Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 203

But his heart belonged only to Stephanie. Everything that happened last night occurred while he was completely out of it.

He must have drunkenly mistaken Vivian for Stephanie, but if she hadn't been willing, could he have even succeeded? Especially as drunk as he was.

After his experience with Victoria, Quennel was much more guarded. He grabbed his shirt and pants, pulling them on. "I owe you for this."

Vivian stared at his tall figure, stunned for a long moment. "Owe me how? So, how do you plan on compensating me?"

"The Yates family's stock plummeted because of the recent scandal, and they lost their partnership with the Vasquez Group."

In the blink of an eye, Quennel was fully dressed, with no trace of the disheveled, drunken man from the night before.

He raised an eyebrow casually, his tone strictly business as he fastened the last button. "But the Gonzalez family can partner with the Yates family."

Vivian couldn't care less about company matters. The moment she heard his offer, she was instantly dissatisfied, biting her lip. "I don't want any of that!"

Quennel furrowed his brow. "Then what do you want?"

"I want to be your girlfriend! I want to date you, to marry you! Quennel, I want to be your wife! I want you to dote on me just like you used to dote on Stephanie!"

Quennel frowned, rejecting her outright. "That's impossible."

How could she even compare to Stephanie?

Vivian was stunned.

Quennel's gaze didn't linger on her, his tone remaining professional. "Figure out what you really want and let me know. Also…"

Quennel's eyes were devoid of any emotion. "Don't forget to take the pill."

The door clicked shut, and Vivian felt that Quennel was not the man she had imagined.

He was gentle and patient with Stephanie. Hearing that she loved flowers, he bought a thousand-acre flower field in Veridian and hired people to tend to it, ensuring the garden bloomed year-round—a grand, romantic gesture so she could visit anytime.

So why was he so cold to her?

Hobart, the assistant to Zachary Wright, the CEO of Sapphire Group.

Someone else was originally supposed to handle this project, but his wife went into labor with their second child, so he took paternity leave. Stephanie was sent to fill in.

Hobart held the elevator for Stephanie. "Ms. Jackson, Mr. Wright is waiting for you upstairs."

This entire floor was dedicated to private business dining, and it wasn't cheap. Zachary had clearly spared no expense. The circle was small, but Stephanie hadn't expected to run into her former employer so soon.

But as the elevator doors opened, she saw it was already occupied by Quennel and a few of his friends.

Seeing Stephanie, his friends' eyes flickered with surprise as they instinctively glanced at Quennel.

Hobart held the elevator door, gesturing for Stephanie to enter. "Ms. Jackson, please."

Stephanie couldn't very well refuse, so she stepped inside.