The Divorced Military Queen Awakens (by Sadie Baxter) novel Chapter 529

Everett’s deep, hearty laughter rumbled through the speaker, filling the car so thoroughly that Quinn could almost see his shoulders shaking on the other side of the ocean. “All right, Julius, listen here,” he said once the laughter died down. “You’d better treat my girl like the rare treasure she is, or I swear I’ll be on the next flight across the Atlantic and you’ll find out exactly how fast an old man can swing a cane.”

Rowan said guiltily, “Quinn, I’m sorry I couldn’t be there today.”

Quinn shook her head, saying, “We only collected the license, Rowan. Save the long flights for the real wedding. Right now, the most important place for you is next to Lena while she goes through treatment.”

Quinn knew the journey between Doria and Celosia was neither cheap nor easy, especially for Everett, whose hair had already silvered at the temples. She dreaded the thought of him shuttling back and forth, bones aching from airport layovers.

Besides, Fane Group was still clawing its way out of the chaos left by that vicious cyber–attack; the ripples of uncertainty had yet to settle.

For weeks, Everett had lived on boardroom coffee and adrenaline, throwing himself into crisis meetings that bled from dawn into midnight.

All Quinn could do from afar was dive into lines of code until her vision blurred, hunting every last weakness, patching each gap, and finally upgrading the entire security framework.

Still, she understood the truth: the current shield protecting Fane Group was antiquated, and another breach was not a question of if but when.

A full–scale rebuild of the cybersecurity system would have to leap from “someday” to “right now.”

She, Everett, and Rowan had already hashed that out over more late–night calls than she could count.

Rowan, stationed in Celosia, split his days between Lena’s treatment ward and interviews with the best engineers he could lure to the project.

During the video chat, Quinn’s cheeks glowed with hopeful mischief. “When Julius and I have the wedding, I expect both of you to stay with me for more than a quick weekend. I want quality time with you guys.”

Their replies overlapped through the speakers, two distinct baritones forming the same single word. “Deal.”

The call faded to silence just as the driver eased to a halt before the ornate gates of Velvet Crown Club.

Renowned for dishes that could make a critic weep, the club was a familiar haunt; Quinn had dined here with Julius before and still caught herself craving the chef’s truffle–kissed sea bass.

The quartet slipped into a velvet–lined VIP lounge, its low lighting pooling like liquid amber over the polished walnut table.

Harlan’s gaze landed on the diamond winking from Quinn’s finger. “That’s the wedding ring?”

Before Quinn could answer, Julius captured her hand, interlocking their fingers, and deliberately positioned their matching bands beneath the chandelier’s spotlight as though presenting photographic evidence of perfection. “Exactly. It’s perfect,” he declared, the pride in his voice impossible to miss.

Harlan let out a low, sardonic laugh. “Since when did you turn this childish, so eager to show off?”

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Chapter 529 Family Calls

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Julius leaned back, unbothered, lips curling. “If you think this counts as showing off, then your world must be painfully small, Mr. Ingram.”

Across the table, Laura rolled her eyes in a dramatic arc that would have impressed any teenager.

Honestly, they rule Jexburgh’s business pages, yet here they are sparring over jewelry like schoolboys.

Just then, the lounge door swung inward with a soft click.

The club manager stepped in, immaculate in a charcoal suit, his practiced smile smoothing the room’s ripples.

Laura exhaled, grateful the verbal chest–thumping had been cut short.

With quiet deference, the manager offered menus and began guiding them through the evening’s signatures.

Julius and Harlan, for once in perfect agreement, gestured toward Quinn. “Quinn, you can pick first.”

Quinn shuffled through the leather–bound menu, her finger gliding over the glossy photographs before she finally lifted her chin and gave the waiter a brisk nod toward three selections. Seated across, Laura folded her arms and cocked an eyebrow when she realized every dish Quinn had chosen leaned unapologetically toward the sugary end of the spectrum. “Darling, have you suddenly developed a sweet tooth?”

Quinn smoothed a stray lock behind her ear, then gave a small, unapologetic smile. “A little,” she admitted, the confession warm and unhurried.

Ever since the first faint flutter of life had stirred beneath her ribs, her palate had begun its own quiet revolution, tugging her toward flavors she once ignored.

“Maybe that tiny tenant of yours is the one with the craving. These desserts are its requests, not yours.” Laura leaned closer, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Tell me, are you hoping for a boy or a girl?”

Without missing a beat, Quinn blew across her water glass as though cooling something unseen. “Either is fine,” she said, sincerity settling over her words like calm water.

“A daughter.”

Julius and Quinn’s replies overlapped by a heartbeat, two notes of the same chord yet distinctly different. Eyes shifted around the table, amusement rising like fizz in champagne.

Quinn angled her head toward Julius, curiosity dancing in her gaze. “I thought you didn’t mind either way,” she teased.

Julius shrugged, shoulders moving with unhurried grace. “I’ll love whatever child you bring into the world, but if she carries your smile and those stubborn dimples, that would be perfect.”

Harlan, usually quick to challenge Julius on principle, surprised everyone by giving a single, earnest nod of agreement.

In his mind, if Quinn welcomed a daughter who mirrored her, the universe would gain another beacon of warmth–and Harlan knew the world could never have too many.

Quinn let out a quiet laugh, the kind that settled light and airy over the table like spun sugar.

While the waiter collected menus, Quinn’s gaze fell on the half–moons beneath Laura’s eyes. “You didn’t sleep well last night, did you? Those dark circles are practically shouting.”

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Chapter 529 Family Calls

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Laura attempted a smile, but it wilted before it bloomed. “I’ve had a few things on my mind. Sleep and I are barely on speaking

terms.”

The trouble with Sylas lingered like smoke in an old coat, even though he remained in custody, the memory of his threats kept Laura’s nights restless and thin.

Some nights, she wondered if it was time to speak with a therapist, someone who could untangle those shadows he had left

behind.

Quinn reached across, fingertips brushing the back of Laura’s hand. “What’s troubling you?”

“Nothing worth spoiling dinner,” Laura said quickly, seizing the lifeline just as the waiter arrived with steaming plates. The conversation was deftly redirected.

Harlan’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of concern crossing his face before he masked it behind casual indifference.

The rich scent of fish drifted upward, blurry and invasive. It struck Quinn’s senses like a sudden wave. She pushed back her chair, hand flying to her mouth as nausea surged.