C8 8

After Nightingale and her entourage left, the lobby buzzed with chatter. Everyone was intensely curious about Xavier Grayson's identity—after all, any man Nightingale personally came to greet was clearly someone important. And such a handsome, noble-looking man at that.

Justin Taylor stared at the tall figure disappearing down the hall, his brow furrowed.

Xavier Grayson. A man who struck fear into the hearts of New York City's business elite. Ruthless. Merciless. Even his own brother, Nicholas Taylor, had suffered heavy losses at Xavier Grayson's hands.

Chloe Bishop had no idea what was running through Justin Taylor's mind. She grabbed his arm and hurried after them.

Soon, someone recognized her and Justin Taylor. "What luck today! First we see New York City's most handsome man, Liam Martin—then the boss's woman, Nightingale—and now the top socialite, Chloe Bishop, and playboy Justin Taylor..."

Liam Martin. He was here too?

At the mention of Liam Martin's name, Justin Taylor instinctively glanced at Chloe Bishop. She stared straight ahead, her delicate, cool face betraying nothing.

But her clenched hands gave her away.

That name—once spoken with an automatic smile—now felt like a knife to the heart every time she heard it.

Liam Martin was the last name she wanted to hear right now.

The elevator, which could hold twenty adults, was crowded. Chloe Bishop and Justin Taylor squeezed in behind the last bodyguard.

Every pair of eyes turned to them.

Even Nightingale looked surprised. Few people would dare share an elevator with them, given their intimidating escort.

Chloe Bishop wasn't about to waste this opportunity. She moved toward Nightingale. A bodyguard caught her intention and immediately blocked her path, his expression a clear warning.

But Chloe Bishop was the top socialite of New York City—she'd faced far worse. She smiled and looked past the guard at Nightingale. "Miss Nightingale, do you remember me?"

The little boy, who had been sulking on Xavier Grayson's shoulder, perked up at the sound of Chloe Bishop's voice. He sat up straight, his eyes lighting up as he turned to look at her.

Noticing his son's reaction, Xavier Grayson frowned slightly.

Nightingale studied Chloe Bishop for a few seconds, then nodded. Her tone was cool. "Miss Bishop is here to see Quinn?"

She knew?

Chloe Bishop was surprised.

Nightingale smiled lazily. "I've heard about the Bishop family's situation. Quinn can't help you with this one."

Chloe Bishop's heart tightened. "Why?"

Nightingale seemed in a good mood. She said flatly, "Arthur Bennett came to see Quinn three days ago. So no—Quinn won't be stepping in for the Bishop family."

Arthur Bennett had already met Quinn and struck some deal. The path she'd counted on was closed.

With that hope severed, Chloe Bishop's face went pale.

If Quinn wouldn't help, she had only two options: call the police, or let Arthur Bennett bully and extort them.

She couldn't gamble with her baby sister's life. Her father was already lying in a hospital bed—if anything happened to Lily, she didn't think her mother could survive it.

Calling the police wasn't an option she could even consider.

The elevator doors opened. Nightingale turned to Chloe Bishop one last time. "Miss Bishop, Quinn never changes his decisions. He won't see you. Find someone else to help you."

Chloe Bishop was quick to catch on. "Please, Miss Nightingale—give me some guidance. I'll repay you handsomely."

Nightingale's gaze flickered briefly over Xavier Grayson's handsome face, then she smiled seductively. "Sorry. I'm afraid I can't help you."

With that, she led the way for Xavier Grayson and his son. The group quickly disappeared from sight.

Chloe Bishop stepped out of the elevator, but the bodyguard blocked her path. "Miss Bishop, please stay here."

Watching Chloe Bishop standing alone, the little boy tugged at Xavier Grayson's shirt.

Xavier Grayson glanced down at his son, then coldly ignored the pleading look in his eyes and kept walking.

As Chloe Bishop grew farther and farther away, the little boy grabbed his father's collar and glared at him with fierce intensity—on the verge of a full meltdown.

Soon, Xavier Grayson, his son, and Nightingale disappeared into the private room at the end of the hall. A wall of bodyguards stood watch outside.

Watching Chloe Bishop stand frozen, Justin Taylor's heart ached for her. He walked over. "Let's go back. We'll find another way."

After a long pause, Chloe Bishop finally answered. "No. Nightingale wanted to help me just now. There were too many people around—she couldn't say what she really meant."

Right before refusing her, Nightingale had glanced at that man. What was she trying to tell her?

Chloe Bishop looked up at Justin Taylor. "Do you know the little boy's father?"

Justin Taylor hesitated. Of course he knew Xavier Grayson.

But Xavier Grayson was notorious for being ruthless and cold-blooded. Justin Taylor didn't want Chloe Bishop anywhere near such a dangerous man. So he shook his head and said no.

Chloe Bishop felt a pang of disappointment. She couldn't claim to know 100% of New York City's wealthy elite—but she was familiar with at least 80% of their faces.

If neither she nor Justin Taylor recognized him, he probably wasn't from New York City.

Just then, the door at the end of the hall opened again.

Nightingale's alluring figure emerged. She stopped and looked directly at Chloe Bishop.

"Justin—looks like we still have a chance."

A small smile returned to Chloe Bishop's pale face. Her clear eyes sparkled with renewed hope, bright and beautiful. Justin Taylor was momentarily stunned.

She had no time to worry about appearances. She hurried over to Nightingale. "Miss Nightingale."

Nightingale curved her red lips into a smile. "You're in luck. Someone wants to see you. Remember—watch my cues."

A moment later, the spacious private room lay before her—luxurious yet tasteful, every piece of furniture carefully chosen.

At the round dining table sat two men and a child.

Quinn and Xavier Grayson sat across from each other. Both were strikingly handsome—a beautiful painting, if not for the overwhelming pressure radiating from them.

Justin Taylor tried to follow her in, but the bodyguards stopped him at the door.

Chloe Bishop threw him a reassuring glance over her shoulder, then the door closed behind her.

Nightingale walked over to Quinn and gave Chloe Bishop a subtle look, signaling her to stand behind Xavier Grayson.

Chloe Bishop didn't hesitate. She took her place beside Xavier Grayson.

The little boy went rigid. He wanted to turn around but didn't dare. He kept sneaking glances at her from the corner of his eye, clearly delighted by her presence.

Quinn barely glanced at Chloe Bishop. His attention remained on Xavier Grayson as he raised a faint smile. "I'll drink first. Do as you please."

With that, he downed his glass of baijiu in one gulp.

Nightingale glanced at Chloe Bishop, then bent over to refill Quinn's glass.

Her meaning was clear—she was signaling Chloe Bishop to drink on Xavier Grayson's behalf.

Chloe Bishop looked at the glass beside Xavier Grayson's hand and frowned slightly. She was used to red wine—baijiu was something she rarely touched.

But the frown lasted only a moment. Her hand reached for the glass.

At almost the exact same moment, Xavier Grayson's hand moved toward it too. But Chloe Bishop was faster. His hand landed on top of hers—on her fair, slender fingers.

Her hand was delicate, but not bony.