Chapter 385 A Name Chosen

    Chapter 385 A Name Chosen

    b+10 /bFree Coins

    Everett folded his arms, the words that followed shedding any warmth. “Have you truly thought this through? The second you reim the name Rowan Bridger, everything the Fane family ced at your feet disappears–including the medical resources keeping Lena alive. From what I hear, the Bridgers are an ordinary household with no real assets. Her treatment will drown you and that girl in debt before it ever saves her.”

    Leander’s jaw set like a lock. “If I have decided to stand as Rowan Bridger, then I have also calcted the cost. I will find a way to pay for Lena’s care–on that point, I will not fail.”

    There had been a time when the sheer expense of Lena’s illness had chained him willingly to the Fane family.

    Now, however, he knew he had once been a soldier.

    If Quinn was right and his disappearance in Doria hade during a ssified operation, then regaining his status might secure government support–support worth more than any private fortune.

    As long as he could make sure Serena donated her stem cells, Lena would stand a real chance at survival.

    Everett exhaled, more sigh than breath. “So determined to leave us? Lady Margaret adores you. I admire you. In time, I could make you my legal heir, ce you at the helm of the Fane conglomerate.”

    For almost anyone, such an offer would ze like temptation itself.

    Leander didn’t even blink. “But I am Rowan Bridger. Leander Fane has always been a convenient fiction.”

    All he wanted now was to repay the debt he owed the Fanes–and then walk away.

    Laura hurried to the doorway the moment Quinn stepped inside, eyes shing with worry. “What took you so long? You left this morning–driving back shouldn’t eat up an entire day. I called, and your phone was dead.”

    She had been seconds away from dialing the police again.

    Quinn gave her a quick summary of the detour–how she had met with Everett after returning

    to town.

    Laura’s jaw dropped. “You locked that old man in a chokehold and yanked the chain off his

    16:05 bThu/bb, /bbSep /bb11 /b

    Chapter 385 A Name Chosen

    locket?b” /b

    :

    “I couldn’t just sit there and let him intimidate me.”

    “Right, right. Frankly, you should have punched him for good measure.”

    “He helped my brother. Unless I’m forced, I don’t want things to get violent.”

    b46 /b

    +10 Free Coins

    Besides, Everett’s features carried echoes of Rowan’s; the two men looked so alike that she kept seeing her brother aged several decades.

    Quinn flicked her pen back into the cup, lifted her eyes to Laura, and spoke with a calm finality that allowed no debate. “By the way, I’ll need tomorrow off. I have something to do.”

    Laura’s brows knit at once. “A day off? Are you feeling all right?”

    “I have to stop by Whitethorn Group.” Quinn’s voice lowered, as though the name itself carried its own weather. “I need a word with Julius.”

    Laura blinked, unsettled. “Julius? What business could you possibly have with him?”

    “It’s about Serena Fane,” Quinn answered, her tone clipped yet urgent.

    “Serena? Didn’t Julius already demand the Fane family strike her name from their records? What now?b” /b

    Quinn exhaled. “They can’t erase her yet. Rowan’s rescuer is battling leukemia. Serena is the only viable stem–cell match. Because of Julius, the Fanes are ready to throw her out. I have to keep that from happening.”

    In that moment, Quinn realized the irony. To save Rowan’s savior, she now had to shield

    Serena. 1

    The next morning, she stepped into the marble lobby of Whitethorn Group’s building. At the reception, she stated her request. The attendant offered a practiced smile. “Without an appointment, I’m afraid Mr. Whitethorn has no time today.”

    Quinn lowered her gaze, pulled out her phone, and, after a heartbeat of doubt, dialed Julius‘ direct number.

    It rang for a long while before his familiar baritone cut through. “Yes?b” /b

    “I need to see you,” she said, breath tight. “I’m downstairs in your lobby right now.”

    “If it’spany business,” Julius replied, voice cool as winter ss, “follow the usual

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    …

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    Chapter 385 A Name Chosen

    procedure.”

    “It’s not business. It’s personal!”

    +10 Free Coins

    “Personal? There’s nothing personal left between us,” he said, the words falling like a closing gate. “You’re the one who insisted we walk separate roads. So there’s no need for a meeting.”

    The line went dead.

    Quinn stared at the silent screen and managed a hollowugh. She had been the one to sever ties–yet here she was, begging to see him. 2

    She scrolled until Fabian’s number appeared–saved back when he doubled as Julius‘ bodyguard and aide.

    Fabian picked up

    “Ms. Bridger?”

    almost immediately.

    “Hello, Mr. Wooley. I’d like to know when Julius might be free today. I called him, but he didn’t answer my call. Could you help me?”

    “He has two meetings on the schedule, both expected to run long.”