《After Divorce, I Returned as the Army's Queen》 After Divorce 1

Chapter 1 The Broken Promise

When Chloe Quall entered her husband Curtis Green¡¯s office with a project folder, she stumbled on him fastening a ruby ne around his first love¡¯s neck. She stared nkly at the ne. It was the very same one she¡¯d begged him to buy after seeing it in an auction catalog. Throughout their three years of marriage, she¡¯d never asked him for anything. This ne was the first thing she¡¯d ever requested from him, and only because it was her mother¡¯sst keepsake. ¡°It¡¯s just a ne, yet you¡¯re staring at it like it¡¯s the best thing you¡¯ve ever seen. I always said that orphans have no ss,¡± remarked one of Curtis¡¯ friends, Luke Hayes, with clear disdain. Ignoring his mocking words, Chloe stepped forward and reached for the ne around Sonya Miller¡¯s neck, but Curtis caught her wrist. ¡°I¡¯ve already given this ne to Sonya.¡± ¡°You promised it would be mine!¡± Chloe insisted, a rare sh of anger crossing her gentle face. Curtis frowned, visibly annoyed. ¡°Stop making a scene. This is a gift to celebrate Sonya¡¯s promotion to co-pilot.¡± Making a scene? His words sent a chill through Chloe. ¡°What if I insist on having it?¡± she pressed. Luke sneered from the side. ¡°I¡¯ve always said Chloe isn¡¯t good enough for you, Curtis. She¡¯s greedy and untalented¡ªyou should just divorce her. Only a woman like Sonya belongs by your side.¡± Though Curtis and Chloe had a private marriage known to very few, many people were aware that Sonya was his cherished first love. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. I have no interest in being anyone¡¯s mistress,¡± Sonya spat haughtily, then removed the ne and casually tossed it at Chloe¡¯s feet. She¡¯d discarded a ne worth millions of dors on the floor like trash. It was something Chloe¡¯s mother, Jenna Knight, had treasured deeply. Chloe¡¯s eyes burned as she slowly knelt, her hand closing tightly around the sharp, cold edges of the ne. Each facet dug into her skin. Contemptuously looking down at her, Sonyamented, ¡°A true woman should value knowledge and vision. Instead of fighting me over a ne, you should focus on improving yourself!¡± ¡°Knowledge and vision? She scraped through some third-rate college, and if Curtis hadn¡¯t kindly given her a job at thepany, she¡¯d probably be sweeping the streets,¡± Luke said mockingly. And through it all, Curtis, Chloe¡¯s husband, said nothing in her defense. Ignoring Luke, Chloe rose and fixed her gaze squarely on Sonya. ¡°You insist you¡¯re not a mistress, so why are you epting a ne worth millions from someone else¡¯s husband?¡± Sonya snorted. ¡°I see it as just a casual gift from a friend. The price tag doesn¡¯t matter to me.¡± ¡°Oh, really? Since when do friends casually give each other million-dor nes? Luke is your friend too. Has he ever given you anything worth millions?¡± Chloe¡¯s words cut sharply. Sonya fell silent, and even Luke¡¯s expression stiffened. ¡°Enough,¡± Curtis snapped, cutting in impatiently. ¡°It¡¯s just a ne. Stop making a big deal out of it.¡± Just a ne¡­ The words echoed hollowly in Chloe¡¯s mind as her grip tightened around the ne. Amid the chaos of war in a foreignnd, this was the very ne Jenna had traded for medicine and food, saving the lives of 50 orphans. To Chloe, it was far more than just a ne; it represented Jenna¡¯s faith and values. Taking a deep breath, Chloe remembered the call she¡¯d received just before she¡¯d entered the office. Her parents¡¯ ashes had been ced on a flight and would arrive in Corvessia the next day. Looking up, she met Curtis¡¯ eyes and demanded, ¡°Fine, forget the ne. My parents¡¯ ashes are being sent from abroad tomorrow, and I want you toe with me to receive them.¡± In life, their greatest wish had been to see her married and settled down. She wanted Curtis by her side when she brought their ashes home, granting both them and herself a moment of dignity. Curtis was briefly stunned. He recalled the story Chloe had once told him about her parents¡¯ deaths when they first got married. Her parents, Jenna and Walter Quall, had died in an ident abroad. A subtle gleam flickered in Sonya¡¯s eyes, while Luke chimed in scornfully, ¡°You¡¯re unbelievable, Chloe. You¡¯ll fabricate any excuse just to drag him with you.¡± Ignoring him, Chloe kept her eyes on Curtis, who replied after a moment¡¯s hesitation, ¡°Alright. I¡¯lle with you tomorrow.¡± Without another word, she turned and left the CEO¡¯s office. As the door closed behind her, she caught Luke¡¯s voice. ¡°Are you really going with her?¡± ¡°No matter what, she¡¯s my wife. I should be there when she receives her parents¡¯ ashes,¡± Curtis replied. ¡°She¡¯s clearly lying! Who would go through the trouble of sending an orphan her parents¡¯ ashes all the way from abroad?¡± Each mention of the word ¡°orphan¡± stabbed at Chloe¡¯s heart. Looking down at the ne in her hand, she murmured, ¡°Mom, Dad, I¡¯ll bring you home tomorrow.¡± ¡­ The next day, Curtis still hadn¡¯t shown up as the clock struck at the agreed hour. A sense of unease crept into Chloe¡¯s heart. She called him, only to be greeted by his impatient voice. ¡°Sonya¡¯s mom sprained her ankle, and I¡¯m at the hospital with them.¡± ¡°Come quick, Curtis! My mom needs help!¡± Sonya¡¯s voice sounded from the other end of the line. ¡°Be right there,¡± Curtis replied, his voice gentle and warm. Before Chloe could say another word, he ended the call. A pang of coldness struck her, and her throat felt constricted, as though something was caught there. She wanted to scream and protest, but not a single word would leave her lips. How ridiculous! Curtis could apany Sonya¡¯s mother, Ca Bishop, to the hospital for a minor sprain, yet he wouldn¡¯t stand by Chloe, his wife, to ept her parents¡¯ homebound ashes. Drawing a steadying breath, Chloe resolutely got up and left the vi before driving to the military camp. Guards in uniform with rifles in hand nked the solemn, imposing gates. Chloe firmly stepped out of the car with her back straight. Even after three years out of service, her posture remained every bit that of a soldier. Step by step, she approached the gates and came to a halt. Raising her right hand, she delivered a formal, perfect military salute. She would take Jenna¡¯s and Walter¡¯s ashes home even if she had to do it alone. In a clear, strong voice that carried across the camp, she announced, ¡°Former Shadow Hawks Special Forces soldier Chloe Quall, reporting to receive the ashes of former peacekeeping officer Walter Quall and military doctor Jenna Knight!¡± With that, the heavy gates of the military camp slowly opened¡­ Previous Chapter Updates are released by F?nd-Novel 1/100Next Chapter After Divorce 2

Chapter 2 Ashes and Homing

Two rows of soldiers marched out in perfect unison, lining up at the gates of the military camp. They raised their right hands and saluted Chloe. She watched as the seniormander, Allen Jackman, dressed in a full military uniform, approached her, holding a ckwood urn draped with Alverton¡¯s national g. Vibrant colors of the national g stung Chloe¡¯s eyes. To her, they were a symbol of Jenna and Walter¡¯s belief and faith. Years ago, Walter and Jenna had epted the call of duty to join the peacekeeping force abroad, knowing full well that it might cost them their lives. ¡°When your parents¡¯ remains were found, they were inseparable, so the authorities cremated them together and ced both of them here,¡± Allen gently exined, his voice carrying a hint of apology. ¡°That¡¯s alright,¡± Chloe said as her gaze fixed on the urn with the g draped over it. ¡°They loved each other so much. I think they would¡¯ve wanted to be together even in death.¡± Allen nodded solemnly, then straightened and formally presented the urn to her. ¡°Honor to the fallen. May their spirits live forever.¡± As one, the soldiers behind him echoed those words, their voices booming under the sky. ¡°Honor to the fallen! May their spirits live forever!¡± Tears welled up in Chloe¡¯s eyes as she stood straight, saluting Allen and the soldiers with deep respect. ¡°Chloe Quall, here to bring her parents home!¡± she dered loudly, taking the urn in her arms. It felt heavy in her hands, yet it also brought her a strange sense of peace. After three years, Walter and Jenna, who¡¯d died in a foreignnd, were finally home. Only after the handover wasplete did Allen notice that Chloe was alone today. He knew she was married. ¡°Where¡¯s your husband? Didn¡¯t hee with you?¡± Chloe lowered her eyes and murmured, ¡°He was busy and couldn¡¯t make it.¡± Allen sighed. He¡¯d watched her grow up; once bright and spirited, she now seemed tired and worn out after three years of marriage. Patting her shoulder, Allen said, ¡°Come to me if you ever run into trouble. This old man might still be of some use.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Jackman,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°And remember, you can alwayse back here if life out there gets too tough. The gates of the camp will always be open for you, and this will always be your home.¡± Chloe nodded gratefully. After saying her goodbyes, she carefully carried the urn back into the car. cing it gently on the passenger seat, she started the engine. ¡°Mom, Dad¡­ Let me take you home.¡± ¡­ When Chloe stepped into the vi, a voice drifted from the living room. ¡°Now that Sonya¡¯s back¡ªand as a female captain, no less¡ªyou should divorce Chloe and marry her.¡± It was Curtis¡¯ mother, Helen Foster. ¡°Sonya and I are just friends,¡± Curtis tly replied. ¡°Just friends? Everyone knows you¡¯ve always loved Sonya. She¡¯s highly educated, has a great career, and is the first female captain at AeroQuest Airlines. Chloe¡¯s got nothing and is nowhere near good enough for you!¡± snapped Joanne Green, Curtis¡¯ younger sister. A cold ache spread through Chloe¡¯s chest. For three years, she¡¯d supported Curtis in growing hispany¡ªworkingte, pushing through illness, and even going to the office hooked to an IV drip¡ªonly to hear that she was ¡°nowhere near good enough¡±. Just then, Joanne spotted her. ¡°You¡¯re utterly shameless, Chloe. How dare you eavesdrop on us?¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t hiding, so how is this eavesdropping?¡± Chloe shot back as she stepped forward. ¡°Well, you heard me. Do the right thing and divorce Curtis so you won¡¯t stand in the way of him and Sonya!¡± Joanne retorted, her tone dripping with contempt. ¡°Joanne, that¡¯s enough!¡± Curtis berated. But she wouldn¡¯t stop. ¡°I¡¯m not wrong, am I? Chloe has nothing, and she only managed to marry you because Sonya was away! She took advantage of the timing, that¡¯s all!¡± Curtis¡¯ expression darkened. ¡°Are you done?¡± She pouted and fell silent as Helen stepped in tofort her. Curtis frowned and walked over to Chloe. His eyes fell on the ckwood urn in her hands draped in the national g. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± ¡°My parents¡¯ ashes. I brought them home,¡± Chloe said quietly. A flicker of guilt shed in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t go with you today. Sonya¡¯s mom sprained her ankle, so I had to¡ª¡± Before he could finish, Helen sharply interrupted him, ring at Chloe. ¡°What? Ashes? How could you bring something so unlucky into the house?¡± Unlucky? Chloe stared at Helen in disbelief. ¡°These are my parents¡¯ ashes. There¡¯s nothing unlucky about them!¡± Walter and Jenna were heroes who¡¯d died serving Alverton. They deserved to be treated with respect. ¡°I don¡¯t care whose ashes they are; they¡¯re bad luck!¡± Helen snapped. ¡°Now get out, and don¡¯t you dare bring that thing inside!¡± Chloe held the urn tighter. ¡°I won¡¯t leave. This is my home; Curtis and I bought it together after we got married.¡± ¡°Bought it together? That was Curtis¡¯ money!¡± Joanne shouted before turning to Curtis. ¡°Mom just had eye surgery, and the doctor said she shouldn¡¯t get upset. Make Chloe leave!¡± Curtis hesitated before he finally said, ¡°Maybe you should just leave and keep the ashes somewhere else for now.¡± Chloe¡¯s heart sank. How could he say that? ¡°Do you think my parents¡¯ ashes are bad luck too? That they don¡¯t deserve to rest here, even for just a little while?¡± Her eyes locked on his as she demanded an answer. Curtis remained quiet, but his silence spoke volumes. ¡°What if I refuse?¡± Chloe pushed. ¡°Curtis, in all our three years of marriage, I¡¯ve done nothing but stand by you and your family. I worked right by your side day and night when you first started your business. ¡°When Helen had cataracts and the doctors said her eyes couldn¡¯t be saved, I was the one who took her to every hospital in Corvessia. I leveraged every connection I had to get her an appointment with the best ophthalmologist in Corvessia, and that¡¯s how her eyes were saved! ¡°I¡¯ve always treated your family as my own, but have any of you ever respected mine?¡± Her words left the Greens speechless and uneasy. Joanne barked, ¡°You saved Mom? Curtis is rich, and that¡¯s how he could afford the best doctor in Corvessia for Mom! As for helping him with hispany, that¡¯s just an excuse for you to leech off him! Green Tech went public because of his talent, not you. So stop acting like it was all thanks to you!¡± Chloe kept her eyes fixed on Curtis. ¡°We¡¯ve been married for three years now. I¡¯m just asking to keep my parents¡¯ ashes here for a few days. Is that too much?¡± Curtis frowned. ¡°Stop being unreasonable, Chloe.¡± She stepped forward. ¡°What if I insist?¡± In a fit of rage, Helen rushed up and pped Chloe hard across the face. ¡°Not while I¡¯m alive! You will not bring those ashes into this house!¡± Chloe stumbled, her cheek stinging from the blow. Before she could steady herself, Helen violently shoved the urn in her hands. It tipped over, threatening to spill the ashes. Previous Chapter2/100Next Chapter This update is avable on Find¡ïNovel After Divorce 3

Chapter 3 Let¡¯s Get Divorced

Chloe¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Instinctively, she clutched the urn tightly against her chest and shielded it from any harm. ¡°How could you do that? These are my parents¡¯ ashes!¡± she cried out, her voice filled with fury. ¡°This is my son¡¯s house! If you dare bring that unlucky thing inside, I¡¯ll smash it into pieces myself. We¡¯ll show your parents what a vicious daughter they raised¡ªone who¡¯d even curse my family with misfortune!¡± Helen spat venomously. Rage filled Chloe¡¯s eyes as she held the urn protectively. ¡°Even if you¡¯re my mother-inw, you have no right to insult my parents like that!¡± Curtis stepped in and said, ¡°Just take the urn outside, Chloe. Don¡¯t upset Mom when she¡¯s barely recovered from surgery. I¡¯ll never forgive you if anything happens to her.¡± Chloe¡¯s hands trembled as she held the urn, her rage burning hotter than ever. Even after three years of marriage, he couldn¡¯t show Jenna and Walter the smallest shred of respect! When she refused to leave, Curtis¡¯ expression darkened. ¡°Why are you still standing here? Do you need me to throw you out myself?¡± Chloe was so angry that sheughed, lowering her gaze to the urn in her arms. It seemed like she¡¯d married the wrong man. Three years ago, Curtis had looked at her nervously and asked, ¡°I don¡¯t have a car or a house. Will you really marry me?¡± And she¡¯d nodded. After all, on the day she lost Jenna and Walter, Curtis was the one who¡¯d sat beside her quietly, wiping away her tears. After their deaths, Allen had earnestly told her, ¡°Chloe, your parents were always worried about your marriage. Special forces are too dangerous, and I don¡¯t want you to end up like your parents or Daniel. I believe they would¡¯ve wanted you to live a long, peaceful life.¡± After Walter and Jenna died and her elder brother, Daniel Quall, went missing in action, Chloe was the only one left in their family of four. So, she¡¯d resigned from the military and married Curtis. She used to believe that even if they didn¡¯t love each other as deeply as her parents had, they could at least treat each other with respect. But now, Curtis was stripping away even thatst shred of dignity. Did he not remember that, back when he¡¯d had nothing, the very first funds for hispany hade from Walter and Jenna¡¯s death gratuity money? If they were looking down from heaven, how would they feel knowing that their son-inw had used their sacrifice to build his fortune but wouldn¡¯t even allow their ashes into his home? ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll leave!¡± Chloe raised her head, standing straight. She refused to let her tears fall. She could make sacrifices and even bleed, but she would never cry for a man this ungrateful. With that, she turned on her heel and walked out without looking back. Joanne seemed almost surprised. ¡°Is she leaving¡­ just like that?¡± ¡°Of course! This is Curtis¡¯ house, so she has no say in it. She¡¯s just an orphan! Who does she think she is to do as she pleases?¡± Helen grumbled. Curtis watched Chloe leave, feeling a strange hollow ache in his chest as though something important had just slipped through his fingers. ¡­ Chloe carried the urn to a funeral home for temporary safekeeping. She nned to take Walter and Jenna¡¯s ashes back to Warlington for burial, but preparing the headstone and arranging everything else would take some time. So for now, she had no choice but to keep the ashes there. ¡°Just wait a little longer, Mom, Dad. I¡¯ll take you home soon,¡± she whispered, draping the folded g over the urn reverently. ¡°One day, I¡¯ll find Daniel, and we¡¯ll visit both of you together. I believe he¡¯s still alive.¡± Daniel was a soldier as well. Five years ago, he¡¯d vanished along the border during a mission and had been missing since then. Chloe had searched for him during her own service, but she hadn¡¯t managed to find any clues. Once sheid Walter and Jenna to rest, she vowed to go back to the border and search for him again. After cing the urn in the funeral home, Chloe prepared to leave. Rain drizzled steadily, pattering against her umbre. As she walked, she overheard the passersby talking. ¡°There are so many cars outside, and even government officials showed up. Someone important must have died.¡± ¡°Haven¡¯t you seen the news? Mr. Steele Senior died, and his memorial is today.¡± ¡°The Steeles? Who¡¯s going to take over now?¡± ¡°That powerful madman from the Steele family, of course. If not him, who else would do it?¡± At that moment, Chloe realized why there were police barricades and heavy security outside the funeral home. It was Martin Steele¡¯s funeral, after all. The Steeles were a towering force, dominating all of Corvessia. Everyone knew them, yet no one dared to provoke them. Stepping out, Chloe saw the long procession of sleek ck cars lined along the street, each one a disy of thete Martin¡¯s influence. Just then, the door of the nearest car opened. Someone stepped out with an umbre and then a tall, lean figure slowly emerged from the car. The ck umbre covered the upper half of the man¡¯s face, but Chloe could make out his sharp jawline, the prominent, narrow bridge of his nose, and thin, slightly moist lips. With long fingers and sharp bones, his hands looked as though they were made for killing. Then, he lifted his gaze, and his dark eyes locked with hers. They were beautiful eyes, tilted at the corners like a falcon¡¯s but cold and utterly devoid of life. It almost seemed as if nothing in this world could stir him. Though he was there for a funeral, his expression showed no sign of grief or any other emotion. The man holding the umbre for him respectfully gestured. ¡°This way, please, Mr. Steele.¡± Steele? Chloe¡¯s heart jolted. Was this man one of the Steeles? While she was briefly caught up in her thoughts, he¡¯d already walked past her. It wasn¡¯t until she was back in her car that she realized her palms were mmy with cold sweat. She took out her phone and saw a message from Curtis. ¡°Mom and Joanne have left. Come back after you¡¯ve arranged everything for your parents¡¯ ashes. We need to talk.¡± After giving the text a cold nce, she started the car and drove back to the vi. In the vi, Curtis was waiting on the couch. He approached her the moment she stepped in and asked, ¡°Did you arrange everything?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s done,¡± she replied tly. He reached out and gently pulled her into his arms. ¡°Mom¡¯s old and probably has her superstitions. She didn¡¯t mean to make things difficult for you. I¡¯m sorry I hurt you today. I promise I¡¯ll make it up to you.¡± His words ¡°make it up¡± stirred a wave of sorrow in Chloe. Even though his embrace was warm, it left her feeling utterly cold. Rather than her, it was Walter and Jenna who¡¯d truly been wronged and disrespected. They were heroes and yet, their ashes couldn¡¯t even be kept in their own daughter¡¯s home. What could Curtis possibly do to make up for that? Once, Chloe had craved the warmth of his arms. But now, she wanted no part of this falsefort. She pushed his arms away and looked up at the man she¡¯d once loved. ¡°Let¡¯s get divorced, Curtis.¡± Previous Chapter3/100Next Chapter Read full story at F?ndNovel After Divorce 4

Chapter 4 The Divorce Agreement

Curtis frowned. ¡°Divorce? Just because Mom didn¡¯t want your parents¡¯ ashes in the house today?¡± His tone made it sound like a trivial squabble. A chill settled in Chloe¡¯s chest. She decided she shouldn¡¯t hold onto any more hope for him. ¡°It¡¯s not just that. There¡¯s also the matter of Sonya. Once we get divorced, you¡¯ll finally be free to marry her,¡± she replied. ¡°I told you that Sonya and I are just friends. Stop overthinking it,¡± Curtis said impatiently. Chloe almostughed. No one believed Sonya and Curtis were just friends, yet he kept using thatbel to cover up his infidelity. ¡°I¡¯m tired, Curtis. I don¡¯t want to keep this marriage going any longer,¡± Chloe said. There was no grief greater than the death of love, and her love for him had already withered away. Curtis¡¯ expression fell. That strange feeling that something was slipping from his grasp grew stronger than ever, and, for the first time, he truly felt Chloe might leave at any moment. Suddenly, he suggested, ¡°If you¡¯re still worried, why don¡¯t we have a child?¡± ¡°What?¡± Chloe stared at him in shock. In all three years of their marriage, he¡¯d never once touched her. At first, he¡¯d imed he was busy with work and that they should let things happen naturally. So, she¡¯d never pushed him. Over time, it became the norm for them. He never made a move, even when they shared a bed. ¡°We¡¯ve been married for three years. It¡¯s time we start a family,¡± Curtis murmured, leaning in to kiss her cheek. Chloe found it ridiculous. An absurd, almost sorrowfulugh rose in her chest. Once, she¡¯d dreamed of having children with Curtis, but he¡¯d always said, ¡°I¡¯m not ready yet. Can we wait a little longer?¡± So, she¡¯d waited and assumed that he just wasn¡¯t prepared to be a father. Yet, the truth was that his heart belonged to someone else¡ªhe¡¯d been saving himself for Sonya, his precious first love. Chloe thought her love, loyalty, and sacrifices would eventually move him, but all of it ended up being nothing more than a pathetic joke. Now, when she¡¯d finally chosen to leave, Curtis suddenly wanted to give her a child. Chloe shoved him away, scrubbing the back of her hand against the cheek he¡¯d kissed. ¡°You disgust me, Curtis.¡± Curtis¡¯ expression darkened. ¡°When we got married, I promised I wouldn¡¯t let you down. I¡¯ll pretend I didn¡¯t hear what you just said. As for the child, if you¡¯re not ready for one yet, we can wait.¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing to wait for,¡± she snapped. ¡°I¡¯ll never have a child with you.¡± He¡¯d just opened his mouth to argue when his phone rang sharply. As he answered the call, Chloe heard Sonya¡¯s voiceing from the other end. ¡°¡­Alright. I¡¯ll be right there,¡± Curtis said gently. After ending the call, he nced back at Chloe. ¡°I need to step out. Take some time to cool off.¡± With that, he rushed off, leaving Chloe alone in the vi. Through the window, she watched him drive off, no doubt heading to Sonya¡¯s ce. Did he even realize that he¡¯d already let her down every time he¡¯d left her for Sonya? Back then, Chloe had loved and married Curtis because he¡¯d promised he would never let her down. But now that her love for him hadpletely died, there was no reason to continue this marriage. ¡­ To Chloe¡¯s surprise, Helen called and asked to meet her before she could even draft divorce papers. Helen demanded aggressively, ¡°I¡¯ll give you 100 million dors. Divorce my son!¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Chloe agreed without hesitation, leaving Helen taken aback. She eyed Chloe suspiciously and asked, ¡°Are you sure you¡¯ll divorce Curtis?¡± ¡°100 million dors, and I¡¯ll sign the agreement immediately.¡± Since Chloe was already nning to get a divorce, why shouldn¡¯t she take the money? 100 million dors could send countless children back to school and give many sick patients a chance to live. Seeing her agree, Helen quickly slid a document across the table. It was a divorce agreement that had already been signed by Curtis. Recognizing his signature, Chloe asked, ¡°Did he send you to discuss the divorce with me?¡± ¡°That¡¯s none of your business. I know he wants this divorce, so just sign it,¡± Helen urged. The flicker of guilt on her face told Chloe that Curtis knew nothing about the divorce agreement. Somehow, Helen had forged his signature or tricked him into signing the document. But either way, it made no difference to Chloe. She picked up the pen and signed her name. ¡°It¡¯ll take a month for the divorce to be finalized. Until then, keep quiet, and don¡¯t you dare breathe a word of this to Curtis.¡± Chloe raised an eyebrow. So, was she supposed to keep the fact that she¡¯d signed the divorce agreement a secret from Curtis? ¡°Also 100 million dors might be too much. 20 million dors is more than enough for an orphan like you.¡± Helen ruthlessly bargained. To her, even 20 million dors was too much to spend on someone like Chloe. ¡°If we go through a normal divorce proceeding, I¡¯m entitled to half of Curtis¡¯ marital assets. If you think 100 million dors is too much, shall I take 1.5 billion dors instead?¡± Chloe retorted sarcastically. Helen nearly passed out from fury. In the end, she gritted her teeth and finally gave in. ¡°Fine! 100 million dors it is, but no backing out!¡± Chloe smiled coldly. There was no way she would ever back out. Right now, all she wanted was to free herself from this marriage as soon as possible. ¡­ That afternoon, Chloe met her close friend, Lena Hansen, for some shopping. When Lena heard about the divorce, she rejoiced. ¡°It¡¯s about time you divorced him! The tabloids are filled with Curtis and Sonya¡¯s scandals. That cheater and homewrecker unt their rtionship like it¡¯s true love.¡± Chloe sounded calm as she replied, ¡°Let them do whatever they want. None of it will matter once the divorce is finalized anyway.¡± ¡°When will you take your parents¡¯ ashes back to Warlington for the burial?¡± Lena asked. ¡°I¡¯ll do it once the divorce is finalized in a month.¡± For dinner, Lena took Chloe to an upscale restaurant. They¡¯d just settled down whenughter erupted from the next table, and Chloe caught the mention of a familiar name. ¡°Curtis, when¡¯s your wedding with Sonya? Don¡¯t forget to invite us!¡± ¡°Should be soon, right? Chloe¡¯s just a no-name graduate from a trash college. She¡¯d probably be starving out there if Curtis hadn¡¯t taken pity on her. How does she have the nerve to cling to him? ¡°Sonya¡¯s different. She¡¯s a graduate from a top college. She was the campus belle in college, and now she¡¯s the first female captain at AeroQuest Airlines. That¡¯s going in the history books!¡± The group chattered in high spirits, oblivious to the fact that Chloe was seated at the table right behind the partition. Lena nearly threw her spoon in anger. She was about to storm over when Chloe stopped her. ¡°They¡¯re talking about me, so I¡¯ll handle it.¡± She rose and walked around the partition. ¡°Why wait for the wedding? Why don¡¯t I buy you all a drink right now?¡± Every head at the table turned to look at her. Seeing her there, Curtis frowned. ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? F¦ÉndNovel Previous Chapter4/100Next Chapter After Divorce 5

Chapter 5 I¡¯m Done With You

¡°Stop causing a scene. They were just joking around and meant no harm,¡± Curtis said. Disappointment shed in Chloe¡¯s eyes. Even when she was being mocked and humiliated in public, Curtis never said a single word in her defense. ¡°What counts as ¡®harm¡¯ to you then?¡± she sarcastically shot back. ¡°Should I kneel right here, p myself, and say that I should¡¯ve never married you? Don¡¯t forget that you were the one who proposed, Curtis.¡± Curtis¡¯ friends exchanged uneasy nces, and even Sonya shifted ufortably. Curtis clenched his jaw as he grabbed Chloe¡¯s wrist. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about this at home.¡± ¡°No, we¡¯ll talk right here,¡± she spat, yanking her hand free. ¡°To be honest, you and Sonya actually make a good match¡ªone¡¯s a cheater and the other¡¯s a mistress. I wish you both a long and happy life together.¡± Curtis¡¯ expression darkened, while Sonya¡¯s face went pale. Off to the side, Luke sneered. ¡°What right do you have to talk like that, Chloe? You¡¯re nothingpared to Sonya, and did you really think that Curtis would love an orphan from some no-name college over her?¡± ¡°That¡¯s bullshit!¡± Lena snapped, stepping forward. ¡°What no-name college? Chloe graduated from the National Defense Academy!¡± Laughter erupted around them. ¡°You¡¯re iming that the no-name college she attended is the National Defense Academy?¡± ¡°Chloe, you and your friend are the same¡ªshameless, pathetic liars!¡± Sonya regained herposure and got up, smirking. ¡°If you¡¯re going to boast, at least have the credentials to back it up. Lying about your education will only make you aplete fool.¡± ¡°Lying?¡± Lena fumed. ¡°All it takes is one search in the registry, and you¡¯ll see it¡¯s the truth!¡± Chloe held Lena back and fixed her cold, steady gaze on Sonya. ¡°I don¡¯t need your opinion on my education.¡± Sonya frowned. Why did Chloe still seem so confident even when she¡¯d been caught in a lie? She was so calm that it was unnerving. Just then, she noticed a group that had entered the restaurant and was about to pass by their table. Recognizing one of them, she warmly called out with a wide smile, ¡°Professor Ostling, what a coincidence to see you here!¡± Recognizing Sonya, Gerald Ostling smiled politely. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Ms. Miller.¡± Gerald was acquainted with the Millers, so there were frequent interactions between both parties. ¡°You¡¯re a professor at the National Defense Academy, and as it happens, someone here ims to have studied there. I wonder if you know her,¡± Sonya said sweetly. The others joined in, eager to see Chloe humiliated. ¡°Yeah, Chloe. Since you im to be a graduate from the academy, surely you should know professors, right?¡± Chloe calmly stepped forward. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, Professor Ostling.¡± Mocking whispers broke out around them. ¡°Wow, she¡¯s really putting on a show!¡± ¡°As if she actually went to the academy!¡± ¡°There¡¯s no way Professor Ostling knows her!¡± But the taunts died abruptly when Gerald gently patted Chloe¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see you here either. It¡¯s been years since west met.¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been a while. How have you been, Professor Ostling?¡± ¡°I¡¯m well. I heard about your parents. My condolences,¡± Gerald said with a soft sigh. The onlookers, who¡¯d been looking forward to a show, stared in stunned silence. Even Sonya¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Professor Ostling, d-do you actually know her?¡± ¡°Of course! She was my student, so how could I not know her? She was the top science student in Corvessia that year. When she enrolled at the academy, it caused quite a stir.¡± The people who¡¯d been ridiculing Chloe now looked indescribably gloomy, their expressions turning ugly. The top science student in Corvessia¡­ Anyone who¡¯d ever studied knew how tough it was to earn such recognition. Someone with that title could even bebeled a genius. Besides, the National Defense Academy was said to be more difficult to get into than the top-tier universities. In order to get epted, one needed to demonstrate excellence in both academics and physical fitness. Sonya¡¯s face flushed with humiliation. Just moments ago, she¡¯d called Chloe a fool, but now, she looked more like one instead. Even Curtis looked astonished. He¡¯d never known about any of this because Chloe had never once boasted about her achievements. Even though they¡¯d been married for three years, she suddenly felt like a stranger to him. ¡°Is this your student, Professor Ostling?¡± A cool, calm voice cut through the tension, drawing everyone¡¯s attention back to reality. ¡°Yes,¡± Gerald said, turning around to introduce Chloe. ¡°This is my student, Chloe Quall. Chloe, this is Mr. Brian Steele from Steele Group.¡± The name ¡°Brian Steele¡± dropped like a bomb in the room, and everyone¡¯s expressions shifted. After all, everyone knew that Brian had been dered Steele¡¯s sessor. Everyone¡¯s faces lit up with eagerness. If they could form even the slightest connection to Brian, it could bring them immense benefits. ¡°Nice to meet you, Ms. Quall,¡± Brian said politely, extending his hand. Chloe recognized him as the man she¡¯d seen outside the funeral home. Now, without an umbre hiding his face, she could clearly see his face. His hair was swept back, revealing more of his sharp, chiseled facial features and deep, prating eyes that seemed both calm and dangerous. Although he spoke gently, it was impossible to guess what he was really thinking. ¡°Nice to meet you, too, Mr. Steele,¡± Chloe replied, shaking his hand. His hand was clean, yet the moment she touched him, she instinctively sensed danger, as though his hands could kill at any moment. Their handshake onlysted a moment before they drew away. The others nearby were practically jumping with excitement, eager to speak with Brian, but he seemed uninterested. ¡°Professor Ostling, shall we proceed to the private room?¡± Gerald nodded, said a few more words to Chloe, and then followed Brian away. Once they were gone, Curtis approached Chloe. Clearly displeased, he asked, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you ever tell me that you were a top science student and a graduate from the National Defense Academy?¡± She gave him a calm look. As far as she could recall, he¡¯d never asked either. ¡°Did it matter?¡± she murmured. Just as Curtis was about to respond, gunshots suddenly rang out in the restaurant. Chaos erupted, and screams pierced the air as someone opened fire in Brian¡¯s direction. Chloe stumbled and nearly fell over as she was suddenly shoved aside. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Curtis holding Sonya tightly and shielding her behind a partition. He was the one who¡¯d pushed her away! In that moment of danger, Curtis had chosen to save Sonya and not Chloe, his wife. Just how many times would he let her down? A cold numbness seeped into Chloe¡¯s heart as she stared at Curtis expressionlessly. Had he even considered that he might¡¯ve exposed her to stray bullets when he shoved her aside? As if sensing her gaze, Curtis looked over, guilt flickering across his face. When he¡¯d heard the fired shots, his first instinct had been to protect Sonya, and by the time he snapped back to his senses, he realized he¡¯d pushed Chloe away. Still, he told himself he would make it rightter. After all, Chloe was easy to coax. In the past, regardless of what he¡¯d done wrong, a few gentle words had always been enough to calm her down. Just as he was reassuring himself with that thought, his eyes suddenly widened. He froze, watching as Chloe¡¯s lips moved slowly and clearly, forming words meant for him. ¡°Curtis, I¡¯m done with you.¡± ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find[f]ovel Previous Chapter5/100Next Chapter After Divorce 6

Chapter 6 You¡¯re More Interesting Than I Thought

