My Unfinished Business

The grand ballroom was nearly empty. The music had softened into a light instrumental melody as the last of the guests exited. Quinn stood at the entrance, gracefully thanking the remaining attendees, a satisfied smile lingering on her lips. She had done it. The night had been a resounding success. 

But as she turned, she felt the weight of a stare burning into her back. 

Leo. 

He stood near the bar, his tuxedo slightly loosened, his hands shoved into his pockets. His eyes—dark and unreadable—were locked onto her. He had barely spoken to her all night, choosing instead to observe from a distance. But she knew that look. He was furious. 

Michael approached her with a warm smile. "I'll have Daniel send over the final guest list analysis tomorrow. Investors are already calling, saying they want in on future collaborations." 

Quinn nodded. "That's good news. We'll start setting up the next phase of the partnership as soon as possible." 

Before Michael could respond, Leo appeared beside them. 

"Quinn," Leo said sharply. 

She sighed inwardly before turning to face him. "Yes, Leo?" 

Leo's gaze flickered toward Michael before settling back on her. "We need to talk. Now." 

Michael immediately tensed, his jaw clenching, but Quinn placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "It's fine, Michael." She turned back to Leo, lifting her chin defiantly. "If it's about the show, you can congratulate me right here." 

Leo's lips curled into a smirk, but there was no humor behind it. "That's not what I need to talk about." His voice was low, edged with frustration. 

Michael glanced between them, unwilling to leave her alone with him. "Quinn, if you need anything—" 

"I'll be fine," she reassured him. 

Michael hesitated, then gave Leo a warning glance before stepping back. "I'll wait by the car," he said before walking toward the exit. 

As soon as Michael was out of earshot, Leo grabbed Quinn's wrist—not too hard, but firm enough to make her stop. 

"What the hell was that?" he demanded. 

Quinn pulled her hand away, her eyes flashing. "What was what?" 

Leo let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "The speech? Announcing Michael as Vice President of Quinn's Group? How were you two parading around the ballroom like the perfect business couple?" 

Quinn folded her arms, unimpressed. "Are you seriously trying to lecture me about public appearances, Leo? You, of all people?" 

Leo's jaw clenched. "Don't turn this around. You're my wife, Quinn. The first lady of the Langston family. And you stood there tonight acting like you belonged to him." 

Quinn's heart pounded, but she kept her voice even. "I belong to myself, Leo. And I own my success. You have nothing to do with that." 

His eyes darkened. "You're naive if you think Michael Lennox is doing all this just for business." 

Quinn scoffed. "And what about you and Sophia, then? Are you just business, Leo? Or is it different when it's you?" 

Leo's expression turned stone cold. "Sophia knows her place." 

Quinn took a step closer, her voice whispering, venom laced in every word. "And you think I don't?" 

The tension between them was unbearable, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Leo exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. "This isn't a game, Quinn." 

She lifted her chin. "No, Leo. This is what happens when you push someone away for too long." 

She turned on her heels and walked toward the exit, leaving Leo standing there, fists clenched, his world slowly slipping through his fingers. 

Sophia had been watching the exchange from across the ballroom, sipping her champagne leisurely. The way Leo looked at Quinn—furious, frustrated, possessive—it was all too amusing. 

She knew Quinn was slipping away from Leo's grasp, and nothing infuriated him more than losing control. 

As Quinn disappeared through the doors, Sophia approached Leo, her heels clicking against the marble floor. 

"Rough night?" she teased, twirling the glass stem between her fingers. 

Leo shot her an irritated glance. "Not now, Sophia." 

Sophia smirked. "You realize she publicly elevated Michael to her equal, right? That's not something she did lightly." 

Leo took a deep breath, his expression unreadable. "I know." 

Sophia tilted her head. "And yet, you let her walk away. Again." 

Leo's fingers tightened around his glass before setting it down on the bar with a clink. "Not for long." 

Sophia's smirk widened. "Now that's the Leo Langston I know." 

The car ride was quiet. Quinn stared out the window, her thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. Sensing her mood, Michael let the silence stretch until they arrived at her house. 

As soon as the car stopped, he turned to her. "What did he say?" 

Quinn sighed. "The usual. He thinks I'm making a mistake by trusting you." 

Michael chuckled humorlessly. "That's rich, coming from him." 

Quinn rubbed her temples. "Michael… I don't know what's going to happen next, but I do know one thing—I refuse to let him dictate my life any longer." 

Michael reached out, gently taking her hand. "Then don't." 

She looked at him, their eyes meeting in the dim light of the car. His hand was warm, steady. 

"You're not alone in this, Quinn," Michael said softly. "Whatever happens, I'm with you." 

For the first time in a long time, Quinn felt something close to peace. 

"Thank you, Michael," she whispered before stepping out of the car. 

Back at the Langston mansion, Leo sat in his study, whiskey in hand. The conversation with Quinn replayed in his head, over and over again. 

"I belong to myself, Leo."

Those words unsettled him more than he wanted to admit. 

For so long, he had convinced himself that Quinn would always be there—trapped in the contract, bound by duty. But tonight had changed something. 

She had slipped through his fingers. And it was *his* fault. 

With a frustrated sigh, Leo grabbed his phone and dialed Austin, his secretary. 

"Sir?" Austin answered, groggy from sleep. 

"Get me everything on Michael Lennox," Leo ordered. "His finances, his business partnerships, every weak spot I can exploit." 

Austin hesitated. "Sir, are you sure you want to go down this road?" 

Leo's grip on the glass tightened. "I don't lose to Michael Lennox, Austin. Not in business. And definitely not when it comes to Quinn." 

Austin sighed. "I'll have the report ready by morning." 

Leo hung up, his expression dark as he took another sip of whiskey. 

This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.