CHAPTER 573: CHAPTER 561

In reality, Joanna was hoping to get Ace to make peace with Quinton-even if Ace did not extend an olive branch.

Their families had been allies for three generations, and their grandfathers were practically brothers who supported each other for years-they certainly would not want them to turn against each other.

Quinton was too impulsive and radical-he would inevitably upset many, and they would certainly come seeking revenge. However, if Quinton allied himself with the Moran family, those enemies would have to be wary of both families, which spared them a lot of unnecessary conflict.

To put it roughly... Joanna was helping her brother get a sugar daddy.

If the day came when she was not around or something bad happened, at least he would not be alone and helpless.

"Consider it, Quinton. If there are no issues, we can talk to him about the finer details next Wednesday," Joanna said earnestly, hoping that Quinton would say yes.

Quinton, however, snorted coolly, the look behind his mask becoming troubled. "You’re being naive, Joanna. A grudge is not so easily forgotten-it’s just like the scars on my face, lingering despite having healed, and a constant reminder of the humiliation I suffered.

Anyone who forgets to hate is quite simply... spineless."

He took off his mask when he finished speaking, revealing the gruesome scars that stretched across his face like lightning under the bright white lights overhead.

"Quinton..." Joanna frowned, her heart breaking.

"He reduced me to a dog’s life, a shadow of the man that I was... and now, you want me to shake hands and make peace just because you told me too? Aren’t you getting conceited?"

Quinton sneered. No one understood how he survived all those years—he was

fundamentally unkind, so ’ love and peace’ was just too difficult for him to even pretend.

Moreover, Quinton could tell that Joanna still loved Ace, but that would not stop him from being Ace’s enemy.

"I know you’re still in love with him, so you have my word that I won’t kill him no matter how bad our rivalry gets. But this is business-it’s a dog-eat-dog world, so I’m not going to hold back!"

"I know you’ve been enemies with Ace for a while, and asking for a partnership now is difficult for you, but you don’t have to worry—I will try to get him to make amends. As long as he is sincere enough, I’m sure that you will become friends one day. It’s what our parents and grandfather would have wanted to see."

With three generations of friendship, the best outcome would be for it to continue.

"That’s not going to happen. The grudge between me and Ace is far from that." Quinton’s fists clenched, his gaze

becoming distant. There was so much he never told Joanna- not murdering Ace was

already the limit of his mercy.

Joanna became curious then, and asked carefully, "What else happened between you and him? What don’t I know?"

They should be even after Ace disfigured Quinton, and Quinton blinded Ace. She had no idea what could have fueled such hatred in Quinton.

"The less you know, the better." Quinton sighed, and turned to stride into the inner house.

"I’m tired. I need some rest after everything they put me through."

Joanna stared at Quinton with melancholy as he left. It was clear that Quinton carried a terrible grudge, and she had to bring him around.

Quinton returned to his bedroom with Chase following closely behind, at his beck and call as always.

"Welcome back, sir. None of us had been sleeping soundly ever since we lost contact with you-we almost brought the cavalry down on the heads of the Moran family!"

"You’ve lost contact with me plenty of times before. Why so serious?" Quinton asked, impassive even as he took off his mask and suit.

Chase quickly went to take both, and hung them up primly." Yes, we did, but this is Ace Moran we’re talking about. You two have history, so what if he decided to pull the trigger?’

Quinton raised a brow, but said confidently, "You don’t have to worry about that. He won’t go for the kill like me, or it’s over between him and my sister."

Having fought Ace for years, he dared say he knew Ace better than Joanna. From a

certain perspective, they were like eternal rivals-if either of them won, their dynasty won as well.

And Quinton was convinced that if every Pierce could see him now, they would wish for his triumph!

"Indeed, Mr. Pierce. I must agree that Ace Moran is still interested in Miss Piercewhy else would he release you just because she asked, even proposing a partnership?"

"Still interested?!"Quinton snorted in disdain. "Him?!"

That callous man was marrying another woman soon—there certainly were no lingering attachments there!

"I don’t get it. If it’s not because he still has feelings for Miss Pierce, why would they

release you, even offering a partnership?"

"Hah! What other reason could he have?" Quinton scowled fiercely. "He’s a businessman, and self-gain is everything to him. He has no feelings for my sister—he just sees value, and if I’m not mistaken, he’s up to the same tricks he was up to back then."

Chase’s expression turned solemn. "That’s probably true. He only won back then because of his ability to sweet-talk women. Poor Miss Garcia-"

"Shut up!" Quinton’s expression contorted with rage. "Didn’t I warn you before never to mention that name?!"

"I-I’m sorry..." Chase promptly lowered his head and apologized gingerly. "I just thought you were over it since you and Miss Pierce acknowledged each other. So..."

"I hate betrayals the most, especially when it’s someone I gave my heart to. That is why I will never rest until she and that pig Ace are dead!" Quinton’s eyes blazed with hatred.

His suffering in the past was just like the scars on his face- it itched on rainy days even if he tried to forget.

How could he let it go when it constantly tormented him?

Chase lowered his head and stayed silent. He tucked Quinton in before leaving the room somberly.

However, he had just turned into a corner when his vision turned black-someone had

blinded him!