For a moment, Curtis¡¯ heart clenched, sending a sharp pain through him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± As if sensing his odd behavior, Sonya spoke up softly from the safety of his arms. ¡°N-Nothing,¡± he replied, pressing his dry lips. He told himself he must have imagined it. Chloe couldn¡¯t possibly have meant it when she¡¯d mouthed the words ¡°I¡¯m done with you¡±. After a few more rounds, the gunfire ceased, and the Steele family¡¯s bodyguards stormed the restaurant. They surrounded the middle-aged man, who was still holding his gun, aiming squarely at Brian. It was a tense standoff between them. ¡°My friend lost everything when the Steeles drove his business to bankruptcy, Brian! Tonight you¡¯re going to pay with your life!¡± shouted the man, Chad Gunness, his voice shaking with hatred. ¡°Oh, really?¡± Brian calmly responded. Even with a gun pointed at his chest, his handsome face didn¡¯t show so much as a flicker of emotion as he slowly walked toward Chad. ¡°Plenty of people want me dead. What makes you think you¡¯ll be the one to kill me?¡± Caught off guard by Brian walking toward him, Chad panicked and pulled the trigger again, just as two of the bodyguards tackled him from behind and pinned him to the ground. The shot went wide and grazed past Brian¡¯s side. He didn¡¯t even flinch, as if whether he got shot or not didn¡¯t matter at all. ¡°Let me go!¡± Chad yelled, struggling against the bodyguards. A guard retrieved the gun and respectfully presented it to Brian. ¡°Mr. Steele, the weapon.¡± Brian casually took it, fiddled with it, then pressed the muzzle against Chad¡¯s temple. ¡°W-What are you doing?¡± Chad stammered, trembling. ¡°Since you had the guts to try to kill me, didn¡¯t you think of the consequences?¡± Brian¡¯s voice was icy and calm as his fingers slowly closed around the trigger. The sound of the gun cocking echoed in the silent room, eliciting gasps from the onlookers. Chad paled with terror. ¡°Y-You wouldn¡¯t dare! We¡¯re in public¡­ You¡¯ll go to jail for murder!¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t we find out? Though unfortunately, you won¡¯t be around to see the result,¡± Brian replied indifferently, as if Chad was just an insignificant man. Just then, a figure lunged at Brian and knocked him to the ground, stopping him from pulling the trigger. No one had seen iting, and not even the Steeles¡¯ bodyguards had noticed anyone sneaking up to Brian¡¯s side. Lena¡¯s mouth hung open as she stared in shock. When did Chloe move? And was she insane that she went and tackled Brian¡ªand that too, while he was armed? Curtis and his friends were equally stunned. A mocking gleam shed in Sonya¡¯s eyes. It seemed Chloe was more foolish than she¡¯d thought, after all. Did Chloe really think this stunt would win her points? Crossing Brian would only make Curtis hate her more. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± Brian¡¯s voice cut through the chaos, a rare ripple of surprise passing through his cold eyes. Chloe pressed down on his wrist, forcing him to move the gun away. ¡°You can¡¯t kill him.¡± Brian asked coldly, ¡°Do you know this man?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Why are you helping him then?¡± ¡°He¡¯smitted a crime, and it¡¯s the court that should judge him. You¡¯re safe now. He no longer has the power to hurt you, so whether he lives or dies isn¡¯t your decision to make.¡± Brian stared at Chloe before he suddenly said, ¡°You¡¯re rather courageous, Ms. Quall. But it¡¯s a pity I hate people who meddle in my business.¡± In an instant, he twisted free and swung the muzzle toward her forehead instead. But just as quickly, a cold, sharp table knife was pressed against his throat. For a moment, the room froze. Suddenly, the police swarmed in, drawing weapons. ¡°Nobody move!¡± Brian halted, and Chloe exhaled, rxing slightly. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Who called this in?¡± the lead officer asked. ¡°I did!¡± Chloe replied, withdrawing the table knife and standing up. Brian rose as well, his eyes never leaving her. Approaching them, the officer recognized Brian with just a nce. ¡°Mr. Steele, are you hurt?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. This man attempted to kill me, and this is the weapon he used,¡± Brian said as he handed over the gun. The officer collected it before eyeing Chloe and the knife in her hand. ¡°And this is¡­¡± ¡°A table knife. I used it to defend myself when things got out of hand. I assume that¡¯s not a problem?¡± Chloe passed it over without hesitation. As the police examined it, Brian¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile. ¡°You¡¯re more interesting than I thought, Ms. Quall. I hope we meet again.¡± Chloe pressed her lips together and said nothing. Everyone knew Brian was dangerous, and her instincts told her that she needed to keep her distance. ¡­ After the shooting, Chloe and the others were taken to the police station to give their statements. When Chloe stepped out of the interrogation room, she saw Curtis¡¯ friends and Sonya waiting in the lobby. As soon as Curtis spotted her, he stormed over and scolded her. ¡°What were you thinking, holding a knife to Brian¡¯s neck? Don¡¯t forget that we¡¯re married, and if you offend him, it means Green Tech offended him too!¡± ¡°Married?¡± Chloe let out a sharpugh. ¡°If you¡¯d seen me as your wife, you wouldn¡¯t have shoved me aside to protect Sonya when the gunshots rang out.¡± Curtis froze, and guilt shed across his face. Luke sneered. ¡°Sonya¡¯s weak and delicate, so of course she needed protecting! Should he have protected you instead? Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re overestimating yourself?¡± ¡°Funny¡­ You all love to boast about Sonya being as strong and fearless as a man. So howe she¡¯s suddenly a weak, helpless damsel who needs protection?¡± Chloe shot back. Luke froze, his cheeks flushing in embarrassment. Sonya¡¯s eyes glimmered. ¡°Curtis was just kind enough to protect me, Chloe. Aren¡¯t you blowing it out of proportion? Maybe people like you are the reason people call women petty.¡± ¡°Petty, my ass!¡± Lena snapped at that, charging over after giving her statement. ¡°A husband shoves his wife aside to protect his mistress, and you have the nerve to tell her not to be petty? Sonya, you wear that homewreckerbel with more pride than anyone I¡¯ve ever seen.¡± She¡¯d witnessed the scene at the restaurant, and she was still fuming. Lena¡¯s voice carried loud and clear. Everyone who¡¯de to give their statements turned to stare at themotion. Curtis¡¯ expression darkened, while Sonya bristled. ¡°Stop calling me a homewrecker!¡± ¡°What else would you call it?¡± Lena fired back. ¡°Despite being Chloe¡¯s husband, Curtis shoved her aside to protect you when gunshots rang out. Was that saintly selflessness on his part? Or does he owe you because you did him a huge favor, like saving his entire family?¡± Her words were fired out of her mouth like a machine gun, leaving the police station buzzing. All eyes focused squarely on Sonya. Previous Chapter6/100Next Chapter Th?s chapter is updated by Find1Novel After Divorce 7

Chapter 7 Resignation

Sonya¡¯s expression stiffened. She wanted to retort, but she couldn¡¯t think of an exnation that would hold up. Red-faced with anger, Curtis turned to Chloe. ¡°Did you put your friend up to this circus just to embarrass me?¡± Lena snorted. ¡°Excuse me? That was all me. Chloe has nothing to do with it!¡± But Curtis was convinced that Chloe was trying to embarrass him on purpose. ¡°What will it take for you to make her shut up? If you wantpensation¡­ fine. Tell me what you want.¡± Looking at the furious Curtis in front of her, Chloe once again sensed just how little he cared for her and how much he cared for Sonya. How could she have been so naive in the past that she¡¯d believed she could win his love? ¡°I don¡¯t want anypensation from you. I want to resign,¡± she said. ¡°What?¡± Curtis froze. Even Luke looked surprised. ¡°I¡¯ll submit my resignation letter tomorrow and hand over all my projects. From then on, Green Tech will have nothing to do with me.¡± Since she was getting divorced, she figured she might as wellpletely cut off all ties to Curtis. ¡°Is this a threat? Are you resigning just because I didn¡¯t protect you when the shots were fired?¡± Curtis frowned. ¡°No. I¡¯m stating my terms,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°After I resign, Green Tech¡¯s future is none of my business. You and Sonya can do whatever you want, and it won¡¯t concern me.¡± As more people in the police station turned to look at them, Curtis rubbed his temples and gave in. ¡°Fine. Quit if you want. Maybe a break will help clear your head.¡± Chloe didn¡¯t reply. She simply grabbed Lena¡¯s hand and walked out of the station without looking back. Back inside the station, Luke muttered, still in disbelief, ¡°Wait¡­ Is she serious about resigning? Does she really think she can find a better job out there?¡± ¡°Let her go. She¡¯lle crawling back soon enough,¡± Curtis said dismissively. ¡°I can¡¯t stand people who use their job as a bargaining chip. Quitting over such petty drama¡ªwhat a waste of her National Defense Academy degree,¡± Sonya said haughtily. ¡°So what if she graduated from the academy? Out there, she¡¯ll probably end up waiting tables or doing odd jobs!¡± Lukeughed. Sonya smiled. What good would a degree from the National Defense Academy do if Chloe was nothing but a jealous woman clinging to men for status? After being stripped of that status and losing the man she leaned on, she would be left with nothing. In Sonya¡¯s eyes, Chloe had spent three years of marriage toiling away at Curtis¡¯pany, and that was exactly why Sonya looked down on people like her. ¡­ After arriving at thepany the next day, Chloe informed her project team about her resignation. ¡°You¡¯re leaving, Chloe? That¡¯s so sudden!¡± ¡°What about the project? What will we do after you leave?¡± The employees at Green Tech had no idea Chloe was Curtis¡¯ wife. Curtis¡¯ secretary was the only one in the know. But everyone on the team knew how capable Chloe was. If she was in charge of a project, it was alwayspleted perfectly. The thought of a new project manager worried them all. ¡°Mr. Green will appoint a recement soon,¡± Chloe said. She then printed her resignation letter and walked into Curtis¡¯ office. He was there with Joanne, and his expression darkened at the sight of Chloe¡¯s resignation letter. ¡°Are you serious about this?¡± ¡°I thought I made that clear yesterday,¡± Chloe said evenly. ¡°If this is some trick to get your way, then I can only say that I¡¯m really disappointed in you.¡± Chloe almostughed in anger. She was the one who should be disappointed. ¡°I have no interest in ying any games, Curtis. I just don¡¯t want to work for a man who¡¯d shove his wife aside in times of danger.¡± His expression turned grim. ¡°Fine. Don¡¯t regret it.¡± After signing the resignation letter, he coldly instructed, ¡°From now on, Joanne will take over your projects. Make sure you hand everything over to her before you leave.¡± Joanne triumphantly lifted her chin. Fresh out of college, she was eager to prove herself. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure the project seeds, Curtis!¡± If Chloe could do it, Joanne was sure she could do it better! Her contempt showed in every word. When they sat down to go over the files, she couldn¡¯t resist sneering. ¡°That¡¯s it? I thought your job wasplicated, but it turns out it¡¯s child¡¯s y. No wonder you¡¯ve just been freeloading off Curtis¡¯pany all these years.¡± Chloe ignored Joanne¡¯s sarcasm, but the rest of the team certainly heard it loud and clear. Simple? Nothing about these projects was simple. Chloe¡¯s proposals were packed withplex technical details only someone with real expertise could pull off. The fact that Joanne had dismissed them so casually only proved she had no idea how drone systems worked. Was someone like that really fit to lead their team as the project manager? No one dared to say it out loud, though. After all, Joanne was Curtis¡¯ sister, and offending her meant getting fired. Joanne casually tossed aside the project proposal Chloe had written for the first phase. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ve seen enough, so get out now. And don¡¯t even think abouting back. Green Tech isn¡¯t a recycling center for trash!¡± Hearing that, the team members were stunned by just how ignorant and stupid she was. Their respect for Chloe grew even more as they watched her with reluctance and regret. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t being back,¡± Chloe calmly replied. ¡°As for you, a recycling center seems like a perfect fit.¡± Joanne¡¯s expression fell. Did Chloe just call her trash? Furious, she raised her hand to p Chloe, but thetter firmly caught her wrist. ¡°Joanne, I used to tolerate you for Curtis¡¯ sake. But now, I have no reason to.¡± ¡°Let go! Let go now!¡± Joanne yelped in pain. Chloe flung her wrist off, releasing her. Rubbing her wrist, Joanne opened her mouth to fire another insult, but then she met Chloe¡¯s cold, razor-sharp gaze. A shiver ran down her spine, and her words died in her throat. Only after Chloe walked out of the office did Joanne force a scoff in frustration. Why had she been intimidated when Chloe was all bark but no bite? ¡­ A few dayster, Lena cheered when she heard that Chloe had officially resigned. ¡°You should¡¯ve quit a long time ago! You worked yourself to the bone for Curtis, but he never appreciated it. Does he even know that hispany would¡¯ve never gone public this fast without you?¡± Chloe gave a faint, humorless smile as Lena pressed. ¡°So, what¡¯s next?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know yet. Maybe I¡¯ll return to the military.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you join mypany?¡± Lena eagerly suggested. ¡°I¡¯d always wanted to recruit you when you left the military. You¡¯re one of the best minds in drone research, and if you hadn¡¯t spent years helping Curtis start his business, you would¡¯ve already be a leading expert by now.¡± Chloe lowered her gaze. It was true that she¡¯d focused on drone technology in college and worked on several rted projects during her military service. After Curtis¡¯pany went public, hertest project had involved drone development too. But since she¡¯d resigned and nned to cut all ties with him, Lena¡¯spany wasn¡¯t a bad idea. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it,¡± Chloe said. ¡°Great!¡± Lena cheerfully replied. When Chloe said she would think about it, it usually meant yes. Landing a talent like Chloe on her team would feel like gaining a powerhouse. Just then, Chloe¡¯s phone rang. She picked it up, only to hear Joanne¡¯s spoiled voice screeching over the phone. ¡°If you¡¯re not dead yet, get over here right now! Did you forget today¡¯s the day you¡¯re supposed to take Mom to the hospital for her appointment?¡± Th?s chapter is updated by find¡¤novel After Divorce 8 unapter 8 Not Everyone Gets to See Dr. Davidson ¡°I¡¯m busy,¡± Chloe snapped coldly. ¡°If your mother needs to go see the doctor, you or Curtis can take her.¡± Without waiting for a reply, she ended the call and blocked Joanne¡¯s number. During the past three years, every time Helen needed to see the doctor, Chloe had always been the one who handled everything, from making appointments at the hospital to getting in line, making payments, getting prescriptions, and going for follow¨Cups. Yet the Greens took her efforts for granted and never showed any gratitude. Today was supposed to be a follow¨Cup appointment for Helen¡¯s eye surgery. ¡°Who was that?¡± Lena asked. ¡°Curtis¡® sister. Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Chloe replied. Half an hourter, Curtis called her. ¡°You¡¯d better get to the hospital now, Chloe. I¡¯ll never forgive you if anything happens to my mom.¡± Chloe frowned. She didn¡¯t want to go, but the divorce hadn¡¯t been finalized yet. She didn¡¯t want any unnecessary trouble, so she eventually gave in. The moment she stepped into the hospital, Joanne stormed up to her. ¡°You blocked me, didn¡¯t you? I couldn¡¯t get through to you, no matter how many times I called!¡± ¡°I did,¡± Chloe admitted without hesitation. ¡°How dare you!¡± Joanne fumed. Earlier, she¡¯d taken Helen into the doctor¡¯s office, only to be turned away because they hadn¡¯t made an appointment. As everyone around them stared, she¡¯d called Chloe over a dozen times with no response. It had been utterly humiliating. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I dare? It¡¯s not like you¡¯re the president or anything, so why must I always take your calls?¡± Chloe countered. While Joanne was rendered speechless, Curtis stepped in. ¡°Whatever issues we have are between us. You shouldn¡¯t have taken it out on my mom¡¯s health.¡± ¡°And how exactly did I take it out on her?¡± Chloe asked, amused. ¡°You¡¯ve always been the one to take her to appointments. Now that you¡¯ve suddenly refused to take her to the hospital, you¡¯re obviously taking it out on her.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re aware that I was always the one who brought her here, huh? She raised you and Joanne, not me, so it¡¯s your duty to keep herpany. I did it out of kindness, not obligation.¡± 212 ¡°Fine. Even if you won¡¯te now, why can¡¯t we get an appointment? Isn¡¯t that your doing?¡± Curtis snapped. ¡°Dr. Davidson is a retired military doctor. He¡¯s elderly and only sees a very limited number of patients each week, so appointments need to be booked weeks or even months in advance. You can¡¯t just get an appointment with him just because you want it.¡± ¡°How did you manage to get them then?¡± Curtis demanded. ¡°What do you think?¡± Chloe shot back. When Curtis fell silent, she knew he¡¯d misunderstood. He¡¯d always assumed that she snatched appointment slots from others when the truth was the doctor, Richard Davidson, had reserved a slot for her each time. She¡¯d always arranged it in advance with Richard, but now, that wasn¡¯t something she cared to exin. ¡°Since Helen has already had her cataract surgery, another doctor in the department can handle the follow -up if she can¡¯t see Dr. Davidson.¡± When Helen overheard that, she rushed over and jabbed a finger at Chloe. ¡°You¡¯re just trying to make me go blind by sending me off to a random doctor! You want me dead!¡± Her hand flew up toward Chloe¡¯s cheek. When thetter dodged and frowned, Helen kept swinging her arms around, fueled by anger. Themotion outside the doctor¡¯s office drew people¡¯s attention, and momentster, Richard appeared. ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Oh? Chloe?¡± Richard stepped forward. ¡°Dr. Davids-¡± Before Chloe could call out to him, Helen loudly cut in. ¡°Chloe¡¯s vicious, Dr. Davidson! She told me to settle for amon doctor when I¡¯ve only ever trusted you! Thank goodness my son will divorce her soon, so he can marry someone who actually deserves him.¡± ¡°Mom, I told you Sonya and I are just friends,¡± Curtis muttered awkwardly, tugging at her sleeve. ¡°Just friends? You¡¯ve always had feelings for Sonya, and now that she¡¯s back, you should be with her. How can an orphan like Chloepare to the first female captain of AeroQuest Airlines?¡± Helen¡¯s expression grew more disdainful with every word. Richard¡¯s expression darkened. He turned to Helen and sternly announced, ¡°In that case, perhaps you should find another doctor. I agreed to treat you out of respect for Chloe¡¯s parents, but since you¡¯re looking down on her, don¡¯t bothering to me again.¡± ¡°What?¡± The Greens froze in shock. ¡°Her parents are dead! What respect could they possibly deserve?¡± Helen blurted out rudely. Hardened. ¡°How dare you speak of them that way? Walter and Jenna were heroes who died for Alverton!¡± Helen immediately fell silent, though her eyes burned with deeper resentment toward Chloe. That was when Curtis stepped forward. ¡°Dr. Davidson, my mom truly hopes you¡¯ll continue her treatment.¡± This update is avable on find(?)ovel ¡°We can pay whatever you want. Curtis has plenty of money,¡± Joanne arrogantly added. Disgust flickered across Richard¡¯s face. Still, professionalism and his duty as a doctor reminded him that he shouldn¡¯t turn away any patient seeking medical care. ¡°Book an appointment like everyone else. I¡¯ll see her whenever you manage to get one.¡± He motioned for the hospital staff to keep the Greens outside and led Chloe into his office. When they were seated, he gently asked, ¡°What happened? Are you getting divorced?¡± Chloe nodded. He sighed but didn¡¯t press her for more details. ¡°Good. That family never deserved you anyway, and you deserve a far better man. Your parents would never have wanted to see you mistreated either, Chloe. You were their pride.¡± Tears welled up in Chloe¡¯s eyes at the mention of Jenna and Walter. ¡°I heard you brought their ashes back. Have they beenid to rest?¡± ¡°Not yet. I n to take them home to Warlington in a few weeks, once everything¡¯s settled,¡± Chloe said, shaking her head. ¡°Tell me when you leave. I want to be there to pay my respects.¡± ¡°I will,¡± Chloe said, her throat tight. Once the cooling¨Coff period for the divorce was over, she would take Walter and Jenna¡¯s ashes back to Warlington. That evening, Chloe returned to the vi and found Curtis home, a rarity ever since Sonya returned to Corvessia. ¡°My mom still wants Dr. Davidson to oversee her treatment. Talk to him and make the arrangements so he¡¯ll keep treating her,¡± he demanded. Chloe let out a shortugh. Did he really think a renowned physician like Richard could be ordered around like some family doctor? Doctors like Richard treated high¨Cpriority patients who were often critical figures in Alverton. Richard had only agreed to attend to Helen because he¡¯d been close to Jenna, who¡¯d also been a military doctor. Chapter & Not Everyone Gets to See Dr. Davidson Chloe said, ¡°You can book the appointments yourself. Dr. Davidson is a responsible doctor and won¡¯t turn away patients, so Helen can receive treatment from him as long as you manage to get an appointment.¡± When Curtis frowned, she coldly added, ¡°Besides, you¡¯re rich, aren¡¯t you? Hire someone to wait in line and secure an appointment.¡± He opened his mouth to retort when his phone rang sharply. After he answered the call, his expression turned grim. As he hung up, he turned to Chloe. ¡°The incident at the restaurant made the tabloids. They reported that I¡¯m married and used Sonya of being a homewrecker. ¡°You need to issue a statement with me immediately and rify that Sonya and I are just friends. This whole thing is all a misunderstanding!¡± After Divorce 9 Chapter 9 Shameless Curtis Chloe stared in disbelief as Curtis continued, ¡°Also, you should rify that Sonya¡¯s your friend too. Tell the press you were worried about her safety and asked me to protect her.¡± For a moment, she almost thought she¡¯d misheard him. ¡°Have you no shame, Curtis? How could you even bring yourself to suggest that?¡± Did he have any idea how much it had hurt when, in the middle of gunfire, he¡¯d pushed her aside, and she¡¯d turned around to see him shielding Sonya? She¡¯d believed that after three years of marriage, he would at least care for her even if he didn¡¯t love her. But in that moment, she¡¯d realized that when danger struck, he would abandon her without hesitation. ¡°Sonya worked hard to be a captain. Things like this will affect her reputation, and it¡¯ll cost her future promotions,¡± Curtis argued. Chloe almost felt like apuding. He cared so much about Sonya¡¯s future, yet he seemed to have forgotten that it was Sonya who¡¯d left him when he¡¯d been at his lowest. Chloe was the one who¡¯d stood by him and supported him throughout all the challenges he faced starting his ownpany. ¡°I refuse,¡± Chloe said tly. ¡°What?¡± Curtis looked stunned, caught off guard by her blunt refusal. ¡°I won¡¯t lie to the public. You and I both know that it wasn¡¯t a misunderstanding, and Sonya was never my friend.¡± Curtis¡® face flushed with anger. ¡°Are you trying to ruin her?¡± ¡°You forgot you were married and had an affair with her. You¡¯re the one who put her in this position!¡± Chloe snapped. ¡°I never had an affair or cheated on you. She and I are just friends!¡± ¡°Some friend,¡± Chloe said with a bitterugh. ¡°The kind who keeps you out all night. Just one call from her has you running straight to her.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because Sonya just transferred back to Corvessia. She¡¯s a captain now, and I¡¯m just keeping herpany through events and dinners,¡± Curtis protested. ¡°Oh, so keeping herpany matters more than being there the day I brought my parents¡® ashes home?¡± Chloe¡¯s voice sharpened. ¡°Are you bringing that up now? All it takes is just a few words from you to help Sonya. What¡¯s so hard about that?¡± he angrily retorted. Chloe stared at him coldly. How could he toss out ¡°just a few words¡± so casually and act like it was Chapter 9 Shameless Curtis nothing? Was that really all it was? ¡°If you care so much about Sonya, why didn¡¯t you file for divorce when she came back?¡± she asked. Her words left him stunned. ¡°What?¡± ¡°If you¡¯d divorced me and told me you loved her back then, I wouldn¡¯t have stood in your way. Her reputation wouldn¡¯t be at risk now.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not getting a divorce,¡± Curtis spat, clearly annoyed. ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten the vows I made on our wedding day, Chloe. I told you I¡¯d never let you down.¡± Those words, ¡°I¡¯d never let you down¡°, sounded like a bad joke to her. ¡°You¡¯re not refusing to divorce out of loyalty to your vows. You just don¡¯t want to look like the man who got rich and dumped the wife who helped him grow hispany. You want it both ways¨Cyour precious first love and a good reputation. ¡°If you never meant to let me down, would you have let your friends insult and humiliate me? Would you have broken your promise the day I brought my parents¡® ashes home, just because Sonya¡¯s mom had a minor sprain? ¡°They¡¯re my parents, Curtis, and I couldn¡¯t even bring them into my house!¡± Each usation made the color drain from Curtis¡® face. He looked as if he¡¯d been struck by something heavy. After a long silence, he murmured, ¡°I know you¡¯re hurt, so let¡¯s do this. This weekend, we¡¯ll visit the cemetery together, and I¡¯ll apologize to them. I should¡¯ve been there when you brought them home.¡± Readplete version only at F¦Énd£Îovel Chloe knew this was his way of making amends. In just over 20 days, they would be officially divorced, and she didn¡¯t need him to visit Jenna and Walter¡¯s graves at all. But still¡­ they deserved that apology. ¡°Fine,¡± she said. But when the weekend came, Curtis stood her up again. ¡°Sorry, Chloe. An urgent meeting came up at thepany today, so I can¡¯t make the visit to your parents¡® graves. I¡¯ll make it up to you next time,¡± he said apologetically over the phone. ¡°Alright. I understand,¡± Chloe replied quietly before ending the call. There were no fights or outbursts, and she didn¡¯t even feel disappointed anymore. Curtis had let her down too many times. If he could watch his friends mock and belittle her without saying a word, he certainly wouldn¡¯t care about her deceased parents. Staring at her phone, she tapped on her photo album. There were barely any pictures of her and Curtis. She only had a handful of them, and some were even group shots with their colleagues. But Curtis had an entire photo album filled with pictures of him and Sonya on his phone. Chapter 9 Shameless Curtis One by one, Chloe deleted the few pictures they had together. To save money, they hadn¡¯t even bothered with pre¨Cwedding photoshoots when they¡¯d gotten married. In a way, she was d that it saved her the trouble now. She began packing her belongings in the vi. She didn¡¯t own much¨Cclothes, a few pieces of jewelry, and a pair of cheap wedding rings. Those rings had barely seen the light of day because Curtis had insisted their marriage remain a secret. After staring at them for a moment, Chloe ced them back in the drawer. Once, she hadn¡¯t cared about their price and only valued Curtis¡® sincerity. But now, she understood that in his eyes, she was likely just as cheap as those rings. Suddenly, her phone rang with a call from Lena. When she picked up, Lena asked brightly, ¡°Do you have some time today? Come with me to the horse ranch.¡± ¡°The horse ranch?¡± Chloe sounded puzzled. ¡°Word is Brian¡¯s there today. I want to try getting noticed by him and maybe make a connection, but I¡¯m too nervous to go alone,¡± Lena exined. Chloe¡¯s mind immediately conjured the image of Brian¡¯s chiseled face and those dark, soulless eyes. He was a dangerous man indeed. ¡°You¡¯re not actually interested in him, are you?¡± she asked. ¡°God, no! I don¡¯t have a death wish!¡± Lena burst into a coughing fit. ¡°I just heard the Steeles are looking to invest in drone technology. You know mypany¡¯s been developing applications in that field, so I figured I could try my luck.¡± Chloe hesitated. In fact, she wasn¡¯t too interested in meeting Brian again. Every instinct told her it was better to stay away from him. ¡°Please, just with me, Chloe,¡± Lena pleaded, yfully whining. In the end, Chloe relented. ¡°Fine.¡± But when she arrived at the horse ranch, she was taken aback to see Curtis, who was supposed to be at an urgent meeting, there with Sonya. Dressed in riding gear, the two were on horseback, riding side by side like a perfect couple. Chapter 10 Truth Unveiled Chapter 10 Truth Unveiled After Divorce 10 Chapter 10 Truth Unveiled ¡°Ugh, what bad luck running into them again!¡± Lena muttered under her breath. Chloe smiled faintly. ¡°Just pretend they don¡¯t exist.¡± But luck wasn¡¯t on their side because Curtis and Sonya had already spotted her. Curtis rode over, pulling his horse to a halt in front of her, and frowned. ¡°What are you doing there?¡± Chloe gave a lowugh. ¡°And what about you? Is this your so¨Ccalled urgent meeting?¡± Curtis stiffened awkwardly, while Lena mockingly chimed in, ¡°If you¡¯re having meetings at a horse ranch now, will you have them in bed next?¡± Curtis¡® expression darkened. ¡°Even if you¡¯re Chloe¡¯s friend, I won¡¯t let it slide if you don¡¯t stop spouting nonsense.¡± ¡°Go ahead and sue me then!¡± Lena shot back, defiantly raising her chin. Noticing the stormy expression on his face, Chloe stepped in front of Lena protectively. ¡°If you dare to hurt her, I¡¯ll go public with the truth about you and Sonya¡¯s affair.¡± ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare,¡± he hissed. ¡°Oh, wouldn¡¯t I?¡± She knew he¡¯d worked hard and spent a fortune suppressing the tabloid rumors about his affair with Sonya. Thest thing he wanted right now was for them to re up again. At that moment, Sonya trotted her horse closer and looked down at Chloe condescendingly. ¡°Is this all you can do, pulling underhanded tricks and framing other women? Do you really think that¡¯ll help you win Curtis back?¡± Lena bristled and was ready to explode when Chloe held her down. Turning back to Sonya, Chloe said, ¡°You crossed the line with a married man and yet call my tricks underhanded. Doesn¡¯t that sound ridiculous to you?¡± Sonya snapped back, ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with following your heart. Don¡¯t you feel like aplete loser for failing to make Curtis fall in love with you, even after three years? ¡°Maybe a woman like you will never understand. You¡¯ll never know that independence and confidence are what men truly admire.¡± With that, Sonya spurred her horse into a full gallop around the paddock. Apuse rose around the field as people pped for her. Curtis¡® gaze followed her graceful, daring silhouette. Only after a long time did he turn back to Chloe. ¡°A woman like Sonya doesn¡¯t even care about the things you fixate on. Chloe, I need you to stop being so petty and stop following me here.¡± Chapter 10 Truth Unveiled Then, he rode off after Sonya. Chloe stood rooted to the spot, struck dumb by the absurdity of it. Curtis actually believed she¡¯de here to spy on him. Lena was so furious that her meticulously applied makeup seemed to crack as her facial features contorted with rage. ¡°The nerve of those two to im you followed him here! Follow my ass!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bother. Once we¡¯re divorced, no matter what they do, it won¡¯t be any of my concern,¡± Chloe said ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? FindN()vel calmly. ¡°But I¡¯m still furious! And what¡¯s so great about Sonya riding horses and flying nes? You were in the special forces, Chloe, and there was nothing you couldn¡¯t do! ¡°You flew fighter jets, so she¡¯s nothingpared to you. What does she even have to boast about in front of you?¡± A hint of nostalgia flickered in Chloe¡¯s eyes as she thought of her days in the special forces, her fellow soldiers, and the freedom of soaring through the skies in a fighter jet. Then, she reminded Lena, ¡°Let¡¯s go. We¡¯re here for yourpany.¡± ¡°Oh, right! We need to find Brian.¡± Lena quickly snapped back to focus. She knew missing this chance might mean never getting another. The horse ranch sprawled wide, and after 15 minutes of walking, they finally spotted Brian. He stood at the center of a cluster of men, including Mason Rutherford, whosepany had worked with Lena¡¯s. It was through him that Lena had learned Brian would be here today. Just as Chloe and Lena were about to approach Brian, Curtis suddenly strode over and grabbed Chloe¡¯s arm. ¡°Why are you still following me all the way here? What exactly are you trying to do?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not following you,¡± Chloe snapped, yanking her arm free. ¡°You¡¯re here, aren¡¯t you? How is that not following me? I told you I¡¯m here on serious business,¡± Curtis said irritably. Sonya had tipped him off earlier that Brian would be at the horse ranch today. There were rumors in the business world that Brian was eyeing investments in drone technology. Since Green Tech had justunched a new drone project, it was the perfect chance to connect with Brian and potentially secure funding. ¡°So am I,¡± Chloe bluntly stated. ¡°What business could you possibly have here?¡± Curtis clearly didn¡¯t trust a word she said. Just then, Sonya approached and reminded him. ¡°Don¡¯t waste time, Curtis. We have to meet Brian.¡± ¡°Right.¡± Curtis nodded, then shot Chloe a warning look. ¡°Today¡¯s an important day to me. Don¡¯t you dare Chapter 10 Truth Unveiled mess it up.¡± Sonya linked her arm with Curtis¡®. As she passed Chloe, she disdainfully said, ¡°A capable woman supports her man, while a useless one just rots in envy and spite.¡± Turning back to Curtis, she said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Curtis. I¡¯ll have my uncle introduce you to Mr. Steele.¡± Sonya was the Millers¡® eldest daughter. Her uncle, Wayne Miller, was acquainted with the Steeles and was currently standing next to Brian himself. As Curtis and Sonya walked over to Brian, Wayne introduced the two of them. ¡°Mr. Steele, this is my niece, Sonya Miller, and the first female captain at AeroQuest Airlines. And this is Curtis Green, the CEO of Green Tech.¡± ¡°Good day, Mr. Steele. We met briefly at the restaurant the other day when Professor Ostling was around,¡± Sonya said, hoping that the mention of Gerald would create a connection. ¡°I don¡¯t recall,¡± Brian indifferently replied. As Sonya stiffened in embarrassment at the brusque rejection, Curtis quickly jumped in to smooth things over. ¡°Of course, Mr. Steele. You meet countless people every day, so it¡¯s only natural not to remember. Still, that night left a strong impression. The way you disarmed the armed attacker without any fear and retaliated was truly remarkable.¡± While Curtis tried to shower Brian with ttery, thetter seemed uninterested and offered just a polite, distant response. By then, Chloe and Lena had arrived. Curtis immediately frowned when he saw Chloe walking over. ¡°Nice to meet you, Mr. Steele. I¡¯m Lena Hansen from Skyline Tech. We specialize in drone systems with strong results in the market. Our doors are always open if you¡¯re interested,¡± Lena said briskly. A deep and profound man like Brian wasn¡¯t one to waste time on pleasantries. It was better to be clear and direct. But his gaze slid past Lena andnded on Chloe, who was beside her. ¡°We meet again, Ms. Quall.¡± Chloe¡¯s lips curved into a tight, humorless smile. ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°What brings you here today?¡± Brian asked, arching a brow. ¡°I¡¯m an employee at Skyline Tech, and I¡¯m with Ms. Hansen,¡± Chloe replied. Lena¡¯s heart leapt. Chloe had practically just confirmed that she would be joining Skyline Tech! ¡°That¡¯s right. Chloe is an expert in drone technology and is soon to be a key member of our team,¡± Lena added proudly. Curtis immediately frowned at that. ¡°Stop messing around, Chloe. Do you even understand where you are right now?¡± Chapter 10 Truth Unveiled Then, he turned back to Brian apologetically. ¡°Sorry for the confusion, Mr. Steele. Chloe used to work for me at Green Tech until recently. She¡¯s not a drone expert but rather just an ordinary employee.¡± Chapter 11 The ident on Horseback After Divorce 11 Chapter 11 The ident on Horseback With those words, Curtis meant to draw a line between him and Chloe. After all, she¡¯d boldly held a table knife to Brian¡¯s throat and had probably offended him. At the same time, Skyline Tech was nowpeting with Green Tech for the Steele family¡¯s investments in the drone sector. By implying that Skyline Tech was unreliable and making false ims about Chloe¡¯s credibility, he was undermining a rival. Chloe watched him coldly. After three years of marriage and countless sleepless nights working tirelessly to grow Green Tech, all she¡¯d received in return was being dismissed as just an ¡°ordinary employee¡°. ¡°Is that so?¡± Brian said mildly, his expression giving nothing away. That was when Sonya stepped forward. ¡°Ms. Hansen, I know you and Chloe are friends. It¡¯s understandable that you would want to make her look good in front of Mr. Steele, but inventing credentials and spreading falsehoods about her qualifications are unnecessary.¡± Lena impatiently snapped, ¡°Inventing credentials? When Chloe was working on drone research, you were probably still ying with toy airnes.¡± ¡°What patents does she hold then? Or what projects has shepleted?¡± Sonya challenged. Follow current nov?ls on f¦É¦Ídn¦Ïvel Lena opened her mouth but couldn¡¯t respond. Chloe¡¯s drone research had been conducted in the military under strict confidentiality agreements, so she couldn¡¯t openly discuss it. ¡°So, nothing then?¡± Sonya asked with a raised brow. ¡°You should know better than to lie in a setting like this.¡± Those with ties to the Miller family joined in with mockingughter. While Lena fumed, Chloe calmly said, ¡°You¡¯ll know whether it¡¯s a lie or not soon enough.¡± ¡°You¡¯re still being stubborn, huh? It¡¯ll cost you sooner orter,¡± Sonya mocked. Just then, a staff member led a magnificent ck stallion with four hooves tipped in white over to them. ¡°Mr. Steele, the Millers would like to gift this stallion to you,¡± Wayne said with a fawning smile. ¡°He¡¯s fierce in spirit but has been professionally tamed by our best riders. If you¡¯d like, you can take him for a ride.¡± Brian only regarded the stallion with cool indifference and made no move to mount it. The atmosphere grew awkward. Seizing the chance to show off, Sonya eagerly offered, ¡°Then allow me to test this fine horse for you, Mr. Steele.¡± Since Chloe had managed to win Brian¡¯s attention at the restaurant, Sonya thought she could do the Chapter 11 The ident on Horseback same here. Wayne quickly agreed. ¡°Excellent! Sonya is an aplished rider with international certification. Go ahead and take him for a few rounds, Sonya.¡± Seeing that Brian didn¡¯t object, Sonya swung herself onto the saddle in one graceful moment. After digging her heels into the stallion¡¯s sides, she set off at a gallop. Those friendly with the Miller family showered her with praise. ¡°As expected of the Millers¡® daughter. She flies nes and rides horses like a natural.¡± ¡°She couldpete professionally with skills like that.¡± ¡°Such confidence and grace¡­ She would¡¯ve been hailed a heroine in wartime!¡± Lena muttered to Chloe, ¡°Heroine? Please¡­ She¡¯s just putting on a show.¡± She¡¯d seen what a truly skilled and confident woman on horseback looked like. Overhearing, Curtis approached them and said sharply, ¡°Sonya is genuinely free¨Cspirited and independent, unlike you people who waste time tearing others down. Chloe, maybe instead of telling your friend to insult Sonya, you should focus on improving yourself.