Chapter 36

chapter36

“Ms. Beatrix, we should maintain a professional distance and respect personal boundaries. Where exactly are you taking me?”

Finally, Emmanuel reached his limit and firmly stepped back, creating space between them. He was utterly perplexed. How does she even know who I am?

“How could you say something so hypocritical?” Beatrix retorted, her voice dripping with disdain. “It’s nothing short of disappointing!”

To Beatrix, character was everything, though she admitteed that Emmanuel’s outward appearance and the stories she had heard of his bravery had initially impressed her. Mackenzie had told her how Emmanuel’s quick thinking had allowed a major project for the Terence Group to proceed without a hitch. These factors had given her a very high opinion of him.

However, that favorable impression had vanished the moment she saw him acting familiarly with Roselynn. Assuming he was flirting with a stranger behind Mackenzie’s back, her fiery temper had taken over. She had only stepped in to intervene because, as Mackenzie’s husband, his behavior reflected on the family.

“What are you talking about?” Emmanuel asked, his brow furrowing. “Please, make yourself clear.”

“What else? You’re a married man!” Beatrix exclaimed, planting her hands on her hips. “How could you even think of being so forward with another woman behind your wife’s back? It’s disrespectful!”

Emmanuel didn't react to her outburst with anger. Instead, he found the situation increasingly absurd and couldn't help but let out a short laugh.

“Why are you laughing?” Beatrix demanded, her eyes flashing. She was well-known in Yeringham’s social circles—one of the two Quillen sisters, known for her sharp wit and even sharper temper. No one usually dared to laugh when she was in the middle of a lecture.

“You’re jumping to conclusions,” Emmanuel said, finally looking her in the eye. “I don’t know how you found out I’m married, but you clearly don’t know that Roselynn is my biological sister. Are you actually accusing me of ‘flirting’ with my own sister?”

Beatrix froze, her mouth slightly agape as the realization hit her. The embarrassment was instantaneous. She had intended to catch him in a lie and defend her sister’s honor, only to find out she had completely misread a family interaction.

“But… you don’t look anything like her!” she insisted, trying to salvage some dignity.

“Siblings don't always look alike,” Emmanuel replied simply. He didn't feel like explaining that he took after their father while Roselynn took after their mother. “But who are you, exactly? And what is your connection to Mackenzie?”

“You really don’t know who I am?” Beatrix felt a strange surge of excitement. The fact that he was completely in the dark about her specific identity intrigued her. I’m his sister-in-law, and he has no clue. This is unbelievable!

It was clear to her now that Mackenzie was still keeping her family background a closely guarded secret from him.

“I know your name is Beatrix Quillen, and you’re from a prominent family,” Emmanuel stated calmly. “What I’m curious about is how you know my wife.”

“Well, I’m not going to tell you. You’ll have to figure that out for yourself!” Beatrix teased, sticking her tongue out before turning to head back toward the event. It’s a good thing Mackenzie and I have such opposite personalities. He’d never guess the truth.

Emmanuel watched her go, his mind racing. They share the same surname. Could Mackenzie really be closely related to the powerful Quillen family?

Meanwhile, Beatrix made her way back to the top floor and found Mackenzie. Her sister had just finished a productive discussion with a business partner, who was leaving with a look of immense gratitude. In Yeringham, a partnership with the Quillens was a guaranteed path to success.

“Mackenzie!” Beatrix called out, approaching her sister with a mischievous glint in her eyes.