annoyed, but let it go, climbing into bed without another word.

Just as she was about to drift off, Jacob's phone buzzed loudly.

Without an ounce of discretion, Jacob answered the call, his voice low and smooth.

"Yeah?"

On the other end, a woman's flirtatious tone rang out.

"Jacob, come out and play!"

His grin turned lazy.

"Miss me already?"

"Ugh, stop teasing. Are you coming or not?"

Jacob's voice dropped another octave.

"Can't. I'm stuck at the family estate tonight."

He paused, then added with a chuckle, "Spending time with my wife."

The sharp click of the woman hanging up was almost comical.

No sooner had he ended the call than Quinn's phone started ringing.

She glanced at the screen. Remi Lopez.

Remi Lopez, Jacob's true childhood sweetheart.

If it weren't for that incident, the title of Mrs. Simmons should have belonged to her.

Quinn sighed, debating whether to let it ring out, but Remi was relentless. One call after another lit up the screen until Quinn finally gave in.

"Hello, Miss Lopez," she greeted coolly.

The response was immediate and fiery.

"Quinn, you did this on purpose, didn't you? Bringing Jacob back to the estate on my birthday!"

"..."

"Don't play dumb! Let him go! Send him out now!"

"Sorry," Quinn replied evenly. "That's not going to happen."

"You-! Quinn, don't push me, you-"

Before Remi could finish, the phone was snatched out of Quinn's hand.

She looked up to find Jacob standing at her bedside, his shirt partially unbuttoned, a devil-may-care smirk on his face.

"Stop being ridiculous," he said, his voice firm.

On the other end, Remi's tone softened. "It's my birthday, Jacob."

Jacob's gaze flicked briefly to Quinn, lingering on her bare shoulder before he replied, "Happy birthday."