After Betrayal - I Married a Handsome Tycoon-Chapter 106: There’s Always Someone Stronger

Chapter 106: Chapter 106: There’s Always Someone Stronger

As the old saying goes: a dragon tattoo shouldn’t go over the shoulder, a tiger shouldn’t descend the mountain, a closed-eyed Guanyin offers no salvation, and an open-eyed Guan Gong brings only slaughter.

Whether you call it superstition or a genuine belief...

The point is, the world of tattooing runs deep.

Miles Murray was in the nightclub business, so he saw his fair share of petty thugs coming and going. Naturally, he knew a thing or two about this stuff.

He almost cursed when he saw Connor Quinn’s message.

But out of respect for their years of friendship, Miles Murray managed to hold it in. He was so furious he actually laughed, replying, ’What? Feeling inadequate so you’ve decided to put a curse on me?’

Connor Quinn: That’s just superstitious nonsense.

The moment Connor Quinn sent the message, Miles Murray called him.

When the call connected, Miles Murray demanded to know why. Connor Quinn stuck a fresh cigarette between his lips, lowered his voice, and told him everything.

Miles said, "So, let me get this straight. You’re planning to use my life as a stepping stone for your love life?"

"It’s not that serious," Connor Quinn said.

With that, Connor Quinn blew a smoke ring. "Worst case," he said slowly, his face expressionless, "I’ll just give you one with its eyes closed."

「The next day.」

Moira Sloan and Connor Quinn were both up bright and early.

Both were hiding secrets, and by some tacit agreement, they went their separate ways after breakfast to handle their own business.

When Moira Sloan arrived at the competition venue, Flora Rhodes was already waiting for her by the entrance.

Spotting her, Flora Rhodes walked over and handed her an invitation.

"Here."

Moira Sloan took it with a small laugh. "Thanks."

Flora Rhodes linked arms with her and rolled her eyes. "Are you seriously thanking me?"

"Will this get you in trouble?" Moira asked.

Flora Rhodes tossed her wavy hair back, a look of pure fearlessness on her face. "What’s there to be afraid of? Worst comes to worst, I’ll just quit."

Then, with a sly, mischievous grin, Flora nudged Moira. "And then I can go to Everwood County, open up a little shop of my own, go on some blind dates, find a ’wild man’ for myself, and see what all this happiness you’re feeling is about..."

Moira scoffed. "Happiness?"

Flora feigned shock. "You’re not happy? Because from the looks of it, you’re having wild, passionate nights and enjoying yourself very much..."

Just as they were talking, a meek voice called out from behind them.

"Moira."

At the sound of the voice, Moira raised an eyebrow while Flora cursed under her breath.

Before they could turn around, the person had already walked up to them, revealing a pale face and dark circles under her eyes that no amount of concealer could hide.

Seeing her condition, Flora was the first to speak, her tone mocking. "What’s the matter? Guilty conscience keep you up all night?"

Rachel Yates bit her lip, looking deeply wronged. She ignored Flora, turning to Moira with a pitiful expression. "Moira, I sent you a message last night. Didn’t you get it?"

A smile played on Moira’s red lips as she lied through her teeth. "Did you?"

Rachel Yates stared at Moira, unable to tell if she was being truthful. She stood frozen for a moment before reaching for Moira’s hand. "Moira..."

Just as Rachel’s hand was about to touch her fingertips, Moira subtly pulled away. "It’s getting late," she said with a smile. "Don’t you have the competition today? You should go prepare."

With that, Moira strode off in her high heels, taking Flora with her and brushing right past Rachel.

Flora, who had a much shorter fuse than Moira, deliberately bumped Rachel’s shoulder as she walked by.

The impact sent Rachel staggering backward, nearly twisting her ankle. She gritted her teeth and balled her hands into fists at her sides.

Once they were a safe distance away, Moira said with a cold laugh, "Why’d you bump her? You’ll get your shoulder dirty."

Flora replied, "I can’t stand the way she acts like some pure, innocent saint when she’s really a vicious bitch."

"Violence doesn’t solve problems," Moira teased.

Flora winked. "But it can solve the person *making* the problem."

A little while later, the two entered the competition venue. Just inside the door, they saw a group of contestants huddled together, whispering amongst themselves.

"I heard they invited Mr. Quinn to be a judge this time. Wonder if it’s true."

"It’s definitely true. They announced it officially."

"I’d love to see what Mr. Quinn actually looks like."

"That’ll be tough. Ever since Mr. Quinn got into the business, almost no one has seen his face except for the old masters."

...

Listening to the chatter, Flora asked Moira, "They’re talking about your senior, right?"

Moira was noncommittal. "I guess so?"

’In this industry, it seemed the only person people called ’Mr. Quinn’ was her senior.’

Flora said, "So mysterious that almost no one’s seen his face? Have you?"

Although Flora and Moira were close, they came from different schools of tattooing, so Flora didn’t know much about the internal workings of Moira’s circle.

"Nope," Moira replied.

Flora was surprised, but her tone quickly shifted. "Well, perfect! You’re in luck today. You’ll finally get to see your handsome senior’s face."

Flora’s teasing words had barely faded when Rachel Yates—the very person they’d just left behind—suddenly reappeared in front of them.

Before anyone could react, Rachel suddenly dropped to her knees in front of Moira with a THUD. Her voice choked with sobs and tears welled in her eyes. "Moira, I swear I didn’t try to seduce Shane Jennings! I’m begging you, please just let this go..."