Chapter 263 The Stand-In: A Man of Substance
Within the confines of the office, Quinn's countenance was a frozen visage as she addressed the young man before her. "Frodo Johnson," she said, her voice as cold as her expression, "I implore you to leave this instant, lest I summon security."
Frodo returned her icy stare with a fierce glare of his own. "I'll pose this question once more," he challenged, "will you retract your decree?"
Quinn responded with a chilling laugh. "I am the CEO of Johnson family Group. My commands are absolute, and I do not toy with my directives. I suggest you take your leave."
The color drained from Frodo's face, replaced by a livid hue of anger. "So, you refuse to rescind your order? Do you truly believe I lack the power to destroy you?"
"By all means, make your attempt," she dared him.
With a derisive snort, Quinn reached for the phone, prepared to call in her security team.
"You're treading on dangerous ground, Quinn!" Frodo warned, his face contorted with rage. He snatched up a document, ready to hurl it at her.
However, as his hand rose, the door burst open and in strode Baldwin, who promptly seized Frodo's arm.
With a swift shove, he sent Frodo sprawling onto the office floor.
"Who do you think you are, manhandling me like this?" Frodo spat, nursing his bruised ego.
Baldwin looked down at him, a cellphone in his hand. "I've captured every word you've just uttered. Now, I suggest you apologize to Ms. Quinn, or I'll be forced to involve the authorities. You've just threatened someone's personal safety, an offense that could land you in police custody for up to five days."
Frodo scrambled to his feet, dusting off his trousers. He glared at Baldwin, his eyes ablaze with fury. "Is it truly you? You're nothing more than a play-acting gigolo, worming your way into a wealthy woman's life and now playing the hero. Don't you feel any shame?" he sneered, his voice laced with anger and contempt.
"I'll give you a count of three to apologize, or I'll dial the police," Baldwin retorted, unfazed by Frodo's taunts. His voice was as cold as the office air.
"You son of a—"
"Three, two..."
"Fine, I apologize," Frodo grumbled, his face turning a steely shade of grey as he realized Baldwin was serious about his threat.
A slight smile played on Baldwin's lips. "Louder, please. Did you forget to eat your breakfast?"
"You!" Frodo's eyes flared with rage. He wanted to retaliate, but he was powerless against Baldwin.
Reluctantly, he repeated his apology, this time with more volume.
"Leave," Baldwin commanded, tucking his phone away with a satisfied smirk.
Frodo shot him a venomous glare and flipped Quinn the bird before storming out, slamming the door behind him.
The silence that followed was immediate and palpable.
Quinn turned her gaze to Baldwin, her eyes sparkling with admiration for his handsome, steely features.
"Baldwin, come here," she purred, beckoning him with a curl of her finger.
Baldwin glanced at her but remained rooted to the spot. "Speak your piece from there," he instructed.
With a flirtatious smile, Quinn rose from her seat and sauntered over to him. "Fine, if you won't come to me, then I'll come to you, my gallant hero," she murmured.
Reaching him, she curled her hand around his neck and rose on her tiptoes to plant a kiss. Baldwin wanted to pull away, but for reasons he couldn't comprehend, he found himself enjoying her adulation.
After a lingering moment, he gently pushed her away, feigning indifference. "I'm headed to the drawing room," he announced.
Quinn reached out to stop him. "Why the drawing room?"
"Wasn't I summoned here to sign a contract?" Baldwin replied, his tone diplomatic. "Your company's efficiency leaves much to be desired. I've been waiting for what feels like an eternity with no one showing up."
Quinn let out a soft laugh. "That's because I've been preoccupied," she said playfully, guiding him to sit on the couch. "There's no need to go to the drawing room. I have your contract right here."
Baldwin watched in silence as she retrieved the contract from her desk and took a seat beside him. Was she planning to oversee the signing personally?
As the contract was presented, Baldwin's demeanor shifted to one of serious concentration. He scrutinized the document meticulously and, finding no significant issues, flipped to the last page, produced a pen, and signed his full name.
Quinn watched him, her smile growing warmer with each passing moment. She hadn't realized it before, but her backup choice was indeed a man of substance! His recent actions had left Frodo utterly dumbfounded.
She reveled in a profound sense of self-satisfaction.
The woman's gaze was penetrating, impossible to overlook.
Baldwin inked his signature with a flourish, his demeanor unflappable. "The contract is now signed. Unless there's anything else, I'll take my leave."
Yet, as he rose to depart, Quinn launched herself at him, trapping him against the plush couch.
A startled gasp escaped Baldwin as he felt the woman's soft form press against his own, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.
"Quinn, we are in a professional setting. Let's not engage in any inappropriate behavior."
Quinn, still grinning, noted his discomfort and reached out to caress his handsome face.
"Baldwin, we are in a relationship. A little office romance is entirely acceptable."
Her cool hand on his face caused his breath to hitch.
With a concerted effort, Baldwin gently pushed her away. "Enough of this. I really must go."
He attempted to extriEvella himself, but Quinn spun him around, landing herself beneath him on the couch.
"Baldwin, if you prefer to take the lead, by all means, stay on top."
Her eyes sparkled with a seductive allure, her pale, slender fingers tracing a path over his body, igniting a rush of heat within him.
He seized her wandering hand, his voice a deep, husky whisper.
"Enough, I have to return to the set."
Quinn fluttered her eyelashes coyly. "Then I'll await your return at home tonight."
A flicker of conflict crossed Baldwin's face.
"Quinn, our relationship is temporary. I hope we can maintain a certain distance in private."
Upon hearing this, Quinn's expression dimmed slightly as she pushed herself upright.
"Baldwin, are these your sentiments or those of your mother?"
Baldwin rose and adjusted his attire. "My mother's wishes align with my own. I must go."
Quinn spoke up, "If we're not to be family in the future, there's no need for me to protect you. I'll just ask Aaron to investigate your mother's past."
Baldwin paused mid-stride, turning to regard her.
"Quinn, do you truly intend to proceed with this?"
Quinn stood, reaching out to adjust his shirt collar, which was perfectly in place.
"Baldwin, it depends on how you treat me. If you continue to be my knight in shining armor, I'll take your secret to the grave."
Her tone was flirtatious, her face serene, as if she held all the cards.
Baldwin observed her in silence, sighing inwardly.
Hadn't she already figured him out?
"And what's your plan for my mother's reformation?" he inquired.
Quinn's eyebrows arched in amusement as she chuckled lightly, "There's no rush. We have all the time in the world. Just follow my lead."
Baldwin didn't respond, his gaze steady on her.
Quinn wrapped her arms around his sturdy waist, "Shall we depart then?"
"I need to return to the set," Baldwin responded.
"And tonight..." Quinn began.
But Baldwin silenced her with a tender kiss on her forehead.
"Wait for me."
With that, he disentangled himself from her and strode away.
As she watched his tall figure recede, Quinn chuckled softly.
That man, always so reserved, would surely dote on her now.
Saturday dawned.
The day of the kindergarten performance had arrived.
Nora rose early, her daughter's giggles echoing in the room as she helped her into a pretty white dress.
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