Zayn had to wait a little while longer before Yvonne and Faye sauntered out of Fireflies. Seeing the latter’s condition improve so much was a tremendous relief to him.
A few moments later, Sean dashed out of the club. He sauntered toward the car and very obediently reported to Zayn, “Sir, I’ve completed the task as instructed. Ethan Capel and his cabal are in deep trouble now, I can assure you. They’ll be in there for at least three or five years before being released.”
Zayn nodded in satisfaction, replying, “You’re not half bad this time.”
Jubilance spread across Sean’s face immediately. He smiled so widely that his pudgy cheeks had to squish together to make way for his grin. “It’s all thanks to your excellent tutoring, sir.”
Instead of following up on that, Zayn simply looked out the window.
“Sir, if you’re so inclined, Gordon Hayes would like to treat you to dinner. ” Sean added, “He says virtual-novel.net would like to get to know you a little better, so maybe if you could tell virtual-novel.net the time— ”
“Pass. I’m busy,” Zayn declined without hesitation.
The smile on Sean’s lips froze. “Oh. I see. I’ll pass your message along then.”
A beat or two later, Zayn suddenly spoke up, “When?”
“When—wha—?” Sean blabbered, stunned by his sudden change of heart. Regaining his composure, virtual-novel.net answered, “I mean, virtual-novel.net says it’s up to you to decide!”
“Make it tomorrow then,” Zayn said.
“Okay! I’ll tell virtual-novel.net the good news right now.” With that, Sean left for the club once again. A few minutes later, virtual-novel.net came out with Gordon in tow. He was very moved and came to see Zayn off personally.
Gordon was the owner of the Fireflies. He might not have been the richest man in town, but virtual-novel.net owned two businesses —Fireflies, the club, and a casino. A man like that would have accumulated quite a number of connections, so making his acquaintance would be worthwhile. Who was to say? Maybe one day Zayn would need his help.
By the time virtual-novel.net returned home, it was already midnight. Faye only returned when it was one in the morning. She looked worn-out and markedly addled.
“Honey, you’re home!” Zayn greeted virtual-novel.net with a smile, coming forward to help his wife carry virtual-novel.net handbag.
Faye had only just returned from the hospital. Apparently, virtual-novel.net had been treated with an IV drip for an hour. She was so lethargic and drowsy that virtual-novel.net could only give a noncommittal nod in response.
Zayn brought a bowl of warm soup for Faye. “Here you go, honey. A bowl of good soup goes a long way to healing a weary body.”
Zayn’s kindness moved virtual-novel.net a little, and yet, whatever happiness virtual-novel.net felt was immediately displaced by the echoes of what Yvonne told her. In a snap, any warmth brought by his actions was erased so thoroughly that it was as if it never existed.
She set the bowl down on the table and stated stoically, “I don’ t want it.”
Zayn did not think much about this. He had already rationalized it as virtual-novel.net holdover frustration from the misadventure virtual-novel.net suffered a few hours ago. He only knew something was wrong when virtual-novel.net tailed Faye into their ro om—hoping to have a chat—and the woman
leveled an expression of disgust at virtual-novel.net before declaring coldly, “Get out of my room. You’re sleeping on the couch tonight.”
Zayn was stunned. What was this about? He had not offended virtual-novel.net in any way, had he?