When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 120

Joaquin paused and turned, an eyebrow raised. "I didn't hit anyone this time. Are you here to collect damages again?"

"No," Winona said, shaking her head.

"Oh, so you're here to lecture me on Henrietta's behalf?"

Winona hesitated for a moment, not answering.

Joaquin frowned and glanced impatiently at his watch. "If you have something to say, say it."

"Henrietta is married to Mr. Nash now," Winona said, her voice firm. "Aren't you afraid of provoking him? Of bringing ruin to the entire Leland family?"

"So you are here to lecture me," Joaquin scoffed. "It's fair competition between men. He was free to marry her, and I am free to pursue her. As for ruin... you're overthinking it. My sister did Mr. Nash a huge favor once. He would never destroy the Leland family. So don't you worry about it."

Winona's brows furrowed. "What favor?"

Joaquin's patience was wearing thin. "That's none of your business." He turned to leave again, his entire demeanor radiating an aggressive arrogance.

"You really don't remember me at all, do you?" Winona asked quietly.

The question stopped him in his tracks. He turned back, looking genuinely puzzled. "What? Should I remember you? Have we met before?"

Winona's shoulders slumped in disappointment. "Never mind," she said, her voice barely a whisper. She turned to walk away.

But now Joaquin seemed intrigued. "Wait."

Winona stopped. He walked back toward her. "Our only interaction was when you came to collect payment, right? The daughter of the Stetson family, willingly working as Henrietta's assistant? You two must be close. And... if we're talking about connections, isn't your older brother trying to arrange a marriage with my sister?"

A few days earlier, Winona's older brother, Truman Stetson, had formally proposed a marriage alliance with Britney.

Winona pressed her lips together, her mood sinking lower. "Yes, you're right. I suppose those are our only connections."

Joaquin arched an eyebrow, finding her behavior strange. He let out a derisive laugh. "The Stetson family is a respectable one, and Truman seems like a decent guy. He's always been obsessed with Britney, followed her around like a lapdog. But my sister used to be with Mr. Nash. Do you really think she'd be interested in Truman? I'd advise you to go home and tell your brother to give up."

Winona's chin lifted defiantly. "And aren't you acting like a lapdog yourself right now?"

Her words hit their mark. Joaquin's face hardened. "Don't compare me to Truman."

He paused, then asked again, "Besides those two things, are you sure we have met before?"

Winona took a deep breath and shook her head. "No."

Joaquin gave her a look of annoyance, as if she were wasting his time, then turned and walked away for good.

...

It was Yosef.

Quinton paused the meeting, picked up a pack of cigarettes from the table, and stepped out of the conference room. He stared at the screen for a long moment before finally answering.

He spoke first, his tone polite. "Mr. Nash. Is there something I can help you with?"

Yosef didn't reply immediately. Quinton could hear the distinct flick and snap of a lighter, followed by a pause. He was lighting a cigarette.

Finally, Yosef spoke. "How much do you remember from last night?"

Quinton's frown deepened, a familiar ache settling in his chest. "Not much."

"Quinton, I always thought you were a man of great composure..." Yosef said after a moment.

Quinton lowered his eyes.

"But you've disappointed me," Yosef continued. "You finally revealed the feelings you've hidden for so long. What did you gain from it, other than hurting Henrietta?"

After a long pause, Quinton finally asked, "How... did I hurt her?"

Yosef's voice dropped several degrees. "What do you think?"