As Dorothy made a beeline for the hospital room, Quincy, with the quick reflexes of someone who''s grown up yingcrosse at prep schools, intercepted her. "Unbelievable, you! Mr. Lopez is ill, for heaven''s sake!"


    "I couldn''t care less if he''s sick or not. If he pays up, I''m out of here. No money, no peace."


    Quincy,ing from an affluent background, wasn''t ustomed to such confrontations. A verbal spar with a rampaging Dorothy, channeling her inner Karen, was not something he was prepared for. Dorothy was clearly well-prepared, having been coached by Karen in a crash course of assertiveness.


    "If it''s the money you''re after, fine! But let''s talk this through like adults. Mr. Lopez didn''t say he wouldn''t pay you."


    Quincy had to exert some force to pull her away from the door before he could shut it.


    Dorothy had intended to showcase her acting skills to Everett, but the remnants of her illness and resulting weakness meant she couldn''t match Quincy''s strength and was dragged away... "So now you''re the one calling the shots for Everett?"


    Resigned to her fate, Dorothy decided to perform her drama right there at the doorway.


    Quincy nced at the closed door, relieved, then regained someposure. "Yes, Mr. Lopez and I are about to get married. His concerns are mine now."


    "Ha! About to get married doesn''t mean you''re married yet. You think you have a say in the Lopez family matters?"


    "Ms. Sanchez, let''s not get into that. Just tell me what you want, how much, make a list, and we can discuss it."N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Dorothy rolled her eyes, leaning against the wall to conserve her energy for the performance yet toe.


    "Discuss it? So after I make a list, you''ll still want to negotiate? I thought you had the authority to agree on his behalf. Quincy, it seems even with your marriage to Everett, your standing in the Lopez family isn''t all that significant. Even


    Everett''s dad hasn''t give much


    you


    leeway."


    Quincy, irritated by her ranting, subconsciously massaged her temples.


    "First off, I didn''t push you out! It was after you and Mr. Lopez broke up that our families agreed to the marriage And you two were never officially together'' after the so stop throwing around


    ovorce,


    usations. If you want the money, show some respect."


    "Calling me a homewrecker, are you?"


    Quincy frowned. "I am not a homewrecker!"


    "That''s what they all say! Ever seen anyone admit to it? They all im, ''I''m not a homewrecker; it''s all for love!'' Yet, when ites to taking someone''s partner, decency goes out the window." Dorothy locked eyes with Quincy as she spoke.


    The sharpness of Dorothy''s words left Quincy struggling to respond.


    "I...I didn''t!"


    "My point exactly! Youck decency."


    Dorothy, having spoken too fast, felt a bit lightheaded.


    She grabbed a nearby handle, gasping for breath.


    Quincy, observing Dorothy''s condition, asked in confusion, "You...I gave you the medication, didn''t I? Why are you still so weak?" Dorothy''s heart sank.


    But she was quick to retort with a scoff, "The medicine you gave? As if I''d risk poisoning myself with that!"