¡± ¡°All I know is that a truly independent woman wouldn¡¯t flirt with a married man,¡± Chloe shot back. Curtis flushed with anger but couldn¡¯t make a scene in front of everyone. On the stallion, Sonya felt she¡¯d shown off enough and began riding back toward the group. As she got closer, she tightened the reins. She expected the stallion to slow down to a trot gracefully. But the powerful ck stallion showed no signs of stopping at all. If anything, its pace quickened as it charged faster. Panicking as they neared the crowd, Sonya pulled on the reins harder and shoutedmands, but nothing made the stallion slow down. Amidst her desperate and clumsy attempts, one of Sonya¡¯s boots slipped free of the stirrup, leaving her struggling awkwardly in the saddle. ¡°Ah!¡± she screamed, totally losing control of the stallion. She could do nothing to stop it now. The ck stallion barreled straight toward the onlookers as those who¡¯d been praising Sonya¡¯s riding skills just moments earlier now scattered in rm. Chloe yanked Lena aside to steer clear of the charging stallion. But out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Brian still standing motionless in ce, with Sonya¡¯s out¨Cof¨Ccontrol stallion heading straight toward him. If he didn¡¯t move, he would get crushed. If he was hit by a horse at that speed, he could break some bones or even die. Chapter 11 The ident on Horseback Before Chloe could think, she sprinted toward Brian. With remarkable strength and speed, she grabbed him and dragged him into a rolling dive across the grass. Gasps tore through the onlookers as hooves thundered past them, missing them by inches. Wayne exhaled sharply. If Brian had been injured by the stallion, the entire Miller family would have had to pay for it. Chloey there, panting for breath as the heavy weight pinning her down reminded her what she¡¯d just done. ¡°Mr. Steele, are you hurt?¡± she asked. Brian remained on top of her, silent. Had he been kicked by a hoof during the roll? As that thought crossed Chloe¡¯s mind, she tried to push herself up to check him for any wounds, but a firm hand suddenly pressed down on her shoulder and held her in ce. His cool voice rang in her ear. ¡°Why did you save me?¡± ¡°No reason. It was just reflex,¡± she replied tly. Seeing that lives were at risk, her military training had kicked in, and she¡¯d instinctively rushed over to save him. ¡°Reflex?¡± Brian slowly pushed himself up, looking down at her beneath him. As they stayed in that position, a faint ripple of emotion stirred in the calm depths of his eyes for the first time. All Chloe could see was her own reflection in those dark eyes¨Cher sharp, clear features and her determined expression. ¡°Yes. I would¡¯ve done the same if it were someone else!¡± Chloe firmly announced, and Brian seemed slightly taken aback. Growing impatient, she said, ¡°If you¡¯re not hurt, get off.¡± Something flickered in his gaze. Few people had the guts to talk to him with such impatience. When he still didn¡¯t move, she shoved him off and got to her feet. Across the field, the ck stallion was still galloping in wild circles. Sonya clung desperately to the saddle and bounced helplessly as she screamed, ¡°Help! Somebody stop this horse!¡± But no one dared approach the frenzied animal. It didn¡¯t take long for her grip on the reins to fail. With a violent jolt, the stallion reared as Sonya lost bnce and was thrown off onto the grass. Even with a soft, grassynding, she cried out in pain. Chapter 11 The ident on Horseback Curtis rushed to her side and worriedly said, ¡°Hang on. The staff members have gone to get help. We¡¯ll get you to the hospital.¡± Suddenly, Lena¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°Chloe, watch out!¡± rmed, Curtis looked up just in time to see the ck stallion charge straight toward Chloe. He instinctively scrambled onto his feet to run to her, but Sonya grabbed his wrist tightly. ¡°Curtis, it hurts so much!¡± Her cry made him freeze on the spot. And in the split second he faltered, the stallion had already reached within several feet of Chloe. A glint of malice shone in Sonya¡¯s eyes. If she was going down, she would make sure Chloe wouldn¡¯t have it her way and would look even worse. The crowd watched in horror as Chloe stood frozen to the spot. Everyone thought she¡¯d been scared stiff and would end up getting crushed beneath the stallion¡¯s hooves. But at thest moment, her hand shot out to seize the stallion¡¯s reins. In one swift, practiced motion, she vaulted onto the stallion¡¯s back. im Bonus For Free Every Day>> After Divorce 12 Chapter 12 To Ride Hard Is No Great Feat No one expected Chloe to vault onto the stallion¡¯s back. For a moment, the crowd watched in stunned silence as she tightened the reins with practiced ease and leaned forward with her legs pressing firmly against the stallion¡¯s sides as it galloped across the field. Her smooth, confident movements made it clear to anyone looking that she had exceptional riding skills. Curtis stood dumbfounded. Despite three years of marriage, he¡¯d never known that Chloe could ride a horse at all, let alone with such skill. On horseback, she seemed like a stranger to him. The sight of her looking so fearless and determined, with her hair flying in the wind, made him think she looked like a true warrior. In his arms, Sonya was equally shocked and in disbelief. Chloe shouldn¡¯t have known how to ride at all, let alone a spirited horse at that! Deep down, she prayed that Chloe would be thrown off. But to her dismay, the opposite happened. Within a few tense moments, the stallion¡¯s wild frenzy gave way to controlled strides as it yielded to Chloe¡¯smands. When Chloe finally guided the stallion back safely, the crowd breathed a collective sigh of relief. She¡¯d tamed it! As the stallion pulled to a stop, Chloe smoothly dismounted. Still reeling from the shock, Curtis asked, ¡°When¡­ did you learn to ride horses?¡± ¡°Does it matter?¡± she coolly replied. He was at a loss for words. Her gaze shifted to Sonya in his arms. ¡°To ride hard on a horse is no great feat, but if you do it just to impress men, then you and I have very different goals.¡± I IS S With that, she handed the reins to a nearby staff member. Sonya¡¯s face flushed with humiliation. Chloe¡¯s words felt like a hard p to the face, as every insult she¡¯d said earlier was now thrown back at her. And since Chloe had just tamed the stallion, Sonya couldn¡¯t manage a single word of retort. Lena rushed over and checked on Chloe anxiously. ¡°Are you okay? Are you hurt?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Chloe said with a reassuring smile. Lena sighed in relief. ¡°You scared me half to death! First, you threw yourself in front of the stallion to save Brian and then started taming it¡­ Do you realize if even one thing had gone wrong, you would be dead by Chapter 12 To Ride Hard Is No Great Feat now?¡± 214 ¡°I don¡¯t die that easily,¡± Chloe repliedfortingly. ¡°Besides, if I hadn¡¯t done something, someone else could¡¯ve gotten seriously hurt.¡± Lena let out a frustrated sigh. Even though Chloe had left the military, her sense of duty would always drive her to protect others without hesitation. Meanwhile, Wayne rushed over to Brian, sweating nervously. ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry, Mr. Steele. I had no idea the stallion wasn¡¯t fully tamed and caused this incident. If anything had happened to you, we Millers would never have been able to forgive ourselves.¡± ¡°The Miller family should be sorry. If Ms. Quall hadn¡¯t intervened, the Miller family would¡¯ve disappeared from Corvessia within three months.¡± A chill ran down Wayne¡¯s spine as Brian added, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t the Millers be thanking Ms. Quall instead?¡± ¡°Y¨CYes, of course. We¡¯ll sincerely express our gratitude,¡± Wayne stammered. Ignoring him, Brian walked toward Chloe and stopped in front of her. ¡°Ms. Quall, you should know that if you hadn¡¯t rushed to save me, that horse would¡¯ve been shot dead the very next second.¡± Chloe blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then, she understood that someone like Brian would certainly have armed men hidden in the shadows, ready to eliminate any threat with bullets. ¡°Are you suggesting that I meddled where I shouldn¡¯t have, Mr. Steele?¡± she asked. ¡°No. You saved me, so it¡¯s only right that I repay you. I¡¯m simply wondering what kind of repayment you¡¯d like.¡± His words drew envious looks from those around them, all directed at Chloe. But she refused, saying, ¡°I don¡¯t want anything.¡± ¡°What if I insist?¡± Brian took a step closer, closing the space between them. His towering height and presence pressed down on her suffocatingly. Chloe pressed her lips together, not wanting to drag out this tug¨Cof¨Cwar. ¡°If you must repay me, donate and build a Hope School.¡± With that, she took Lena¡¯s arm and walked away. Brian raised a brow. Her idea of repayment was unexpected, yet strangely intriguing. From Curtis¡® arms, Sonya watched Chloe leave with resentment in her eyes. Biting back her pain, she whispered, ¡°She¡¯s just putting on airs just to impress Brian. She doesn¡¯t think about you at all. If she truly cared for you, she would¡¯ve used that favor to push him into investing in Green Tech instead.¡± Curtis¡® eyes flickered thoughtfully. Chapter 12 To Ride Hard Is No Great Feat It was past 9:00 pm when Curtis returned to the vi. He¡¯d apanied Sonya to the hospital for a full check¨Cup, which had taken up most of the evening. The fall had left her scraped and bruised, but thankfully, with no fractures. When he noticed Chloe, he actively exined, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to miss visiting your parents today. Sonya told me at thest minute that Brian would be at the horse ranch, and I went with her for Green Tech¡¯s sake¡°.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± she said lightly. No matter what excuse he gave, she no longer cared enough to believe or argue. ¡°Shall I pay my respects tomorrow instead?¡± He offered. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡± ¡°But-¡± ¡°Seriously, you don¡¯t have to do that anymore. You¡¯re busy with work,¡± Chloe said, cutting him off. She didn¡¯t want him disturbing Walter and Jenna¡¯s peace again. Curtis didn¡¯t insist since he would be busytely, especially with Sonya needing several days in the hospital. He¡¯d be going back and forth to care for her. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll go with you another time,¡± he said. Chloe¡¯s lips curved in a cold, silent smile. Deep down, she murmured to herself, ¡°Toote, Curtis. You¡¯ll never have that chance again.¡± After a pause, he asked, ¡°By the way, you told everyone at the horse ranch that you work for Skyline Tech. What was that about?¡± ¡°Exactly what it sounds like. I¡¯ve joined Skyline Tech,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this just to upset me when you can return to Green Tech anytime you want.¡± The rightful source is F?nd-Novel Chloe almostughed incredulously. ¡°I didn¡¯t join Skyline Tech just to upset you, and I have no intention of ever going back.¡± He frowned. ¡°I told you you¡¯re wee back anytime. What more do you want?¡± ¡°What do you even want me back for?¡± she countered. ¡°To continue overseeing the project, of course. Steele Group is looking to invest in a drone techpany, so you can take over the project you started.¡± ¡°What about Joanne? Isn¡¯t she the project manager now?¡± ¡°I can assign her to something else.¡± Chapter 12 To Ride Hard is No Great Feat Staring him down coldly, Chloe said, ¡°Is it because I saved Brian at the horse ranch today? You think that if I¡¯m in charge of the project, he might invest in Green Tech out of gratitude?¡± Curtis¡® face flushed with embarrassment when Chloe saw right through him. After Divorce 13 Chapter 13 Beautiful Hands ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that? I¡¯m just trying to maximize the benefits, and it¡¯s good for both thepany and our family!¡± Curtis argued. Family? That word used to mean everything to Chloe. She¡¯d married Curtis in hopes of building a family again, but in the end, she realized he could never give her that. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t saved Brian today, would you still be begging me to return to Green Tech?¡± she asked. ¡°You¡¯re my wife and thedy of the Green household, so you cane back whenever you want.¡± Chloe arched a brow. ¡°So, can I walk into the office tomorrow and announce to everyone that I¡¯m your wife and thedy of the Green household?¡± Curtis fell silent for a moment before saying, ¡°We agreed to keep the marriage a secret and make the official announcements when the timing is right.¡± ¡°If we issue a statement now, wouldn¡¯t that be revealing the truth to everyone¨Cto everyone in the office that you¡¯re a man cheating on his wife? The wholepany knows Sonya¡¯s your first love, but no one knows we¡¯re married,¡± she bluntly stated. ¡°Do you have to make this so difficult for me?¡± he snapped. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to make things difficult, and that¡¯s why I¡¯m not returning to Green Tech. Also, I told Brian at the horse ranch that if he insisted on repaying that favor, he should build a Hope School. So don¡¯t expect me to get him to invest in Green Tech.¡± Furious and humiliated, Curtis didn¡¯t speak to Chloe for the rest of the night. The next day, Chloe went to Skyline Tech and agreed to officially start working after Jenna and Walter¡¯s ashes wereid to rest in Warlington. At lunch, she saw Joanne¡¯s Instagram story. It was a picture of a man¡¯s hands, one holding a bowl of soup and the other holding a spoonful of it. The caption read, ¡°Curtis made soup for his future wife! Smells amazing!¡± Looking at the picture of soup, Chloe finally realized what Curtis had been so busy with in the kitchen that morning. Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find?novel When she¡¯d been sick with a 104¨Cdegree¨CFahrenheit fever and could barely get out of bed, Curtis had excused himself, saying that he was too busy with work. He¡¯d left her to fend for herself. After her fever subsided slightly, he¡¯d demanded that she return to the office for work. She¡¯d gone, still hooked to an IV drip, and he¡¯d taken it for granted. Him making soup for her sounded like an impossible task, and she¡¯d even ordered her own takeout. Chapter 13 Beautiful Hands 214 But now, he was willing to get up early and carefully simmer soup for Sonya. The difference between love and indifference was painfully clear. ¡°What are you looking at?¡± Lena curiously leaned in to peek over her shoulder. When she saw the Instagram story, she paused before the realization hit her. ¡°Did Curtis make soup for Sonya? God, he¡¯s unbelievable. You two haven¡¯t even gotten a divorce yet!¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter anymore.¡± Chloe tucked her phone away and got up to leave. ¡°Where are you going? You¡¯re not going to storm to the hospital, are you?¡± Lena curiously asked. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for that. I¡¯m going to the funeral home to visit my parents.¡± Just as Chloe stepped outside, a sleek ck sedan rolled to a stop in front of her. A man in a ck tailored suit stepped out. He said respectfully, ¡°I¡¯m William Vaughn, Mr. Brian Steele¡¯s secretary. He would like to invite you to a meal and thank you for saving his life.¡± ¡°No need. I told him that day that if he wants to thank me, he can fund Hope School.¡± With that, Chloe walked to her car and drove off. Half an hourter, she stood in front of Walter and Jenna¡¯s urn at the funeral home. A bright national gy draped across it. ¡°Mom, Dad¡­ I used to think Curtis owed you an apology and that he shoulde here to pay his respects and say sorry. But that¡¯s not necessary anymore, is it?¡± she murmured. All she received was silence. Closing her eyes, she lowered her head. ¡°Just wait a little longer. I¡¯ll take you home soon,¡± she whispered. ¡°Are you leaving?¡± Suddenly, a voice sounded from behind her. Startled, Chloe turned around to see the sharp, striking Brian entering her view. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± she asked in surprise. ¡°Since you turned William down, I thought I¡¯de and ask you in person,¡± Brian exined. Chloe pressed her lips into a thin line. Since Brian hade himself, it seemed there was no refusing the meal today. His gaze flicked past her,nding on the names below the urn¨CWalter Quall and Jenna Knight. ¡°Are these your parents¡® ashes?¡± Chapter 13 Beautiful Hands ¡°Yes,¡± Chloe replied quietly. ¡°The urn is draped with a g. They weren¡¯t ordinary people, were they?¡± ¡°They were ordinary people and also soldiers who died in service,¡± she said. Walter and Jenna had served for 30 years. They¡¯d been prepared to sacrifice at any moment since the day they¡¯d enlisted. As a child, she¡¯d been terrified that they might die and that she might lose them. She¡¯d cried and begged them to quit being soldiers. She could still remember Walter¡¯s arms around her as he said, ¡°Chloe, your mother and I serve in the military because of our beliefs and values. We¡¯re not just protecting our family; we¡¯re protecting the bigger nation.¡± Yearster, she finally understood his words and what it meant to have a belief. That was why she¡¯d chosen the National Defense Academy and, after graduation, followed in their and Daniel¡¯s footsteps by joining the military. If not for her parents¡® death, she might still be serving. ¡°Since you came here in person, let¡¯s go,¡± Chloe said, turning back to the urn. ¡°Mom, Dad, I¡¯ll visit again soon.¡± But as she turned to leave, she noticed that Brian remained rooted to the spot. ¡°Aren¡¯t you-¡± Her words broke off as she watched him step forward to stand before her parents¡® urn. Then, solemnly and respectfully, he saluted. Chloe stared, stunned. His expression was serious, and his posture was rigid as he saluted Jenna and Walter. It was only after some time that Brian returned to her side. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said. ¡°Why would you¡­¡± ¡°Salute? They¡¯re heroes. That¡¯s the right thing to do.¡± Indescribable, unfamiliar feelings stirred in Chloe¡¯s chest. People called Brian an unpredictable, dangerous madman. She herself had seen him subdue a criminal who¡¯d tried to kill him and press a gun to his forehead, ruthlessly ignoring thew. Yet here he was, honoring Jenna and Walter with such genuine reverence. It should have been Curtis doing this, not Brian. As they left the funeral home, they saw a ck Maybach waiting outside. A bodyguard opened the rear door as they approached. Soon, they arrived at a dining club. ¡°Have you been here before, Ms. Quall?¡± Brian asked. Chapter 13 Beautiful Hands ¡°No.¡± ¡°The food¡¯s good. You should try it.¡± Dishes arrived in quick session, ted beautifully. Chloe said nothing and focused on eating, simply because she was hungry, and the faster she finished, the sooner she could leave. ustomed to efficient meals from her military days, she ate quickly. When she was about 80% full, she paused, her eyes drifting to Brian¡¯s hands as he held his cutlery. His hands were slender and almost artistically beautiful yet sharp. Even the fork and spoon seemed like potential weapons in his grasp. ¡°Is there something wrong with my hands, Ms. Quall? You¡¯ve been staring,¡± Brian casually remarked. ¡°No. I just think they¡¯re very beautiful,¡± she answered honestly. His hands almost looked like beautiful yet lethal weapons. ¡°Really? If I die before you, I¡¯ll have them chopped off, preserved, and sent to you as a specimen,¡± he said, uttering shocking words. Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> X Go Chapter 14 Refusal Chapter 14 Refusal After Divorce 14 Chapter 14 Refusal Chloe choked on her drink and coughed violently, then quickly took a sip of the lemonade beside her to calm herself. She finally looked at Brian and said, ¡°Mr. Steele, you must be joking.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not joking,¡± Brian replied calmly. Chloe fell silent. She wondered if Brian could actually be serious about having his hands severed once he died and giving them to her. Such a thought was far from normal. She¡¯d always heard that Brian was a madman, and at this moment, she understood that remark more deeply than ever. ¡°No, thank you,¡± she quickly said. ¡°I prefer hands that grow on a living person, not cold specimens.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a shame,¡± he said. ¡°I thought it would be the best way to express my gratitude to you for saving my life.¡± Chloe could only stare at him in disbelief. She didn¡¯t feel any regret at all. ¡°As I said before, Mr. Steele, if you really want to thank me, just donate and build Hope School.¡± Brian raised a hand, and one of his bodyguards handed Chloe a document. She nced at it and was stunned. It was a donation certificate for Hope School. In other words, Brian had already made the full donation for Hope School in such a short time, and now it was just a matter of waiting for the local authorities toplete its construction. ¡°If you want to rename the school, you can do it now. You could even add your name to it, Ms. Quall,¡± Brian said. ¡°No need,¡± Chloe said, looking at the document, a small smile appearing on her lips. ¡°Thank you.¡± Her genuine and heartfelt smile made Brian pause slightly. Her clear eyes lit up as she smiled, and it was all just because he¡¯d donated to Hope School. He¡¯d seen too many people around him chasing fame and fortune, constantly scheming to tter him and find shortcuts in life. But Chloe sought neither fame nor wealth, leaving him to wonder what she truly wanted. ¡°Ms. Quall, would you be interested in being my bodyguard?¡± Brian asked suddenly. ¡°What?¡± Chloe was stunned. ¡°You want me to be your bodyguard?¡± ¡°You¡¯re skilled, and you saved me before. I think you¡¯d be perfect for it. And if you agree, you can set your own price,¡± Brian said. ¡°Sorry, I just started at Skyline Tech, and I¡¯m not nning to change jobs,¡± Chloe refused. Chapter 14 Refusal ¡°That¡¯s a shame,¡± Brian said lightly but didn¡¯t press the matter. Chloe breathed a sigh of relief. Once they finished their meal and got ready to leave, Brian spoke again. ¡°Ms. Quall, I¡¯m not easily saved. But if someone saves me, they must see it through to the end.¡± Chloe paused, meeting his dark, unfathomable eyes. What did he mean by ¡°see it through to the end¡°? He had so many bodyguards. Even if there was any danger, they would save him. She didn¡¯t ask further, and Brian didn¡¯t exin either. Not long after parting ways with Brian, Chloe received a call from Joanne. Since she¡¯d blocked Joanne¡¯s personal number, thetter called her using thepany line. ¡°Chloe, I need you to write a new project proposal for the project you handled before.¡± Joanne said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Chloe could haveughed out of frustration. ¡°Why should I write it for you?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t forget that you¡¯re my brother¡¯s wife. If I tell you to write it, you have to!¡± Joanne said arrogantly. Joanne thought that Chloe loved Curtis and would do anything for him. And being obedient as ever, Joanne naturally assumed Chloe wouldply this time too. ¡°Your brother¡¯s wife?¡± Chloeughed. ¡°You¡¯re very close to Sonya and think she¡¯s the best, don¡¯t you? Why don¡¯t you just ask her to write it for you?¡± ¡°I can be close to whoever I want! If you don¡¯t write and deliver that proposal to me right away, I¡¯ll have Curtis divorce you. He listens to me the most. You¡¯ll just get divorced and end up a discarded wife!¡± Joanne snapped venomously. ¡°Fine, then hurry up and have Curtis divorce me. I¡¯ll be waiting!¡± Chloe said, hanging up immediately. Joanne stared at the phone in disbelief. Chloe had actually dared to refuse her request. She clearly didn¡¯t take her seriously, and Joanne swore to make her pay for it. Curtis looked over the project proposal Joanne had submitted. The content was dreadful and had obviously been thrown together without any thought. Some of the sections even contradicted each other. ¡°This is what you produced after taking over the project? You really think this can secure a deal?¡± Curtis said angrily. Thinking back to the project proposals Chloe had submitted before, which he¡¯d never had to worry about, Curtis felt even more frustrated. Chapter 14 Refusal ¡°Curtis, it¡¯s because Chloe didn¡¯t hand over the work properly when she left. She didn¡¯t exin much, so I couldn¡¯t write a proper proposal,¡± Joanne tried to exin. ¡°Shut up!¡± Curtis snapped. Updates are released by find[f]ovel ¡°It was your idea to take over this project. I handed you such an important task, and now you deliver this mess? How do you expect me to continue trusting you with work?¡± ¡°You should me Chloe! She¡¯s deliberately making things hard for me. Curtis, you should have divorced her a long time ago!¡± Joanne urged. ¡°Enough! Don¡¯t let me hear that again! Chloe married me when I was at my lowest, and I will not divorce her!¡± Curtis said. He scolded Joanne for a while before finally letting her leave the CEO¡¯s office. That evening, Curtis received a call from Helen. ¡°How could you scold Joanne like that?¡± Helen said irritably. ¡°She just graduated from college. Of course, shecks experience. Not doing her work well isn¡¯t a big deal. ¡°Besides, it¡¯s all Chloe¡¯s fault. Not only did she make things hard for Joanne, but she¡¯s made things difficult for me too. If she hadn¡¯t interfered, I would have been able to get Dr. Davidson¡¯s appointment by now. She¡¯s trying to ruin my eyesight!¡± Curtis was also frustrated about the doctor¡¯s appointment. He¡¯d already paid someone to try and secure a slot with Richard, but the appointments were so limited and in such high demand that he hadn¡¯t managed to get one. For now, he could only have Helen see another doctor for her follow¨Cup. Listening to Helenin about her eyes and other minor aches, Curtis couldn¡¯t help but recall how Chloe used to take care of everything whenever Helen was sick. At that time, he only needed to focus on work. Joanne¡¯s studies and Helen¡¯s medical appointments were all handled by Chloe. ¡°Mom, I¡¯ll figure out a way to get an appointment with Dr. Davidson,¡± Curtis said. ¡°Joanne was right today¨CChloe is such a malicious woman. You should divorce her!¡± Helen said again. Curtis stood up, displeased. ¡°Stop saying that. Chloe hasn¡¯t done anything to hurt me. I won¡¯t hurt her either.¡± Helen and Joanne exchanged a nce, both seeing disappointment in the other¡¯s eyes. Helen grumbled inwardly, unwilling to ept that she might really have to give Chloe 100 million dors. The next day, Curtis faced another frustrating problem. ¡°What did you say? The bank didn¡¯t approve the loan?¡± Curtis said, looking at his secretary, Adrian Langford, in disbelief. ¡°Yes,¡± Adrian said. Chapter 14 Refusal ¡°And the reason?¡± Curtis asked. ¡°They said they received news that Prosperity Investments, which was originally going to invest in our project, has decided to terminate their investment intention,¡± Adrian exined. Curtis was shocked. Before he even had time to think about why he hadn¡¯t been informed, the bank had already found out. He quickly dialed Morgan Jimenez, the manager originally in charge of the project investment at Prosperity Investments. ¡°Mr. Jimenez, I¡¯d like to ask about the verbal investment agreement yourpany had previously made with us¡­¡± ¡°I was just about to call you, Mr. Green. Ourpany has decided to withdraw the investment. After all, the original n to invest was because of Ms. Quall, and now that she has left, the verbal agreement naturally no longer applies,¡± Morgan said. Curtis was dumbfounded. He couldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°Because of Chloe?¡± After Divorce 15 Chapter 15 How Dare You use Me? Apologize! Morgan said, ¡°Yes. So unfortunately, we won¡¯t be able to move forward with Green Tech on this project.¡± Curtis thought it was utterly absurd. ¡°But Chloe was just an ordinary employee in ourpany. Why would you withdraw the investment simply because she left?¡± A mockingugh echoed from the other end of the line. ¡°Mr. Green, it seems that you really don¡¯t understand Ms. Quall¡¯s value at all.¡± Curtis stared at the phone in disbelief, unable toprehend Morgan¡¯sst remark. Chloe? What value could she possibly have? After hanging up, he called Chloe and asked her toe to the office. Although Chloe was reluctant, she didn¡¯t want to create any unnecessaryplications before the divorce was finalized and she severed all ties with Curtis. So, she went to the office. The moment Curtis saw her, he said, ¡°Because you resigned, Prosperity Investments canceled their investment. Were you colluding with them to get back at me?¡± ¡°Get back at you?¡± Chloe chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m not that capable of colluding with Prosperity Investments. If they canceled the investment, it just means they didn¡¯t see potential in the project.¡± ¡°Then tell me why Mr. Jimenez said the investment was canceled because of your resignation,¡± Curtis asked. Chloe froze for a moment, but she knew the truth. Prosperity Investments had likely nned to invest because they¡¯d looked into her background and recognized her past aplishments in drone technology. Now that she¡¯d left and Joanne had taken over the project, the investors likely saw nothing worth. investing in. ¡°It seems the investors didn¡¯t think Joanne had the skills they were looking for,¡± Chloe said. Joanne, who¡¯d been eavesdropping near the office door, suddenly pushed the door open. She red at Chloe angrily and said, ¡°What do you mean they don¡¯t think I have the skills? I bet you you made some shady deal with the investors!¡± Read full story at FindN0vel As she spoke, her eyes glinted with malice. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you slept with the investors to get them to invest in our projects.¡± Chloe¡¯s expression went cold. ¡°Joanne, don¡¯t talk nonsense!¡± Curtis frowned. ¡°I¡¯m not talking nonsense!¡± Joanne protested. ¡°Curtis, the investors withdrew their investment just because Chloe quit. There¡¯s clearly something wrong. I bet Chloe slept with them and cuckolded you!¡± Chapter 15 How Dare You use Me? Apologize Curtis remained silent, his gaze on Chloe filled with doubt and suspicion. Chloe met his scrutinizing gaze and asked, ¡°Do you believe that?¡± Curtis said slowly, ¡°Then tell me, why would the investors withdraw their investment just because you left? Did you really¡­¡± He didn¡¯t finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear. Chloe couldn¡¯t help the bitter, hollowugh that escaped her. They¡¯d been together for four whole years, one before marriage and three after, and yet, he¡¯d never truly trusted her. Just a few careless words from Joanne were enough to make him doubt her integrity. ¡°Curtis, see? She¡¯s obviously feeling guilty!¡± Joanne continued to pile on from the side. Chloe stoppedughing and red at Joanne coldly. ¡°Are you sure I slept with the investors?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure!¡± Joanne said smugly, tilting her chin. ¡°Fine! Don¡¯t forget what you just said!¡± Chloe said, pulling out her phone and dialing 911. ¡°Hello, is this 911? I want to report a crime. I was drugged and sexually assaulted without my knowledge¡­ Yes, there¡¯s a witness. It¡¯s my husband¡¯s sister. She says she¡¯s certain it happened¡­¡± Curtis¡® and Joanne¡¯s expressions shifted dramatically when they heard her. Curtis quickly snatched Chloe¡¯s phone and spoke to the officers, exining that it was a misunderstanding and that Joanne had gotten it wrong. Once the call was finally over, Curtis shouted at Chloe, ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± Chloe replied, ¡°Since Joanne is so certain, shouldn¡¯t I report it to the police?¡± Seeing that Chloe was ready to escte the situation, Curtis tried to exin, ¡°Joanne was just spouting nonsense. You don¡¯t need to take it seriously.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not me taking it seriously¨Cit¡¯s you!¡± Chloe said sarcastically. ¡°So just because someone spouts nonsense, you can smear a person¡¯s reputation without any evidence? You can ruin their integrity? In serious cases, that¡¯s a crime!¡± Curtis could only shout at Joanne. ¡°Joanne, apologize right now!¡± Joanne huffed angrily. ¡°Why should I apologize to her?¡± Chloe immediately opened her phone¡¯s audio function. The recording of Joanne iming she was sure that Chloe had slept with the investors yed aloud. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to apologize, that¡¯s fine. We¡¯ll see each other in court!¡± Joanne¡¯s face instantly flushed bright red. Chapter 15 How Dare You use Me? Apologize! She red at Chloe in hatred but finally had to lower her head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I was talking nonsense. I didn¡¯t know anything at all.¡± ¡°If I hear even a hint of this kind of rumor again, we¡¯ll see each other in court for real,¡± Chloe said, then nced at Curtis. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m leaving. And I hope you won¡¯t call me to your office over something like this again, considering the fact that I¡¯ve already resigned.¡± With that, Chloe left. Joanne stomped her feet furiously, and Curtis felt an even sharper headacheing on. That evening, Curtis went to handle Sonya¡¯s discharge paperwork. Seeing Curtis¡® troubled expression, Sonya asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did something happen?¡± ¡°Nothing. Just some work matters that are bothering me,¡± he replied. ¡°I originally nned to introduce Brian to you and help yourpany secure an investment, but I didn¡¯t expect it to backfire,¡± Sonya said. ¡°This isn¡¯t your fault. Thankfully, you weren¡¯t seriously hurt. Otherwise, I would¡¯ve regretted it for the rest of my life,¡± Curtis said, guilt written all over his face. Sonya looked at him, satisfied when she saw the concern on his face. ¡°By the way, in a few days, several major airlines are hosting a civil aviation expo. Many aerospace¨Crtedpanies will attend it. You should go take a look. There might be some new opportunities for cooperation.¡± Curtis knew about the aviation expo and had originally nned to attend. ¡°Unfortunately, I¡¯ll be representing AeroQuest Airlines that day, so I can¡¯t stay with you the whole time. I can only apany you when I have a free moment,¡± Sonya said. As AeroQuest Airlines¡¯s first female captain, she naturally yed a big role in thepany¡¯s public image at the aviation expo. ¡°You¡¯ve already done so much for me. I don¡¯t even know how to repay you,¡± Curtis said. ¡°You don¡¯t need to repay me. If I hadn¡¯t gone abroad back then, you wouldn¡¯t have married Chloe. Maybe we would have-¡± ¡°Enough, don¡¯t bring her up!¡± Curtis interrupted her. ¡°I¡¯ll handle your discharge paperwork first. Wait here for me.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Sonya replied with a smile. As she watched Curtis walk away, the smile on her lips faded. She¡¯d once thought Curtis was just a poor guy, so she¡¯d walked away. But now it was different. Curtis was a rising star in the tech industry and had a bright future ahead. The Millers were wealthy, but Sonya¡¯s father, Vincent Miller, wasn¡¯t the family¡¯s heir. Most of the family fortune was controlled by the main heir, Wayne. Chapter 15 How Dare You use Me? Apologizel So she would im Curtis for herself. Her destiny would be in her own hands. Just as she had be AeroQuest Airlines¡® first female captain, she could also make Curtis submit to her once again. im Bonus For Free Every Day>> X im After Divorce 16 Chapter 16 So She Can Really Fly Lena dragged Chloe along to the aviation expo. Since she¡¯d been in the special forces and had a background in the Air Force, Chloe naturally had an interest in the aviation expo. Several major private airlines from across the country participated in the expo. It attracted not only business representatives frompanies of all sizes but also many aerospace enthusiasts. Some parents even brought their children to explore the exhibition. As soon as they arrived, Lena busied herself looking for upstream suppliers, searching for business opportunities. Chloe was happy to explore on her own. Seeing a family of four in the distance, Chloe felt her eyes well up. When she was a child, Jenna and Walter had held her hand and Daniel¡¯s as they toured exhibitions. Back then, the four of them had been truly happy. Now¡­ only she and Daniel remained. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder where Daniel might be. No matter what, she was determined to find him. She believed he was still alive. ¡°Do you like children, Ms. Quall?¡± A familiar voice suddenly sounded at her ear. She turned and saw Brian standing beside her, as if he had been there all along. ¡°Mr. Steele?¡± She was momentarily stunned. Looking around, she noticed there were no bodyguards nearby¨Cit seemed he hade to the expo by himself. ¡°What are you looking at?¡± he asked. ¡°Where are your bodyguards?¡± Chloe asked curiously. ¡°If they were with me, it would attract too much attention. I had them remain in the shadows,¡± Brian said. Chloe scanned the crowd, wondering how many of the Steele family¡¯s bodyguards were blending in around them. ¡°Are you here alone, Ms. Quall?¡± Brian asked. ¡°I came with a friend, but she¡¯s busy with something else now,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°Then how about we explore together?¡± Brian suggested. Though phrased as a request, it sounded more like amand. Chloe nodded casually. She had no reason to offend Brian over something so trivial. As they explored the expo together, Chloe realized Brian¡¯s knowledge of aerospace was truly impressive, far beyond that of the average person. He could even exin many topics using professional terminology Chapter 16 So She Can Really Fly and principles. Their conversation ranged from airnes to drones and even touched on some rare, out¨Cof¨Cprint books. Chloe found that no matter what topic came up, Brian could effortlessly continue the discussion. Talking with him was not only interesting but also sparked new ideas and inspiration for her. If William hadn¡¯t arrived to say it was time for him to meet with government officials, they likely would have continued talking much longer. After parting ways with Brian, Chloe intended to continue exploring the expo alone, but she unexpectedly saw Curtis and a few of his friends walking toward her. Chloe frowned, nning to ignore them and avoid a confrontation. Unfortunately, Luke spotted her first and walked over, sneering. ¡°Chloe, you¡¯re at the aviation expo? Do you even understand anything here?