The Unveiling of Secret Queen

@ilovebeingskinny now just hopes that the idiot behind this ID doesn’t die too soon, so they can spend a bit more time.

*

Seven o’clock.

Nathalie Quinlan spent half an hour packing up and told Amadeus Yancey she was ready to leave.

As soon as she stepped out of the filing room, she received a text from Simon Grayson, the newly-appointed president of the business alliance, saying they were throwing a celebration banquet for her and hoped she could grace the occasion with her presence.

Nathalie knew these people did not genuinely want to invite her to dinner; instead, they wanted to use her to establish good relations with the research institute and Nicholas Fuller.

She didn’t respond to the message, nor did she block the number. She casually tucked her phone away and turned to leave the entrance of the research institute.

By the roadside, Amadeus Yancey had been leaning against the car, waiting for her for half an hour.

As she walked out, he straightened up and opened the passenger-side car door, saying to the girl approaching, ”How did it go today?”

Nathalie’s tiredness was visible in her eyes; she got into the car, fastened her seatbelt, and casually replied, ”Same old, same old.”

Amadeus understood that she hadn’t found what she was looking for today.

He closed the car door for the girl, went around to the other side to get in, started the car, and then remembered something: ”Grandpa invited us for dinner tonight. Are you going?”

Nathalie turned her head, resting her chin on her hand, and looked at him.

Amadeus had his hand on the steering wheel, looking into her clear black-and-white eyes, and said in a calm voice: ”Shania Yancey and Fredy Yancey are here. Grandpa probably wants you to meet them so that you’ll be familiar with them in future encounters.”

Nathalie didn’t know who Shania and Fredy Yancey were, but from his tone, she guessed they were the elders of the Yancey Family.

Amadeus leaned over to place the document folder she had brought onto the back seat, then turned his gaze back to her, his deep eyes filled with warmth: ”If you don’t want to go, it’s fine. I’ll let him know, he won’t blame you.”

Nathalie, of course, knew Mr. Yancey wouldn’t be angry with her over such a small matter, which made it harder for her to refuse.

”... Where’s dinner?”

Amadeus was already on the phone when he asked, glancing at her: ”You want to go?”

Nathalie opened the car window to let the outside air in, lazily resting her elbow on it, and said in a slow, deliberate manner, ”I have to eat anyway, what’s a few more people.”

Amadeus cared for her and was just about to speak.

Mr. Yancey couldn’t wait any longer and called.

Amadeus had no choice but to answer the phone: ”Hello.”

His voice was low and deep, barely saying a word.

On the other end, Giordano Yancey said loudly, ”Did you pick up Nathalie? When will she be here? Should I have them start serving?”

”Have they arrived?” Amadeus glanced at the girl beside him, who still had her hand resting on the car window, looking relaxed and at ease.

Mr. Yancey’s voice was full of energy: ”Yes, we’re just waiting for you two.”

Amadeus didn’t immediately reply but again looked in the girl’s direction, using his eyes to ask for her opinion.

Until Nathalie nodded.

He then rolled up the car window and told Mr. Yancey, ”We’re on our way.”

Amadeus checked the time on his wrist, adding, ”We’ll be there in about half an hour.”

Mr. Yancey chuckled, not in any rush, still advising him, ”Drive slowly and be safe on the road.”

”Okay.”

Amadeus hung up the phone, put it away, turned his head to look at Nathalie, and said, ”Shall we head over?”