Chapter 3 Now I knew why he'd rushed out . I laughed bitterly and called a same - day courier to deliver his phone to his office . Then I went to work at my family's company , where I'd been employed since graduation . Dad wanted to toughen me up , so I started at the bottom . Now I'd worked my way up to department manager through my own abilities . My assistant brought over a project file first thing : " Miss Quinn , this needs your signature . Everything's been processed , just waiting on your approval . " I looked it over carefully - a collaboration with Anderson Corp. I had zero memory of this project . " Did Dad approve this ? " " No , " my assistant looked confused , then quickly explained : " You said before that as long as it wasn't anything major , Anderson Corp gets first dibs , right ? " I remembered saying that . Back when I thought our families would merge eventually , when profit margins between us didn't matter . " Skip it this time . Going forward , we choose based on merit . Company interests come first . " After a busy day at work , I packed up my things and thought about trying out the new Spanish restaurant that had recently opened . But when I arrived , the restaurant was packed . I was about to leave when I heard a familiar voice . " Quinn ! You're here too . " I turned to see Vivian and Chase at a corner table . Chase looked momentarily frozen , then quickly recovered : " I was just about to call and invite you to dinner . Perfect timing - come sit with us . " He flagged down a server for another place setting . I hadn't eaten much at lunch and was starving by now, so I figured why not . " Quinn , I remember you love spicy food . Let's order a few more dishes for you . " Looking at the table , everything was bland and mild . 14:55 Who Needs a Divorce Lawyer When You OWN the Company ? Honey , You Are FIRED ! / 23.99 % Chapter 3 Both Chase and I were total spice addicts . He used to say food without heat had no soul - might as well kill him . Now he was completely fine with this boring spread . Chase shot Vivian an annoyed look : " You just want spicy food yourself . Don't forget what the doctor said - you can only eat bland stuff right now . " Vivian pouted playfully : " Fine , fine , Mr. Bossy . I'll listen to you . " Watching their little exchange , my already shattered heart felt nothing . He shook his head with fond exasperation . " You guys eat . I need to take a call . " Once Chase left , Vivian's smile faded , replaced by a challenging stare . " Quinn Walsh , I gotta hand it to you . Even knowing Chase proposed to me , you're still clinging to him . That takes some serious nerve . " Hearing her contempt , I looked up calmly : " Is stealing someone's boyfriend really something to brag about in public ? " " You- " Before she could finish , thick smoke started billowing from the kitchen . Someone screamed : " FIRE ! " The bustling restaurant erupted into chaos , everyone scrambling for the exits . I jumped up , ready to run . Suddenly someone slammed into me . Before I could steady myself , I heard a familiar panicked voice : " Vivian , don't be scared . I'm getting you out of here . " Chase didn't even pause , sweeping Vivian toward the exit . His heart was racing with post - disaster relief as he pulled her into a tight embrace . " Thank God ... thank God you're okay... " Then something seemed to occur to him . He spun around and saw me watching coldly from across the room . His voice cracked : " Quinn , I ... I was just panicking . I didn't mean to not help you ... " " I know . " I cut him off coldly . 21 204 Chapter 3 In that moment when he'd carried her to safety , leaving me behind , one thing became crystal clear : The Chase Anderson who once promised to protect me forever was long gone . Seeing I wasn't angry , he looked relieved and offered to drive me home . " No thanks . Vivian looks pretty shaken up . You should take care of her . "