Done with Cheater's Coldness Shine in Rival's Arms novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Who Gave You Permission to Touch Her?

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“I’m Zach Voss, Mr. Peyton Reed’s assistant.” The lead man pulled a business card from his pocket and gestured to his team. “We’ll take it from here.”

The bodyguards hauled the kidnapper away, dropping him with a heavy thud. Reality sank in for Quinn-Peyton had sent them to save her. Her tense shoulders slumped. She tried to speak, but her vision blurred, and darkness swallowed her. The last thing she heard was Zach ordering his men to get her to a hospital.

When she woke again, her assistant, Mia Marlow, was by her bedside. “Miss Hart, you’re awake!”

Mia had been a student Quinn sponsored right after she graduated from college. Thanks to her exceptional skills, she stayed on by Quinn’s side after graduation-and deep down, she’d long since regarded Quinn as her own older sister. When she heard Quinn was hurt, she was so frantic that she nearly got into a car crash.

Quinn met her worried gaze, her tone softening. “I’m okay.”

But she wasn’t. Mia thought of the doctor’s words-broken ribs, damaged lungs. Another hour, and she might not have survived. Her eyes filled with sympathy.

After a few coughs and sips of water, Quinn asked, “What’s the update on the board meeting you mentioned?”

“Miss Hart, you have to talk to Mr. Cole,” Mia said, indignant. “He’s trying to transfer 30% of the company’s shares to Lila! You built this company together-you don’t even own that much!”

Quinn froze, then laughed bitterly. When they’d started the company, Felix had convinced her to take a small stake, citing “high risks.” Now he was handing over a third to Lila without a second thought.

Her chest ached, making it hard for her to breathe, the metallic taste of blood returning.

“Have someone contact the board members,” she said, fists tightening, forcing calm. “Tell them I oppose it.”

She outlined her backup plan for Mia, who nodded and hurried off. Before leaving, Mia passed along a message from Zach, “He said his team will stay nearby-call if you need anything.”

Quinn blinked in slight surprise, then it hit her-Peyton had been the one to send someone to

save her.

She nodded in acknowledgment.

Once Mia left, she fished out her phone and sent Peyton a text to thank him.

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Chapter 4 Who Gave You Permission to Touch Her?

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She spent a month in the hospital. With Mia handling things at the company, Felix’s attempt to transfer shares to Lila failed. Several key partners also pulled out, leaving Felix scrambling.

On the day of her discharge, Quinn ignored Felix—his face stormy as a thundercloud-waiting outside the hospital. She walked straight toward her car with Mia.

“Quinn!” A hand snagged her arm abruptly, jolting her healing ribs. Quinn gasped in pain.

Felix frowned, noticing her genuine distress. But before he could ask, Mia spun around, shoving him away, glared at him. “Who gave you permission to touch her?!” she snapped, shielding Quinn. “Miss Hart’s injured-if you rip her stitches, you’ll regret it!”

“Cut the act, Quinn,” Felix snapped, cutting Mia off. Disappointment and disgust filled his eyes. “Playing sick in the hospital just to stop me from giving Lila shares? Do you hate her that much? You’re my girlfriend-Lila’s father died saving me. Can’t you tolerate her for that? Besides, you were the one who told me to take care of her when you found out she was an orphan!”

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Two weeks earlier, Lila had gotten into a fight at a gala and pushed a woman into the pool. Only later did she learn the woman was Elara Hale-an heiress with poor health, sheltered her whole life, rarely seen at events. Lucky for Lila, no one knew she’d done it. She planned to pin it on Quinn.

A cold flash crossed Felix’s eyes. The stinging on his cheek reminded him of Quinn’s slap. He hadn’t even had a chance to ask her about the gala, but he soothed Lila anyway. “Don’t worry, I’ll fix it. You’re safe with me.”

“I knew you’d have my back, Felix!” Lila cheered. “I want to go with you to the gala—I’m gonna pick out a pretty dress!”

Felix agreed, then hung up, his expression turning dark. He dialed his assistant. “Cut funding to the orphanage.”

“Mr. Cole?” The assistant sounded shocked. “That’s where you and Miss Hart first got together. You said you’d never stop funding it, no matter what. Why-”

“Just do it.” Felix pressed the tip of his tongue to his throbbing cheek, his eyes cold. He’d funded

there. the orphanage all these years because he knew Quinn had grown up

He’d indulged her for too long. She’d hit him—she needed to learn her place. She needed to remember how to behave.

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