Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 279

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

Holding the umbrella, Stephanie was completely oblivious to what was happening above her.

Quennel’s eyes were fixed on her retreating figure, watching her every step.

The moment he realized something was falling from above, heading straight for Stephanie, he acted on pure instinct, sprinting toward her.

Stephanie suddenly felt a heavy impact from behind, a powerful force shoving her forward.

The rainy street was slick, and Stephanie lost her balance, stumbling and falling to the ground.

Almost simultaneously, she heard a muffled groan from Quennel, followed by the sound of shattering porcelain.

The flowerpots crashed to the ground, breaking into a hundred pieces.

Quennel’s body hit the pavement hard, a pool of blood spreading around him.

The crimson blood mixed with the rain, and for a few seconds, Stephanie’s mind went blank.

When she finally processed what had happened, she instinctively looked up at the building.

A window on the sixth floor was open.

The succulents that had been on the windowsill had fallen.

Was it because of that sudden gust of wind?

That meant those pots had been heading straight for her.

And Quennel had pushed her out of the way…

The building’s security guard heard the commotion and rushed over to investigate.

Quennel’s face was deathly pale. It looked like he had been hit in the head, and blood was trickling down from his temple.

The blood stained his white shirt, and as he lay in the pouring rain, the wet fabric clung to his body.

Stephanie had known him since they were children, but she had never seen him look so vulnerable.

Stephanie glanced back at the building. What was Vivian doing? Why hadn’t she come down yet?

“I’ll have your girlfriend meet you there. Your parents will be there soon too.”

After all, given her current status, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to go.

Quennel gave a bitter smile. “Hobart, don’t go to the hospital. Just take me home!”

Hobart froze. “But sir, your injury…”

“Just leave it!” Quennel said, his voice laced with indifference. “After that live broadcast, my father tore into me. He said I had ruined the reputation of Verdant Grove Capital and disgraced him. I don’t think they’d care even if I died in the hospital.”

Stephanie was taken aback. She hadn’t known about that.

For years, Ternence and Quennel had a good relationship. The only thing they ever fought about was Victoria.

But Victoria was gone now.

Still, it made sense. The broadcast had a huge impact on Quennel’s reputation, trending online for three whole days. The stock price of Verdant Grove Capital had plummeted, and Ternence had always prioritized the company above all else.