A Life Debt Repaid

After Quinn was done dressing up, she looked positively dazzling in her silver chest gown that shone beneath the lights.
Somehow, she had the feeling she would steal the spotlight from Lindsay since this dress was simply blinding.
Feeling a pang of worry even as she looked at her beautiful reflection, she asked again, “Are you sure this is alright, Sam?”
It actually felt a little inappropriate.
“Don’t worry,” Sam told her confidently. “This is the right dress.”
“Did your mom really send this?”
“Don’t you trust me?” Sam asked, a little sternly.
“Alright.” Quinn gave in-she did not have to worry if it’s Lindsay’s intention, since Lindsay had always complained that she was
too discreet and rather she stood out.
Who knows, maybe Lindsay wanted more people to see her during this occasion.
“Come on,” Sam said. “Mom told us to be early since there will be an interview and photo session.”
“Okay.”
They headed out together, but Sam remained distracted and constantly on edge.
He was constantly checking his phone, as if something was not right with him.
“Sam?” Quinn called out to him.
“What?” he replied, coming to his senses right then.
“Are you hot?” she asked, noticing the sweat all over his brow-the car’s interior was plenty cold enough.
“Nope.” Sam promptly shook his head.
“But you’re sweating.”
“Really?” Sam nonchalantly wiped his forehead and corrected himself. “Just a little stuffy.”

“What’s with you?” Quinn asked. “You’ve been acting weird today.”
“Nothing.” Sam gave her a nonchalant look.
“Are you sick?” Quinn asked in concern.
“No, I’m as healthy as an ox! There’s no way I’d get sick.”
Seeing that she was going nowhere, Quinn simply gave up.
It was still early when they arrived at the hotel.
None of the guests were there, but the media were waiting at the reception hall, waiting to start an interview.
When they arrived, Marvin and Lindsay beckoned for them to greet the media together.
“Where’s Ryan? He said he’ll apply for leave yesterday to come back. Isn’t he with you?” Sam asked nonchalantly.
“He couldn’t,” Lindsay replied. “There were issues with his research, so he had to work overtime last night. He’ll only make it
back around 10 AM, and he’ll be greeting the guests right away. We can start with the interview without him.”
Sam did not ask anything else as they moved into the press room.
The journalists were excited to see them.
“Happy birthday, Mr. Saunders.”
They all wished Marvin a happy birthday before asking their questions.
Most were about Marvin since he was the main subject of the event, though later, one of them asked Sam, “Sam, word is that
you are now pillaring Saunderia... though there have been earlier rumors about you that were hardly flattering. Could there have
been some misunderstanding?”