¡± The others followed, clearly waiting for a chance to watch a spectacle unfold. Chloe replied coldly, ¡°Just because I don¡¯t understand something, does that mean I can¡¯te? Or does this aviation expo have some kind of entry requirement¨Clike a certificate? By the way, Mr. Hayes, do you have any certificates in aerospace?¡± Luke¡¯s expression froze for a moment before he sneered. ¡°Well, well, look who¡¯s got a sharp tongue! What¡¯s the matter? Trying to be like Sonya,ing to the aviation expo to boost your knowledge, thinking Curtis will start looking at you differently? ¡°Do you even realize how ridiculous you look? Sonya actually knows how to fly a ne! And you? Can you even drive a tractor?¡± Curtis¡® friends burst intoughter, all of them looking down on Chloe. Chloe¡¯s expression remained calm as she retorted, ¡°So what if she can fly a ne? What¡¯s the big deal?¡± Lukeughed even louder. ¡°Chloe, you really don¡¯t understand anything, do you? You actually have the nerve to say something that stupid. Do you think flying a ne is as easy as driving a tractor?¡± ¡°Exactly, Chloe. Stopparing yourself to Sonya. You¡¯re just making yourself look foolish.¡± Chloe¡¯s expression remained cold. ¡°I don¡¯t think Sonya is that remarkable, and I don¡¯t think being able to fly a ne is a big deal.¡± Curtis¡® face darkened. ¡°Chloe, everyone is just stating the facts. Sonya is the first female captain at AeroQuest Airlines. You don¡¯t need to say things like that out of jealousy.¡± Jealousy? She found the ideaughable. Curtis actually thought she was jealous. At this point, she no longer felt any jealousy toward Sonya, since she¡¯dpletely stopped caring about Chapter 16 So She Can Really Fly Just then, Chloe¡¯s phone rang. Seeing that it was Lena calling, she stepped aside to answer. Behind her, Curtis¡® friends continued their jeers. ¡°Chloe, one of our partnerpanies has a pilot who is suddenly not feeling well and can¡¯t perform in the uing flight demonstration, and we can¡¯t find a recement in time. Would you be willing to step in and perform?¡± Lena asked anxiously over the phone. This demonstration was a joint promotion between Skyline Tech and the partnerpany, so it was understandable that she was worried. Chloe paused for a moment. ¡°What aircraft?¡± ¡°Zivko Edge 540,¡± Lena replied. ¡°I can do it,¡± Chloe said. She was familiar with that model, so performing a brief demonstration shouldn¡¯t be a problem. ¡°Great!¡± Lena sighed in relief. ¡°Thene over here as soon as you can.¡± After hanging up, she sent Chloe the location for the flight demonstration. It was arge open space behind the exhibition hall. As soon as Lena spotted her, she hurried over. ¡°You should get on the ne first and familiarize yourself with it.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Chloe replied. Just as Chloe was about to board the ne, Curtis rushed over and grabbed her. ¡°Chloe, what are you doing? You can¡¯t just get on a ne like this!¡± He¡¯d seen Chloe leave silently after taking the call and followed her, but he hadn¡¯t expected her to actually n to board the ne. ? ?? ? ?? ? ¡°It¡¯s my idea for Chloe to fly!¡± Lena said. ¡°But you, Curtis, what exactly are you trying to do?¡± Curtis frowned. ¡°Chloe, are you trying to fly the ne just out of jealousy toward Sonya? Do you even know how to handle the ne? You¡¯d better get down from it right now!¡± ¡°Curtis, let go! I¡¯ve never thought Sonya is someone worth being jealous of!¡± Chloe said coldly. Seeing Curtis still holding her hand tightly, she forcefully shook him off and closed the cockpit canopy. Lena pulled Curtis aside. ¡°You don¡¯t actually think Sonya is the only woman in the world who can fly a ne, do you? Stop saying Chloe¡¯s jealous of Sonya. So what if Sonya can fly a ne? What¡¯s there to be jealous of?¡± Curtis red at Lena. ¡°What are you trying to say? Chloe can fly a ne? Does she even understand all the buttons in the cockpit?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll see soon enough whether she can,¡± Lena said, rolling her eyes as if he were an idiot. Within moments, the ne¡¯s engine roared to life. Chapter 16 So She Can Really Fly Curtis¡® eyes widened in disbelief as he stared through the transparent cockpit canopy. Chloe sat in the pilot¡¯s seat, wearing protective goggles, staring straight ahead with calm determination. And the ne, firmly under her control, began rolling down the runway and then soared into the clear blue This text is hosted at F?nd-Novel sky. Curtis¡® pupils constricted as he tilted his head back, staring at the ne above. Chloe could really fly a ne! im Bonus For Free Every Day>> After Divorce 17 Chapter 17 A Hard Reality Check Watching the stunt ne soar across the bright blue sky, Curtis feltpletely dazed. He couldn¡¯t believe it. Chloe was really flying that ne. The ne even performed several aerial maneuvers that even someone like him, aplete outsider, could recognize as extremely difficult. The crowd below couldn¡¯t stop gasping and cheering in amazement. ¡°What, are you stunned into silence?¡± Lena sneered. ¡°It¡¯s ridiculous that you thought Chloe would be jealous of Sonya just because she can fly a ne. Youpletely underestimated her!¡± Curtis¡® face flushed slightly. Her words hit him like a sharp p, leaving him momentarily stunned and unbearably embarrassed. After a long moment, Chloe¡¯s ne slowly touched down, and her tall, confident figure climbed out of the cockpit. Curtis stepped forward. ¡°You really¡­ can fly a ne.¡± ¡°So what if I can? Flying a ne isn¡¯t a big deal,¡± Chloe replied nonchntly. Curtis felt his ears burning. Before Chloe had boarded the ne, he¡¯d thought she¡¯d been speaking out of jealousy toward Sonya and assumed that she¡¯d been kidding herself and being foolishly clueless. But now he realized the truth¨Cshe simply didn¡¯t care. It was like how someone who already had all the wealth and sess they could ever want wouldn¡¯t bother wasting a second on a small fortune. ¡°When¡­. did you learn to fly?¡± Curtis asked, his voice hoarse. He only knew that she¡¯d served in the military, but he¡¯d had no idea she could actually fly a ne. Chloe looked at Curtis with a sardonic smile. ¡°Oh, so now you suddenly care about my past?¡± When he¡¯d proposed back then, she¡¯d wanted to tell him about her past, but he¡¯d simply said, ¡°Your past doesn¡¯t matter to me. What I care about is our future.¡± She¡¯d thought he genuinely cared about their future together. Butter she¡¯d realized he simply didn¡¯t care about her, so he¡¯d never wanted to know her past. Curtis looked embarrassed. Just then, a few of his friends walked over. ¡°Curtis, Sonya¡¯s looking for you over at the exhibition hall. Why are you here?¡± Luke and the other guys came forward. The moment they saw Chloe, they sneered. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me Chloe¡¯s Chapter 17 A Hard Reality Check clinging to you again.¡± ¡°No¡­ It¡¯s not that,¡± Curtis replied awkwardly. 2/3 But his friends refused to believe him. One of them jabbed at Chloe with malice. ¡°Chloe, didn¡¯t you say flying a ne wasn¡¯t a big deal before? Well then, prove it¨Cfly that ne now!¡± Another scoffed. ¡°She wouldn¡¯t even know how to handle it! If it weren¡¯t for Sonya¡¯s injury from that fall still not being fully healed, she¡¯d really get a look at the vast gap between her and Sonya today!¡± Their cruelughter rang in Chloe¡¯s ears. Lena rushed forward angrily. ¡°Curtis, are you even a man? You¡¯re just letting your friends insult your wife like this?¡± Curtis¡® expression froze. Chloe grabbed Lena¡¯s hand, her expression icy as she red at Curtis and his friends. ¡°The gap between people isn¡¯t measured by whether they can fly a ne. Who do you think you are? Just because I¡¯m married to Curtis, you think that gives you the right to insult and belittle me?¡± The group fell silent. Chloe didn¡¯t wait to see their reaction and walked off with Lena. After a long pause, Luke snorted. ¡°Can you believe Chloe actually dares to talk back like that? Curtis, you¡¯d better teach her a lesson and put her in her ce! What does she think she is?¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Curtis barked, his face dark with anger. ¡°Chloe is my wife. No matter what, you have no right to look down on her!¡± This update is avable on Find[F]ovel The memory of Chloe¡¯s flying skills earlier made his face flush with embarrassment. ¡°What are you talking about? Aren¡¯t you the one who looks down on Chloe the most?¡± Luke snapped. ¡± Didn¡¯t you say she had no skills at all? If Sonya hadn¡¯t left you back then, you wouldn¡¯t have married her just to soothe some fleeting frustration!¡± Curtis went silent. They were right¨Cthose were the words he¡¯d said when venting to his friends after a few drinks. But Chloe was far from incapable. The projects she¡¯d managed at Green Tech had never caused him any trouble. She could tame wild horses, and she could even fly a ne, executingplex maneuvers in the air with wless skill. Each of these feats pressed heavily on his mind, making it hard for him to breathe. The woman he¡¯d been married to for three years suddenly felt like a stranger to him. ¡°Alright, don¡¯t let Chloee between us,¡± one of his friends advised. ¡°Curtis, why don¡¯t you head to the main exhibition hall? Sonya has been looking for you.¡± Curtis nodded and walked toward the exhibition hall, his mind still spinning, reying the image of Chloe Chapter 17 A Hard Reality Check flying the ne. When he passed the AeroQuest Airlines booth, Sonya approached him. ¡°You don¡¯t look so good. What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Nothing. I¡¯ve just been busy with worktely, and I feel a bit stressed,¡± Curtis replied. ¡°Sit here and rest for a moment,¡± Sonya said. Curtis took a seat and drank some water. Finally, he felt a bit more grounded. At the center of the AeroQuest Airlines booth, arge digital screen was set up, disying live footage of the open area behind the exhibition hall. ¡°There¡¯s a flight demonstration soon, but I haven¡¯t fully recovered from my injury. Otherwise, I would have joined the performance,¡± Sonya said. Curtis hesitated. ¡°Is a flight demonstration difficult?¡± ¡°Of course it¡¯s difficult. Pulling off a proper aerial disy isn¡¯t something any ordinary pilot can manage,¡± Sonya said, her tone carrying a hint of pride. Normally, Curtis would have praised Sonya for her skills, but thinking about Chloe flying the ne earlier and executing thoseplex aerial maneuvers made any words of praise for Sonya die painfully in his throat. Soon, the flight demonstration began. Curtis spotted the same ne Chloe had flown earlier, now lined up for the flight demonstration. The camera was too far from the ne to make out who was inside, but Curtis had an inexplicable gut feeling that the person in the cockpit had to be Chloe. While watching the flight demonstration, Sonya suddenly said, ¡°By the way, when Luke and the others came to see me earlier, they mentioned Chloe. Apparently, she even said that flying a ne isn¡¯t a big deal. She¡¯s so arrogant.¡± Curtis pressed his lips together. Hesitating, he said, ¡°What if she wasn¡¯t being arrogant?¡± Sonya frowned, her voiceced with sarcasm. ¡°Someone who¡¯s never flown a ne before saying something like that¨Cwhat else could it be but arrogance? Curtis, are you going to defend her?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not defending her, but what if she actually can fly a ne?¡± Curtis said. Chapter 18 This Marriage is Definitely Over After Divorce 18 Chapter 18 This Marriage is Definitely Over Sonya¡¯s face twisted with disdain, her lips curling into a sharp, mocking smirk. ¡°So now you¡¯re defending her? Chloe can fly a ne? You¡¯re not just insulting me, Curtis; you¡¯re insulting every professional pilot out there!¡± Curtis choked on his words. If he hadn¡¯t seen it with his own eyes, he would have found it hard to believe. ¡°I was just-¡± ¡°Enough, don¡¯t say another word!¡± Sonya snapped, cutting him off. Her expression darkened. She had no desire to hear Curtis speak up for Chloe. Curtis pressed his lips together and didn¡¯t continue the topic. On the screen, the Zivko Edge 541 Chloe was flying executed one difficult aerial maneuver after another. Fresh chapters posted on find~novel Thementators of the live broadcast couldn¡¯t hold back their amazement, insisting that only a highly experienced pilot could pull off such breathtaking stunts. Sonya¡¯s eyes flicked toward Curtis, who was still watching the screen intently, and a sh of displeasure crossed her face. If she hadn¡¯t been injured, she would have been performing today, basking in the audience¡¯s admiration. Especially since she was AeroQuest Airlines¡® first female captain, she would have stolen the spotlight. Thinking of the horseback ident that had left her sidelined while Chloe tamed a stallion and stole the show made Sonya¡¯s stomach twist with irritation. That day, it felt as if Chloe had used her as a stepping stone. But Chloe was unbearably arrogant. Just because she could ride a horse, she seemed to think flying a ne would be just as simple. To Sonya, the idea wasughable. She would make Chloe understand the real difference between them someday. After the flight demonstration ended, Lena still had business to attend to, so Chloe left first. As she exited the exhibition hall, a ck Maybach pulled up right in front of her. She recognized the car immediately¨Cit was Brian¡¯s. Milton Mack, Brian¡¯s driver, stepped out and opened the door for Chloe. ¡°Mr. Steele asked me to give you a ride, Ms. Quall.¡± ¡°No need, I can take a cab,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°Are you saying you don¡¯t want me to give you a ride, Ms. Quall?¡± A cool, even voice drifted from the back seat. Chloe bent down and met Brian¡¯s striking face. Chapter 18 This Marriage is Definitely Over She exhaled quietly. There was no point in shing with someone like him, and if Brian insisted on giving her a ride, she might as well treat it as saving herself the cab fare. ¡°Alright, then. Thank you, Mr. Steele,¡± Chloe said, giving Milton her address. As she stepped into the car, Curtis walked out of the exhibition hall, his eyes locking on the Maybach pulling away. Disbelief flickered across his face. For a second, he almost thought he was seeing things, but there was no denying it¨CChloe had gotten into Brian¡¯s car. Inside the car, Brian said, ¡°Ms. Quall, as a former team leader of the Shadow Hawks Special Forces, your flight demonstration today was outstanding.¡± Chloe immediately realized that Brian had probably looked into her past. ¡°You tter me,¡± she said. The car fell silent again. Brian held a book, idly flipping through the pages, while Chloe¡¯s gaze drifted to his fingers. They were the kind of hands that could have belonged to an artist¨Celegant, clean, almost too perfect. Yet at the same time, they carried a darker edge, the kind of hands that had clearly known violence. She remembered the way he¡¯d handled a gun at the restaurant before¨Chis grip and precision when handling. There was no doubt in her mind¨CBrian definitely knew how to shoot. Just as Chloe was lost in thought, Brian¡¯s cool voice broke the silence beside her. ¡°Ms. Quall, you¡¯ve been staring at my hands for quite a while. If you like them that much, are you sure you don¡¯t want me to keep them for you someday?¡± Chloe nearly choked on her own breath, breaking into a cough. ¡°No¨Cno, that¡¯s not it. I was just curious about the book you¡¯re reading, Mr. Steele.¡± ¡°The Ornithological Manuscript of M,¡± Brian replied, tilting the cover so she could see. ¡± Her eyes lit up. ¡°That book is rare! Even the city library doesn¡¯t have a copy¨Cit¡¯s been out of print for years. The book was filled with exquisite illustrations of birds. Because of her love for birds, she had once heard about the book and hoped to borrow a copy. But when she learned that it had long been out of print, she had given up the idea. Now, unexpectedly, she saw it in Brian¡¯s hands. ¡°The content is decent. Would you like to read it?¡± he asked. ¡°No, thank you. We¡¯re almost at my ce anyway,¡± Chloe said. A few minutester, the car rolled to a stop in front of the vi where Chloe and Curtis lived. Chapter 18 This Marriage is Definitely Over Chloe stepped out of the car and had only taken a few steps when Milton hurriedly got out and walked toward her. ¡°Ms. Quall, Mr. Steele instructed me to give this book to you,¡± Milton said, handing her the rare book, ¡°The Ornithological Manuscript of M¡°, that Brian had been reading earlier. She froze, then quickly shook her head. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. Please thank Mr. Steele for me, but this book is far too valuable. I shouldn¡¯t ept it,¡± she said. ¡°Mr. Steele instructed me to leave it with you. If you don¡¯t want it, just throw it away,¡± Milton replied before turning and walking back to the car without waiting for her answer. Chloe started forward to stop him, but Joanne suddenly stepped out of nowhere, blocking her path. ¡°Well, well, Chloe. I knew you weren¡¯t as innocent as you pretend to be. First, you let some other man drop you off at your ce, and now he¡¯s giving you books? Don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t record every bit of it. Let¡¯s see if that book is something decent¨Cor something scandalous!¡± As Joanne spoke, she suddenly reached out to snatch the book. Chloe pped her hand away without hesitation, her expression cold. ¡°Joanne, don¡¯t push your luck.¡± Joanne yelped, clutching her reddened hand. ¡°You actually hit me? Fine! I recorded everything¨Chow you got out of some other man¡¯s car. Just wait until Curtis gets home. I can¡¯t wait to see how you exin this!¡± She stormed off, her phone already in her hand as she called Curtis. By the time Curtis returned, Joanne wasn¡¯t the only one waiting in the living room. Helen was there too, her expression dark. The moment she saw him step through the door, Helen stormed forward, her face tight with anger. ¡°Chloe has been sneaking around with another man! If Joanne hadn¡¯t caught her red¨Chanded, we would¡¯ve still been in the dark.¡± ¡°I told you, Curtis. She¡¯s not the respectable wife she pretends to be. Otherwise, why would the project thepany worked so hard to secure suddenly fall apart just because she left?¡± Joanne spoke as she pulled out her phone and showed Curtis the video she¡¯d recorded. On the screen, Curtis saw the license te of the ck Maybach¨Cand his expression stiffened. It was Brian¡¯s car. Then he saw Chloe stepping out of the car, followed by Milton approaching her and handing her a book. So he hadn¡¯t been mistaken earlier. Chloe really had gotten into Brian¡¯s car. For a moment, suspicion rose in Curtis¡® mind. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± he asked coldly, his expression dark as he turned to Chloe. ¡°I happened to run into him on my way out of the aviation expo. He offered me a ride, that¡¯s all,¡± Chloe Chapter 18 This Marriage is Definitely Over said evenly. Joanne sneered. ¡°That sounds convenient. Chloe, you¡¯re a married woman. What kind of intentions do you have that you got into another man¡¯s car?¡± Chloe shot back, ¡°Then maybe you should ask Curtis the same question. He¡¯s a married man too, yet that hasn¡¯t stopped him from giving Sonya plenty of rides.¡± Joanne¡¯s expression froze, and before Chloe could react, Helen rushed forward, her hand raised, ready to p her across the face. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you this right now,¡± Helen spat, her voice dripping with fury. ¡°Your marriage to my son is over!¡± Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> After Divorce 19 Chapter 19 There Will Be No Future Between Them But before Helen could touch Chloe¡¯s cheek, Chloe grabbed her wrist. This text is hosted at f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l? Helen snapped, ¡°Curtis, did you see that? I just wanted to teach her a lesson, and she grabbed my hand like that! Why are you still married to a woman like her if you¡¯re not going to divorce her?¡± Chloe looked at Helen coldly. ¡°If he wants to divorce me, he has to give me half of his assets. Are you prepared for that?¡± ¡°Nonsense! You cheated, so you should leave with nothing!¡± Helen yelled. Now Chloe finally understood why Helen had her secretly sign the divorce agreement yet still caused such a scene. So that was her n! She didn¡¯t even intend to pay the 100 million they¡¯d agreed on. Curtis¡® face darkened as he stepped toward Chloe. ¡°Let go of my mom, Chloe. She¡¯s your elder, and you¡¯re her daughter¨Cinw. Even if she¡¯s scolding you, you shouldn¡¯t treat her this way.¡± Chloe sneered. ¡°Scolding? You call what your mother did just a little scolding?¡± ¡°Even if she really hit you a few times, so what? My mom sacrificed so much for me. You¡¯re her daughter- inw¨Ccan¡¯t you tolerate a little?¡± Curtis said, clearly displeased. Chloe¡¯s smile grew more sarcastic. She¡¯d heard this countless times before. Curtis would praise how much Helen had sacrificed for him. His father had passed away early, and Helen had raised him and Joanne alone. That was why Chloe had tolerated Helen so much in the past. ¡°Curtis, your mother may have done a lot for you, but what does that have to do with me? She never did a thing for me. I put up with it before because I loved you, but not anymore,¡± Chloe said. Curtis¡® expression darkened even further. She wasn¡¯t going to put up with it anymore, and Curtis couldn¡¯t help but wonder why. It had to be because she no longer loved him¡­ or perhaps because someone better had appeared in her life¨Csomeone like Brian. ¡°What kind of nonsense is that? Is this how your parents taught you to behave as a daughter¨Cinw?¡± Helen raged. Her parents? Memories of her parents shed in Chloe¡¯s mind¨Ctheir faces, their voices, theirughter, and the night before they¡¯d left for an overseas peacekeeping mission, when the whole family had gathered together. The love they¡¯d shown her remained vivid in her memory. ¶¸ Chapter 19 There Will Be No Future Between Them Ignoring Helen, Chloe looked Curtis in the eye. ¡°My parents raised me with love, not to have me marry you and suffer abuse from your mother.¡± With that, she shook off Helen¡¯s hand. ¡°If you want a divorce, fine! I¡¯ll take what¡¯s mine, and we¡¯re done!¡± ¡°Chloe, you¡¯ve cheated. I¡¯m telling you, our family has plenty of money to hire the bestwyers, and you won¡¯t get a single cent!¡± Joanne said arrogantly. ¡°Cheated? If you mean the person who gave me a ride today, it was Brian Steele. Are you saying he¡¯s the one I cheated with?¡± Chloe countered. ¡°What?¡± Joanne froze. She might have been naive, but she knew who Brian Steele was. In Corvessia, he was someone no one dared to cross. ¡°Joanne, take Mom away and stop her from saying anything about today!¡± Curtis said. Joanne scowled but nodded. If rumors about Brian and Chloe¡¯s so¨Ccalled affair spread, it wouldn¡¯t just ruin Chloe but the entire Green family as well. The vi fell silent, with only Curtis and Chloe remaining. ¡°What exactly is your rtionship with Brian?¡± Curtis asked. ¡°There is no rtionship,¡± Chloe replied coldly. ¡°Why did Brian¡¯s driver give you a book in the video Joanne recorded?¡± Curtis asked, puzzled. ¡°It¡¯s just on loan,¡± Chloe said. ¡°It¡¯s a rare edition, and he knew I liked reading, so he lent it to me.¡± Even though Brian said it was a gift, she had no intention of keeping it. Before Curtis had returned, she¡¯d checked the book¡¯stest auction price on her phone¨Cit was 12 million dors. This book was practically more valuable than gold. Curtis narrowed his eyes. ¡°You like to read?¡± Chloe was momentarily stunned, then smiled faintly. ¡°So you really don¡¯t care about me at all.¡± If he did, he would¡¯ve noticed what she liked. Her smile made Curtis¡® heart tighten as if something that once belonged to him was slowly slipping away. ¡°Today was a misunderstanding. I¡¯ll exin everything to Mom and Joanne. As for what Mom said about divorce, don¡¯t take it to heart. I won¡¯t divorce you,¡± Curtis said, pausing with a hint of apology. ¡°I know I haven¡¯t cared for you enough, but I¡¯ll do better from now on.¡± Chloe looked on as he walked away quietly. Chapter 19 There Will Be No Future Between Them Unfortunately, there was no future for them. She would divorce him andpletely sever all ties between them. The next day, Chloe went to Brian¡¯s office to return the book, ¡°The Ornithological Manuscript of M¡°. ¡°Mr. Steele, I read the bookst night. Thank you for letting me borrow it,¡± she said. ¡°I thought I told Milton to tell you it was a gift,¡± Brian said. ¡°The book is too valuable. We¡¯re not close enough for a gift like this,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°If it doesn¡¯t make someone happy, even the most expensive book is just paper,¡± Brian said, his expression calm. ¡°If you don¡¯t like it, you could just throw it away.¡± Chloe was speechless. It was worth 12 million dors¨Cthere was no way she could throw it away. Besides, it was a book she liked. She could never bring herself to do that. ¡°What exactly do you want, Mr. Steele?¡± Chloe asked, frowning. ¡°I just want to thank you for saving my life,¡± he said. She wondered if he meant that time at the horse ranch when she¡¯d pushed him out of the stallion¡¯s way. But even if she hadn¡¯t, he could have managed on his own. Besides¡­ Chloe asked, ¡°Haven¡¯t you already donated to Hope School to repay me?¡± ¡°Do you really think my life is worth just one school, Ms. Quall?¡± he countered. Chloe was stunned. ¡°But if you truly refuse to keep the book, I can take it back. I just hope you¡¯lle with me to the book market,¡± Brian said. ¡°The book market?¡± ¡°There are many rare books there. Sometimes, you can find some really interesting ones. You like reading, don¡¯t you? Come with me,¡± he suggested. Chloe stayed silent. Unless she could stomach a rare book worth 12 million dors being thrown in the trash, she had no choice but to agree. Since Brian had clearly figured out her interests and she was genuinely curious about the book market, she agreed. Chapter 19 There Will Be No Future Between Them ¡°Okay,¡± she said. Two dayster, Brian took Chloe to the book market. As he¡¯d said, there were many rare books, including some other first editions. Chloe got excited while browsing the book market and bought two books that caught her interest. During a break, the two of them went to the restaurant on the top floor of the mall. ¡°I¡¯m going to the restroom,¡± Chloe said. However, the restroom on the top floor was out of order, so she had to go downstairs. As she walked into the restroom, she unexpectedly overheard someone speaking in rian in the next stall. ¡°Yeah, everything¡¯s set up. Once the timees, it will explode. That Brian guy¡¯s going to die here today.¡± Chloe¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Brian? Could they be talking about the Brian she knew? Chapter 201 Still Want You After Divorce 20 Chapter 20 I Still Want You Chloe immediately stepped out of the restroom stall but only caught a glimpse of a figure leaving. As she rushed into the mall, scanning the crowds, she couldn¡¯t tell who¡¯d just made the call. She¡¯d overheard them mention an explosion scheduled to go off at a specific time. She wondered if a time bomb had really been nted in the mall. If Brian was the target, the bomb had to be somewhere close to him. She needed to get back to him immediately and evacuate the mall at the same time. Chloe quickly dialed a number she hadn¡¯t called in a long time. ¡°Chloe?¡± A familiar voice came through on the other end. ¡°It¡¯s me. I¡¯m at Pinecrest Mall,¡± Chloe said, quickly rying what she¡¯d overheard in the restroom. ¡°Whether the call is real or not, you need to evacuate the mall immediately to prevent casualties.¡± ¡°Evacuate an entire mall based on a single call? One wrong move could cause mass panic,¡± Ethan Hughes replied. ¡°I know you can handle this. Please!¡± Chloe urged. ¡°If nothing like this had happened today, would you have never contacted me again?¡± Ethan asked. ¡°¡­Sorry,¡± Chloe whispered. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to apologize for. I told you before, if it¡¯s your order, I¡¯ll do it. No questions asked.¡± The call ended, and Chloe finally breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that Ethan was willing to help. Since he¡¯d agreed, evacuating the mall would be no problem. Now, the remaining task was to get to the top floor and find Brian. Chloe sprinted to the elevator, but it seemed to be out of order and showed no sign of working at all. She cursed under her breath. ¡°Damn it! Could these people have sabotaged the elevators too?¡± She headed for the emergency stairwell instead. She was on the sixth floor, and the top floor was on the tenth, with floors seven, eight, and nine upied by mall offices. That meant she had to climb four floors as quickly as possible. By the time she reached the eighth floor, she heard the mall¡¯s announcement reminding customers to evacuate, saying it was a temporary earthquake and fire safety drill. She realized Ethan had already started evacuating the mall. The biggest problem now was that she didn¡¯t know where the bomb was or when it might go off. Chapter 201 Still Want You Soon, she reached the top floor. But it was pitch dark¨Call the lights were out. She heard the sounds of fighting and groans. She shivered as she moved quickly toward the sounds. ¡°Brian, I¡¯m going to kill you!¡± a furious shout rang out. Another muffled grunt followed. Chloe¡¯s steps quickened. ¡°Brian¡­¡± Then what she saw made her stop in her tracks, and the rest of her words died on her lips. People were sprawled across the floor, scattered in every direction, motionless and unresponsive. In the center stood a tall, imposing figure, his body covered in stters of blood. Blood dripped from his long fingers, but it didn¡¯t seem to be his. As if sensing her gaze, Brian lifted his head to look at Chloe. His dark eyes locked on hers, cold and lifeless, but a faint, chilling smile tugged at the corners of his lips. ¡°You¡¯rete. Otherwise, you would have seen an even more interesting scene.¡± Even though the scene was gruesome, Brian seemedpletely unfazed, as if the chaos around him were just a thrilling scene from a movie, and she¡¯d arrived toote to witness it. Chloe stepped forward quickly. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± Brian raised an eyebrow. ¡°I thought you would be more concerned about the weaklings lying on the floor, Ms. Quall.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not that much of a saint,¡± Chloe said, though the fact that he could still talk to her like this meant he was likely unharmed. ¡°It¡¯s not safe here. We need to leave!¡± With that, she grabbed Brian¡¯s hand, trying to lead him toward the emergency stairwell. But just as they neared it, Chloe suddenly heard a ticking sound. Earlier, she hadn¡¯t heard the sound because the sounds from the fight had drowned it out. Now, without themotion, it rang out unnervingly clear. Could it be a bomb? Chloe¡¯s heart skipped a beat. At that moment, the ticking turned into a crackling electrical sound. Instinctively, Chloe spun around and threw herself over Brian. ¡°Danger!¡± she shouted. But the explosion never came. Instead, Brian¡¯s calm voice rang out beneath her. ¡°It¡¯s not going to explode the way you think.¡± ¡°What?¡± Chloe froze. She looked down and met his deep, unreadable eyes again. Chapter 201 Still Want You ¡°The bomb has been tampered with. Even when the timer hits zero, it won¡¯t go off,¡± Brian said. ¡°You knew about the bomb all along?¡± Chloe gasped. This text is hosted at F?ndNovel ¡°Yes, I knew,¡± Brian admitted honestly. ¡°But this is the second time.¡± ¡°The second time?¡± she frowned. ¡°The second time you risked your life to save me,¡± he said, staring at her intently. ¡°Why? Because you used to serve in the military, and even if it had been someone else in this danger, you would have still tried to save them?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that reason enough?¡± she said as she stood. Since the bomb wouldn¡¯t explode, she could finally exhale in relief. Soon, Brian¡¯s men rushed into the restaurant, quickly removing the bomb and dealing with the fallen assassins. ¡°Mr. Steele,¡± one of them said, handing him a clean, damp towel and fresh clothes. Brian took the towel and wiped the blood from his hands. Then he pulled off his blood¨Csoaked shirt in front of Chloe, revealing his lean, muscr chest. Chloe spun around in surprise at the sight and quickly turned her back to him. ¡°Since you¡¯re fine, Mr. Steele, I¡¯ll be going now.¡± ¡°Ms. Quall, you might want to change your clothes before leaving. Otherwise, it would draw too much attention.¡± Brian¡¯s voice came from behind her. Only then did she notice that her clothes were stained with blood from when she¡¯d fallen on top of him. Soon, one of Brian¡¯s men brought her a fresh set of clothes. Chloe didn¡¯t refuse and went to the restaurant¡¯s staff changing room to get dressed. After all, her blood- stained clothes were far too conspicuous. As they took the elevator down, Brian suddenly said, ¡°I still want you.¡± Chloe was taken aback. ¡°Have you really never considered being my bodyguard?¡± Brian asked. Chloe let out a quiet sigh of relief. So that was what he meant. She replied, ¡°I already said before that I don¡¯t n to be a bodyguard right now, Mr. Steele. Besides, you already have so many bodyguards¨Cthey¡¯re more than enough to keep you safe.¡± ¡°But if it were you, no matter what danger we faced, you wouldn¡¯t leave me behind, would you?¡± he said, staring at her intently. After Divorce 21 Brian kept his head lowered as he stood close to Chloe. His dark, beautiful eyes, once cold and lifeless, now flickered with something that almost seemed like a hint of longing. Longing? Chloe almostughed at the thought that shed through her mind. She couldn¡¯t believe what she was imagining. No matter what, Brian wouldn¡¯t long for a bodyguard. ¡°There are plenty of people in this world who wouldn¡¯t leave you behind, Mr. Steele. I¡¯m not exactly indispensable,¡± Chloe said. The elevator chimed softly as it reached the first floor, and Chloe quickly stepped out as the doors slid open. ¡°Mr. Steele, you should probably go to the hospital to get checked. It¡¯s safer. I¡¯ll head back first,¡± she said, turning to leave. Someone like Brian exuded an air of danger, and her instincts told her it was best to stay away. Brian quietly watched her retreating figure, then slowly turned to William and said, ¡°How do you think I can win Chloe over?¡± Standing beside him, William was momentarily taken aback. As Brian¡¯s personal secretary, he knew Brian was nearly a man without desires. For someone like Brian, getting whatever he wanted had always been effortless¨Cthings woulde to him without him even lifting a finger. Yet now, William was surprised that Brian actually wanted Chloe. ¡°Well¡­ from what I¡¯ve seen of Ms. Quall¡¯s background, she¡¯s not the type to be easily swayed by money. Even though she¡¯s no longer in the military, she still carries a soldier¡¯s pride,¡± William said carefully. William had been the one to thoroughly investigate Chloe¡¯s background, so he knew her history very well. ¡°Exactly! She¡¯s not the type to be swayed by money. But if it were an order¡­ would she obey?¡± Brian murmured thoughtfully. William froze. It seemed Brian really did want Chloe. Yet, he didn¡¯t know whether this would be a blessing or a curse for her. Chloe returned to the vi and dropped the blood¨Cstained outfit she¡¯d changed out of at the mall into theundry, nning to clean itter. Chapter 21 How to Win Her 2/4 The clothes Brian had given her were from a luxury brand, and on the way home, she¡¯d checked online and discovered that the set was worth 70 thousand dors. Money truly meant nothing to the wealthy, especially someone like him. Once the clothes were dry¨Ccleaned, Chloe nned on returning them. Just then, her phone rang with a call from Lena. As soon as she answered, Lena¡¯s anxious voice red through the speaker. ¡°Did you really face a bomb in the mall today? Are you hurt?¡± ¡°No,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°You sure get your information fast. How did you find out?¡± ¡°You called that guy, Ethan. Of course I¡¯d know! You ran into danger and called him first instead of me!¡± Listening to the yful jealousy in Lena¡¯s voice, Chloe couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Ethan can evacuate the mall in record time. Could you have done that?¡± Lena went silent instantly. Of course, she couldn¡¯tpare to Ethan. She knew his background -he was the scion of the Hughes family, his father was a militarymander, his mother a renowned scientist, and his connections were extensive. ¡°But speaking of which, back when you married Curtis without telling Ethan, you really drove him crazy. And now after just a call, he¡¯s willing to help you? He¡¯s not mad at you anymore?¡± Lena said. ¡°Even if he¡¯s still a little upset, he knows how to prioritize what¡¯s important,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°That¡¯s true. After all, he used to serve in the military,¡± Lena muttered. Back when Chloe had been in the special forces, Ethan had been one of her team members. They¡¯d faced life¨Cand¨Cdeath situations together, forming a bond forged inbat. ¡°Used to?¡± Chloe blinked. ¡°He¡¯s out of the military?¡± ¡°Yeah. Not long after you got married, he left the service and went abroad for three years. He just came back recently,¡± Lena exined. Chloe was surprised. She had always assumed the Hughes family would want him to stay in the military and gradually climb the ranks. ¡°Whenever you¡¯re free, let¡¯s get together with Ethan and catch up,¡± Lena suggested. ¡°He¡¯s been mad for three years. It¡¯s about time he got over it.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Chloe said with a small smile, remembering the young, spirited Ethan, who used to call her ¡°Clo¡± with boundless energy and enthusiasm. She thought about how she¡¯d gotten married quietly back then, without telling anyone, and admitted to herself that maybe she hadn¡¯t handled that properly. Chapter 21 How to Win Her At that moment, Curtis entered theundry room. Chloe frowned slightly and put her phone away. Curtis hade because he¡¯d heard her voice, but when he saw the blood¨Cstained clothes in the sink, he froze. ¡°What happened? Are you hurt?