Chapter 298

The quaint café bustled with the hum of conversations and the aroma of brewing coffee as I entered during my lunch break. Quinton sat at a corner table, his gaze fixed on the street outside. As I approached, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that our conversation would be far from easy.

"Hey, Quinton," I greeted, attempting to break through the cold atmosphere that surrounded him. "How are you holding up?"

He looked up, his expression unreadable. "I'm surviving."

I took a seat across from him, already feeling the tension. "Quinton, I just wanted to talk, see how you're doing, and maybe gain some insight into what's been happening with Timothy's family."

His reaction was unexpectedly cold. "I won't be disclosing anything about Timothy's family, Evie."

I felt a surge of defensiveness. "How do you know my intentions? I just want to understand what's going on and support Timothy."

Quinton's gaze hardened. "Timothy told me you'd be determined about this. But you need to stay out of it, Evie. It's not your battle."

"Why can't you speak on Kamran or Andy's actions, or even Mr. Fitzgerald's?" I pressed, frustration lacing my words. "I need to know the truth, Quinton."

He leaned back, his expression firm. "Evie, I can't get involved in this. It's a dangerous game, and you don't want to be a part of it."

Anger flared within me. "Dangerous? Quinton, I love Timothy. I can't just stand by and watch as everything falls apart. I need to understand, I need to help."

He sighed, his eyes revealing a hint of concern. "Evie, please, for your own safety, stay away from these matters. Timothy wouldn't want you to get involved."

I almost lost my composure, the frustration and helplessness boiling over. "I don't care. I will risk everything for the love of my life, even if it destroys me."

Quinton was taken aback by the intensity of my dedication. "Evie, you can't throw yourself into a situation you don't fully understand. There are things at play here that go beyond our comprehension."

"I don't care, Quinton. I can't just sit back and watch. I need to do something," I declared, my voice unwavering.

He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto mine. "Evie, you're walking a dangerous path. There are forces at play that you can't control. You risk not only your own safety but also jeopardizing any chance of helping Timothy in the long run."

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "I can't just do nothing. I need answers, and I'm willing to face the consequences."

Quinton's gaze softened. "Evie, I know your heart is in the right place, but sometimes the best way to help is by staying on the sidelines. Trust me, Timothy wouldn't want you to sacrifice yourself for him."

I shook my head, my hands tightening into fists. "I can't turn my back on him, Quinton. I won't. He would everything he could to help me if the roles were reversed."

After a long stretch of silence, Quinton sighed and dragged a hand down his face. "You've been warned, Evie," he began, his voice low and serious. "People who meddle in Kamran's business have a way of disappearing, one way or another."

I nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "What about Andy? What's his deal?"

Quinton hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Andy's got a trickier past. He's prone to violent outbursts, and that's not something you want to get caught up in."

My mind raced, recalling instances of Andy's aggression – the attempt to fight Timothy, the incident with the slashed tires. The pieces were falling into place, but there was a question that lingered, unspoken yet heavy in the air.

"Has he ever... you know, resulted in something more extreme? Like murder?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Quinton's eyes narrowed, his response measured. "I've never heard of anything like that. Andy's volatile, but murder? No."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "So, Kamran might've used his influence to cover it up if something did happen. That would mean he set Timothy up as the culprit, though, and that doesn't seem right."

Quinton leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "Look, Evie, I can only tell you what I know, and that's all I know about that side of the family. I keep my distance for a reason."

The weight of the information settled over me, a complex web of family dynamics and potential dangers. Quinton's gaze held a mixture of caution and concern. I nearly gasped when I saw him get gather his things and stand up.

"Evie, you should get back to your life. You have work? Go do that instead of worrying about some scumbags," he advised.

I couldn't let him leave without extracting every bit of information I could. "Quinton, please. There has to be more you can tell me. I need to understand what's happening."

He paused, his expression pained. "I can't offer any more help than that, Evie. You're treading on dangerous ground. Be careful."

As he left the café, I felt a mixture of frustration and determination. The puzzle pieces were scattered, and the more I tried to put them together, the more elusive the truth seemed. But I couldn't back down. I needed to uncover the secrets that lurked in the shadows.

Returning to work, I mulled over the information Quinton had shared. The danger surrounding Kamran's business dealings and Andy's volatile nature painted a grim picture. Yet, there was still something missing – the connection between Timothy's predicament and the darker side of his family.

As I sifted through legal documents, my thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. I tried to hide my disdain for the interruption, shouting for them to come in. Fortunately, it was just Sarah.

"Evie," Sarah said, concern etched across her face. "I saw you on TV at Stella's funeral. What happened?"

“We were invited. Nothing else to it.”

She took a seat across from me, her expression one of genuine concern. "This is all so intense. And why were you at Stella's funeral together? Seems odd all things considered…."

I bristled at the implication. "We were there to pay our respects. Timothy and Stella were well acquainted.”

Sarah raised an eyebrow, her gaze probing. "Well-aquainted, huh? Well, it just seemed a bit strange to see you both on TV. People might start talking."

I felt a surge of frustration at the insinuations. "Then they can talk, Sarah. Timothy is innocent, and they have yet to find incriminating evidence."

Before I could say more, Sarah cut me off, a slight glint in her eyes. "Evie, I believe you. I've known you for a while now, and I know you have integrity. I'll help in any way I can."

Relief washed over me, grateful for Sarah's understanding. "Thank you, Sarah. I appreciate your support more than you know."

She nodded, her expression determined. "We'll get through this, Evie. Also, I wanted to remind you that we have a meeting with Mr. Burnstein at two o'clock."

I nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Right, the meeting. Let's be prepared. I don't want this mess affecting our professional lives."

Sarah gave me an encouraging smile before leaving my office. As she closed the door, I couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of determination.

My phone buzzed with a text message, pulling me from my thoughts. It was Timothy, asking how my day was going. I hesitated before replying, not wanting to burden him about my findings. He might’ve already known about Andy’s alcohol abuse.

I needed more information, and Quinton's warnings only fueled my determination. If Timothy was to have any chance at justice, I had to uncover the truth, no matter the risks.