<h4>Chapter 282: Trouble Strikes</h4>


    Eric looked at her flushed, rosy face and chuckled, teasing her yfully.


    E clung tightly to his shirt, as if afraid she might fall, feeling a little dizzy. Being with him always brought a sense of happiness mixed with the wish that time could stand still.


    After everything they had been through, she just hoped nothing else would happen, as long as certain people stopped stirring up trouble...


    However, when it came to the Carter Group, she knew she would have to face them again!


    "No... stop!" E felt Eric getting more passionate and quickly pushed him away.


    Eric blinked, teasing, "You don’t like it here? Should we move to the office?"


    "Eric! Didn’t you say you had a lot of work to do? I took a day off just to be with you!" E said, a bit annoyed.


    She was worried Eric was overworking himself, juggling both business and their rtionship, which could wear him out.


    Eric raised an eyebrow mischievously. "You don’t like me treating you this way?"


    "I don’t want you to tire yourself out!"


    "E, do I need to prove to you that I’m not tired, just too bored?" Eric smirked, clearly enjoying how E’s face flushed even more from embarrassment.


    E chose to stay quiet. Thankfully, the elevator dinged and opened just in time.


    She was relieved—thank goodness this wolfish man hadn’t taken things further, or she might have beenpletely embarrassed!


    The rest of the day passed in sweet harmony, though Eric stayed incredibly busy, taking call after call, almost like a machine that never stopped.


    The next morning, Eric had to go on a business trip again, though this time it was within the state, not abroad.


    E returned to her usual student life. But as soon as she arrived at school, her ssmates began asking her for wedding favors and invitations, making her feel a bit embarrassed.


    In her previous life, she had been arrogant and difficult, with few true friends and few ssmates who genuinely wanted to be close to her.


    But in this life, besides Chloe and Lauren, many of her ssmates treated her warmly!


    Damien, on the other hand, was in low spirits. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t win Chloe back. He had moved too slowly, and as a naturally shy guy, making the first move felt like torture for him.


    He thought Chloe wasn’t interested in other men, but to his surprise...


    Every time E finished ss and checked Twitter, she would see Chloe posting pictures, showing off her love with Mason. E frowned, wondering what Mason was up to.


    She had tagged along on a few of their dates, but Mason no longer made any inappropriate moves toward her. Instead, he acted cold and distant, pretending that Chloe was his one true love.


    Did he really love Chloe?


    No! That was impossible!


    The more E thought about it, the more she sensed something was off.


    At the same time, she was anxiously waiting for the DNA test results. The next few days were filled with nervous anticipation, almost like the feeling she had in her past life when she confessed her love to Brandon and was waiting for his response.


    That night, E decided to stay home, nning to watch a movie in the small home theater and then get some rest.


    But around 8 p.m., she got a call from Chloe.


    "E, are youing out? I’m going on another date with *you know who*e be our third wheel!" Chloeughed, her voice full of inexplicable excitement.


    This girl waspletely blinded by love!


    E frowned, "No, I don’t feel like going out. You two have fun. I’m just staying in and watching a movie."


    "Then why don’t wee over to your ce? E, I haven’t been to your amazing house in so long!" Chloe said sweetly, and E couldn’t help but smirk. Mason must have put her up to this. He wants toe here? No way!


    "No, I’m actually pretty tired tonight and want to get some rest. How about next time? I’ll bring you over then," E responded with a polite smile, not showing any hint of suspicion.


    Chloe reluctantly said goodbye, and as E hung up, a heavy feeling settled in her chest.


    Mason, a typical wealthy yboy, could have any number of women—beautiful, slim, curvy, all types. So why was he wasting his time with Chloe, and why did he keep messing with her?


    Could it be... he had something against her?


    No, that didn’t seem possible. E thought back to her limited interactions with him. They’d only met once at the office, and nothing particrly stood out after that.


    E stopped overthinking it; all this spection was giving her a headache. She couldn’t figure out Mason’s motives.


    Besides, Mason was sly as a fox. Every time she tried to set a trap, he avoided it easily.


    He wasn’t someone who could be easily dealt with.


    E decided to rx and focus on the movie, munching on some snacks.


    She was almost at the end of the film, fully immersed in its emotional scene, wiping away tears, when Chloe called again.


    E felt a twinge of annoyance. Chloe had always been sharp, able to tell good from bad at a nce. But now, blinded by love, she had lost that sense of judgment.


    "Chloe?"


    "E... please help me! I’m in the bathroom of room 509 at Imperial Crown Club... I was just here singing karaoke with him, and he stepped out to take a call, but then a bunch of thugs barged in and said I had to keep thempany. I’m so scared, I locked myself in the bathroom... E, pleasee help me!" Chloe cried, her voice trembling with fear.


    E’s heart raced. "Don’t panic. I’ll call the police right now!"


    She could hear loud banging on the bathroom door and Chloe’s terrified screams in the background.


    Damn it!


    Chloe was really in trouble, and that scumbag Mason stepped out just to take a phone call? Something was definitely off!


    E realized this whole setup was meant for her.


    But how could she stand by and do nothing?


    Chloe was her best friend in both this life and her past life. Even if she was blinded by love, there was no way E would abandon her.


    E immediately left the home theater, called over two bodyguards, and headed straight for the Imperial Crown Club!


    At the same time, she called a few close friends and reported the incident to the police.


    The club was quite far, so E urged the driver to get there as fast as possible.


    Her temples throbbed, and she gripped her phone tightly. Mason! That scumbag—he was deliberately making her life difficult!


    "Hurry... faster! I don’t care if you get a ticket!" E yelled urgently to the driver.


    The driver winced, feeling the pain of the speeding vitions that would soon hit his record.


    E was extremely anxious, cold sweat forming on her forehead. What kind of trap was waiting for her next?


    The car finally screeched to a stop in front of the Imperial Crown Club. E jumped out, and with her two bodyguards, rushed inside.


    "Chloe, please don’t let anything happen to you!" she prayed silently.