Chapter 4 Replace Remi

Jacob was still on the phone with Remi when Quinn left the bedroom. She didn't bother listening to their conversation, heading downstairs to pour herself a glass of water.

The darkened living room felt like a refuge, quiet and still. As she sipped the warm water, the steady rhythm of footsteps echoed behind her.

Turning around, Quinn found herself face-to-face with Patrick, holding a steaming glass of milk.

"Patrick," she greeted, her voice tightening slightly.

Patrick offered her the glass.

"Couldn't sleep?"

Quinn didn't take it, keeping her distance.

"Just thirsty. Needed some water."

Patrick's hand lingered for a moment before he retracted it, smiling softly. "Trouble with Jacob?"

"No," she replied flatly.

"If you ever need someone to talk to..." he began, his tone gentle.

Quinn set her glass down, her polite smile barely reaching her eyes.

"Thanks, but it's late. You should get some rest."

Quinn had always been clear about boundaries, and now more than ever, she upheld them. Whatever camaraderie she and Patrick might have once shared had no place in her life now. Especially after what happened that night.

She wasn't naive.

Back in the bedroom, Jacob was sprawled on the couch, phone resting on his chest, eyes closed.

Quinn glanced at him briefly before climbing into bed, exhaustion taking over. She was asleep within minutes.

By the time she woke, it was already morning.

After breakfast, Quinn and Jacob left the Simmons estate separately, driving their own cars to the office. They could've been strangers for all the interaction they shared.

At the office, Quinn overheard a cluster of female employees gossiping by the breakroom.

"Did you hear? Mr. Simmons got cornered by reporters at the hotel again last night. Thank God for Quinn."

"Seriously, who'd be unlucky enough to marry someone like him?"

"Please, as if anyone wouldn't kill for just a fling with him. Some of us wouldn't mind at all..."

The moment they spotted Quinn, the laughter died. They stood straighter, lips pressed shut like children caught misbehaving.

Quinn's calm, cool gaze swept over them.

"Don't stop on my account."

Without waiting for a response, she strode into her office. Behind her, the women exhaled in unison, clutching their chests.

"She didn't even say anything, and I'm terrified of her."

"Same! She's always polite, but still..."

"Well, she is the only one out of all the Simmons scholarship kids who stayed with the family. That's gotta count for something."

Quinn sat at her desk, flipping through the stack of reports. She sorted through some minor celebrity scandals before setting them aside.

Compared to Jacob's antics, these were nothing.

Once finished, she opened the planning document for Simmons Media's upcoming annual gala.

The workload in her role was relentless-early mornings, late nights, and barely a break in between. But at least the paycheck made it somewhat worthwhile.

After skimming through the proposal, Quinn frowned and picked up her phone.

"Tristan? Are you in the office?" she asked, her tone professional but firm.

On the other end, Tristan Riley, the head of the planning department, hesitated.

"Uh... I am, but Mr. Simmons is here with me. It might not be a good time."

Quinn sighed inwardly.

"Fine, I'll come by later this afternoon."

Before she could hang up, a familiar low voice interrupted from Tristan's end.

"Let her come now. I want to hear this too."

Quinn's grip on her phone tightened. For a brief moment, she seriously considered pretending she hadn't heard him.

Tristan cleared his throat nervously.

"Uh... Quinn? Mr. Simmons says you can come now."

"Alright," she replied, keeping her frustration in check.

Quinn arrived at the planning office, knocking lightly before stepping inside.

Tristan stood nervously near Jacob, holding an ashtray as Jacob lounged on the couch, casually smoking. The contrast between the two men couldn't have been starker.

Tristan turned, forcing a smile. "Quinn."

"Tristan," she replied, her tone cool as she acknowledged him.

Jacob glanced at her once and then extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray Tristan held, saying nothing.

"Mr. Simmons," Quinn greeted him with a nod before turning her attention fully to Tristan.

Jacob was always clear on separating business from personal matters.

Without saying anything extra, he waved a hand at Quinn, "Talk about whatever you need to. Don't mind me."

Quinn didn't waste any more words on him, instead spreading out the documents she was holding and turning to Tristan, "Tristan?"

Tristan hesitated for a moment, instinctively glancing at Jacob.

Jacob raised a brow, tapping lightly on the armrest of the sofa. "Why are you looking at me? Quinn's talking to you."

Tristan forced a laugh and stepped forward, steeling himself, "Quinn."

Quinn stood with her back to Jacob, leaning over slightly. The movement pulled up her suit jacket just enough to reveal a glimpse of her slim waist.

Jacob's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze casually sweeping over the view.

Quinn pointed out a few flaws in the proposal. Tristan looked uncomfortable.

"These changes might be a bit challenging."

Quinn's tone was firm.

"Challenging or not, they have to be made. This year-end gala is a big deal. Even a small flaw could turn into a major issue."

Tristan, wary of Jacob's presence, didn't dare argue and could only smile awkwardly.

"Quinn, we'll do our best."

Quinn lifted her gaze at him.

"It's not about doing your best, Tristan. It has to be done."

Quinn's seriousness and assertiveness at work were well-known.

Tristan's face stiffened, his smile a bit forced.

"Quinn, some of these issues aren't as simple as you think. Take the points you mentioned just now-those weren't from our original plan. They were added at Miss Lopez's request. You know, Remi's the big star for Simmons Media this time. These little preferences..."

Quinn straightened up, looking at Tristan calmly but firmly. "The points I mentioned must be fixed. The color discrepancy will affect how it looks on screen. If Remi can't handle it, we'll replace her."

Tristan was stunned, momentarily speechless.

Remi Lopez. Jacob's rumored girlfriend. The woman most likely to become Mrs. Simmons.

And Quinn just casually suggested replacing her?

Tristan didn't dare push back against Quinn this time. He forced a smile.

"That... might not be a good idea?"

Though he appeared to be asking Quinn, his gaze shifted over her shoulder to look at Jacob.

Jacob leaned back in the sofa, "If you replace Remi, who do you plan to bring in instead?"