¡± Follow current nov?ls on findnovel He looked at her with concern and reached for her hand, as if checking her for injuries. ¡°Where are you injured? Did you go to the hospital?¡± Chloe studied him with surprise. At that moment, his expression reminded her of how he¡¯d been three years ago. Back then, he¡¯d worried about her just like this. It was partly because of that and partly because of Jenna and Walter¡¯s unfulfilled wishes that she ultimately chose to marry him. But after their marriage, his care and attention toward her gradually faded, reced by constant thoughts of his first love. Perhaps for some men, what they could never have was always the best, and what came easily was never truly cherished. ¡°I¡¯m fine. The blood on my clothes is someone else¡¯s,¡± Chloe said calmly, withdrawing her hand. ¡°Someone else¡¯s blood? What happened?¡± Curtis asked, puzzled. ¡°Someone got hurt at the mall while I was there. My clothes just happened to get a little stained with blood,¡± she said, deliberately downying the bomb incident. She didn¡¯t intend on telling him what really happened. ¡°Good, as long as you¡¯re okay,¡± Curtis said with a sigh of relief. ¡°What about you? Why are you back so early? Weren¡¯t you supposed to be with Sonya?¡± Chloe asked casually. Curtis¡® expression shifted slightly. ¡°Sonya and I are just friends. You¡¯re my wife. I know you¡¯ve been through a lottely. I¡¯ll spend more time with you from now on.¡± ¡°From now on?¡± Chloe thought bitterly. There would be no ¡°from now on¡± for them. If he¡¯d truly ever considered her his wife, he wouldn¡¯t have repeatedly left her for Sonya. ¡°So, you came back early today just to spend time with me?¡± she asked, staring at him. In that instant, Curtis felt a wave of awkwardness, as if Chloe could see right through him. ¡°I¡­ of course, I came to spend time with you. I also wanted to discuss somepany matters. I hope you¡¯ll consider returning to work at thepany.¡± Chloe smiled knowingly. So that was the real reason he came back early. ¡°I¡¯ve already joined a friend¡¯spany. I don¡¯t n to return to Green Tech.¡± ¡°I know you¡¯re at Skyline Tech, but you¡¯re my wife. Isn¡¯t a husband supposed toe before a friend?¡± he Chapter 21 How to Win Her said. ¡°But for you, your wife doesn¡¯t evene before your friend, Sonya, does she?¡± Chloe said sarcastically. Curtis froze, then said after a moment, ¡°Enough! Let¡¯s not argue. I just want you to return to thepany.¡± Chapter 22 Only to Repay a Favor After Divorce 22 Chapter 22 Only to Repay a Favor ¡°I refuse!¡± Chloe said without hesitation. Curtis frowned. ¡°Are you still sulking with me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sulking,¡± Chloe said seriously. ¡°When I resigned back then, I never intended to return again.¡± Curtis¡® expression darkened. ¡°Do you realize that by joining Skyline Tech, you vited the nonpete agreement? I could sue you. If that happens, not only would you have topensate Green Tech for all losses, but any projects you¡¯re involved with at Skyline Tech could also be affected!¡± Chloe froze, staring at him in disbelief. She hadn¡¯t expected to hear something like that from him. Curtis looked uneasy and avoided her gaze. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to drag your friend¡¯spany into trouble, you¡¯d better leave Skyline Tech and return to Green Tech and resume your position.¡± Chloe sneered. ¡°Curtis, I always thought that even if you were ambiguous in rtionships, you were at least upright in business. But now I see that I really overestimated you.¡± His face went pale. ¡°I just want Green Tech to get through its current difficulties. Since the investors want to pull out of the project because of your departure, having you return is the quickest way to solve it!¡± In recent days, he¡¯d even hired professionals to rewrite the project proposal, but no matter what, the Follow current nov?ls on find[f]ovel investors insisted that unless Chloe was in charge, the project wouldn¡¯t proceed. They also knew that Chloe had joined Skyline Tech, hinting at potential coboration with Skyline Tech instead. No matter what, Curtis was determined to get Chloe back at Green Tech. ¡°I¡¯m not going back to Green Tech,¡± Chloe said coldly again. ¡°Are you not afraid of being sued?¡± Curtis snapped. ¡°You can only sue me if I¡¯d actually signed a nonpete agreement. Curtis, I only ever had a standard employment contract with Green Tech!¡± Chloe said. Curtis¡® expression turned grim instantly. Back when thepany was first started, he¡¯d treated Chloe as just an ordinary employee who didn¡¯t know much, so she¡¯d only signed a standard contract. There was no nonpete agreement to enforce, so now he had no way to sue her. Over the next few days, Curtis was busy scrambling to raise funds. With the bank still refusing to approve the loan, thepany¡¯s cash flow was in jeopardy. After receiving yet another rejection call, he angrily tossed his phone aside. Thepany had run smoothly for three years, but as soon as Chloe left, projects started failing and funds became tight. Chapter 22 Only to Repay a Favor Even the other projects began to fall into disarray. ¡°Why can¡¯t even these small matters be handled properly? Everything used to run smoothly!¡± During apany meeting, Curtis mmed the table in frustration, but the executives calmly replied, ¡± These issues were always handled by Ms. Quall when she was in charge.¡± Even though Chloe had already left thepany, her name still seemed to follow everywhere, lingering in the office. Once again, Curtis¡® mind reyed the words the project manager from Prosperity Investments, Morgan, had told him before. ¡°It seems youpletely underestimate Ms. Quall¡¯s value!¡± Chloe¡¯s value? What value does she have? Originally, in his eyes, Chloe was just an ordinary soldier who¡¯d left the military and had a modest education. That was why he¡¯d casually assigned her a position in thepany. In reality, besides graduating from the National Defense Academy, being the top science student in Corvessia that year, and possessing skills like horseback riding and flying fighter jets, Curtis had no idea what other talents and abilities Chloe might have. ¡°Is something wrong? Are you troubled?¡± Sonya¡¯s voice pulled Curtis out of his thoughts. Curtis snapped back to reality as he looked at Sonya sitting across from him. Once, she had been the fantasy of his youth¨CSonya was the daughter of the Miller family, while he was just a poor guy with nothing. He never imagined that one day they could be friends or even sit together for a meal like this. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just a small issue,¡± Curtis said lightly. Sonya smiled. ¡°By the way, I went to see that vi you mentionedst time. I actually like it. The agent said that if I pay in full, the seller might knock off another five million dors.¡± Hearing this, Curtis¡® face fell. That vi had originally been intended as a gift for Sonya. If Green Tech had been running smoothly, paying 30 million dors for it would have been easy. But now, he simply didn¡¯t have the money. ¡°Maybe we should postpone buying the vi. There might be a better er,¡± Curtis suggested. Sonya raised an eyebrow and tilted her chin, her tone confident. ¡°Honestly, if you don¡¯t want to give it, just say so. I¡¯m not insisting on it.¡± Curtis hurriedly exined, ¡°No, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to give it. Compared to the fact that you saved my life back then, a vi is nothing. It¡¯s just that thepany is short on funds right now, so¡­ pulling together that kind of money all at once is difficult.¡± If possible, he didn¡¯t want her to know how strained his situation really was. Chapter 22 Only to Repay a Favor Sonya¡¯s eyes flickered slightly. ¡°When I saved you back then, I never expected anything in return. If you¡¯re short on funds now, we can put the vi matter off forter. ¡°It¡¯s just a shame that the Miller family business is controlled by Uncle Wayne and that Dad doesn¡¯t have much authority¨Cotherwise, I could have helped you sort out the financial problem.¡± Her understanding behavior made Curtis breathe a sigh of relief. ¡°The thought alone is enough. I¡¯ll solve thepany¡¯s financial issues, and I will repay you even more someday!¡± Back then, when he¡¯d encountered the attackers, he¡¯d been stabbed eight times in the stomach while trying to protect the money for his tuition fees and had fallen into the river. On the edge of life and death, all he could feel was someone gripping him tightly, desperately pulling him out of the water. A voice kept shouting in his ear, ¡°Hold on! You have to hold on! I¡¯ll save you!¡± That voice had given him the strength to survive. When he¡¯d opened his eyes in the hospital and realized that Sonya was his savior, he¡¯d made a silent vow. One day, he would repay her, even if he had to use everything he had to do it. Looking at the serious expression on Curtis¡® face, Sonya smiled gently. ¡°You don¡¯t have to repay me. Back then, I saved you just so you could survive.¡± Moreover, saving him hadn¡¯t taken much effort on her part. She¡¯d simply seen him injured by the river, and when the paramedics got there, they assumed she was the one who¡¯d called for help, so she ended up going with him to the hospital. At the time, she¡¯d thought it was a bit of a hassle, but in retrospect, the return on her actions had far exceeded her expectations. She hadn¡¯t expected that the poor guy would now be the CEO of a publicly tradedpany. The only drawback was that he still wasn¡¯t divorced. Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> After Divorce 23 Chapter 23 Maybe He Just Wants to See You Again After parting with Curtis, Sonya took the initiative to apany Helen and Joanne shopping. After all, if she were truly going to marry Curtis in the future, maintaining a good rtionship with them was essential. She specifically took them to a beauty chain store under Miller Group and said, ¡°If you see anything you like, just take it. I¡¯ll cover it.¡± After all,pared to what she¡¯d taken from Curtis before, these beauty products were nothing. ¡°Sonya, you¡¯re so generous,¡± Joanne praised immediately. Discover more novels at findnovel ¡°Absolutely! Compared to Chloe, you¡¯re much better. I wish you were my daughter¨Cinw!¡± Helen added with a smile. At that moment, she seemed to havepletely forgotten how, over the past three years, Chloe had apanied her to the hospital and taken care of so many things for her. Sonya looked a bit regretful. ¡°I hope that if I ever get married, my mother¨Cinw will be like you. But unfortunately, when I returned to Corvessia and reunited with Curtis, he was already married.¡± ¡°Just wait another week. Once Curtis and Chloe are divorced, you can be my sister¨Cinw, Sonya!¡± Joanne eximed. Sonya was taken aback. ¡°Curtis is divorcing Chloe?¡± ¡°Of course! But he still has to give Chloe 100 million dors. Why should she even deserve that?¡± As soon as the topic of the 100 million dors came up, Joanne bristled with indignation. ¡°Thepany is already tight on cash, and he¡¯s constantly trying to figure out how to raise funds. If he really has to hand over 100 million dors, he¡¯d have to sell all the shares he originally gave Mom just to cover it!¡± Joanne rattled off the details of the divorce agreement that had been privately signed between Helen and Chloe. Sonya mulled over it. Although Curtis wasn¡¯t aware of the divorce yet, if it really went through, then his marriage to Chloe could finally end. She winced at the thought of the 100 million dors, feeling a pang of sympathy as if it were her own money. ¡°Too bad we couldn¡¯t prove that she cheated. Otherwise, she would¡¯ve been at fault in the marriage, and we wouldn¡¯t have to pay her that money,¡± Joanne muttered. ¡°Exactly! My son earned all of this money, and now she just wants a divorce and is asking for so much?¡± Helen said angrily. Chapter 23 Maybe He Just Wants to See You Again ¡°In fact, it wouldn¡¯t be impossible not to pay her,¡± Sonya said softly, lowering her eyelids as if implying something. Helen¡¯s and Joanne¡¯s eyes immediately lit up. 274 Chloe wanted to return the set of clothes Brian had given her at the mall after her clothes had been stained with blood. She¡¯d originally nned to just drop them off at the Steele residence and hand them to the housekeeper to pass along. But the Steele residence¡¯s butler, Horace Hale, stepped forward and said, ¡°Mr. Steele is not in Corvess¨ªa right now. He requested that if you truly wish to return it, it must be done in person, Ms. Quall.¡± Chloe frowned. ¡°When will he be back?¡± ¡°Probably in a couple of days,¡± Horace replied. After leaving the Steele residence, Chloe went to Skyline Tech. Seeing the clothes in her hands, Lena eximed, ¡°Wow, these aren¡¯t easy to get! They¡¯re VIP limited edition! But I thought you never cared much about designer clothes.¡± As her friend, Lena knew Chloe¡¯s taste in clothing very well¨Cshe preferred simple clothes that were ¡°They¡¯re meant to be returned to Brian,¡± Chloe said. ¡°But he said I have to give it back in person.¡± She told Lena about going to the Steele residence and being turned away. Lena¡¯s eyes flickered with mischief as she looked Chloe over. ¡°Do you think Brian likes you? He insists you return the clothes in person¨Cmaybe he just wants to see you again?¡± Chloe rolled her eyes at Lena. ¡°Do you seriously think being noticed by Brian is a good thing?¡± Lena thought about all the rumors surrounding Brian and shivered. ¡°Better forget it¨Cstaying alivees first!¡± she said. After all, the rumors about Brian¡¯s recklessness were terrifying -anyone who identally crossed him wouldn¡¯t just get hurt. They could end up seriously crippled, or worse¡­ ¡°By the way, there¡¯s a banquet in three days, and Brian will be attending. I happen to be invited too. Why don¡¯t youe with me? You can return the clothes to him then,¡± Lena suggested. Chloe nodded at her words. ¡°Alright.¡± Returning the clothes to Brian as soon as possible would settle everything between them. Her instincts Chapter 23 Maybe He Just Wants to See You Again warned her not to get too entangled with him. Three dayster, when it was time for the banquet, Lena insisted Chloe change into an elegant gown. ¡°I¡¯m just returning the clothes. Do I really need to wear a gown?¡± Chloe asked. ¡°Of course you do! You have no idea how stunning you look dressed like this! Curtis is blind. He won¡¯t appreciate a wife like you and keeps clinging to Sonya all the time,¡± Lena protested. Lena wasn¡¯t wrong. Chloe wore a deep blue gown that highlighted her fair skin, and her long hair, which was usually tied neatly, now flowed freely over her shoulders. Chloe was naturally stunning, exuding a sharp, confident energy that contrasted with the soft elegance of her gown, creating a striking and captivating beauty that drew attention. ¡°Oh my god, I¡¯m falling for you. If you were a guy, I¡¯d marry you!¡± Lena eximed dramatically. Chloe smiled. ¡°Enough, let¡¯s go.¡± When they arrived at the hotel for the banquet, Chloe froze for a moment as she stepped out of the car. She saw another car pull up, and Curtis and Sonya stepped out. Judging by the invitations in their hands, they were clearly attending the same event. Curtis also noticed Chloe immediately. Seeing her in an elegant gown with wless makeup left him momentarily stunned. He¡¯d never realized that Chloe was so beautiful. The flicker of astonishment in his eyes caught Sonya¡¯s attention, who was still standing beside him, and a shadow of displeasure crossed her face. ¡°Curtis!¡± she said sharply. Curtis finally snapped back to reality and walked over to Chloe. ¡°You actually followed me here? What are you trying to do?¡± Chloe rolled her eyes. ¡°Curtis, I¡¯m not interested in following you!¡± ¡°Then why are you here?¡± Curtis asked incredulously. He assumed Chloe had dressed up just to make him ufortable because Sonya was attending the banquet with him. He thought she was upset about it. ¡°Chloe is now an executive at Skyline Tech, so of course she¡¯s here with me to attend tonight¡¯s banquet,¡± Lena said, shooting Curtis a disdainful nce. ¡°You¡¯re way too full of yourself if you think her showing up here automatically means she¡¯s stalking you.¡± Curtis¡® expression darkened as he warned Chloe, ¡°Just make sure you¡¯re only here for the banquet. Don¡¯t do anything unnecessary, or don¡¯t me me for being harsh.¡± Today¡¯s banquet was very important to him. He needed to scout for new business opportunities and Chapter 23 Maybe He Just Wants to See You Again secure investors. Curtis walked toward the entrance of the banquet hall with Sonya just as Chloe¡¯s phone rang¨Cit was a call from Helen. ¡°Come to Room 1205 at the Royal Crest Hotel right now. We need to go over the divorce agreement. If you don¡¯t show up, forget the 100 million dors.¡± Chloe raised an eyebrow and looked at the hotel¡¯s entrance, therge ¡°Royal Crest¡± sign catching her eye. What a coincidence¨Cthis was the same hotel Helen had chosen for the meeting. Chapter 24 One Last Chance After Divorce 24 ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Lena asked. ¡°Nothing serious. I need to meet with Helen, and it just so happens that the meeting is at this hotel,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°You go ahead to the banquet, and I¡¯ll catch upter.¡± ¡°Alright, but Helen isn¡¯t exactly a good person. Since she¡¯s suddenly asked you to meet at a hotel, you¡¯d better be careful,¡± Lena warned. ¡°I know,¡± Chloe said with a smile, lowering her gaze to her phone. She saw a message from Helen, who had ¡°considerately¡± told her to pick up the key card at the hotel front desk. Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, Sonya¡¯s lips curled into a smile when she saw Lena enter alone. It seemed Helen and Joanne had sessfully lured Chloe away. Chloe wanted that 100 million dors, but whether she could get it depended entirely on her own ability. If she failed, she wouldn¡¯t just lose the money, but her reputation would be ruined as well. By the time that happened, even if Curtis didn¡¯t want a divorce, he would have no choice but to end the marriage. In a dim corner on the 12th floor, Helen and Joanne waited anxiously. ¡°Why hasn¡¯t Chloe arrived yet? It¡¯s been half an hour. She¡¯s not trying to y us, is she? She¡¯sing, right?¡± Joanne asked uneasily. After all, they had prepared everything just for Chloe to show up. ¡°No, she wille. If she still wants that 100 million dors, she has to show up,¡± Helen said confidently. In her mind, a woman like Chloe, with no real skills, could never resist the temptation of such a massive sum. At that moment, Chloe appeared. Helen¡¯s and Joanne¡¯s faces brightened up. But when Joanne saw Chloe dressed in an elegant gown, her jealousy red. Chloe looked poised and sharp, almost like a high¨Css socialite. Joanne smirked. ¡°High¨Css socialite, my ass! She may look stunning now, but I can¡¯t wait to see how miserable she¡¯ll look soon,¡± Joanne thought, her face twisting into a cruel smile. She watched Chloe use the key card to open the hotel room door and step inside. Everything was perfectly in ce, and she felt a thrill of excitement at what was about to happen. Now she could finally watch Chloe beg and suffer, letting out all the frustration she¡¯d been holding back at Green Tech. Chapter 24 One Last Chance After all, she was the CEO¡¯s younger sister and a top graduate from a prestigious college. Curtis had even put her in charge of the project as the project manager. Yet, her team constantlypared her to Chloe, talking behind her back about howpetent Chloe was and how smoothly everything ran when she¡¯d been in charge. The looks they gave her were full of contempt. Chloe didn¡¯t have anything special, at least not enough to impress Joanne. She was eager to see the expressions on the team¡¯s faces when they witnessed Chloe¡¯s miserable state. Soon, Joanne¡¯s phone buzzed with a message. She smiled brightly and said to Helen, ¡°Mom, they¡¯ve set everything up. We can go in.¡± Helen and Joanne stepped into Room 1205 and found Chloe slumped against the bed,pletely weak and drained of strength. Two burly men stood in front of Chloe, then stepped forward to Helen and Joanne with an eager, almost servile demeanor. ¡°The moment she walked in, she was hit with the knockout smoke. She doesn¡¯t even have the strength to struggle now,¡± one of them reported. Joanne smiled in satisfaction and walked up to Chloe, her heels clicking against the floor as she looked down at her. ¡°You didn¡¯t see thising, did you? You actually thought divorcing Curtis would get you 100 million dors? Dream on!¡± She sneered. Chloe gasped for breath, her eyes cold as she stared at them. ¡°This is what you wanted to talk to me about?¡± Helen red at Chloe with pure hatred. ¡°Who made you so greedy, thinking you could take 100 million Discover more novels at f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l? dors? My son earned all that money, and you won¡¯t get a single cent!¡± Chloe couldn¡¯t help but feel like this whole thing was absurd. She¡¯d been married for three years, yet despite all the sacrifices she had made for Curtis and his family, and they hadn¡¯t seen a thing. She¡¯d once believed they were family and had treated them with her all, only to realize howughable that was. ¡°Alright, you two can have fun with her. Make her suffer as much as possible!¡± Joanne ordered the two burly men. The men exchanged lecherous grins and moved closer to Chloe. Chloe red at Helen and Joanne. ¡°Have you even thought about Curtis? No matter what, I¡¯m still his wife! He wouldn¡¯t allow this!¡± Chapter 24 One Last Chance At the same time, hidden beneath her gown, her right hand gripped her phone tightly. The screen faced down as her fingers moved over it with practiced precision. Even without looking, she could hit the exact keys she needed. Years in the special forces had trained her for exactly this. Curtis was in the hotel. If he answered this call, he could get here immediately and stop whatever was about to happen. ¡°Curtis already has Sonya. Why would he care about you? Even if he knew, he wouldn¡¯t give a damn!¡± Joanne mocked. Chloe pressed her lips together. The call had already been ced, and she had turned the volume down so low that only she could hear it. At the same time, Curtis nced at his phone. Chloe¡¯s name was shing on the screen. Just as he was about to answer, Sonya said, ¡°Is that Chloe? If she¡¯s upset that I came with you to the banquet today, maybe I should leave so she can keep youpany instead.¡± ¡°Ignore her,¡± Curtis said, casually hanging up. Any call from Chloe was just going to be pettyints or drama. He had more important things to deal with now. He would talk to her properly after the banquet. At that moment, amotion started at the entrance of the banquet hall. Sonya said to Curtis, ¡°Mr. Steele is here too. Let¡¯s go greet him first.¡± Curtis looked up to see the distinguished man entering the hotel, moving through the crowd with effortless poise. His striking features and icy demeanor radiated authority, and even his dark eyes seemed to look down on everyone, exuding an air of superiority. A man like him was truly born to rise above everyone else. Curtis found itughable that he¡¯d ever thought someone like that could take an interest in Chloe. Brian must have been acting out of a momentary kindness when he gave Chloe a ride to the vi. After all, they belonged topletely different worlds. Inside Room 1205, the moment Curtis hung up, Chloe¡¯s heart sank. She felt utterly cold and hollow. She¡¯d given him chance after chance, but each time left her feeling more disheartened than thest. Chloe looked up at Joanne and Helen. ¡°I¡¯ve been part of this family for three years. If this ends here, I can let it go.¡± ¡°Let it go? Even if I agreed, these two gentlemen wouldn¡¯t. I even picked two strong, capable men for you, all in the name of ¡®family¡®!¡± Joanne said with a malicious grin. Chapter 24 One Last Chance Chloe lowered her eyelids slightly. Hidden beneath her gown, her fingers continued to tap on her phone, unnoticed by anyone. In the corner of the room, a tiny micro camera was capturing everything unfolding before it. She¡¯d set it up as soon as she¡¯d gotten the call from Helen. The moment she¡¯d entered the room and smelled the knockout smoke, she¡¯d held her breath and discreetly ced the camera in the corner. She hadn¡¯t expected things to get this vile. By now, she¡¯d already hacked into the hotel¡¯swork with her phone. Since Curtis was attending the banquet in the hotel, she intended to let him witness Helen and Joanne¡¯s true faces firsthand. Her fingers flew across the phone screen with practiced speed. Meanwhile, in the hotel banquet hall, Curtis and Sonya approached Brian. ¡°Mr. Steele, good to see you. I¡¯m Curtis Green from Green Tech. We didn¡¯t get a chance to talk properly at the horse ranchst time, but this time-¡± Curtis began. Before he could finish, someone shouted, ¡°What¡¯s going on with this screen? Is there a problem?¡± Then, a voice Curtis knew instantly rang out. ¡°Hurry up! I want her to walk out with nothing¨Cnot a single cent!¡± Curtis froze. That was Helen¡¯s voice. im Bonus For Free Every Day>> After Divorce 25 Chapter 25 Publicly Humiliating Your Family Curtis turned to look at the massive screen at the front of the banquet hall. Originally, it had only disyed the event¡¯s name and a wee message, but now the image on the screen shocked him. It showed Helen, Joanne, Chloe, and two unfamiliar men. Chloe was slumped against the edge of the bed as the two unfamiliar men closed in on her with malicious intent. Meanwhile, Helen watched with a cruel smile, every word she spoke dripping with venom. For a moment, Curtis felt his mind gopletely nk. He had no idea what was happening. Beside him, Sonya¡¯s face had also gone pale. Her mind raced in panic. Although she¡¯d known that Helen and Joanne intended to target Chloe, she¡¯d never expected to see the scene appear on the banquet¡¯s massive screen. She had no idea who could have orchestrated it. As Sonya anxiously tried to figure out what was happening, Chloe¡¯s voice came through the screen, gasping for breath. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of facing legal consequences for what you¡¯re doing?¡± Joanneughed cruelly. ¡°Legal consequences? Who¡¯s going to see it? You took the key card yourself and entered this room on your own. The room is booked under your name as well. Later, everyone will just assume you set this up with these two men for some private fun!¡± Curtis¡® eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn¡¯t believe that the sweet, charming sister he knew could smile while saying such cruel, vicious things. This couldn¡¯t be real. Joanne could never do something like this. ¡°No one in your family is decent!¡± Lena stormed straight to Curtis and yanked him by the cor, her eyes zing with fury as she stared him down. ¡°Which room did Helen and Joanne take Chloe to? If they let those two meny a finger on Chloe, I swear they¡¯ll all pay for it with their lives!¡± ¡°What? They¡¯re in a hotel room here?¡± Curtis eximed, shocked. Lena said, ¡°Your mother called Chloe and said she wanted to meet here!¡± She was filled with guilt. She shouldn¡¯t have just warned Chloe to be careful. She never should have let Chloe go alone. If anything happened to her, Lena knew she would never forgive herself. Seeing Curtis looking confused, Lena shouted to the nearby hotel staff, ¡°Check immediately! Find out which room this is!¡± ¡°Y¨CYes! We¡¯ll check it right away!¡± the staff stammered, fumbling for their radios and urgently contacting other hotel personnel as they rushed to trace Chloe¡¯s location. Chapter 25 Publicly Humiliating Your Family Curtis tried to reason. ¡°This¡­ maybe it¡¯s just a misunderstanding, maybe there¡¯s another reason¡­¡± But before he could finish, Joanne¡¯s venomous voice red through the speakers connected to the screen, reaching everyone in the banquet hall. ¡°Oh, and I¡¯ll be taking a few more ¡®memorable¡® photos while I¡¯m at it. If you even think about calling the police, your private photos will end up online, seen by thousands of men!¡± Lena shouted at Curtis, her voice trembling with fury, ¡°Misunderstanding? There¡¯s no damn misunderstanding! Curtis, Chloe marrying you and ending up with your family is the worst luck ever!¡± Curtis felt his face burn with shame. He couldn¡¯t utter a single word in his defense. Discover more novels at f¦É¦Ídn¦Ïvel On the screen, Chloe¡¯s voice cut through sharply. ¡°After doing something like this, do you really think Curtis will ever forgive you?¡± Joanneughed maliciously. ¡°I bet Curtis will even thank me. If you ¡®cheated¡®, it gives him a perfect excuse to divorce you and be with Sonya without any guilt. Besides, he¡¯s always loved Sonya. To him, you¡¯re just a useless burden, a wife he¡¯s meant to discard!¡± Many people at the banquet knew Curtis and Sonya, and now all eyes turned toward them. In everyone¡¯s eyes, they had seemed like the perfect pair¨Cone a rising star in the tech industry, the other the refined heiress of the Miller family. But now¡­ ¡°Curtis is already married?¡± ¡°And now he¡¯s going to abandon his wife for Ms. Miller?¡± ¡°I heard he was dirt poor before he started hispany, and I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s already married¨Cand he¡¯s even hiding it from everyone.¡± ¡°So does that make Ms. Miller a homewrecker?¡± The murmurs around them left Curtis and Sonya looking pale and uneasy. Sonya quickly shouted, ¡°This has to be some kind of prank! Where are the staff? Turn off this screen immediately!¡± Meanwhile, Curtis frantically dialed Helen and Joanne, but the calls went straight to voicemail. His face grew even paler as he shouted to the nearby hotel staff, ¡°Have you found the room number yet?¡± ¡°We¡¯re s¨Cstill checking!¡± the staff replied anxiously. Curtis gritted his teeth, his eyes fixed on the screen. If Chloe was really being vited by those two men, then he¡­ Suddenly, it felt as if something had ripped through his chest, and he struggled to draw a single breath. Chapter 25 Publicly Humting Your Family On the screen, Helen watched coldly while Joanne giggled, raising her phone to take photos. The two burly men grabbed Chloe¡¯s arms, trying to drag her toward the bed. Everything happening made Curtis feel desperate and utterly helpless. Inside the room, Chloe looked up, her gaze unwavering as she faced Helen and Joanne. ¡°Don¡¯t you feel any regret for doing this?¡± ¡°I should have done this sooner. Then Curtis could have divorced you long ago!¡± Helen spat at Chloe. Joanne red at the two burly men, her voice dripping with malice. ¡°Come on! Take it slow when you deal with her. I want every shot to be perfectly clear. I¡¯ll get plenty of close¨Cups too! Later, when I post these online, everyone will know exactly who she is.¡± The filthy words Joanne spoke made Curtis¡® face darken even more. ¡°Fine. Since you don¡¯t regret it, neither will I,¡± Chloe said quietly. ¡°You won¡¯t regret it? How do you n on not regretting it?¡± Joanne sneered. She shouted at the men,¡± Take off her clothes!¡± 37 As Chloe was about to be stripped in front of the crowd, some guests couldn¡¯t bear to watch and closed their eyes. But in the next moment, one of the men lunging at Chloe was suddenly knocked to the ground. Many didn¡¯t even see how she¡¯d struck him. The scene stunned not only the guests at the banquet hall but also Helen and Joanne in the hotel room. ¡°Why¡­ why aren¡¯t you holding her down yet? She¡¯s under the effects of the knockout smokeced with aphrodisiac and can¡¯t even fight back!¡± Joanne shouted. The other burly man finally reacted, while the one who¡¯d fallen to the floor pushed through the pain and got back up, ring angrily at Chloe. ¡°Alright, you¡¯ve embarrassed me now. Let¡¯s see how I deal with you!¡± The two muscr men lunged at Chloe. Thuds echoed as their fists connected, and solid, heavy strikes Chloe¡¯s movements were precise and efficient as she aimed each strike at taking the men down without wasting energy. Because of her flowing gown, every movement Chloe made sent the fabric swirling, forming graceful arcs in the air. The fight looked less like a brawl and more like a meticulously choreographed dance. The two men quickly copsed to the floor, groaning in pain, while Chloe, d in her deep blue gown, stood with her long hair flying around her. In that moment, she moved with the precision and speed of a de drawn from its sheath. Her eyes, usually soft and gentle, were now sharp and piercing. Her gazemanded fear, yet at the same time, it left everyone in awe of her striking presence. Chapter After Divorce 26 26 She Really Is an Interesting Woman Chapter 26 She Really Is an Interesting Woman In the banquet hall, the guests stared in disbelief at the scene ying out on the massive screen. Curtis¡® eyes widened in shock, confusion, and awe. Although he knew Chloe had previously served in the military and knew a fewbat techniques, he¡¯d always assumed they were just shy moves meant for show. Yet moments ago, she¡¯d taken down those two burly men with ease right in front of everyone. Unlike the others, Brian watched the massive screen with a knowing expression. Indeed, this woman was very interesting. The scene from the hotel room appearing on the electronic screen was probably all part of Chloe¡¯s n. Her counterattack was clever, bold, andpletely unexpected. If she couldn¡¯t handle something like this, she wouldn¡¯t have deserved to be the former captain of the Shadow Hawks Special Forces. Brian¡¯s lips curved into a small smile. William, standing beside him, understood immediately that Brian was in an excellent mood. It seemed his interest in Chloe had only deepened. At that moment, the hotel staff finally found the room. ¡°It¡¯s Room 1205! They¡¯re in Room 1205!¡± Upon hearing this, Curtis dashed out of the banquet hall, with Lena right on his heels. Sonya looked up at Chloe on the screen, her eyes shing with resentment. Things had already reached this point, yet she hadn¡¯t expected that Chloe would somehow manage to escape their trap. Instead, it was the Greens and Sonya who¡¯d ended up at a disadvantage, especially since Curtis¡® secret marriage to Chloe had been revealed. Sonya now looked like the third party in everyone else¡¯s eyes. The thought made her grit her teeth in bitter resentment. ¡°You¡­ you weren¡¯t affected by the aphrodisiac?¡± Joanne¡¯s panicked voice rang out from the hotel room. Find the newest release on f?ndnovel Chloe looked at her coldly. ¡°That¡¯s not what you should be worrying about. What really matters is that everything that happened in this room was caught on camera and broadcast live in the banquet hall.¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± Helen and Joanne gasped. ¡°I said, everything you did has already been seen and heard by everyone attending the banquet today,¡± Chloe replied. She¡¯d deliberately dyed entering the room by half an hour to make final preparations. What she¡¯d originally nned as a precaution ended up proving unexpectedly useful. ¡°By the way, Curtis is attending the banquet today as well,¡± Chloe added. Chapter 26 She Really is an Interesting Woman Joanne¡¯s face went pale instantly. In other words, everything she¡¯d said in the room, along with her and Helen¡¯s n, had been publicly exposed to everyone. If Chloe was telling the truth, she would never be able to face all those people again, especially since, as far as she knew, the banquet Curtis attended today was filled with Corvessia¡¯s high¨Csociety elites. Chloe¡¯s actions had made it impossible for Joanne to have any standing in high society from now on. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re just trying to scare me. You¡¯re lying!¡± Joanne cried in panic. ¡°Am I lying? When Curtis arrives, you can ask him yourself,¡± Chloe replied calmly. Based on the timing, Curtis should have already gotten her room number from the hotel staff by now. Joanne trembled as Helen lunged at Chloe in rage. ¡°You bitch! I¡¯ll tear you apart!¡± Chloe smoothly sidestepped Helen¡¯s attack. Helen missed and mmed into a nearby cab, screaming in pain. At that moment, the door to the room burst open, and Curtis stormed in with several hotel staff members. Joanne jumped in shock. Her heart sank when Curtis appeared at the door. She wondered if Chloe had been telling the truth. Had everything that had happened in the room really been broadcast live to everyone in the banquet hall? The moment Helen saw Curtis, she scrambled up in panic and rushed to him. ¡°Curtis, you came just in time. That bitch Chlo was cheating on you, and Joanne and I caught her red¨Chanded. ¡°I only scolded her, but she turned vicious and evenid her hands on me! She¡¯s such a shameless woman! If you don¡¯t divorce her now, then I¡¯ll disown you as my son!¡± ¡°Mom!¡± Curtis cut her off sharply, his face dark with humiliation. ¡°Stop talking. Everyone out there already saw what happened in this room!¡± ¡°What?¡± Helen froze. ¡°How¡­ how could anyone have seen it? No, it¡¯s a trick! This is all Chloe¡¯s n! Curtis, you mustn¡¯t believe her!¡± Curtis¡® chest tightened with bitterness. It wasn¡¯t that he believed Chloe. He believed what he¡¯d just seen and heard with his own eyes and ears. On that screen, Helen and Joanne had been nothing like the women he thought he knew. He¡¯d never imagined they would resort to something so cruel and underhanded, scheming to drive Chloe out of his life with nothing. He lifted his eyes toward Chloe, who stood just a few feet away. In her deep blue gown, Chloe showed no sign of disarray from the fight. Instead, her sharp and unyielding Chapter 26 She Really Is an Interesting Woman demeanor gave her amanding presence, making her seem untouchable, like someone far beyond his reach. They were married and shared the same bed every night. Yet, in this moment, the space between them felt impossibly wide, so much so that he didn¡¯t even dare to take a single step toward her. ¡°Yes, Curtis, it was all Chloe¡¯s n! She deliberately lured me and Mom here to catch her cheating, just to frame us! ¡°You can¡¯t believe her¨Cthis is all her scheme!