Chapter 984: Betrayal
"You don’t recognize her? She’s one of the city's renowned four beauties, the owner of the bar," Quentin replied, his eyes filled with jealousy as he watched the red BMW descend the hill. He had recognized Natalie immediately. This exotic and captivating woman had been the subject of his fantasies for a long time, but Jasper's towering influence deterred all but the bravest from pursuing her.
Unexpectedly, Natalie had come to the mountains in the dead of night to cavort with a man, and that man turned out to be Audrey's cousin, Kevin. This revelation vexed Quentin; even though he couldn't compare to Jasper, he was still a teacher at Sunset Valley High School, surely superior to a wet-behind-the-ears student like Kevin.
Quentin's face darkened as he drove down the mountain, his thoughts consumed by the illicit affair between Kevin and Natalie. Although Angus's influence kept him from causing trouble for Audrey, his grudge against Kevin lingered. Kevin had, in Quentin's mind, repeatedly thwarted him, and Quentin harbored a deep-seated desire to exact retribution.
The first idea Quentin entertained was to inform Jasper. After all, no man tolerated being cuckolded, and Jasper discovering Kevin's involvement with Natalie would surely prompt a brutal response. However, Quentin and Jasper were not acquainted, and lacking evidence could backfire if Natalie turned the tables. Shaming a man of Jasper’s stature could also lead to unintended consequences, a risk Quentin was unwilling to take.
As Quentin's Santana entered the town, he spotted Douglas, one of Jasper's men, at a street-side barbecue stand. Jeremy, Douglas’s younger brother, was a student at Sunset Valley High School, recently saved from disciplinary action by Quentin’s intervention. Seizing the opportunity, Quentin instructed Jasmine to wait in the car and approached Douglas with a grin.
"Hey, big brother, why are you drinking alone?" Quentin asked jovially.
"Mr. Rodriguez," Douglas acknowledged, his face flushed from alcohol, surrounded by dozens of beer bottles. Nodding hazily, he invited, "Come, drink with me."
Quentin obligingly raised his glass, clinking it with Douglas’s, and steered the conversation. "Big brother, you're doing well in life now. Isn’t it time you found a woman?"
"Find a woman?" Douglas laughed heartily. "The streets are full of women, and any I fancy is mine. Hell, even the police chief’s wife isn’t off-limits, believe it or not."
"I believe it, absolutely," Quentin flattered, hiding his disdain. Douglas was nothing more than a thug, and despite his bravado, meddling with high-profile women would certainly bring him misery. Rather than argue, Quentin praised, "For a woman to catch your eye, she’d be lucky. Even the bar owner can’t measure up to you."
"Have you lost your mind?" Douglas snapped, hearing Natalie’s name. "She's our boss’s woman. Touching her is as good as a death wish!"
"My mistake, my mistake," Quentin quickly placated, filling Douglas’s glass again. "But I just saw Natalie and a man heading up the hill."
"Who?" Douglas's expression turned icy. Although nominally Jasper’s woman, Douglas knew their relationship had cooled, and Jasper had even hinted she might be his someday. To hear that she might be seeing someone else fired his rage.
"I couldn't see clearly in the darkness," Quentin evaded, hoping to ignite Douglas’s fury without implicating himself. "But it’s none of my business. Best not to get involved and risk getting burned."
"Like hell, I won't get involved. I need to find out who’s got the guts to go after the boss’s woman," snarled Douglas, thoroughly riled. For months, he had been tantalized but rebuffed by Natalie, and the thought of her with another man was unbearable.
Quentin had achieved his aim and soon found an excuse to leave. He anticipated Kevin would face Douglas’s and possibly Jasper’s wrath soon. Gleeful at the prospect, he drove away, one hand wandering to Jasmine’s silky thigh while his mind lingered on Natalie’s alluring figure. His envy of Kevin was palpable—dying after such an encounter wouldn’t be too bad, he mused.
Natalie drove Kevin back to South Street, planting a kiss on his cheek before parting with a suggestion, "Kevin, when does your school term start?"
"In a few days. Why do you ask, sis?" Kevin responded offhandedly.
"Do you have time tomorrow? Let's spend a day at the lake; you won’t have time once school starts," Natalie explained.
The lake, actually a reservoir, had been transformed into a recreational area by a wealthy investor, who had spent billions on its development. Natalie had visited once and liked it, hence her invitation.
"Sure," Kevin agreed enthusiastically, arranging to meet Natalie at his door at 7 AM before heading inside. His phone rang, displaying Audrey's name, which he answered promptly.
"Hey, Kevin. Are you asleep?" Audrey’s sweet voice sent a thrill through him, making him momentarily forget Natalie. "I just finished my homework. When are you coming back? I miss you."
"I've only been gone two days; you didn’t miss me this much when I was in Starhaven for a month," Audrey teased gently. "I need to spend time with my parents, but I’ll be back in a few days. Make sure you’re ready for your exams. Don’t let your grades slip, okay?"
"I’ve got it covered, sis. I’ll make you proud," Kevin promised, adding slyly, "And you’ll have to make good on your promise. No backing out."
"Study first, talk later," Audrey replied, feeling a blush creep up as she thought of fulfilling Kevin's wish. Her body reacted, a simmering heat spreading through her, missing his touch.
After a few more words, Audrey hung up, returning to the living room where her nephew Dean sat watching TV. "Dean, it’s late. Time for bed. Did you finish your homework?" she asked, frowning slightly.
"Yes," Dean replied, quickly turning off the TV. He gazed at Audrey, who wore a black nightdress, barely containing her ample, firm breasts and revealing her lacy bra underneath. Her long legs peeked alluringly from beneath. Gathering his nerve, Dean asked, "Auntie, can I sleep with you tonight? I’m afraid to sleep alone."
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