The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 156

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156 Chapter 156 A Deal From The Shadows

156 Chapter 156 A Deal From The Shadows

Blanche’s POV 1

The evening rush hour chaos swirled around us outside the hospital, an endless stream of headlights cutting through the darkness.

Zain and I stood on the sidewalk while people rushed past, their conversations blending into white noise.

Dim streetlights bathed our faces in amber light.

I stared at him, waiting for his response.

He’d probably reject me.

After I’d walked away that day, Amara had hit me with an even uglier truth.

The guy who’d helped Drew spike Amber’s drink that night? Joanna’s actual brother.

No matter who was right or wrong about what went down, from Joanna’s brother’s perspective, I’d completely screwed over his scheme.

Nathan was Joanna’s older brother, and Zain was head–over–heels for Joanna. With those connections, I couldn’t imagine Zain would

ever lift a finger to help me.

But I couldn’t bear watching Amber swallow her pride just to close deals, or Quinton grinding himself into the ground trying to keep up

at work.

That’s what finally pushed me to approach Zain.

Zain hesitated, weighing his options, then said, “Okay.”

I stared at him in shock. I honestly hadn’t expected a yes.

But seeing his agreement, I had to ask, “Why?”

Zain didn’t miss a beat. “Quinton’s finance firm has solid potential. Why wouldn’t I consider it? We both benefit.”

I frowned. “But Joanna’s brother’s been pushing for a partnership too.”

Given Zain’s devotion to Joanna, I’d assumed he’d use the deal to win points with her brother,

But somehow, he’d agreed to funnel business through Quinton’s platform instead.

Zain picked up on my implication.

He smiled. “I know what you’re getting at. I’ve looked into Joanna’s brother’s finance company. It’s still finding its feet.”

“Even without your suggestion, I wouldn’t have chosen them over Quinton’s platform. And if Joanna discovers I didn’t hand her brother

the deal, she won’t hold it against me. She trusts me, understands me, and honestly, she always prioritizes me.”

He continued, “Once his company’s more established, I’ll include him in other opportunities.”

I listened to Zain’s perspective on Joanna, momentarily speechless.

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156 Chapter 156 A Deal From The Shadows

Finally, I murmured, “Alright.”

With that, I slipped into my car and drove off.

I pulled up to the Callum Mansion in the early evening.

Dinner at the Callum Mansion had been running late lately.

Either Amber came home late, or Quinton did.

When I walked in, the family had just gathered around the dining table.

Seeing me arrive, Roger quickly instructed Isabela to add another place setting.

Tension hung heavy in the dining room air. Quinton’s face was stone–cold serious, and Amber looked completely deflated.

I could tell without asking. Work stress was eating them both alive.

Once dinner began, nobody bothered with small talk.

Halfway through the meal, Quinton’s phone buzzed on the table.

Despite the full family gathering, everyone fell silent the moment the ringtone started.

So when the caller spoke to Quinton, we all heard every crystal–clear word.

Desmond’s voice filtered through the speaker.

“Mr. Callum, this is Desmond Grey, Mr. Jacob’s assistant from Jacob Group. Mr. Jacob asked me to contact you. He’d like to discuss a potential partnership.” Desmond’s tone dripped with professional respect.

I watched Quinton, waiting for his reaction.

On the other end, Desmond waited too, expecting Quinton to respond.

After a pause, Quinton finally spoke, “Hello, Mr. Grey. Please tell Mr. Jacob we appreciate his generosity, but the Callum Family prefers not to owe him any favors. We’ll decline the partnership.”

The moment Quinton turned him down, I went completely rigid.

Everyone was desperate for a Jacob Group connection, but when they actually reached out to Quinton, he just slammed the door in their

faces.

Shouldn’t Quinton be grabbing Zain’s help, especially now? My mind raced.

Without a new project soon, Callum Finance might not make it much longer.

Desmond seemed ready to say more, but Quinton cut him off and ended the call.

I was about to speak, but Quinton caught my eye and jumped in first. “I’ve already secured a new partner. Not a major company, but enough to keep us going.

Quinton paused, then added, “You and Zain are heading for divorce. Sure, my company’s struggling, but that doesn’t mean I want you

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156 Chapter 156 A Deal From The Shadows

sacrificing yourself just to cut a deal with him. And I know he’s only offering because of you, not because my company’s worth anything

special.”

I kept my head down, staying quiet.

Quinton didn’t elaborate further. He just smiled and said, “Let’s eat. In a few days, this’ll all be history.”

I looked up at Quinton, still worried. “So which company did you partner with?”

Quinton chewed before answering, “An aerospace company, nothing huge, but at least Callum Finance is secure for now.”

I kept studying him. “So you’ve been busy with deal negotiations these past few days?”

Quinton nodded. “Yeah.”

Amber had stayed silent this whole time, but hearing Quinton, her eyes suddenly filled with tears that spilled down her cheeks.

Quinton handed her tissues and asked gently, “What’s wrong?”

Amber shook her head. “Nothing. I just think marrying you is the one decision I’ll never regret in my entire life.”

Quinton pulled her close, softly comforting her. “Having you as my wife is what I’m most proud of in my whole life.”

With the Callum Family crisis finally resolved, I could finally relax.

Meanwhile, at Noelle’s apartment, it was one of those rare evenings when the entire group managed to gather.

With Dorian already tucked into bed, just Noelle, Vincent, and Kingsley lounged in the living room.

A bottle of red wine and three glasses occupied the coffee table.

Kingsley stood by the floor–to–ceiling windows, handling a phone call, while Vincent stretched across the couch and Noelle sat upright,

perfectly composed. From their positions, they could see Kingsley’s reflection in the glass.

Shortly, Kingsley finished his call and turned back, walking over.

Vincent straightened up, lifting his head to ask, “How did it go?” His anxiety was obvious.

Kingsley’s expression was serious, but he delivered it plainly, “Yeah, it’s handled.”

Vincent exhaled in relief. “Good”

Vincent collapsed back against the couch, breathing heavily.

Vincent had been even more stressed than Quinton about failing to secure a deal.

If the Callum Family was in crisis, that meant Blanche was in crisis too.

Watching Vincent’s anxiety, Kingsley couldn’t help asking, “Why not just help them directly? You’re helping from the shadows, but the Callum Family has no idea, and Blanche doesn’t either. What’s the point?”

Vincent closed his eyes and responded flatly, “If I appeared myself, do you really think Quinton would accept the deal?”

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156 Chapter 156 A Deal From The Shadows

Kingsley didn’t answer. He just looked at Vincent and said seriously, “You’ve really fallen for her.”

Fallen?‘ Vincent thought, instantly irritated by the phrase. He scoffed at Kingsley, “Screw off.”

Kingsley just shrugged, unbothered. “Unrequited love, right?”

The moment Vincent opened his eyes, his freezing stare locked on Kingsley. “Nobody’s forcing you to talk.”

Kingsley kept pushing. “If you can’t have her, why not do something really ruthless? Just get her pregnant first.”

Vincent didn’t respond. He just shot Kingsley a murderous glare.

After Kingsley finished his teasing, Noelle finally addressed Vincent seriously. “Are you coming to Dorian’s field trip next week?”

Vincent lifted his wine glass, the deep red liquid flowing down his throat, his Adam’s apple moving as he swallowed. Then he placed the

glass back on the table.

He gave Noelle a cold look. “Is that even a question?”

With that, he stood up and walked out.

Kingsley and Noelle exchanged glances.

Kingsley said, “When this guy falls for someone, we’re the ones who suffer.”

Noelle nodded in agreement. “Absolutely.”

Kingsley added, “Still, I’m rooting for him.”

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