¡± Joanne finally snapped back to her senses and desperately tried to throw all the me onto Chloe. Chloe¡¯s lips curved into a mocking smile as she met Curtis¡® gaze. She wanted to see what he would do now that things hade to this point. ¡°Curtis, you¡¯re not going to take her side over me and Mom, are you? We¡¯re your family!¡± Joanne pressed, growing uneasy at his silence. Helen added quickly, ¡°I gave birth to you, Curtis! How could you doubt me and believe this outsider? Have someone seize Chloe right now. She attacked me just moments ago. I¡¯ll call the police and sue her!¡± Helen¡¯s fury boiled over. Emboldened by Curtis¡® presence, she lunged forward, ready to strike Chloe, but Curtis yanked her back. ¡°Enough, Mom! Joanne! How much more embarrassment are you going to cause me?¡± Curtis roared. A sudden, crushing wave of shame struck Curtis as he met Chloe¡¯s cold gaze. It was as if the ground had vanished beneath him. But he felt even more powerless when he saw that Helen and Joanne didn¡¯t show even an ounce of remorse. Instead, they kept piling false usations onto Chloe. ¡°Fine, you want to call the police? Don¡¯t bother¨CI already did!¡± Lena¡¯s voice rang out as she stormed into the room. She shot Helen a re, then rushed to Chloe¡¯s side. ¡°Are you okay? Did they hurt you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Chloe reassured her softly. But in truth, she wasn¡¯t entirely unscathed. The two men had released that knockout smoke in the room earlier. Though she¡¯d sensed it and tried to avoid it, she¡¯d still inhaled a few breaths. Yet, her body had been conditioned by resistance training in the past, so those few breaths of knockout smoke weren¡¯t enough to take her down. She could still hold her ground. Hearing her words, Joanne¡¯s face drained of color as she stared at Lena. ¡°You¡­ you called the police?¡± Helen might not have grasped how serious that was, but Joanne understood all too well. If the police actually got involved, it would prove that she and Helen had set Chloe up. A scandal would Chapter 26 She Really is an Interesting Woman erupt, and they would be the ones facing the legal consequences. ¡°How could you call the police?¡± Joanne snapped, her voice shrill with panic. ¡°After what you¡¯ve done to my friend, how could I not?¡± Lena shot back, her face tight with fury. ¡°I think it would be better to tell the police that this was just a misunderstanding,¡± Sonya said smoothly as she arrived, stepping quickly to Curtis¡® side. ¡°After all, this is still the Green family¡¯s private matter. It hasn¡¯t gone so far that the police need to be involved. Don¡¯t you agree, Curtis?¡± Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> After Divorce 27 Chapter 27 A Show of Betrayal Immediately, everyone¡¯s attention fell on Curtis. Curtis pressed his dry lips together. Naturally, he hoped for nothing more than to downy the situation and let it blow over on its own. But when his gaze met Chloe¡¯s again, he tried to reason with her. ¡°Chloe, maybe we can just¡­¡± ¡°Maybe we can just let it go and treat it as a misunderstanding?¡± Chloe raised an eyebrow. ¡°Curtis, do you expect me to go along with that?¡± Her mocking gaze made him feel like his throat was constricted, and the words he wanted to say simply wouldn¡¯te out. Lena shouted angrily, ¡°Curtis, you saw how your mother and sister treated Chloe. And yet, you still want to call it a misunderstanding? Don¡¯t you realize what could have happened to her if she wasn¡¯t skilled enough?¡± Curtis¡® face burned with embarrassment from the scolding. Soon, the police arrived at the scene. Joanne shook with fear, her whole body trembling. ¡°I don¡¯t want to go to jail! I don¡¯t want to! Curtis, please, save me! I don¡¯t¡­ I don¡¯t want to go to jail!¡± Helen¡¯s face only showed true fear now. She grabbed Curtis¡® arm and said, ¡°Curtis, don¡¯t let the police take me and Joanne away!¡± ???? ????s? ???????s ?? ?ovelFind Curtis hesitated, ncing at Chloe. ¡°Chloe, Mom is getting old, and Joanne is still young¡­ maybe we could just let this go¡­¡± Lena scoffed beside him. ¡°Young? Your sister isn¡¯t a kid anymore. And your mother? When she tried to hit Chloe just now, she didn¡¯t exactly look like she was old!¡± Ignoring Lena¡¯s sarcasm, Curtis looked at Chloe and continued, ¡°This is just a family matter, right? What do you think?¡± ¡°A family matter?¡± Chloe looked at Curtis standing in front of her and felt her heart sink deeper with every passing moment. She¡¯d hoped he would see what had happened in the room and stand by her, just for once, and seek justice for her. But no. Once again, all that awaited her was disappointment. Perhaps she¡¯d been let down too many times, because this time, her heart didn¡¯t even ache anymore. All she felt was a cold, bitter feeling as she realized things had yed out exactly the way she¡¯d expected. She refused to back down. ¡°You never treated me like family. So, how is this a family matter?¡± Chapter 27 A Show of Betrayal ¡°You¡¯re my wife. How could we not treat you like family?¡± Curtis shot back. ¡°Wife?¡± Chloe heard the word and found itughable. ¡°Curtis, if Sonya had been treated like this today, would you still have said that?¡± Curtis froze. Sonya chimed in, ¡°If it were me, I would never put Curtis in a difficult position. Chloe, you haven¡¯t even been physically harmed. Why are you being so aggressive?¡± ¡°Then I hope, if you ever find yourself in a situation like this, you can back up your words, Ms. Miller!¡± Chloe retorted bluntly. ¡°You¡­¡± Sonya red at her. ¡°Enough. Any further discussion can wait until we¡¯re at the police station,¡± the officers said. They dragged the two men, still wailing on the floor, out of the room, then turned toward Helen and Joanne. Joanne¡¯s fear intensified when she saw the handcuffs being snapped onto her wrists. ¡°I¡¯m innocent! It¡¯s not me¡­ It¡¯s not me!¡± she screamed. Seeing Curtis make no move to stop the police, she suddenly ran to Sonya, grabbing her arm. ¡°Sonya, help me! Mom and I only did this for you! You knew about everything that happened today!¡± Curtis froze at her words. ¡°Sonya, you¡­¡± Sonya¡¯s face went pale with panic. ¡°I¡­ I have nothing to do with this! I didn¡¯t know anything!¡± ¡°You knew! You said that money didn¡¯t have to go to Chloe, didn¡¯t you? Otherwise, why would Mom and I have done all this?¡± Joanne argued desperately. The two of them were now throwing me at each other, each trying to smear the other. ¡°Sonya, didn¡¯t you say earlier that you wouldn¡¯t put Curtis in a difficult position? Just admit you knew, and your ¡®boyfriend¡® wouldn¡¯t have to struggle!¡± Lena mocked. Sonya¡¯s face flushed bright red with anger. The words hit her like a p across the face. ¡°Curtis, believe me. I had nothing to do with this!¡± she pleaded, her eyes fixed on him. ¡°Sonya, how can you wash your hands of this? If we weren¡¯t trying to make it possible for you to marry Curtis, we wouldn¡¯t have done any of this!¡± Helen shouted angrily. Watching the scene unfold, Curtis felt an unbearable headacheing on. ¡°Take them all away!¡± the officers ordered. This time, they even took Sonya with them and then turned to Chloe. ¡°I¡¯ll take a friend¡¯s car to the police station to give my statement,¡± Chloe said. Chapter 27 A Show of Betrayal 374 Hearing her words, the officers nodded. After all, the police car they came in couldn¡¯t have fit that many people. Curtis left with the police, but before leaving, he gave Chloe a long, meaningful look. Once everyone was gone, Chloe and Lena took the elevator down, nning to head to the parking garage. Chloe was still catching her breath, feeling warmth spreading through her body. ¡°You¡¯re a little flushed. Are you really okay?¡± Lena asked, concerned. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine. Let¡¯s record the statement at the police station first,¡± Chloe replied, confident that her body could handle it. ¡°I¡¯ll drive over. Wait for me at the hotel entrance,¡± Lena said.. Chloe nodded. When the elevator reached the lobby, Lena wanted to apany her to the hotel entrance, but Chloe said, ¡°Just go to the parking garage on B1. It¡¯s only a few steps to the hotel entrance. I can handle the walk myself.¡± ¡°Alright then,¡± Lena agreed. Chloe reached the hotel entrance, feeling a wave of heat creeping through her body. The effects of the knockout smoke were stronger than she¡¯d anticipated. At that moment, a familiar, cool voice sounded behind her. ¡°Ms. Quall, what a coincidence. We meet again.¡± Chloe turned to see Brian¡¯s handsome face. It wasn¡¯t really a coincidence¨Cshe¡¯de specifically to return the clothes to Brian. But now that she¡¯d run into him, the clothes she needed to return were still in Lena¡¯s car. ¡°Are you waiting for someone, Ms. Quall?¡± Brian asked. ¡°Yes, a friend is driving me to the police station,¡± Chloe exined. Since Brian had also attended the banquet, he naturally knew what had happened. ¡°Then let me give you a ride,¡± Brian offered. Chloe was taken aback. Before she could respond, a silver¨Cgray Maybach stopped in front of her, and Brian grabbed her wrist, guiding her into the car. ¡°Wait!¡± Chloe said, trying to open the door and get out. But it was locked. The car pulled away from the hotel, and her left hand remained firmly in Brian¡¯s grasp, leaving her unable to break free. Chapter 27 A Show of Betrayal Not far away, Lena drove up to pick up Chloe. Her eyes widened in disbelief at the scene before her- Brian was pulling Chloe into his car, and Lena could only wonder where he was taking her. Inside the car, Chloe red at Brian. ¡°Mr. Steele, what are you doing?¡± Chapter After Divorce 28 28 Do You Want Me to Be Your Antidote ¡°I¡¯ll give you a ride there,¡± Brian said. Chloe refused. ¡°No need. Please have your driver stop here, Mr. Steele. I can go in my friend¡¯s car.¡± ¡°What if I insist?¡± Brian¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile, his long fingers still locked firmly around Chloe¡¯s wrist. His cool fingertips pressed against her overheated skin, sending a strange shiver through her. She frowned. ¡°Let go.¡± A glint flickered in Brian¡¯s eyes as the pads of his fingers brushed lightly against her wrist. ¡°Do you truly want me to let go?¡± Chloe shivered, a tingling numbness spreading from her wrist to her entire body. The restless heat inside her only grew stronger. ¡°Ms. Quall, you don¡¯t look well. Do you still want to go to the police station?¡± Brian¡¯s voice brushed against her ear. Chloe pressed her lips together, watching his thin lips move, and her throat suddenly felt dry. She wanted a sip of water. Or maybe she wanted something else. The restless heat burning inside her was a warning. The drug¡¯s haze was stronger than she¡¯d imagined. She needed to find a way to calm herself down first. ¡°If it¡¯s not too much trouble, Mr. Steele, could you take me to a hospital instead?¡± Chloe asked breathlessly, forcing her gaze away from him. Under the drug¡¯s influence, Brian seemed like an irresistible treat, making her ache to draw closer, to taste, to devour- ¡°Enough!¡± Chloe snapped at herself inwardly, forcing the thought away. ¡°Instead of going to the hospital, wouldn¡¯t it be quicker just to use the antidote?¡± Brian asked. ¡°Antidote?¡± Chloe blinked in confusion. ¡°I could be your antidote, Ms. Quall. What do you think?¡± His casual tone made it sound as though he were speaking of something utterly trivial. Chloe nearly choked on her own breath. Could the antidote he meant really be what she thought? In the front seat, Milton and William sat in stunned silence. Had they heard correctly? Had Brian just said that he could be Chloe¡¯s antidote? When had Brian ever spoken to a woman like that? He¡¯d always treated women with indifference. Once, a socialite from Corvessia had confessed her love to him and threatened to throw herself off a building if he refused to give her a chance. ¡°If I can¡¯t even have a chance at your love, then I might as well be dead,¡± the socialite had sobbed, tears streaking down her face. ¡°Then go ahead and jump,¡± Brian had replied, lighting a cigarette nonchntly as his gaze lingered on her. ¡°Because I will never love you.¡± The crowd had frozen when Brian suddenly seized the socialite and hauled her to the very edge of the rooftop terrace. ¡°If you don¡¯t dare to jump, should I give you a push?¡± Her face had drained of all color as she stumbled away, nearly tripping over herself in her desperate attempt to escape. From that moment on, the women who admired Brian no longer dared to make dramatic threats in front of him. Some even imed that a man like him would never love any woman at all. But now, Brian was actually willing to get involved with Chloe? The very idea was like a bolt of lightning. At that instant, Chloe felt as if she, too, had been struck. ¡°You don¡¯t mean¡­ using your body to neutralize the drug, do you?¡± she asked. ¡°Precisely.¡± Brian suddenly leaned in, his body tilting toward hers. ¡°I¡¯d like to think this body of mine is in pretty good shape. If you require it, you¡¯re wee to make use of it anytime.¡± Chloe was at a loss for words. She¡¯d never heard a man speak of such a thing in such lofty, almost transcendent terms. ¡°No, thank you. I don¡¯t need it.¡± Read full story at Find[F]ovel ¡°Are you certain you don¡¯t?¡± Brian¡¯s cool breath brushed against her face as his fingers slowly trailed upward along her arm. That chill tangled with the heat burning through her body, stoking a hunger she struggled to resist. Suppressing the rising desire coursing through her body, Chloe twisted her hand and seized Brian¡¯s wrist at the pulse point, her eyes zing. ¡°All I need, Mr. Steele, is for you to take me to the hospital!¡± Chloe was clearly running a fever and sensitive under the drug¡¯s influence. Yet, her gaze remained clear and unyielding, refusing to bow to her desire. Chapter 28 Do You Want Me to Be Your Antidote In that moment, Brian couldn¡¯t tear his eyes away from her face. His heart hammered harder than ever, as though something inside him was slowly beginning to shift. After a long silence, Brian let out a quietugh. ¡°All right. I¡¯ll take you to the hospital.¡± Curtis had never imagined that one day he would find himself entering a police station under such circumstances. The two men had already confessed that Helen and Joanne had paid them to carry out the act. Their phones even contained transfer records from Helen. In her statement, Helen kept insisting that she was innocent. She imed she¡¯d only given the men money and had never actually instructed them to do anything. On the other hand, Joanne repeatedly argued that Sonya had hinted at it and that she¡¯d only done it because she¡¯d wanted to help Sonya. Sonya, however, denied everything, saying she knew nothing. Inwardly, she cursed Helen and Joanne half to death. It was so typical of small¨Ctown people. They couldn¡¯t even handle something this simple! All the hints she¡¯d given them had beenpletely wasted. Curtis sat in the lobby of the police station, his mind in turmoil. He¡¯d initially hoped to use tonight¡¯s banquet as an opportunity to explore new partnerships. But after what had happened, there was no chance of that now. He wasn¡¯t even sure if the existing projects could be kept on track. Worse still, Green Tech¡¯s stock price was bound to take a serious hit. ¡°Oh, where¡¯s Chloe? Why hasn¡¯t she arrived yet?¡± Curtis asked the officer. ¡°Ms. Quall wasn¡¯t feeling well and went to the hospital first. We¡¯ll be sending officers there to take her statement,¡± the officer replied. Curtis froze, a wave of worry rising in his chest as he dialed Chloe¡¯s number. The call connected a momentter, but the voice on the other end was a man¡¯s. ¡°Curtis? Looking for Chloe?¡± ¡°Who is this?¡± The faintly familiar voice sent a ripple of unease through Curtis. ¡°Brian Steele.¡± His tone was as cold as steel. ¡°Where¡¯s Chloe? Why do you have her phone?¡± Curtis asked, his tone tight with anxiety. ¡°Oh, she¡¯s asleep. Do you need something? I can pass it along when she wakes up,¡± Brian said. Chapter 28 Do You Want Me to Be Your Antidote Curtis¡® grip on the phone tightened instantly. A sharp acheced with a bitter sting wed at his chest. He¡¯d always thought that a man like Brian would never spare Chloe a second nce. But now Chloe was asleep at Brian¡¯s side. What could that possibly mean? After Divorce 29 Chapter 29 So This Is What Marriage Has Done to You Curtis wasn¡¯t even sure how he ended the call. While his mind was still in turmoil, Sonya emerged from the interrogation room. ¡°Curtis, this really has nothing to do with me.¡± She rushed to exin things. ¡°I only heard your mom and sister talk about wanting you and Chloe to divorce. But I honestly had no idea they would go so far as to do something like this!¡± Curtis regarded her in silence. Sonya¡¯s frustration red. ¡°You don¡¯t believe me? Do you really think I would sink that low just to make you divorce her? If that¡¯s what you think, don¡¯t bothering to me again. At least that way I won¡¯t have to put up with everyone¡¯s judgment!¡± With that, she turned and walked away. Curtis quickly stepped forward, blocking her path. ¡°Sorry, Sonya. So much has happened today that my head¡¯s a mess,¡± he said, apologizing. A flicker crossed Sonya¡¯s eyes. ¡°Curtis, I want you to understand that I¡¯m not the kind of woman who schemes and frames others. If I truly wanted you to get a divorce, I would¡¯ve said it openly and directly.¡± The remorse in Curtis¡® gaze grew heavier. Of course. Sonya had always been a confident woman. She was decisive, bold, and unflinchingly upright. How could someone like her ever be entangled in something like this? Joanne must have panicked when things went wrong and dragged Sonya down with her in a desperate attempt to absolve herself of me. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have doubted you.¡± Curtis looked extremely guilty. ¡°It¡¯s all right. As long as you truly believe me, that¡¯s enough,¡± Sonya said. ¡°Of course, I believe you. You saved my life. How could I not trust you?¡± he replied. She smiled faintly at his words and lifted her hand, gently brushing aside the tousled strands of hair on his forehead. ¡°Yes, I saved your life. So how could you not believe me? Curtis, all I ask is that you never stop having faith in me.¡± Faith in her innocence¨Cand faith that she really had once saved his life. In the hospital¡¯s VIP ward, Brian set Chloe¡¯s phone on the bedside table and looked at her as shey in a drug¨Cinduced sleep from the sedative. Chapter 29 So This Is What Marriage Has Done to You Yet even in slumber, her rest was far from peaceful. Her fair skin flushed, hot to the touch, and faint, fragmented moans slipped past her lips every so often. It was only the drug burning through her system. Once it was fully metabolized, she would be fine. ¡°William, why do you think she turned me down? I could¡¯ve eased her pain in a much simpler way.¡± Brian¡¯s voice cut through the ward, making William, who stood behind him, straighten at once. ¡°Ms. Quall is still married. She¡¯s probably holding back because of that,¡± William said, carefully choosing his words. After all, if they had really resolved it Brian¡¯s way, wouldn¡¯t that amount to infidelity? But William also knew all too well that when it came to morality and propriety, Brian had never cared in the slightest. ¡°Then, would she agree if she got divorced and became single again?¡± Brian asked. For a moment, William had no idea how to respond. Fortunately, Brian hadn¡¯t really expected William to answer. He raised his hand and gently wiped the fine sheen of sweat from Chloe¡¯s forehead. ¡°What should I do? I can¡¯t stop wanting to keep her by my side.¡± He was eager to see just how many more intriguing surprises Chloe would reveal. William cast a sympathetic nce at the sleeping Chloe. To Brian, people had always fallen into two categories¨Cthe useful and the useless. Now, a third had emerged¨Cthose he desired. But for Chloe, that was hardly a blessing. When Chloe woke up, a wave of exhaustion washed over her, and her skin felt mmy from the heavy sweat that clung to her. ¡°You¡¯re awake?¡± A voice suddenly came from the side. Startled, she looked up to see Brian lounging casually on the couch not far from the bed. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± she asked. ¡°I brought you to the hospital. You were still unconscious, so of course I stayed,¡± Brian replied with ease. Chloe¡¯s thoughts drifted back to what had happened in the car and then to Brian bringing her here. After the treatment and a sedative, she¡¯d slipped into a heavy sleep. ¡°How long was I asleep?¡± she asked. Chapter 29 So This Is What Marriage Has Done to You Aside from the mmy stickiness clinging to her skin, the feverish heat had faded. The drug¡¯s effects must have finally worn off. ¡°18 hours,¡± Brian replied. ¡°What?¡± She froze, then eyed him warily. ¡°And you-¡± ¡°I stayed here with you for all 18 hours. Don¡¯t you think that deserves a thank you?¡± Brian asked. Chloe was at a loss for words. They weren¡¯t even friends, yet he¡¯d stayed in the hospital room with her the entire time. No wonder people called Brian a madman. He was utterly impossible to figure out. ¡°Well?¡± He arched a brow, still waiting for her gratitude. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said awkwardly. Shortly afterward, the doctor examined Chloe again. Once it was confirmed that she was fine, she was finally cleared to leave the hospital. Her phone had run out of battery, so she rented a power bank at the hospital to charge it. The moment it powered back on, more than a hundred missed calls and messages lit up the screen. There were calls and texts from Lena, from the police station, and from Curtis. Before she could open a single message, her phone rang again. Chloe answered, and Lena¡¯s voice burst through the line. ¡°You finally picked up! I was worried sick. That Brian guy wouldn¡¯t even let me into the hospital to see you. He didn¡¯t do anything to you, did he?¡± ¡°No, he just had the doctor treat me. I identally inhaled a bit ofced knockout smoke back in the hotel room. It affected me for a while, but I¡¯m fine now,¡± Chloe exined. Only then did Lena finally let out a breath of relief. ¡°What about now-¡± ¡°I¡¯m about to get discharged,¡± Chloe said. ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you at the entrance. You¡¯ll see me as soon as youe out,¡± Lena replied quickly. ¡°Alright,¡± Chloe answered. After hanging up, she turned to Brian. ¡°Oh, I almost forgot to mention, Mr. Steele. I had the clothes you gave me at the shopping mall dry¨Ccleaned. I was nning to return them to you in person at the banquet, but things didn¡¯t work out. Once I get home, I¡¯ll send them over to the Steele residence.¡± ¡°You¡¯re really going to refuse the things I give you?¡± Brian¡¯s gaze darkened slightly. ¡°The clothes are far too expensive. They¡¯re not suitable for me,¡± Chloe said. Chapter 29 So This Is What Marriage Has Done to You He fixed her with a steady gaze and, after a moment, said, ¡°Fine. But don¡¯t send it by courier. Since I gave it to you face¨Cto¨Cface, you should return it to me the same way.¡± ¡°Alright, then I¡¯ll go home today and-¡± ¡°I¡¯ll let you know when it¡¯s time to return them,¡± Brian interrupted tly. She was dumbfounded. She actually had to wait for his go¨Cahead just to return a single piece of clothing? Afterward, Chloepleted the discharge procedures. Since she had arrived in an evening gown, she bought a simple, inexpensive T¨Cshirt and pants from the hospital kiosk to change into. When she walked out of the hospital, Lena was waiting at the entrance. But beside her stood another person. This content belongs to fin?novel Before Chloe could even see who it was, the person suddenly rushed forward and pulled her into a tight embrace. ¡°Clo, so this is what marriage has done to you?¡± After Divorce 30 Chapter 30 Do I Have to Force Him to Divorce You Chloe¡¯s body stiffened. That voice¨Cit was Ethan! This update is avable on find{n}ovel Ethan had been her sidekick back in the military camp and different from everyone else. Aside from formal asions, when he addressed her as ¡°Captain¡°, he was the only one who ever called her ¡°Clo¡± in private. She lifted her gaze to look at the refined, handsome face before her. The features that had once seemed slightly youthful and naive had matured over the past three years, and the carefree energy of his youth had given way to aposed, understated grace. During the explosion incident at the shopping mall, she¡¯d called Ethan, who had then pulled strings and coordinated the evacuation of the mall. That had been their first phone call in three years. She thought it would still be a while before they crossed paths again, but she hadn¡¯t expected to meet him so suddenly. ¡°Why are you here with Lena?¡± Chloe asked, startled. ¡°Why do you think?¡± Lena shot her a weary look. ¡°When he found out what happened yesterday and couldn¡¯t reach you, he nearly lost his mind and came running to me.¡± If Chloe hadn¡¯t finally picked up the phone and walked out of the hospital, Lena suspected Ethan would have stormed the military district and called the army over to drag her out. Chloe pressed her lips together. With everything that had gone down yesterday, word had spread quickly. It wasn¡¯t surprising that Ethan knew, even if he hadn¡¯t been at the banquet. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m fine,¡± Chloe said, giving Ethan¡¯s shoulder a light pat. But he only held her tighter, unwilling to let go. ¡°I¡¯m sweaty and haven¡¯t even had a shower. I¡¯m a mess. Stop holding me and let go,¡± Chloe urged. ¡°Do you know how worried I wasst night? How much I hated myself for not realizing sooner that you¡¯d been nning to marry Curtis?¡± Ethan said quietly. ¡°If I¡¯d stopped you back then, before you married him, you wouldn¡¯t have had to go through all of this. And I wouldn¡¯t have¡­¡± His words trailed off. Chloe smiled bitterly. If she had the choice, she too wished she had never married Curtis. Chapter 30 Dot Have to Force Him to Divorce You Just then, Chloe¡¯s stomach gave a loud growl. ¡°You¡¯re hungry?¡± Ethan finally loosened his grip. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m starving,¡± she replied. Thinking back, she realized she hadn¡¯t eaten much since yesterday afternoon. ¡°Alright, since Chloe¡¯s fine now, let¡¯s find a ce to sit down and have a proper meal,¡± Lena suggested. With that, the three of them got into the car, slowly pulling away from the hospital. Not far away, in a silver¨Cgray Maybach parked by the roadside, Brian¡¯s gaze lingered on the direction Chloe¡¯s car had gone. Just moments ago, seeing her in another man¡¯s arms had stirred an unsettling difort within him. It felt as though something that had caught his interest was about to be stolen from him. Lowering his eyes, Brian gazed at his right hand, the same hand that had gripped Chloe¡¯s wrist so firmly just yesterday. His fingers slowly curled into a fist. He¡¯d never allowed anyone else to take what he wanted. Chloe, Ethan, and Lena arrived at a restaurant in the city center. Once they were seated, Chloe returned a call to the police station, letting them know she woulde by As Lena brought up Curtis, she clenched her teeth in fury. ¡°That bastard! I heard he¡¯s even trying to hire the topwyers in Corvessia for his mother and sister so they¡¯ll be let off the hook. Has he not even stopped to consider that what they did waspletely inhumane?¡± ¡°He won¡¯t find a goodwyer,¡± Ethan cut in, his voice ice¨Ccold. ¡°None of the four topw firms in Corvessia will touch his case.¡± Chloe paused, then recalled that Ethan¡¯s maternal family was a distinguished lineage ofwyers. His grandfather and uncle were towering figures in the legal field. Had his mother not been more passionate about mechanics and engineering, she would have probably be awyer as well. ¡°That¡¯s great!¡± Lenaughed. ¡°You¡¯ve turned out well, huh? No wonder Chloe doted on you back in the military and fussed over you like a mother hen.¡± Ethan lowered his gaze slightly. ¡°If Clo hadn¡¯t looked after me in the camp back then, I probably would¡¯ve washed out within a few months. She treated me well, so of course I want to repay her.¡± ¡°Not bad at all. I wish I had a younger brother like you,¡± Lena muttered. Then her eyes suddenly brightened. ¡°Chloe and I are the same age. Why don¡¯t I be your sworn sister too, so I can finally be an elder sister?¡± Ethan gave her a look that suggested she was out of her mind. ¡°You think you can be my sworn sister? Chapter 30 Do! Have to Force Him to Divorce You Can you carry me two miles to a hospital on a freezing winter night? Or knock me to the ground and keep me there until I admit defeat?¡± Lena rubbed her nose, speechless. Fine, she couldn¡¯t do any of that. ¡°Besides, not just anyone can be my sworn sister,¡± Ethan addedzily. The offhand words sent a chill down Lena¡¯s spine. Maybe it was because Ethan was so calm in front of Chloe, like a gentle, well¨Cbehaved dog, that she almost forgot he was actually Corvessia¡¯s so¨Ccalled ¡°tyrant¡°. No one could ever take advantage of him. And if anyone ever angered him, they were definitely in for serious trouble. ¡°Come on, Lena was just joking,¡± Chloe said. Ethan turned to her. ¡°Joke or not, you¡¯re the only one I¡¯ll ever recognize as my sworn sister.¡± Soon, the food arrived, and Chloe dug in immediately. She was really hungry, so she ate quickly. ¡°Take it slow, and don¡¯t choke,¡± Ethan said thoughtfully, serving her soup and cing all her favorite dishes in front of her. Lena rolled her eyes at his attentiveness. This man, supposedly Corvessia¡¯s tyrant, looked more like a golden retriever vying for attention. Once Chloe had eaten most of her meal, Ethan suddenly asked, ¡°When are you nning to get a divorce?¡± Chloe and Lena stared at Ethan in shock. After all, no one had told Ethan about Chloe¡¯s divorce ns. Ethan narrowed his eyes, grinding his teeth. ¡°I don¡¯t get it. After everything that¡¯s happened, you still don¡¯t n on getting a divorce? ¡°Do you really love Curtis that much? Do you love him so much that even if he¡¯s with other women, and even if his family treats you like that, you¡¯re willing to endure it all?¡± Chloe remained silent. Ethan¡¯s anger red. ¡°What¡¯s so good about Curtis that makes you cling to him like this? He¡¯s not the only man in the world, and he doesn¡¯t deserve a woman like you! ¡°Do I have to go over there myself and force him to divorce you?¡± ¡°I will divorce him,¡± Chloe said finally. Ethan, who had been fuming moments ago, suddenly froze, his expression shifting. ¡°That¡¯s right. I will divorce Curtis,¡± Chloe said, her gaze fixed on her ring finger. Chapter 30 Dol Have to Force Him to Divorce You The wedding ring she¡¯d once worn was long gone. ¡°Just like you said, Curtis isn¡¯t worth anything, so there¡¯s nothing for me to hold onto,¡± she murmured. The man who had onceforted her and given her warmth after her parents¡® death had long disappeared over the past three years. Her feelings for Curtis had gradually withered, fading little by little with each disappointment. And now, there was truly nothing left. Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> Go After Divorce 31 Chapter 31 We Shouldn¡¯t See Each Other Anymore Chapter 31 We Shouldn¡¯t See Each Other Anymore Ethan¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up. ¡°Alright, I can help you find the best legal team to handle your divorce,¡± he said. ¡°No, I¡¯ll take care of this myself,¡± Chloe replied. Ethan frowned. ¡°What¡¯s there to hesitate about?¡± The source of th?s content is ?ovelFind ¡°I¡¯m not hesitating,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°I just don¡¯t want the divorce to drag on. Once it goes to court, it won¡¯t be a quick process. If I truly run into any trouble, I¡¯lle to you for help.¡± Only then did his frown soften. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll be waiting for your good news.¡± After they finished their meal, Chloe went to the police station to give her statement, with Lena and Ethan insisting on apanying her. As a witness at the banquet, Lena also provided her own statement. Chloe learned from the police that Joanne and Helen were currently being detained. It would require a substantial bail to secure their release. The two men who had tried to attack Chloe had both confessed that they were acting under Joanne and Helen¡¯s orders. As for Sonya, with no concrete evidence against her, she only gave a statement at the station and was not taken into custody. After leaving the police station, Chloe intended to grab a cab home. ¡°I¡¯ll take you,¡± Ethan said. ¡°It¡¯s easier if I take a cab myself. Besides, you¡¯ve already spent plenty of time helping me today,¡± Chloe said. ¡°I¡¯ll take you!¡± Ethan insisted. ¡°Or do you dislike me, Clo? Don¡¯t want me to see you home?¡± Chloe looked at the man before her. At 22, themander had sent him to the military camp so he would toughen up. Back then, he¡¯d been a hothead, easily set off by the smallest thing. But now, he was calm andposed. Seeing him like this, she could feel how much time had passed. ¡°Don¡¯t say such things in anger. I haven¡¯t disliked you since the day you entered the camp,¡± Chloe said. A smile curved at the corner of Ethan¡¯s lips. ¡°Then let me take you.¡± Chloe sighed and turned to Lena. ¡°You go on ahead. Ethan will see me home.¡± Lena nodded. Watching the tall, imposing man open the car door for Chloe like a loyalpdog, she Chapter 31 We Shouldn¡¯t See Each Other Anymore couldn¡¯t help but shrug. If any of the Corvessian elite heirs saw their so¨Ccalled ¡°tyrant¡± acting like a submissive pup in front of a woman, who knew what they would think? Ethan walked Chloe to the gate of her vi. ¡°So this is where you live. It¡¯s not far from me,¡± he said. And yet, despite the proximity, they hadn¡¯t seen each other even once in the past three years. ¡°Corvessia isn¡¯t that big,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°Then I¡¯lle find you here from now on,¡± Ethan said. ¡°No,¡± Chloe said. Ethan¡¯s expression darkened. But what she said next brought a smile to his face. ¡°I¡¯m nning to move somewhere else. I won¡¯t be living here anymore,¡± she said. ¡°Alright then. When you do, just let me know. I¡¯ll help you move,¡± Ethan said cheerfully. After saying goodbye to Ethan, Chloe walked into her vi. As soon as she stepped inside, she saw Curtis standing by the door, his face cold as he red at her. ¡± Who brought you back just now? Brian?¡± Chloe frowned. ¡°No, he was a colleague from my old unit.¡± ¡°A colleague from the military?¡± Curtis scoffed, clearly assuming she was lying. ¡°Since when do your military colleagues have that kind of money? There¡¯s no way the car he drove costs less than a few million.¡± Chloe ignored him. All she wanted now was to take a shower. But Curtis grabbed her arm as she tried to walk past him and head upstairs. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Cat got your tongue? Chloe, you keep iming I had an affair with Sonya, but the one who actually cheated was you. When exactly did things start between you and Brian?¡± Chloe froze, taken aback that Curtis would even think of linking her to Brian. ¡°I have nothing to do with Brian, Curtis. Don¡¯t project your own filth onto me!¡± she snapped. Curtis¡® face flushed, and he shot back, ¡°If you¡¯re really innocent, then why did Brian answer the phone when I called you? And why did he say you were asleep? Were you sleeping next to him?¡± Chloe shook off Curtis¡® hand. ¡°I don¡¯t need to prove my innocence to you. As for why Brian answered your call to me¡­ You can thank your mother and sister for that. If it hadn¡¯t been for their disgusting schemes, he wouldn¡¯t have had to take me to the hospital and sedate me!¡± ¡°What?¡± Curtis was stunned. Chapter 31 We Shouldn¡¯t See Each Other Anymore Chloe ignored him and went upstairs to the bathroom, washing away the sweat and exhaustion clinging to her body. By the time she¡¯d changed and stepped out, Curtis was sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for her. ¡°Chloe, I¡¯m sorry. I know I shouldn¡¯t have doubted you earlier. I was just¡­ worried about you,¡± he said. ¡°Worried?¡± Chloe scoffed. ¡°Do you really think I¡¯d believe that?¡± A flicker of embarrassment crossed Curtis¡® face. ¡°No matter what, I know Mom and Joanne hurt you badly. But in the end, they¡¯re family. We could put this all behind us if you sign a letter of non¨Cprosecution.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not signing any letter of non¨Cprosecution, Curtis. I can¡¯t forgive something like this!¡± Chloe said firmly. A sh of displeasure crossed his face. ¡°This is my mother and sister we¡¯re talking about!¡± ¡°So what?¡± Chloe shot back. ¡°Just because they¡¯re your mother and sister, does that mean I have to forgive them no matter how they hurt me? Do you even realize what would have happened if they had seeded yesterday? ¡°I would have been at the mercy of two strangers, utterly humiliated, while Helen watched in satisfaction. Joanne would have filmed the entire thing and spread it online, all just to make sure I¡¯d be left with nothing! ¡°Do you expect me to forgive them for that? To just let it go?¡± Chloe¡¯s pointed questions left Curtis momentarily speechless. The disappointment and iciness in her eyes made his chest ache, as if something had struck him. After a long pause, he rasped, ¡°I promise nothing like this will ever happen again! Forgive them just this once! Mom is old, and she can¡¯t handle all this stress. And Joanne is still so young! She can¡¯t have a criminal record.¡± Chloe¡¯s red lips curled slightly. ¡°So¡­ I¡¯m the one who¡¯s supposed to be sacrificed?¡± A sudden wave of panic hit Curtis. Her detached demeanor made it feel as though she could walk away from him at any moment. ¡°Chloe, I¡¯ll be good to you. From now on, I¡¯ll be twice as good to you!¡± He stepped forward and pulled her into his arms. She leaned against him, remembering that this same man had said the exact same words when he proposed¨Cthat he would be good to her, and twice as good. But he had never taken responsibility for his promises. And she had only been blindly moved by them. She pushed him away and said calmly, ¡°Curtis, I¡¯m moving out. We shouldn¡¯t see each other anymore until our divorce is finalized.¡± After Divorce 32 Chapter 32 I Have No Feelings for You Anymore Chapter 32 I Have No Feelings for You Anymore Curtis¡® arms suddenly felt empty. The warmth that had been there was suddenly gone. ¡°You¡¯re moving out?