Chapter 4

Early the next morning, Quinn called for Thomas and instructed him to get rid of the sofa. She also wanted all her belongings packed and moved to another of her villas.

"And what would you like us to do with this house?" he asked respectfully.

"Just sell it." Quinn picked up her keys, as though the decision required no further thought.

She had plenty to do before leaving. If she wanted to take an extended break, she'd have to get all her responsibilities at the company taken care of ahead of schedule.

Everything was going smoothly until Megan knocked on her office door.

"Mr. Grant's side is refusing to back down. He insists on buying the property for his proposal, and there's been absolutely no room for negotiation." Megan paused before asking, "That's where things stand, Ms. Walker. Do you still want us to pursue it?"

The property in question was a piece of land on the eastern outskirts of town. Years ago, it had been home to a small amusement park where Quinn's parents had fallen in love.

While Catherine was still alive, she'd tried to buy the place, but the owner had refused to sell. As the surrounding area developed, more and more buyers became interested in the land. The owner, however, had plenty of money and no intention of parting with it. Instead, he'd expanded the amusement park into a sprawling attraction.

Even after Quinn's mother passed away, the owner had also turned down purchase offers from her father, Richard Walker.

Liam had often taken Quinn there afterward. She could still remember sitting with him inside the slightly worn Ferris wheel when he was twenty, listening as he made a promise that sounded like a joke but was meant with all his heart.

"You love this place so much. One day, I'm going to tell you how much I love you and ask you to marry me right here!"

Now, after all these years, the owner was getting old, and his health was failing. He had finally agreed to sell.

Most prospective buyers wanted to demolish the amusement park and develop the land into something else, but Quinn had no such plans. She wanted to preserve it exactly as it was.

Originally, she'd intended to buy the park and hold her wedding there. Of course, that was no longer necessary.

Still, there was Richard to consider.

Quinn rubbed her aching temples. That impossible man never missed an opportunity to remind her to buy the amusement park whenever they spoke on the phone. He'd even insisted that she rename it after Catherine.

With a sigh, Quinn rose from her chair and headed out.

She found Liam at a restaurant, treating Riley and her roommates to a meal.

Locating him hadn't required any effort. Liam hadn't even bothered to be discreet about his outing. In fact, he'd used Quinn's VIP membership to skip the waiting list.

The private dining room was filled with cheerful conversation and laughter. Quinn took one look inside, said nothing, and went straight to the VIP lounge, where she asked a waiter to bring Liam to her.

"What could possibly be so important that you had to chase me all the way here, Miss Walker?" Liam's voice reached her before he did. "If this is about us, I'd appreciate it if you'd show a little self-respect."

"I'll make the announcement about our canceled engagement myself. You have no reason to want that land on the east side of town anymore, so name your price."

Quinn had no intention of wasting time on pleasantries.

There was nothing particularly unusual about what she'd said, yet something about her matter-of-fact tone unsettled Liam. His voice turned cold.

"I'm buying that property, and nothing you say will change my mind. I promised Riley I'd propose to her at an amusement park, and I intend to keep that promise."

Quinn felt a faint tremor in her chest, but her expression remained composed.

"There are plenty of amusement parks, Mr. Grant. Why insist on competing with me for this particular one? There's nothing in it for you."

"If that's all you came to discuss, Miss Walker, you might as well leave." Liam clearly had no interest in negotiating. "I'm getting that property, one way or another."

"Liam Grant! What are you doing hiding in here? My friends are all waiting for you!"

Riley's bright voice interrupted their confrontation. She came into the room and immediately wrapped her arms around Liam, leaning against him affectionately.

There was clearly nothing more to discuss, and Quinn had no desire to stay. She got to her feet, ready to leave, but something caught her eye.

Her movements stopped abruptly.

She seized Riley's arm, her voice turning sharp.

"Where did you get that emerald pendant around your neck?"

The gemstone was of exceptional quality, and Quinn recognized it immediately. It was the very pendant Catherine had left her!

"Liam Grant, is this how you've been taking care of my mother's keepsake?"

Quinn could scarcely believe what she was seeing.

"It's just a piece of jewelry. It only has any value because Riley likes it."

The complete indifference on Liam's face sent a chill straight through her.

"Exactly, Miss Walker!" Riley chimed in with an innocent smile. "That old pendant was so plain and boring. You couldn't even wear it out!"

She took the pendant off and dangled it in front of Quinn.

"Doesn't it look so much prettier now?"

Quinn watched as Riley opened her fingers.

"No!"

The pendant slipped from Riley's hand and struck the floor with a sickening crack, breaking into pieces.

Quinn's outstretched hand froze in midair. She could only stare at the broken pieces of her mother's pendant.

It felt as though she'd made one mistake after another, and now she'd even lost the most precious thing her mother had left her.

Watching Quinn's devastated expression, Liam felt an inexplicable irritation rising inside him.

Something about seeing her like this bothered him. He couldn't quite explain it, but that expression simply didn't belong on her face.

"Oh no! I didn't mean to!"

Riley looked ready to burst into tears. "Liam, what are we going to do?"

Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Annoyed by his own reaction to Quinn's distress, he hardened his expression and immediately pulled Riley into his arms.

"It's alright, Riley. It's not worth much anyway. If you like it, I'll buy you another one."

He gently steered her toward the door. "Come on, let's get back to the dining room. We shouldn't keep your friends waiting."

Riley looked as though she wanted to say something else, but she obediently nodded.

Quinn said nothing.

For some reason, her silence only made Liam more uncomfortable. He forced himself to ignore the feeling and strode out with Riley beside him.

Riley was the one he loved, with her playful, unpredictable personality. Quinn Walker had nothing to do with him anymore.

Long after they'd gone, Quinn remained where she was, overcome by a feeling she'd never experienced before in her life: regret. But she only had to wait a little longer, and she'd be gone.