Chapter 105 Three Conditions Before We Date


    Chloe pressed her lips together, hesitating. She wanted to tell Brian that she’d just been driven by pure anger when she’d said those things to Liam.


    Growing up surrounded by Jenna and Walter’s love, she’d been raised in warmth and security. After meeting all sorts of people, she’d seen neglectful parents but rarely anyone as venomous and resentful toward their children as Liam.


    The forbidden room and whip scars on Brian’s back solidified her extreme disgust for Liam.


    But facing Brian’s gaze right now, she couldn’t bring herself to say a word.


    “Does that mean we’re officially dating now?” Brian pressed.


    Chloe fell silent. Just yesterday, she’d warned him not to call himself her boyfriend again after he’d done so in front of Curtis. Yet now, he was asking to make it real and official.


    She tried to rify. “I just wanted to-”


    “I get it,” he said, cutting her off mid–speech. “I know you said those things just now because you pity me, but please… could you give me a chance? Could we try dating for once?”


    When she remained silent, he pressed. “Or were all the things you said to my father just lies?”


    “Of course not! I…” She paused and sighed as if she were making up her mind. Then, she asked, “Are you sure you want to date me?”


    “Yes,” he replied.


    She yielded. “Fine, but you need to promise me something. First, if therees a day when we realize we’re not right for each other, we’ll walk away peacefully.”


    “Alright.”


    “Second, if you ever develop feelings for someone else, even while we’re together, I want you to be honest with me. Don’t hide it from me, and I won’t cling to you.”


    She refused to live through what she’d experienced with Curtis again.


    Brian frowned. He believed he wouldn’t fall for anyone else. There was only one Chloe for him. Still, he agreed to her request without hesitation. “Sure.”


    Looking straight into his eyes, Chloe gravely said, “And for the most important point–do not lie to me while we’re dating. If you do, there won’t be any trust between us.”


    Brian froze, only to hear her continue in a steady voice, “If I ever learn that you’ve lied to me in any way, I’ll leave without looking back.”


    His heart clenched, knowing that if that day ever came, it would be worse than death for him.


    Chapter 105 Three Conditions Before We Date


    “I won’t lie to you. Ask me anything, and I’ll always tell you the truth. I assure you there won’t be any lies!” he announced in a low, solemn voice as if swearing an oath.


    “In that case, let’s date,” Chloe said. She figured that since she cared about Brian enough to throw punches at Liam for his sake, perhaps she did have deeper feelings for him.


    And when he’d asked if she’d been lying earlier, she hadn’t hesitated to deny it. In that moment, she’d known that she didn’t want to see the disappointment in his eyes.


    Ever since their first meeting, she’d thought he was a dangerous man. But through their interactions, she’de to admire him, care for him, and feel her heart flutter when he got close to her.


    Maybe she did like him, after all.


    So instead of resisting, she chose to ept it and be true to her emotions.


    When Brian heard her say “let’s date“, a radiant smile spread across his face.


    She’d never seen him smile like that. It was like the sun hade out, and even his eyes sparkled brightly.


    For the first time, she realized just how stunning Brian was.


    Meanwhile, Curtis noticed something off with Sonya. Ever since they’d returned from the ind, she’d been distracted and even woke up in the middle of the night and drank herself into a stupor.


    “What’s wrong, Sonya? Tell me if something’s bothering you, and I’ll help you solve it.”


    “I’m fine. You’re overthinking,” she replied, forcing a smile.


    But it was obvious that Curtis didn’t buy her excuse. “Is it because of that news report that yed when the screen glitched during the charity g? That video <i>of </i>the fire at the border five years ago.”


    She jolted in surprise and stared at him, shocked. “How did you…”


    “You haven’t been yourself since then. Since we’re together now, you can tell me whatever is weighing on your mind.”


    Sonya pressed her lips tight. They’d exined that the news report had yed on the screen due to a technical error, but it had left her wondering.


    Could it really have been a coincidence that that particr news report had been yed?


    “That news brought back memories from that fire. Back then… someone burned to death right <i>in </i>front of me. I tried to save them, but I couldn’t…” she murmured, lowering her eyes. Her hands trembled slightly as she said “burned to death“.


    Curtis clutched her hands and reassuringly said, “Don’t be afraid. I had no idea you went through something like that.”


    Chapter 105 Three Conditions Before We Date


    “It’s fine. I went for counselling after the fire and thought I’d recovered now<i>, </i>but I guess that incident traumatized me more deeply than I’d imagined.”


    “No wonder you never told me anything about it. If not for that news report, I wouldn’t have known my girlfriend was a hero during the fire. You’re so far out of my league that I wonder if I even deserve you.”


    Sonya’s eyes flickered with an unnatural glint. “Don’t say that. The investment conference for the ind development project got off to a rough start, but the final decision hasn’t been made yet.


    “Tomorrow, we’ll go to Quall Group. With your talent and Willow’s help, we’ll definitely get the project.”


    The Quall family was a crucial part of the ind’s development. If they were willing to help, there was still a chance Green Tech could secure the project.


    “There are plenty of drone experts out there. Anti–interference systems aren’t something only Chloe can build, and I’m confident that we can find the right experts to solve the problem once we have the project.” Sonya sounded confident. <fnd9c9> Readplete version only at find{n}ovel</fnd9c9>


    Curtis rxed. She was right; once he’d secured the project, he could use it to get other investors, and everything would fall into ce. By then, there wouldn’t be anyck ofpetent experts.


    The next morning, Curtis and Sonya arrived at Quall Group.


    Just as they stepped into the lobby, several higher–ups stepped out of the elevators with employees trailing briskly behind. The group was walking toward them.


    Sonya’s heart leaped. Were theying to wee her and Curtis? She’d informed Willow about their visit, after all.


    A smug smile spread across her face as she turned to Curtis and said, “Look, Curtis. The higher–ups of Quall Group are here to greet you. I told you my connection would make them take you seriously.”


    Beaming, Curtis stepped forward to greet the higher–ups when they walked right past him as if they hadn’t seen him at all. Instead, they marched swiftly toward the entrance.


    Sonya and Curtis stood frozen, their smiles stiffening on their faces.


    “How could they…” Sonya turned in disbelief just as a ck sedan pulled up at the entrance of Quall Group. Someone stepped forward to respectfully open the rear door before two familiar figures stepped


    out.


    It was Brian and Chloe.


    A wave of humiliation washed over Sonya when she realized that the higher–ups hadn’te for her and Curtis at all. Instead, they’de to wee Brian and Chloe.


    Chapter 106 Reversed Rolen