¡± he eximed. ¡°Yes. You didn¡¯t really think that I¡¯d continue living here after everything that happened, did you?¡± Chloe replied. ¡°Besides, it won¡¯t be long before we get divorced. I¡¯m just moving out a few days early.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll be divorced in a few days?¡± he murmured. ¡°You¡¯re not talking about that ridiculous contract with Mom, are you? ¡°That signature¡­ She tricked me into signing it without my knowledge. I¡¯ve told you before, I never wanted a divorce!¡± At the police station, he¡¯d learned about the divorce agreement and Chloe¡¯s demand for a 100¨Cmillion- dor settlement from Helen. ¡°I don¡¯t care whether you knew or not. What matters is that I want a divorce from you right now,¡± Chloe said. ¡°Is it because of Brian? Because you¡¯ve found someone better than me?¡± A sh of jealousy crossed his eyes. Chloe regarded him with a wry smile. ¡°Curtis, when I married you, you were broke and had nothing. Even the startup funds for your business came from me. If I¡¯d truly wanted to climb up the socialdder, I wouldn¡¯t have married you!¡± Curtis¡¯s face drained of color. He remembered the days when he¡¯d just been a poor boy everyone looked Updates are released by find{n}ovel down on. Yet Chloe had treated him with enough respect to restore his confidence. Back then, when he proposed, it hadn¡¯t been entirely different from grabbing onto the only lifeline within his reach. ¡°Then why are we getting divorced if it¡¯s not because of Brian? For the 100 million dors Mom promised you?¡± he asked, staring at her. Chloe replied evenly, ¡°I¡¯m tired. This three¨Cyear marriage has worn me down andpletely drained any feelings I had for you. That¡¯s why I want a divorce.¡± Her tone was calm, and her expressionposed. Even the way she looked at him carried a quiet sense of serenity. But Curtis felt his heart race uncontrobly. A wave of panic spread from his chest to every limb, and a cold sweat formed in his palms. Chapter 321 Have No Feelings for You Anymore ¡°You¡­ have no feelings for me anymore?¡± Even he didn¡¯t realize it, but his voice was trembling slightly at that moment. ¡°Yes. I don¡¯t have any feelings left for you,¡± Chloe said. In an instant, Curtis¡® face darkened with anger. ¡°Just because of Mom and Joanne? Yes, they plotted against you. But haven¡¯t you been scheming against them too? ¡°How else could you have secretly recorded everything and yed it on the banquet hall¡¯s screen without their knowledge? You didn¡¯t have to go that far! ¡°You could have told me sooner! Things wouldn¡¯t have gotten this bad!¡± Curtis roared, unleashing the frustration that had been building inside him. ¡°I called you,¡± Chloe said suddenly. ¡°What?¡± Curtis froze. ¡°When Helen and Joanne first tried to use those despicable tactics against me, I called you. If you¡¯d answered then, I wouldn¡¯t have ended up here. Things might have ended the way you wanted. But you didn¡¯t pick up,¡± Chloe said. Curtis stiffened. He suddenly remembered that, just before the scene from the room was broadcast on the banquet hall¡¯s screen, he¡¯d indeed received a call from Chloe. But at that moment, he¡¯d feared that she might make a scene, and besides, Sonya had been with him too. So, he¡¯d hung up immediately. If only he¡¯d answered that call¡­ In an instant, his heart filled with regret. ¡°Chloe, I didn¡¯t know¡­ I was busy with other things at the time, so¡­¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t answer my calls because, deep down, you never truly cared about me. My calls didn¡¯t matter to you, and that¡¯s why even your family showed me no respect!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± He kept apologizing. But her expression remained calm. ¡°Honestly, even if yesterday hadn¡¯t happened, I don¡¯t have any feelings for you anymore, Curtis. Let¡¯s just part ways amicably.¡± Her tone was detached, as if she were stating a simple fact. And the calmer she appeared, the more humiliated Curtis felt. How could she speak of divorce so calmly and say she no longer had any feelings for him? Did three years of marriage mean nothing to her? ¡°What do you mean ¡®part ways amicably¡®? Or is it that you want a divorce from me just for the 100 million Chapter 32 I Have No Feelings for You Anymore dors?¡± His gaze was heavy and conflicted as he stared at her. Chloe let out a mockingugh. ¡°Fine. You don¡¯t have to give me the money. We¡¯re still getting divorced.¡± Curtis was stunned. He¡¯d expected her to hesitate at least a little, but she¡¯d agreed so decisively. In other words, she truly wanted a divorce. And that realization only made him feel more humiliated. ¡°If you really divorce me, you¡¯ll end up with nothing! You¡¯d better think this through.¡± Having said that, he practically fled the vi, as if he was afraid of hearing an answer he didn¡¯t want. The room fell silent. Chloe looked around the vi. It was time to move, but she hadn¡¯t umted much in this house anyway. Over the next two days, Curtis was busy with raising funds for Helen and Joanne¡¯s bail and searching for Since Chloe had refused to sign a letter of non¨Cprosecution, Helen and Joanne would be taken to court. Even if they ultimately received a suspended sentence, they would still have a criminal record. It was something he absolutely couldn¡¯t bear to see. But none of Corvessia¡¯s four topw firms were willing to take the case, leaving him restless and barely able to sleep these past couple of days. At the club, Curtis drank irritably. ¡°Don¡¯t drink too much,¡± Sonya said with concern. ¡°As for your mother and Joanne¡­ we can figure something out. I can ask Uncle Wayne if he knows anywyers who might be willing to help.¡± Curtis looked at her with gratitude. ¡°Sonya, thank you. After everything Joanne did to you, you¡¯re still willing to help her.¡± ¡°What are you talking about? I¡¯m not that petty. Joanne is your sister. I don¡¯t hold grudges over things like this,¡± Sonya replied, her tone calm and gracious. Luke praised from the side, ¡°That¡¯s why I say, a magnanimous woman like Sonya is far better than a petty one like Chloe. If she hadn¡¯t made such a big scene, your mother and Joanne wouldn¡¯t still be in custody.¡± Curtis frowned, ¡°Enough. Stop talking about Chloe.¡± Just then, Sonya spotted her Wayne walking into the club with another man. Her eyes lit up, and she quickly turned to Curtis. ¡°I see my uncle! Let¡¯s go greet him. The man with him is quite influential. Anywyer in Corvessia would show him respect. If he¡¯s willing to help, you won¡¯t have to worry about finding a goodwyer.¡± After Divorce 33 Chapter 33 A p in the Face Curtis froze. ¡°That man is¡­¡± ¡°He¡¯s Ethan Hughes, one of Corvessia¡¯s most notorious tyrants. He recently returned to the country. He¡¯s well¨Cconnected andes from a powerful family, so you don¡¯t want to mess with him. ¡°But if you manage to befriend him, you could throw your weight around in Corvessia, and no one would dare oppose you,¡± Sonya exined. Curtis¡® heart stirred at her words. ¡°Isn¡¯t yourpany short on funds right now? If Ethan is willing to help, getting a loan from the bank would just be a matter of him saying the word,¡± she added. Curtis instantly felt eager. Beside him, Luke couldn¡¯t help clicking his tongue. ¡°He¡¯s already that impressive at his age!¡± ¡°Some people are just born lucky because of the family they¡¯re born into.¡± Sonya sniffed, her tone carrying a faint trace of envy and disdain. Ethan was the only son of the Hughes family. His father was Corvessia¡¯s top leader, and his mother was an academician. The Hughes family was a long¨Cstanding military household, and his mother came from a family of prominentwyers. Such a strong alliance made Ethan exceptional by nature. It was the opposite of her. Although she could im to be a daughter of the Miller family, the Miller family¡¯s fortune and powery primarily with her eldest uncle¡¯s side of the family. Her own family only survived on whatever scraps they could scavenge. The rightful source is Find[F]ovel Sonya had wed her way upward and finally be a female captain, earning a ce of her own in the Miller family. But it wasn¡¯t enough. Being a female captain gave her a reputation, but it didn¡¯t bring her real wealth. That was why she needed to secure Curtis. Green Tech was a legend in the tech industry. In just three short years, it had gone from a tiny startup to a sessful listedpany. Its future achievements were boundless, and it was very likely to surpass even Miller Group. That gave her hope. If she could lock Curtis down, no one in the Miller family would dare look down on her again. With that thought, Sonya looped her arm through Curtis¡® and led him toward Wayne¡¯s private room. Luke trailed after them with a grin. ¡°Who knows, maybe Mr. Hughes will take a liking to me, and we¡¯ll be friends!¡± Chapter 33 A p in the Face Sonya smiled faintly, though inwardly she sneered. Luke was nothing more than Curtis¡® broke buddy. If Curtis hadn¡¯t given him some business to handle and thrown him a bit of money, he would probably still be a car mechanic. It was ridiculous for someone like him to even think about befriending Ethan. Soon, the three of them arrived at the private room Wayne and Ethan had just gone into. ¡°Uncle Wayne, I saw you and Mr. Hughese in, so I brought Curtis and his friend over to greet you,¡± Sonya said with a bright smile. ¡°Ah, Sonya.¡± Wayne chuckled. ¡°Mr. Hughes, this is the niece I mentioned earlier. She¡¯s AeroQuest Airlines¡® first female captain. Perhaps one day, when you fly with AeroQuest, Sonya will be the one piloting the ne.¡± The people around them chimed in with praise. ¡°Ms. Miller is truly remarkable to be AeroQuest Airlines¡® first female captain.¡± ¡°The Miller family¡¯s daughter is naturally a cut above ordinary women.¡± Sonya basked in theirpliments. To her, this was the best reward for the hardships she¡¯d endured to earn her captaincy. ¡°Not at all,¡± she said, feigning humility. ¡°I was just lucky to be AeroQuest Airlines¡® first female captain.¡± ¡°You were indeed lucky.¡± Azy voice rose. Ethan was staring straight at Sonya. ¡°I heard that back when you were still just a regr pilot, you were sent overseas to deliver relief supplies. Your co¨Cpilot died in an ident abroad, and you assisted the captain in bringing many of our people home. ¡°That¡¯s the only reason you were promoted to co¨Cpilot. Otherwise, with your qualifications, it would¡¯ve been impossible to move up so quickly.¡± Sonya¡¯s expression shifted instantly. That meant Ethan had investigated her. But why? She¡¯d never had any dealings with him before. ¡°Not everyone can earn such merits.¡± Someone tried to smooth things over. ¡°And back then, Ms. Miller went into a war¨Ctorn country to provide aid. That courage is something few women could match.¡± Ethan sneered. ¡°Then you clearly haven¡¯t seen many women.¡± The man who¡¯d spoken up instantly fell silent. Sonya tilted her chin, displeased. She knew that Ethan wasn¡¯t someone she could afford to offend, but she couldn¡¯t stomach having her hard¨Cwon achievements dismissed with a few casual words. Chapter 33 A p in the Face ¡°Mr. Hughes, while I admit luck yed a role in me bing a captain, not every woman could seize that opportunity. Many women, even with the same luck, still couldn¡¯t be captains,¡± Sonya replied. ¡°So, is bing a captain such a big deal?¡± Ethan asked with a mocking smile. ¡°There are plenty of women in the military who can fly nes. ¡°Before I met you, Ms. Miller, I thought you were a self¨Creliant woman. But now it seems you think you¡¯re extraordinary just because you can fly a ne.¡± But he¡¯d seen truly extraordinary people. Women who piloted fighter jets through clouds of artillery fire, charging forward without hesitation to save civilians and fellow soldiers. Women who were ready to sacrifice themselves at any moment. As he thought of Chloe, Ethan¡¯s heart warmed unconsciously: Sonya¡¯s face flushed red and then paled. Ethan¡¯s words were like a sharp p across her face. The others fell into awkward silence, not daring to speak further. Fortunately, Curtis broke in to cut the tension. ¡°Mr. Hughes, hello. I¡¯m Curtis Green from Green Tech. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you today.¡± Wayne hurriedly added, ¡°Mr. Hughes, you¡¯ve just returned to the country, so you may not know. Curtis is a rising star in the tech world. In just three years, hispany went from a small firm to apany that went public sessfully. ¡°I hope in the future we¡¯ll have the chance to work together,¡± Curtis said. ¡°Mr. Green, you¡¯re young and promising. You will surely have opportunities to coborate with Mr. Hughes, ¡°Wayne said. Since Sonya was close with Curtis, Wayne figured helping Curtis would be beneficial to the Miller family as well. ¡°Young and promising?¡± Ethan let out a derisiveugh. ¡°Mr. Miller, are you kidding? You¡¯re calling someone who cheated on his wife ¡®young and promising¡°?¡± At once, everyone¡¯s expressions changed, and all eyes turned toward Sonya and Curtis. After all, the scandal at that banquet had already spread like wildfire among the upper circles. The big screen has exposed Helen and Joanne scheming to frame Chloe just to force them to divorce and have Curtis marry Sonya. Curtis¡® and Sonya¡¯s faces both flushed scarlet. Wayne quickly tried to exin, ¡°It¡¯s a misunderstanding, Mr. Hughes. It was all just a misunderstanding.¡± ¡°Yeah, Sonya and I are just friends,¡± Curtis added. ¡°Friends? You two seem like pretty close friends, I¡¯d say. I heard thatst month, while your wife went Chapter 33 A p in the Face alone to collect the ashes of her parents who died abroad, you were busy apanying this friend of yours.¡± Ethan¡¯s words were loaded with meaning. 1 im Bonus For Free Every Day>> After Divorce 34 Chapter 34 Curtis¡® heart jolted. How did Ethan know about that incident? ¡°At that time, Sonya¡¯s mother suddenly got injured. It all happened so fast. I was helping take her to the hospital, so I couldn¡¯t go with my wife to bring back her parents¡® ashes,¡± Curtis exined. ¡°Injured? Does twisting an ankle count as a serious injury? It looks like your friend¡¯s mother mattered far more than your wife¡¯s parents,¡± Ethan said coldly. Most of the people present were seasoned yers. In this circle, who would believe they were ¡°just friends¡°? It was even harder to believe it since Curtis had deliberately kept his marriage a secret, letting others think he was a bachelor. Moreover, the Hughes family was renowned for their devotion to their spouses. Cheating was taboo in their family. Naturally, Ethan despised adulterers the most. Now, when people looked at Curtis and Sonya, their gazes even carried a hint of sympathy. They knew the two hade here today hoping to build a connection with Ethan. But now, forget forming a connection¨Cjust avoiding his disgust would be a blessing. Sweat beaded on Curtis¡® forehead. Ethan was clearly younger than him, yet his intense gaze sent a chill down Curtis¡® spine. ¡°The dead can¡¯tpare to the living,¡± Luke suddenly chimed in. ¡°It¡¯s not like you need two people to pick up ashes. Sonya¡¯s mother twisted her ankle. Who could¡¯ve known how severe it was? Curtis was just being kind!¡± Ethan¡¯s eyes shed with a sudden burst of icy light. He stood up abruptly, striding straight to Luke and barking, ¡°What did you just say?¡± Still oblivious to the danger looming over him, Luke replied, ¡°I said the dead can¡¯tpare to the living. Chloe¡¯s parents have been dead for three years now. Why should Curtis have to abandon an injured person just so he can go with Chloe to pick up some ashes-¡± Just then, the sharp crack of a p rang out. Ethan¡¯s blow sent Luke staggering, and he nearly crashed into the side of the table. ¡°Mr. Hughes, you¡¯ve gone too far!¡± Curtis said, stepping in. After all, Luke was his friend. ¡°Too far?¡± Ethan¡¯s face was aze with fury. ¡°I haven¡¯t even hit him enough yet!¡± With that, he kicked Luke hard, sending him sprawling on the floor. Luke struggled to get up, but Ethan stomped viciously on his chest, pinning him there. Curtis rushed forward. ¡°Mr. Hughes, what are you doing?¡± ¡°What am I doing? Beating a monster! Only a monster would say something like that!¡± Ethan¡¯s voice was like ice. ¡°Does he think he¡¯s even worthy of talking about Chloe¡¯s parents?¡± ¡°W¨CWhat¡¯s so wrong with that? We can¡¯t even talk about Chloe¡¯s parents now?¡± Luke gasped, still struggling. ¡°And what is with Chloe, anyway? She¡¯s been married to Curtis for three years, justzing around and wasting away. ¡°Everyone knows Sonya is the better choice! And Mr. Hughes, you¡¯re not actually letting gossip fool you into sympathizing with Chloe, are you? That woman isn¡¯t worth pitying at all!¡± Luke spoke desperately, partly to speak up for Curtis and partly to make Curtis feel indebted to him. After all, his smallpany had survived only because Green Tech had given him some projects to earn money from. Ethanughed in sheer fury. Chloe was of utmost importance to him, and yet, Luke¡¯s words had reduced her to this. And what was even more ridiculous was that her own husband, Curtis, hadn¡¯t spoken a single word in her defense. ¡°Do you also think your wife isn¡¯t as good as Sonya?¡± Ethan¡¯s eyes were cold as they locked on Curtis. Curtis hesitated. ¡°In terms of temperament and ability, Chloe really isn¡¯t as good as Sonya. But no matter what, she¡¯s still my wife. Even if she can¡¯t do much, I don¡¯t mind.¡± Ethan lifted his foot off Luke¡¯s chest and turned his frigid gaze on Curtis. ¡°She can¡¯t do much? What do you even know about her abilities? Without her help, do you think your littlepany would¡¯ve gone public in three years?¡± ¡°That¡¯s because Curtis had sharp vision, urate judgment, and outstanding ability,¡± Sonya interjected. Ethan fixed his stare on Curtis. Curtis answered with silence, which only showed that he believed the same. After all, he¡¯d built his business from scratch. He credited himself for all of his achievements and the Ethan sneered, ¡°Curtis, you¡¯d be nothing without Chloe. The vision, the ability that you¡¯re so proud of, was all because she was helping you.¡± ¡°What?¡± Curtis was stunned. ¡°Mr. Hughes, even if you want to speak up for Chloe, you can¡¯t belittle Curtis like that,¡± Sonya protested. ¡°Exactly! What kind of ability does Chloe even have to help Curtis?¡± Luke said, mbering up from the floor. However, after being struck by Ethan earlier, his voice was now much weaker. Checktest chapters at f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l? ¡°What kind of ability does Chloe have?¡± Ethan gave a cold snort, his gaze full of contempt for the people before him. ¡°Back in the military, her research achievements upgraded and modernized the security systems. ¡°In the field of drone applications, she was one of the top experts. If she hadn¡¯t retired, who knows how many awards she would already have by now for her work on drones!¡± His words left everyone stunned. Luke¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Impossible! How could Chloe possibly do all that?¡± ¡°What, do you think I¡¯m lying?¡± Ethan snarled. Silence fell in the room. As the eldest son of the Hughes family, Ethan had no reason to lie for a woman¡¯s sake. Curtis¡® face burned with humiliation. Ethan was basically telling everyone that Green Tech¡¯s sess had been built on Chloe¡¯s back. That Curtis had only be a rising star in the tech industry because of Chloe. He wanted to refute it, but when he tried, the words died in his throat. Scenes of working alongside Chloe shed in his mind. Whenever he had trouble making a decision, Chloe had always given him pointers. And more than a few projects thepany hadnded had been won through her efforts. He had always thought it was just his good luck that Chloe had been so effective in securing those deals. But¡­ what if luck had nothing to do with it? What if it had been Chloe all along? A cold sweat broke out along his back, a creeping chill slowly enveloping him. ¡°A rising star in tech? What a load of crap!¡± Ethan spat. ¡°Curtis, you ought to thank Chloe for standing by you for three years. But she has bad judgment. Imagine sacrificing so much for a man like you. ¡°And you, the one reaping the benefits -not only do you have no idea, but you actually think it¡¯s actually due to your own abilities.¡± And yet, he had no idea how to fight back. Ethan turned to Wayne. ¡°It looks like I won¡¯t be staying for drinks today. I¡¯ll head out first.¡± ¡°Y¨CYes, of course,¡± Wayne answered hastily. At this point, he only hoped that the Miller family hadn¡¯t truly offended this young tyrant. Just as Ethan was about to step out of the room, he suddenly turned back to Curtis. ¡°Oh, right. The legal quadrumvirate won¡¯t be taking your mother¡¯s and sister¡¯s case. You have my word on that.¡± Curtis¡® pupils shrank in an instant. Chapter After Divorce 35 35 He Once Cried for Her Could it be that Ethan was the reason Curtis hadn¡¯t been able to find awyer? But why would Ethan do that? Was it to help Chloe? Was it out of sympathy or for some other reason? And clearly, Ethan knew a lot about Chloe. He was even aware of her military research achievements and that she was an expert on drones. Yet, as her husband, Curtis himself knew nothing. All of a sudden, Curtis remembered what Morgan had said, ¡°Mr. Green, you really don¡¯t know your wife at all!¡± At this moment, those words struck him with a far deeper meaning. After Ethan left, the others naturally found excuses to slip away as well. Wayne looked at Sonya and Curtis with displeasure. ¡°Mr. Hughes once served in the military. From the way he spoke just now, it seems like Chloe also served. Maybe the two of them share some history.¡± Sonya¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Uncle Wayne, are you saying that Mr. Hughes and Chloe know each other and that they may even be close?¡± ¡°The tyrant from the Hughes family isn¡¯t the kind of man to stand up for just anyone,¡± Wayne said meaningfully. ¡°Mr. Green, I¡¯d advise you to avoid showing your face in front of Mr. Hughes as much as possible from now on.¡± Curtis¡® face turned pale. The once lively private room was suddenly quiet, with only Curtis, Sonya, and Luke there. Luke rubbed his aching chest and grumbled, ¡°That Chloe really has some tricks, huh? She even got another man to stand up for her. A man and a woman being that close¡­ huh, I¡¯d say they must be sleeping together too!¡± ¡°Luke!¡± Curtis snapped sharply. ¡°Chloe is my wife. Show some respect when you speak of her!¡± Luke froze, then protested in dissatisfaction, ¡°What¡¯s with you? It¡¯s not like this is the first time I¡¯ve talked about Chloe. You¡¯ve never spoken to me like this before! ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you actually believe Ethan¡¯s nonsense about yourpany going public thanks to Chloe? If she¡¯s really some kind of expert, I¡¯ll eat shit!¡± Luke was the same as ever, making it clear that he looked down on Chloe. But Curtis and Sonya weren¡¯t like Luke. They both knew full well that someone like Ethan had no reason to lie about this. ¡°Enough. I¡¯ll call a car for you. You should go get checked at the hospital,¡± Curtis said to Luke. The three left the club. Once Luke got into the car and left, Curtis looked at Sonya bitterly. ¡°I must have disappointed you.¡± ¡°Of course not,¡± Sonya said. ¡°But Chloe really is something¡­ She married you, yet still deliberately kept her past military research achievements hidden. If she really is an expert in drones, she should have some patents, right? If it were me, I¡¯d definitely use those patents to help yourpany grow.¡± Curtis froze. Patents? If there really were patents from her research, and they could be integrated into thepany¡¯s development, then¡­ His eyes suddenly lit up. ¡°As for thewyer issue, I¡¯ll think of something for you. Even if the legal quadrumvirate won¡¯t take the case, there will still be otherwyers willing to handle your mother¡¯s and sister¡¯swsuits. Don¡¯t worry too much,¡± Sonya added. ¡°Thank you, Sonya,¡± Curtis said gratefully. ¡°I just want what¡¯s best for you,¡± she replied. He was the man she¡¯d chosen, so she would definitely help him. After all, she could only thrive if he thrived. Chloe had finished packing her things in the vi and ced them in the trunk of the car. Three long years of marriage, yet she had pitifully few belongings. Lena came to pick her up. ¡°I thought you¡¯d call Ethan to help you move stuff when you decided to leave this ce.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a few things. There¡¯s no need to trouble him,¡± Chloe said. Ethan had indeed offered to help when she¡¯d mentioned moving out. But with just a single suitcase, there was really no need to call someone else over. ¡°Ha, then won¡¯t he feel like you¡¯ve ditched him again? He might end up crying,¡± Lena teased. ¡°Crying?¡± Chloe raised a brow. ¡°He¡¯s a grown man. Would he really cry?¡± ¡°Pft! Back when you and Curtis got your marriage certificate, Ethan only found out afterward. At a dinner not long after, he actually cried his eyes out in front of everyone, bawling about how you had no taste in men and wondering how you could¡¯ve fallen for a guy like Curtis!¡± Lena recalled. Chloe was stunned. Back in the military, no matter how much hardship or injury Ethan endured, he had never shed a single tear. Chapter 35 He Once Cried for Her And yet, ording to Lena, he¡¯d cried his heart out all because of her marriage? ¡°But honestly, he wasn¡¯t wrong. He said you had no eye for men, and he was right. Curtis really is trash,¡± Lena added. ¡°Enough. Just drive,¡± Chloe said, sliding into the passenger seat. She nned to stay with Lena for a few days. Once she returned to her hometown to bury Jenna and Walter¡¯s ashes, she woulde back to Corvessia and slowly look for a ce. ¡°Alright!¡± Lena started the car and headed toward her ce. ¡°Oh, and don¡¯t you dare mention what I said about Ethan crying. Back then, he bribed me plenty just to keep me from telling you.¡± Fresh chapters posted on fin?novel ¡°What did he bribe you with?¡± Chloe asked curiously. ¡°He gave me pictures of his youngest uncle sleeping. Shirtless ones too,¡± Lena said. Chloe almost choked on her own saliva. ¡°You were interested in Ethan¡¯s youngest uncle?¡± Lena grinned. ¡°Back then, yeah. Butter, I lost interest. Men are a dime a dozen. Why should I tie myself down to just one?¡± Chloe caught the faint hint of sorrow in Lena¡¯s eyes, but she didn¡¯t press further. She only knew that before her marriage, Lena had once fallen hard for Ethan¡¯s uncle at first sight. He was awyer, aloof and cold, so it had always been Lena chasing after him one¨Csidedly. Butter, Chloe had heard less and less from Lena about him. Especially in thest two years, Lena hadn¡¯t mentioned Ethan¡¯s uncle at all. Just then, Chloe¡¯s phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number. But when she picked up, Brian¡¯s voice came through. ¡°Ms. Quall, if you¡¯d like to return the clothes, you cane to the shooting range now.¡± ¡°The shooting range?¡± Chloe was startled. ¡°Yes. I¡¯m free now. But if you¡¯re busy, then it¡¯s fine,¡± he said. ¡°No, I¡¯m free. I¡¯lle over now,¡± she replied quickly. She didn¡¯t want any more entanglements with Brian. Returning the clothes would put an end to it. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll send you the address,¡± Brian said. After the call ended, Chloe received a text with the exact location. ¡°Lena, pull over here. I need to meet Brian. Can you take my luggage to your ce first?¡± Chloe asked. Lena was shocked. ¡°That call was from Brian? What does he want with you?¡± ¡°I need to return his clothes,¡± Chloe answered. After Divorce 36 Chapter 36 You¡¯re Not Allowed to Lay a Hand on Him Chloe arrived at the shooting range Brian had mentioned. This kind of high¨Cend, members¨Conly shooting range wasn¡¯t a ce just anyone could walk into. William was already waiting outside. The moment he saw Chloe, he stepped forward immediately. ¡°Mr. Steele asked me to bring you in, Ms. Quall.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Chloe said politely. ¡°Not at all.¡± William¡¯s voice carried a trace of deference. As Brian¡¯s secretary, he¡¯d never shown such respect to many of Coverssia¡¯s wealthy second- or third- generation heirs. Chloe wasn¡¯t some high¨Csociety socialite of Corvessia, but she was someone Brian clearly valued. In all the years William had been by Brian¡¯s side, this was the first time he had ever seen his boss take an interest in a woman! Even if that woman happened to be married. But whether she was married or not probably didn¡¯t matter to Brian. If it were someone he wanted, then even if she were a princess of another country, he would have ways of getting her. ¡°Ms. Quall, this way, please.¡± William led Chloe forward. Because the shooting range was outdoors, the sound of gunfire asionally rang through the air. Chloe¡¯s expression remained steady. She was very familiar with gunshots. Back in the military, shooting practice had been part of her daily training. Chloe finally saw Brian. He was dressed in sleek, simple ck, wearing earmuffs, and holding a gun with one hand, aiming steadily at the bullseye. Gunshots cracked through the air, but his body didn¡¯t waver at all. It was clear he was an experienced shooter. His stance was impable, almost like a painting, and his scores were high. When the round finished, Brian lowered the gun, removed his earmuffs, and looked at Chloe. ¡°You¡¯re here. You came faster than I expected.¡± ¡°These are the clothes you lent mest time, Mr. Steele.¡± Chloe stepped forward and handed over the freshly dry¨Ccleaned and folded clothes. Brian gave the items a cursory nce, and William quickly stepped up to take them. ¡°I¡¯ll get going then. I won¡¯t disturb you further,¡± Chloe said as she turned to leave. Chapter 36 You¡¯re Not Allowed to Lay a Hand on Him But Brian suddenly spoke. ¡°Since you¡¯re here, why not shoot a few rounds? Consider it your way of thanking me for lending you the clothes.¡± Chloe pressed her lips together. ¡°How many rounds?¡± ¡°Five rounds. Ten shots each,¡± he replied. A staff member came over and ced a gun, bullets, and earmuffs in front of Chloe. She lowered her gaze to the weapon, and a familiar feeling washed over her. Her hands moved smoothly, checking the pistol, loading the bullets, and then slipping on the earmuffs. Even though she hadn¡¯t touched a gun since leaving the military, the movements were etched into her very bones. She carried them out with wless ease. Chloe lifted the pistol, aiming at the distant target. She aimed and fired. A sharp crack echoed. Her eyes were locked on the target, her expression steady, and her presence edged with danger. It was the edge that belonged to a soldier. Even though she was retired, that presence still clung to her. Brian stared at the woman beside him, momentarily dazzled. It reminded him of long ago, when he¡¯d just been a little boy. In a foreignnd torn apart by war, he¡¯d been separated from his parents. He¡¯d thought he would die there. But then, a small hand had struggled to move the rubble pressing down on him, pulling him out from the ruins. Back then, too, he had felt this same dazzling light. Soon, one round wasplete. Then, the second and third followed¡­ Chloe and Brian took turns shooting. Their scores were nearly identical. When all five rounds were over, Chloe set the gun down and exhaled deeply. Though she¡¯d only done it to humor Brian, the five rounds had helped her find a long¨Clost, exhrating sense of release. ¡°You¡¯re the best shooter I¡¯ve ever seen among women,¡± Brian said. ¡°Thank you,¡± she replied politely. ¡°But there are many women who shoot better than I do in the military. I can¡¯t im to be the best.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t help but wonder why a woman like you would have chosen Curtis back then,¡± he prompted. Her face darkened slightly. ¡°That¡¯s my personal business. I don¡¯t think I need to exin it.¡± ¡°If I don¡¯t like Curtis and decide to make a move against him, what would you do?¡± Brian pressed. ¡°Who you target is your choice. I won¡¯t do anything,¡± she replied coolly. ¡°So, you don¡¯t care about Curtis anymore?¡± His eyes bore into her. Chloe didn¡¯t answer. She only turned and started to leave. But after just two steps, Brian¡¯s voice rang behind her. ¡°You don¡¯t care about Curtis anymore, but what about Ethan?¡± She froze. Ethan¡­ How did Brian know she knew him? ¡°If I were to make a move against him, what would you do? I¡¯m really curious.¡± His smooth voice was Chloe¡¯s fists clenched tightly. In the next instant, she spun around and closed the distance in a heartbeat. Grabbing Brian by the cor, she red at him, her eyes zing with fury. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare touch Ethan!¡± It was a warning¨Cno, a threat. William paled in shock. No one in Corvessia would dare grab Brian by the cor. If they did, they were practically begging to have their hands cut off. He started forward to intervene, but Brian¡¯s cold nce made him stop in his tracks. He was warning William against interfering. Brian¡¯s gaze stayed fixed on Chloe. Her gentle eyes now zed with fury, like the burning sun. And yet, that scorching fire was for another man. It was unbearably irritating. ¡°Do you hear me? Don¡¯t go after Ethan! He¡¯s not your ything!¡± Chloe sounded beyond enraged. Brian narrowed his eyes slightly, his mood darkening even further. ¡°Then, what about you? Can you stay by my side and keep mepany for a while?¡± he asked. Chloe blinked, caught off guard. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Fresh chapters posted on Find¡ïNovel ¡°If I don¡¯t go after Ethan, then you stay with me. How about it?¡± he said. If that happened, maybe his interest in her would fade. It was an outrageous thing to say, but he said it calmly, as though it were the most ordinary thing in the world. Chloe¡¯s anger only intensified. What did Brian take her for? Just as she was about to speak, a voice suddenly rang out behind her. ¡°It seems like I came at just the right time. If you want toe at me, then go ahead. But as for Clo staying with you, keep dreaming!¡± V After Divorce 37 Chapter 37 Will He Be the Prey? Chloe was startled. Why was Ethan here? In no time, Ethan had already walked to her side. ¡°Clo, I heard from Lena that you came here, so I came to pick you up. Did you return the clothes?¡± ¡°Oh, yes, I did,¡± Chloe replied, realizing now that Ethan¡¯s appearance must have been thanks to Lena. ¡°Then, let¡¯s go.¡± Ethan reached out, pulling her hand away from Brian¡¯s cor. He looked Brian straight in the eye. ¡°Mr. Steele, if you really have the ability toe at me and treat me like some ything, then go ahead and try.¡± Brian frowned. The sight of Ethan holding Chloe¡¯s hand was unbearably piercing to him. It was just like that day outside the hospital, when he¡¯d seen Ethan holding Chloe tightly in his arms. It had been an equally piercing sight. ¡°Nothing is certain in this world. Maybe you think you¡¯re the hunter, but without realizing it, you¡¯ve already be someone else¡¯s prey,¡± Ethan said, then led Chloe away. In Corvessia, there weren¡¯t many who dared to sh with Brian like that. ¡°William, tell me. Will I be the prey?¡± Brian¡¯s voice rang out suddenly. William stiffened. ¡°Of course not.¡± In this city, who would truly dare treat Brian as prey? Even Ethan, known as Corvessia¡¯s tyrant, still fell short whenpared to Brian. ¡°But there¡¯s always a chance in this world,¡± Brian murmured. His gaze fell on the gun Chloe had used not long ago. ¡°If one day I really did be the prey, then tell me, who would the hunter be?¡± William faltered. In this world, who could, or would even dare, to go after Brian? Chloe followed Ethan out of the shooting range. She said, ¡°You spoke so boldly in front of Brian. Aren¡¯t you worried he might after you?¡± He replied calmly, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have said it if I was afraid.¡± ¡°Brian isn¡¯t like the others. Even if you¡¯re powerful, he-¡± ¡°Clo, do you think I¡¯m that incapable?¡± Ethan interrupted. ¡°I¡¯m no longer that reckless young man who only knew how to charge around in the military. If Brian really wants toe at me, he¡¯d better be ready to go down with me.¡± Hearing how confident Ethan was, Chloe didn¡¯t press further. After all, what was done was done. If it Chapter 37 Will He Be the Prey? came to it, they¡¯d just have to take things as they came. ¡°Besides, Clo, didn¡¯t you also stick your neck out for me in front of Brian just now? Weren¡¯t you scared?¡± he asked. ¡°Me?¡± She gave a bitter smile. ¡°This whole thing started because of me. Besides, Ethan, I¡¯m not like you. You have parents, you have a family who loves you. If something happened to you, many people would grieve. But me, I¡¯m all alone. If something really happened to me, then it would just be-¡± Her words were cut off. ¡°What, Clo, do you really think no one would grieve if something happened to you?¡± Ethan gripped her hand tightly. ¡°If something happened to you, I don¡¯t know how others would react, but I¡¯d walk through fire for you. I¡¯d give my life if I had to, just to avenge you!¡± She stared nkly at him. The boy she¡¯d once needed to look after, almost like a younger brother, had shed his immaturity and grown into someone resolute and strong. The serious look on his face told her that he meant every word. If something truly happened to her, he really would do it. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m not that easy to take down. Did you forget what I¡¯m capable of?¡± Chloe¡¯s voice rasped softly. Ethan suddenly grinned. ¡°That¡¯s true. Besides, I won¡¯t let anything happen to you either.¡± The two got into the car. Ethan said, ¡°I want to pay my respects to your parents. Would that be alright?¡± Chloe was taken aback. He continued, ¡°If I¡¯d known you were the one going to bring their ashes back, I would¡¯ve definitely gone with you.¡± Her eyes reddened. ¡°It¡¯s enough that you care. I haven¡¯tid them to rest yet. I left the ashes at the funeral home.¡± Ethan started the car and drove toward the funeral home. When they arrived at the ce where the ashes were kept, Chloe gazed at the sandalwood urns containing Jenna and Walter¡¯s remains. The national g draped over them was still bright and vivid, symbolic of what Jenna and Walter hadid down their lives to defend. Chloe sped her hands together and bowed before their ashes. In just a few days, she would take them home to be buried in the national military cemetery. ¡°Dad, Mom, please wait just a little longer,¡± she prayed silently. When she opened her eyes, she saw Ethan bowing deeply. He said, ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Quall, rest assured. I¡¯ll take care of Chloe. I won¡¯t let her get hurt again.