Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 257

“Oh? You know Mrs. Ford?”Mr. Brown looked over, intrigued.

“Two years ago, when my father had that heart surgery at Veridian University Hospital, Dr. Quinn was the surgical assistant for Zephyr,” Mrs. Brown explained to her husband.

“I see,” Mr. Brown nodded, his interest piqued.

Mrs. Brown turned her gaze to Zinnia, her eyes full of admiration. “That surgery was incredibly difficult, but Dr. Quinn was a fantastic partner in the OR. Everything went smoothly, and my father never stopped praising her afterward.”

This time, Mrs. Brown didn’t call her “Mrs. Ford”—she called her “Dr. Quinn.” And as she spoke, she cast a pointed look at Landon, as if intentionally making sure he heard. She continued to her husband, “My father even thought about introducing Nestor Hansen to Dr. Quinn back then.”

Mrs. Brown’s maiden name was Hansen, and Nestor was her nephew.

“I never imagined Dr. Quinn was Mr. Ford’s wife—Landon, you certainly kept that under wraps. We all thought Dr. Quinn was single.”

Whether Mrs. Brown meant it as a joke or a jab was unclear.

But as the words left her lips, Landon felt as if he’d been slapped, a burning sting spreading across his face. Embarrassment and discomfort washed over him.

Zinnia, however, smoothed things over with a graceful smile. “I’m just not used to these sorts of events,” she said lightly.

Whether it was true or not, she felt she’d fulfilled her duties as Mrs. Ford in that moment.

They chatted with the Browns for a while longer, until other guests came by to say hello and the couple moved on.

Afterward, Landon led Zinnia around the room, introducing her to each guest in turn. Through it all, Zinnia managed to stay poised and collected.

But beneath the surface, her feet were aching. She was used to comfortable flats at the hospital, not the high heels she’d been wearing for hours tonight. Her calves and heels were screaming for relief.

She looked at Landon—stooped in front of her, his expression soft and attentive—and suddenly understood. This was all part of the performance.

So she let him finish, playing her role to perfection.

Across the room, Noelle stood frozen in place, her teeth clenched as she watched the scene unfold. She couldn’t believe her eyes: the man she’d always seen as her king, now kneeling before that woman—Zinnia—helping her with her shoes.

Landon had never humbled himself like this before.

Noelle had never even dared to imagine him slipping shoes onto her feet.

How dare Zinnia take advantage like this?

Jealousy burned in Noelle’s eyes, so intense her vision blurred. Her hands twisted the heavy fabric of her gown, leaving deep creases in the silk.