¡± Get full chapters from find?novel At that moment, he called her Chloe instead of Clo. Chapter 37 Will He Be the Prey? 3/3 Sheughed softly. ¡°Why would I need you to take care of me? I¡¯ll take care of myself.¡± ¡°Even if you¡¯re strong, I still want to take care of you,¡± Ethan said, his gaze steady and intense. ¡°If I¡¯d known that bastard Curtis would treat you like this, I would¡¯ve-¡± Just then, Chloe¡¯s phone rang. It was Curtis. Chloe frowned as she answered the call. Curtis¡® displeased voice came through. ¡°Why did you clear out all your things from the vi?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve moved out. If you see anything else that belongs to me there, just throw it out. No need to call me,¡± Chloe said. ¡°Moved out? What¡¯s that supposed to mean? Is this your way of acting out?¡± he questioned. ¡°No, I¡¯m not acting out. I just don¡¯t want to live there anymore,¡± she said evenly. ¡°And about the divorce, I don¡¯t want to drag it out any longer. As for the 100 million dors in the agreement, I don¡¯t need it. But I want to finalize the divorce as soon as possible.¡± In three days, the one¨Cmonth cooling¨Coff period would be over. As long as Curtis agreed, they could She only wanted to cut the knot cleanly, to end this marriage quickly. ¡°Fine. You want to talk about divorce? Then,e back to the vi right now. We¡¯ll talk about it,¡± Curtis said, and hung up, Chloe put her phone away and said to Ethan, ¡°I need to go to the vi.¡± ¡°To talk about the divorce with Curtis? I¡¯ll go with you,¡± Ethan said. He¡¯d heard enough of the call just now. ¡°No. This is between him and me. I¡¯ll go myself,¡± Chloe said. ¡°Are you really going to divorce him?¡± Ethan asked, his eyes fixed on her. Chloe nced at the urns. If Jenna and Walter were watching her from above, surely they wouldn¡¯t want her to be stuck in such a marriage. She heard herself answer, ¡°Yes.¡± After Divorce 38 Chapter 38 Regret Marrying You When Chloe returned to the vi, she saw Curtis already sitting on the sofa in the living room. ¡°Chloe, do you really want to divorce me that badly?¡± he asked. ¡°There¡¯s no reason to continue our marriage,¡± she replied. ¡°You want a divorce over a few trivial things? What do you even take marriage for?¡± Curtis asked, displeased. ¡°Trivial things?¡± Chloe looked at him mockingly. ¡°You think the way Helen and Joanne treated me is trivial? And you cheating on me with Sonya is trivial?¡± ¡°Mom and Joanne were wrong to treat you that way, but they¡¯ve already been detained. They¡¯ve already paid the price. Isn¡¯t that enough?¡± he retorted. Chloe almostughed out loud. Did he really think that just because the perpetrators had paid a price, the victim should feel satisfied? ¡°And besides, Sonya and I are just friends. I¡¯ve never slept with her, so stop saying I cheated on you with her!¡± he snapped. ¡°Do you think it only counts if things get physical?¡± she shot back. ¡°When everyone believed you and Sonya were a couple, when everyone praised you two as a perfect match, did you ever deny it? Did you ever say you already had a wife?¡± ¡°That was business. I couldn¡¯t ruin the atmosphere. And if I¡¯d denied it publicly, wouldn¡¯t that have embarrassed Sonya?¡± ¡°You weren¡¯t afraid of ruining the atmosphere, and you weren¡¯t worried about Sonya¡¯s pride. You just felt embarrassed to admit you have a wife like me. You couldn¡¯t bring yourself to say it.¡± Chloe cut straight to the truth. A sh of embarrassment crossed Curtis¡® face, but he quickly said, ¡°And what about you? Are you saying you¡¯ve never been at fault? You hold multiple patents, you were even a drone expert in the military, and yet you never told me!¡± ¡°Yes, I never made a point of telling you because you were never interested in my past!¡± she replied. ¡°I once told you that I¡¯d done some research on drones. And what did you say? You used me of bragging, of being jealous of Sonya, and of trying topete with her!¡± That silenced Curtis. He suddenly remembered back when Green Tech had considered entering the drone field, Chloe had indeed said as much. But he hadn¡¯t believed her. ¡°Curtis, the one person in this family who truly looks down on me is you. That¡¯s why Helen, your friends, and even Sonya all felt free to look down on me,¡± Chloe said coldly. Chapter 38 Regret Marrying You Curtis¡® face flushed, then paled. After a long pause, he muttered, ¡°I didn¡¯t look down on you. I just¡­ I just¡­ He wanted to argue, but he didn¡¯t even know how. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter anymore. I only came here to talk about the divorce,¡± she said. He pressed his lips together. ¡°You¡¯re divorcing me because you want to be with Ethan, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°What?¡± Chloe was stunned. Why was Ethan getting dragged into this again? ¡°I never imagined you¡¯d be so close with him. First Brian, now Ethan. Chloe, you really know how to attract men.¡± His voice carried a raw note of jealousy. N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on F?nd-Novel She frowned. ¡°Curtis, don¡¯t project your own filth onto others. Ethan¡¯s a fellow soldier¨Cmyrade¨Cin- arms.¡± ¡°Comrade¨Cin¨Carms?¡± He scoffed. ¡°Would he stick his neck out for arade who¡¯s been retired for three years? ¡°He¡¯s known as Corvessia¡¯s tyrant. He doesn¡¯t take anyone¡¯s side lightly! Chloe, just how close are you two? Or were you already tangled up with him back in the military-¡± A sharp p cut him off. The atmosphere instantly became suffocating. Curtis¡® cheek burned hot with pain. Ever since he¡¯d built his business, no one had dared strike him like that. ¡°Chloe, are you insane?¡± he roared. Chloe¡¯s gaze was icy as she red at him. ¡°What you just said would be enough for me to charge you with insulting the military! Curtis,radeship between soldiers isn¡¯t something you can smear. ¡°It¡¯s a bond of life and death. It¡¯s when you trust someone and put your very life in their hands, a bond where in times of danger, one will risk everything to save the other!¡± Her words rang out like steel in the silent room. Her clear, resolute eyes brooked no doubt. Curtis fell silent. Had he really misunderstood her? Under her gaze, he actually felt like a fool. ¡°Someone like you will probably never understand,¡± she said. ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t understand. You want a divorce? Fine, let¡¯s divorce!¡± Curtis snapped. ¡°But I¡¯ve checked your patents. Forget the rest, but the drone control software patent you filed after our marriage must be fully licensed to Green Tech for development and application after the divorce.¡± Chloe¡¯s face darkened immediately. ¡°You want my patent?¡± Chapter 38 Regret Marrying You ¡°The patent was filed after we married, which makes it marital property. I want it. Once thepany profits, naturally, you¡¯ll get a share,¡± he said. Her expression was ice¨Ccold. She could hear the truth behind his words. He wanted to get something for nothing. That patent was her own research after leaving the military and wasn¡¯t part of her service. Though the patent had been filed after marriage, most of the work had beenpleted before. Back then, during the final stages of her research, Jenna and Walter had suddenly passed away. She¡¯d sunk into grief for some time, and then only after marrying had she regained the strength to finish and file for the patent. Did he even know that she¡¯d originally intended to give that patent to Green Tech? If she hadn¡¯t resigned, if she¡¯d continued working on thepany¡¯s drone project, that patent would have been the deciding factor in its sess. But now¡­ ¡°And if I refuse?¡± Chloe asked coldly. ¡°Then, I¡¯ll sue and take you to court,¡± Curtis responded. ¡°I know you want to give that patent to Skyline Tech, but it falls under marital property. If you don¡¯t mind dragging your friend¡¯spany into awsuit, then go ahead.¡± Chloe¡¯s eyes filled with disappointment. ¡°I once thought you at least had some dignity in your bones. But now I see you¡¯re willing to stoop even this low.¡± ¡°I¡¯m doing this for thepany. If you insist on divorce, then that drone patent must go to Green Tech!¡± he said firmly. Green Tech was in trouble. With that patent, he could solve many problems. She said coldly, ¡°For thepany? Fine. As long as you hold a press conference to publicly announce our divorce and go with me to the courthouse to finalize it, then the patent will be yours.¡± Curtis hadn¡¯t expected her to agree so quickly. ¡°Do you mean it?¡± ¡°Yes, I do.¡± ¡°Alright. Three days from now, I¡¯ll hold a press conference.¡± His eyes bore into hers. ¡°You¡¯d better keep your word,¡± Suddenly, Chloe burst intoughter. This was the man she¡¯d once loved. Even though he¡¯d let her down again and again, her heart had still been with him. Yet now, even when they were getting divorced, he was using it to threaten her and squeeze her for profit. Chapter 38 Regret Marrying You ¡°Curtis, I¡¯ve lived my whole life without any regrets. But now, I truly regret marrying you.¡± Her own voice rang in her ears as she said it. After Divorce 39 Chapter 39 You Don¡¯t Matter That Much to Me Chapter 39 You Don¡¯t Matter That Much to Me ¡°You¡¯re really going to give Curtis the patent?¡± Lena was stunned when she heard Curtis¡® condition for the divorce. ¡°I¡¯ll give it to him, but whether he can actually use it is another matter,¡± Chloe said. ¡°My work isn¡¯t so easy to use.¡± Hearing this, Lena immediately understood Chloe had something up her sleeve, and her expression rxed. ¡°And what about you? What are you asking Curtis for in the divorce?¡± ¡°I asked for 153 million dors,¡± Chloe said. That was what she¡¯d demanded from Curtis before leaving the vi. ¡°What? Only 153 million dors?¡± Lena was shocked. ¡°You helped Curtis take hispany public. In a divorce, shouldn¡¯t you be entitled to half his assets?¡± ¡°Green Tech is strapped for cash right now. He¡¯s sunk all his money into it. His real estate is mortgaged to the bank. And while he has shares, they won¡¯t be unlocked for three years. ¡°Even if I asked for more, he couldn¡¯t give it to me. Besides, I just want to get this divorce over with. I don¡¯t want to be tied to him anymore.¡± ¡°Then you could at least have him sign an agreement stating that he¡¯ll give you your share when the shares are unlocked!¡± Lena said. Chloe shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t believe those shares will be worth much in three years.¡± That was why she had no interest in dragging things out over stock that might be worthless. Lena understood what she meant immediately. With Curtis¡® ability, there was no way he could handle apany like that. Green Tech had only managed to go public in three years because of Chloe¡¯s skills. And yet, Curtis himself waspletely unaware. Who knew what Green Tech would look like three years from now? ¡°Then, why did you ask for exactly 153 million?¡± Lena asked curiously. The number was oddly specific, even with the odd digits. Chloe pressed her lips together with a touch of bitterness. ¡°153 million dors was the amount I got for my parents¡® death gratuity money. I used that money to help Curtis start his business. Now that I¡¯m severing all ties, I have to at least get that money back.¡± Hearing this, Lena gritted her teeth. ¡°Curtis really is scum. He took your parents¡® death gratuity money to start hispany. But when your parents¡® ashes were brought home, he couldn¡¯t even be bothered to collect them. Chapter 39 You Don¡¯t Matter That Much to Me ¡°If Danieles back and finds out you married a piece of shit, he¡¯ll tear into you for sure!¡± Chloe gave a bitter smile. ¡°Yes, if Daniel knew, he¡¯d definitely scold me.¡± Daniel, who loved her most, had always had a sharp tongue but a strong sense of responsibility. She¡¯d always dreaded getting scolded by him. He never used foulnguage, but he could go on and on until her ears bled. But now, she missed his voice. ¡°Just wait. It won¡¯t be long before you hear him nagging again,¡± Lena said crossly. Chloe smiled faintly. She knew Lena was trying tofort her and reassure her that she would find Daniel soon. ¡°Once the divorce is finalized, I¡¯ll take my parents¡® ashes home for the burial. Then, I n to go to the border to search for Daniel. I may have to postpone starting work at Skyline Tech, but I¡¯ll still make time to arrange things for the drone project,¡± Chloe said. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about thepany. Just focus on finding Daniel. You can start with me whenever you¡¯re ready,¡± Lena replied, patting her shoulder. ¡°I just hope you find Daniel soon.¡± Chloe lowered her eyes. She would. She had to find him. At AeroQuest Airlines¡® restaurant, Sonya asked Curtis, ¡°She really agreed to give you the patent?¡± ¡°Yes. All I have to do is announce the divorce at a press conference, and she¡¯ll give me the patent,¡± Curtis said. Even he had to admit how low that was. He¡¯d never imagined that he would one day use divorce as a bargaining chip. But now, with Green Tech in crisis, that patent was crucial. ¡°And what about her? Did she ask for anything?¡± Sonya asked, concerned. After all, the more Chloe demanded, the less Sonya would get once she and Curtis got together. ¡°She only asked for 153 million in cash for the divorce settlement,¡± he said. ¡°153 million dors? Why that number?¡± Sonya frowned. ¡°Who knows? Maybe she just picked it at random.¡± By now, he¡¯d long forgotten the amount Chloe had once given him as seed money for his startup. ¡°Are you going to give it to her?¡± Sonya asked. It wasn¡¯t a huge sum, so she was relieved. If that was enough to make Curtis single again, all the better. Chapter 39 You Don¡¯t Matter That Much to Me Curtis hesitated. ¡°Sonya, there¡¯s something I want to discuss with you. You know how tight things are at mypany. Producing that much cash all at once will be hard. So maybe you could¡­¡± He looked embarrassed. These past two years, with hispany¡¯s sess, he¡¯d gotten used to being generous and giving to others instead of asking, especially when it came to money. Sonya looked troubled. ¡°I haven¡¯t been a captain for long, so I don¡¯t have much cash. My parents only look wealthy on the surface. Their money¡¯s tied up in antiques, jewelry, and real estate. There aren¡¯t many liquid assets.¡± This update is avable on FindN()vel Curtis¡® face fell with disappointment. ¡°I have about ten million in cash. I can lend you that,¡± Sonya suggested. ¡°Forget it. I¡¯ll find another way,¡± he replied. Against 153 million, ten million was nothing. Sonya looked guilty. ¡°I¡¯m sorry that I can¡¯t help you, Curtis.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°But actually, you don¡¯t have to give her cash,¡± she said. ¡°You could use your shares to offset the 153 million. That way, you don¡¯t have to worry about cash.¡± ¡°But my shares are still locked. I can¡¯t trade them yet,¡± Curtis said. Thepany had only just gone public. Though he held plenty of stock, he couldn¡¯t sell any. ¡°She can wait until the lockup expires. If she really wants a divorce, she¡¯ll agree,¡± Sonya said. Curtis thought for a moment. ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll do that.¡± After all, he really couldn¡¯t bring himself to go begging for money. When they finished their meal, Curtis apanied Sonya to the crew duty office. She had work in the lounge that day. But just as they walked down the hallway, they saw Chloeing out of a senior executive¡¯s office. The three locked eyes. Chloe¡¯s expression was calm. She moved to pass by them, but Sonya quickly stepped in front of her. Chloe, what are you doing here?¡± ¡°It has nothing to do with you,¡± Chloe answered coldly. ¡°Don¡¯t lie. You came here toin to my superior and tattle on me, didn¡¯t you?¡± Sonya used. ¡°I never thought you¡¯d be so petty. Your marriage with Curtis failed, but instead of reflecting on yourself, you¡¯re out pointing fingers,¡± Curtis frowned and red at Chloe. ¡°Did you reallye here toin? If Sonya suffers at AeroQuest because of you, I won¡¯t let this slide!¡± Chapter 39 You Don¡¯t Matter That Much to Me Chloe looked at the two of them, her voice cold. ¡°Who would botherining about someone who doesn¡¯t matter at all? Curtis, you don¡¯t matter that much to me.¡± Curtis¡® face flushed red in an instant. He was angry and humiliated. Chloe turned to Sonya. ¡°I¡¯m divorcing Curtis because he¡¯s at fault. If he¡¯d truly been loyal to our marriage and respected me as his wife, he wouldn¡¯t have abandoned me time and time again to chase after you. ¡°And if it wasn¡¯t you, it would¡¯ve been someone else. I don¡¯t want trash like him. You can have him.¡± Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> After Divorce 40 Chapter 40 How Could You Not Hate Me Sonya studied Chloe as though she were trying to catch even the slightest hint of pain on her face. But there was nothing. Chloe spoke in a casual tone, as if it were just a simple statement. ¡°Stop pretending!¡± Sonya said irritably. ¡°You¡¯re divorcing Curtis. How could you possibly not hate me?¡± Otherwise, why would youe out of an executive¡¯s office?¡± ¡°Are you the only reason I could be at AeroQuest Airlines?¡± Chloe said with a faint smile. The truth was, she was only there because she needed to arrange transportation for her parents¡® ashes back to her hometown at Yarfdale. She¡¯de to exin the situation and have it recorded. When the airline¡¯s executives heard the ashes she was transporting were those of martyrs, they made a point to meet with her personally. But she didn¡¯t feel the need to exin any of this to Sonya. ¡°If you hate me, then I want you to say it to my face and not resort to underhanded tricks behind my back. Sonya lifted her chin, her gaze full of disdain. ¡°Sonya, I don¡¯t hate you,¡± Chloe said evenly. Hatred was too strong an emotion. She wasn¡¯t worth it. Sonya froze, and even Curtis looked at Chloe in surprise. She really¡­ didn¡¯t hate her? ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ll be divorced from Curtis soon. You two can be together however you like. You won¡¯t even need to hide behind that ¡®just friends¡® excuse anymore,¡± Chloe said. Just then, a few AeroQuest Airlines employees walked by in the corridor. Hearing Chloe¡¯s words, they turned to look at Curtis and Sonya. Sonya¡¯s face turned red, then white. Curtis red at Chloe. ¡°How can you say that to Sonya? Our divorce has nothing to do with her.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, it has nothing to do with her,¡± Chloe replied lightly. His anger red, but he couldn¡¯t find an outlet, leaving him with a sense of helplessness. That evening, Chloe stayed at Lena¡¯s ce. Ethan showed up with alcohol, saying that he wanted to celebrate the happy asion of Chloe¡¯s impending divorce. Chapter 40 How Could You Not Hate Me Readplete version only at find?novel So, the three of them sat on the terrace, eating skewers and drinking together. ¡°Ethan, why are you so happy about Chloe¡¯s divorce?¡± Lena mumbled after a few rounds. ¡°How could I not be happy when she¡¯s finally leaving that scumbag?¡± Ethan said. ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± Lena chuckled as she became more inebriated. ¡°Back when Chloe secretly got married, you even cried. Now you don¡¯t have to cry anymore.¡± Ethan¡¯s face flushed red, and he quickly tried to cover Lena¡¯s mouth. But Lena just shouted louder. ¡°What are you embarrassed about? I already told Chloe. She¡¯s known all along.¡± Ethan¡¯s face reddened further as he looked at Chloe, embarrassed. ¡°You¡­ knew?¡± ¡°Lena mentioned it before. She even told me to pretend I didn¡¯t know. But now she¡¯s gone and blurted it out herself,¡± Chloe said with a smile. She wondered if Lena would regret her loose tongue once she sobered up. When drunk, Lena was always loud, and right now she was still shouting, ¡°Chloe, you have no idea how hard he cried. Tears poured down his face like a running tap! Anyone watching would¡¯ve thought something tragic had happened.¡± Ethan wanted nothing more than to sew Lena¡¯s mouth shut. But with Chloe sitting right there, there was nothing he could do. His face just turned redder and redder. ¡°You¡­¡± Ethan opened his mouth, but he didn¡¯t know what to say. ¡°It was my fault. I didn¡¯t tell anyone when I got married. I¡¯m sorry I made you so upset back then,¡± Chloe said first. Ethan¡¯s nose stung. ¡°Yeah, I was upset. I was really upset.¡± Because that was when he¡¯d realized his feelings for her, only to find out she was already married. ¡°But now, I¡¯m happy!¡± Ethan eximed. ¡°Happy? Chloe blinked, ¡°Because I¡¯m getting a divorce?¡± ¡°Yes. You¡¯re getting a divorce, so of course I¡¯m happy!¡± he said, lifting his ss and downing another gulp. Red wine trickled from the corner of his mouth, running down his neck and disappearing into his cor. His bright eyes were hazy with drunkenness. ¡°Once you¡¯re divorced, there¡¯s something I want to tell you.¡± Chloe smiled. ¡°And you can¡¯t tell me now?¡± He shook his head. ¡°Later. When I say it, I don¡¯t want there to be any guilt or restraints between us.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± she replied. Chapter 40 How Could You Not Hate Me Maybe it was the alcohol, but Ethan soon copsed onto the table, drunk. Looking at the two drunkards, Chloe rubbed her temples. She would have her hands full getting both of them into bed. Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Curtis, notifying her of the exact time for the divorce press conference. She stared at the message. Between her and Curtis, all that remained was cold formality. The day of the press conference came quickly. Though Chloe had nned to go alone, Lena insisted on apanying her. ¡°You¡¯re going to a divorce conference. I¡¯m basically your family, so of course, I have to be there,¡± Lena said. Warmth surged in Chloe¡¯s chest. With her parents gone and her brother missing, she¡¯d been all alone. Even after marrying, she¡¯d never truly had a family. But Lena had always had her back, no matter what. ¡°Yes. You¡¯re my family,¡± Chloe said. When the two of them arrived at the hotel where the press conference was being held, the venue was already set up, though the event hadn¡¯t started yet. The first people Chloe ran into weren¡¯t Curtis, but Joanne and Helen. The moment they saw her, their faces twisted with malice. Helen rushed forward and swung a p at Chloe. ¡°So, you had the nerve to show up! You refused to write a letter of non¨Cprosecution. I guess you¡¯ll only be happy if Joanne and I rot away in prison, huh?¡± But before the p couldnd, Chloe caught Helen¡¯s wrist. ¡°You¡¯re in jail not because of me, but because of your own crimes!¡± she retorted coldly, flinging Helen¡¯s hand away. Helen immediately started shouting. ¡°Oh heavens! How dare you hit your mother¨Cinw?¡± Chloe frowned. At that moment, Curtis¡® voice rang out. ¡°Chloe, did you hit Mom?¡± She turned and saw Curtis and Sonya approaching. Joanne quickly supported Helen and hurried to Curtis¡® side. ¡°Curtis, Mom only scolded Chloe a little just now because she refused to write a letter of non¨Cprosecution, and Chloe hit her!¡± Chloe¡¯s cold gaze swept over Helen and Joanne as they lied before stopping on Curtis. ¡°Do you believe them?¡± Chapter 40 How Could You Not Hate Me ¡°She¡¯s my mother. Of course I believe her. The press conference is about to start. I don¡¯t want things to get ugly. You¡¯d better apologize to her. Now,¡± Curtis ordered. After Divorce 41 Chapter 41 Announcing the Divorce Chloe suddenlyughed. Even after seeing Helen¡¯s vicious behavior with his own eyes, Curtis still imed he believed her. So he¡¯d never truly treated Chloe as family. Not before, and certainly not now. Curtis frowned, displeased. ¡°What are youughing at?¡± ¡°Divorcing you is the best decision I¡¯ve ever made,¡± Chloe said. Curtis¡® face darkened. Even though they were going to publicly announce their divorce today, hearing those words from her lips still made him ufortable. That difort grew sharper, turning into a kind of sting, as though reminding him he was about to lose something important. Curtis forced himself to ignore that feeling. ¡°If you won¡¯t apologize, then don¡¯t me me when I refuse to give you a single cent of the 153 million dors.¡± At that, Lena exploded. ¡°Curtis, are you even human? That 153 million dors was Chloe¡¯s parents-¡± Before she could finish, Chloe cut her off. ¡°Lena, let me handle this.¡± She pulled out her phone and yed a video she¡¯d just recorded. The footage clearly showed Helening at her to p her, failing, and then staging her own little performance of being struck. ¡°Curtis, didn¡¯t you say you believed Helen? Do you still believe her now?¡± Chloe asked with biting sarcasm. Curtis froze, embarrassment shing across his face as he turned to Helen and Joanne in shock. ¡°When I bailed you two out, didn¡¯t you promise me that you won¡¯t do anything like this again?¡± Helen and Joanne both shrank back a little. Sonya stepped in to smooth things over. ¡°Mrs. Green and Joanne were just upset that Chloe refused to write a letter of non¨Cprosecution. After all, you were family once. Why did she have to go to such extremes?¡± Then, she turned to Chloe. ¡°If I were you, I¡¯d never do something so cruel.¡± Joanne looked at Sonya with gratitude. ¡°Sonya, you¡¯re so kind. You don¡¯t even hold my past against me. Once my brother divorces Chloe, I¡¯ll make sure he marries you as soon as possible!¡± Chloe found it almost funny, watching Sonya and Joanne act so chummy, like real sisters. Had they already forgotten how they had been at each other¡¯s throats at the police station, pushing the me onto each other? Soon, it was time to start the press conference. Chapter 41 Announcing the Dworce The event had drawn not only many reporters but also Green Tech executives and representatives frompanies that did business with Green Tech. Chloe and Curtis sat together in the center of the stage. Curtis began, ¡°I¡¯ve called this press conference today to announce that Ms. Chloe Quall and I have decided to formally divorce.¡± The room erupted into chaos. He continued, ¡°The patent for drone application software, which was filed during our marriage, will go to Green Tech after the divorce, and Green Tech will conduct specialized research and development with it.¡± The chatter in the room grew louder. ¡°And at the time of divorce, I will provide Ms. Quall with financialpensation. This will note from Green Tech¡¯s resources, but from part of my own equity, which I will pledge to her.¡± ¡°What?¡± Chloe shot to her feet, stunned. Curtis¡® shares were still locked up. It waspletely unseble. Besides, transferring equity involved a whole series of processes, requiring approval from other shareholders. During the lockup period, it was impossible to actually transfer the stock due to a divorce. In other words, Curtis was using empty promises to avoid paying anything at all. ¡°This isn¡¯t what we agreed on!¡± Chloe¡¯s eyes turned icy as she red at him. Curtis responded, ¡°Yes, I did say cash, but I don¡¯t want to use thepany¡¯s funds to pay for our marriage. All of my personal ounts have already been invested in thepany¡¯s operations. ¡°This is a critical moment in thepany¡¯s development. Chloe, are you really going to put money above the survival of thepany?¡± His words not only portrayed him as a selflessly dedicated man to thepany but also cast Chloe as someone unreasonable and greedy. Immediately, many of the executives began to look at Chloe with disapproval. Helen jumped in, ranting, ¡°My son has worked himself to the bone for thepany, and you just want to grab money and walk away! You married him and did nothing but enjoy the fruits of hisbor. And now you¡¯ve only got your eyes on the money!¡± Joanne also chimed in self¨Crighteously, ¡°Chloe, are you really going to sacrifice the interests of the entirepany for your own selfish gain? Thispany was built through the efforts of so many colleagues and my brother. It¡¯s not your personal ATM!¡± Her words put her on a moral high ground, while Chloe was painted as a selfish viin. Chapter 41 Announcing the Divorce Even though most of thepany executives were well aware of Chloe¡¯s significant contributions to Green Tech¡¯s growth over the years, when it came to their own interests, none of them spoke up. Chloe met Helen and Joanne¡¯s usations with a cold stare, while Curtis sat in silence. A personal ATM? Who had really been treating thepany like one? ¡°Hah! What a joke. In a divorce, you steal the patent she fought for, try to strip her of everything, and bleed her dry. That¡¯s not just being greedy. That¡¯s extortion.¡± As the words rang out, Ethan strode into the press conference. At once, all eyes turned toward him. Some of the reporters who recognized him looked astonished. No one had expected Corvessia¡¯s tyrant to show up here, let alone openly stand on Chloe¡¯s side. Curtis¡® expression changed. He stood up, forcing himself to sound steady. ¡°Mr. Hughes, isn¡¯t that a bit harsh? That patent was filed after our marriage, which makes it marital property. It¡¯s only right to give it to thepany.¡± ¡°Not every patent filed after marriage is marital property,¡± Ethan said with a coldugh. ¡°That patent was researched and developed entirely by Chloe. What does it have to do with you?¡± ¡°How do you know it has nothing to do with my brother?¡± Joanne shot back. ¡°He graduated from Harvale University. What talent does Chloe even have? She just used my brother¡¯s work to file some patents!¡± Her words only made those who knew the truth want tough. ¡°Your brother graduated from the finance department, didn¡¯t he? Can he code? Can he build drones? And yet, you¡¯re saying he could file for a drone patent?¡± Ethan retorted. Joanne froze. Then, she snapped, ¡°And what about Chloe? What ability does she have to file for a patent?¡± Lena mmed the table and stood up. ¡°Chloe graduated from the National Defense Academy and was the top scorer for the science entrance exams in Corvessia. Is that enough for you? ¡°If your brother really had any ability, he wouldn¡¯t be trying to steal Chloe¡¯s patent while dodging the 153 Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n ?ovelFind million dors he owes her in this divorce!¡± 1im Bonus For Free Every Day>> After Divorce 42 Chapter 42 No More ying Nice Chapter 42 No More ying Nice Joanne was dumbfounded. Graduated from the National Defense Academy? Top science scorer in all of Corvessia? That was¡­ Chloe? Impossible! How could the Chloe she¡¯d always thought of as worthless possibly be that capable? ¡°Y¨CYou¡¯re making that up!¡± Joanne stammered in disbelief. ¡°You can ask Curtis. He knows about this too.¡± Lena sneered. Joanne turned to Curtis, and when she saw him remain silent, she realized Lena must be telling the truth. But what shocked most people more than Chloe¡¯s education was the fact that she was only asking for 153 million dors in the divorce! Curtis had never disclosed the exact figure, so everyone had assumed Chloe was after a massive payout. Those who¡¯d thought she was greedy now started to think she was actually being shortchanged. By normal divorce standards, she could have imed at least half of Curtis¡¯s wealth. ¡°Curtis, you can take the patent. All I want is the 153 million dors we agreed on,¡± Chloe said, her gaze steady. Curtis, burning with shame and anger under the weight of so many eyes, snapped, ¡°Chloe, it¡¯s not like I¡¯m refusing to give it to you. Once my equity unlocks, you¡¯ll get your money. Why do you have to keep pressing me like this?¡± ¡°Pressing you?¡± Chloe gave a coldugh and suddenly pulled out a stack of documents. ¡°Here are two years¡® worth of transactions from your personal ount. ¡°Just the jewelry you bought for Sonya amounts to over 20 pieces and is worth around 500 million dors. And now you want to tell me you don¡¯t have the money to pay me 153 million?¡± Curtis¡® face darkened, but before he could stop her, Chloe raised her hand and scattered the papers into the crowd. Among them were not only ount statements but also photos of each piece of jewelry Curtis had bought for Sonya, with their prices clearlybeled. And the ne and earrings Sonya was wearing today were right there in those photos. Together, they were worth over 100 million dors. The crowd¡¯s eyes turned toward Sonya, and some began whispering. Chapter 42 No More ying Nice Her face drained of color as she frantically tore off her earrings and ne. She¡¯d chosen those particr pieces today because they were among the most expensive ones that Curtis had given her. She¡¯d wanted to unt her elegance and make Chloe look shabby. But now, the jewelry burned like hot coals in her hands. ¡°Ms. Miller, is it true Mr. Green gave you all these expensive gifts?¡± ¡°Are the pieces you¡¯re wearing today also from Mr. Green?¡± ¡°Do these gifts carry any special meaning?¡± The reporters closest to Sonya crowded forward, microphones in hand. Flustered and pale under the shing cameras, Sonya stammered, ¡°They¡¯re¡­ t¨Cthey¡¯re just gifts from Mr. Green as a friend. Nothing more.¡± ¡°Friends, huh¡­¡± Ethan drawledzily. ¡°Curtis must be one hell of a friend. He won¡¯t spare his wife 153 million dors as a divorce settlement, but he¡¯ll spend 500 million dors on jewelry for you.¡± Sonya¡¯s face flushed red with shame. She wanted to argue but didn¡¯t know what to say. Another reporter turned on Curtis. ¡°Mr. Green, did the 500 million dors for jewelrye from investor funds? Just now, you imed all your money had been reinvested into thepany. Was that statement false?¡± Curtis¡® expression went nk. ¡°That money had nothing to do with thepany. I have never used a single dor from investments for personal expenses.¡± If it were proven that he had, no investor would ever put money into Green Tech again. ¡°Then why would you spend 500 million dors on jewelry for Ms. Miller but refuse to pay 153 million dors for a divorce settlement?¡± the reporter pressed. Curtis was speechless. At that moment, Joanne suddenly piped up. ¡°That¡¯s because Chloe cheated! That¡¯s why Curtis doesn¡¯t want to pay!¡± The room buzzed with shock. Joanne continued, ¡°And I have proof! The man she cheated with is¡­ him!¡± She jabbed a finger at Ethan. The proof she held up was photos of Ethan and Chloe drinking and eating skewers together. Chloe narrowed her eyes. Those were from the previous night on Lena¡¯s terrace. The shots had been carefully framed to include only her and Ethan, conveniently cropping Lena out. One photo even showed Ethan leaning on her shoulder while she held his waist. Chapter 42 No More ying Nice That was the moment she¡¯d been trying to help a very drunk Ethan into the house. ¡°See? Chloe cheated with her boy toy. She¡¯s the one at fault here!¡± Joanne dered smugly. ¡°Curtis is being generous just by offering her equity. If you ask me, a woman like her should walk away with nothing! ¡°Bullshit! What cheating? I was there too!¡± Lena snapped. ¡°You¡¯ll say anything to cover for her. Don¡¯t bother with such obvious lies.¡± Joanne scoffed. Content originallyes from find~novel ¡°That was my house!¡± Lena shot back. ¡°Think before you lie! The three of us were drinking together. Chloe was just helping Ethan into a room. And afterward, Ethan¡¯s uncle came to pick him up! Even if you want to frame someone, you should at least use your brain!¡± ¡°You¡¯re her friend; of course you¡¯d say that. Chloe cheated on Curtis with her boy toy, and you¡¯re just covering for them,¡± Joanne insisted. Lena¡¯s eyes zed with fury. She was about to lunge forward and beat Joanne up when Ethan stopped her. ¡°Boy toy?¡± Ethan let out a sharpugh. His dark, narrow eyes locked onto Joanne as though she was dead meat. A shiver raced down Joanne¡¯s spine. Those who knew what a tyrant Ethan was could only look at her with pity. She had no idea the danger she¡¯d just invited. ¡°Will you take responsibility for what you just said?¡± Ethan asked coldly. Joanne forced herself to sound tough. ¡°Why not? The photos clearly show Chloe is cheating with you!¡± ¡°Defamation carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.¡± Ethan sneered. ¡°The person who came to get mest night was my uncle, Attorney Thomas Earlhart. Mr. Earlhart can testify that Lena was present the whole time. Or are you saying he¡¯s lying too?¡± Thomas Earlhart was the most renownedwyer in all of Corvessia. Joanne had heard his name when she was detained not long ago. She¡¯d even hoped to hire him to defend her and Helen, only to be t¨Cout rejected. ¡°You want to nder us for adultery with nothing but a few cropped photos? Do I look like someone who would y the other man?¡± Ethan said, stepping toward Joanne slowly until he loomed over her. After Divorce 43 Chapter 43 Chloe¡¯s Reinforcements Have Arrived Goosebumps erupted all across Joanne¡¯s skin. She felt terrified as she looked at Etham. It felt like he would rip her to shreds at any moment. Meanwhile, the onlookers shuddered as they saw the cold, deadly look on Ethan¡¯s face. A man as privileged as Ethan could never stoop so low as to be somebody¡¯s sidepiece! Curtis wanted to do something to lighten up the mood, as he hadn¡¯t expected Joanne to drag Ethan into this. It wasn¡¯t a good idea for Curtis to upset Ethan right now either. After all, he didn¡¯t have the power or influence to stand up against thetter, especially considering Ethan¡¯s influence in Corvessia. ¡°Mr. Hughes, my sister was just-¡± The moment Curtis began talking, another voice rang out. ¡°Who is trying to ruin my niece¡¯s reputation?¡± Chloe immediately turned around upon hearing that voice. She watched as Allen entered the press conference venue, with Brian following behind him. Chloe hurried over to Allen, asking, ¡°What are you doing here, Mr. Jackman?¡± ¡°Getting divorced is a very big affair, Chloe. Why didn¡¯t you tell me about it?¡± Allen replied, looking usatorily at Chloe even as his eyes filled with sorrow for her. Allen had felt all the more upset when he¡¯d heard someone framing Chloe right as he reached the venue. He thought of how upset Walter and Jenna would be if they were there and saw how their daughter was being ndered. ¡°A divorce is a very big deal, which is why I had toe over. After all, I¡¯m your guardian now that your parents are no longer around,¡± Allen said. Tears filled Chloe¡¯s eyes. Allen had been her parents¡® best friend and had even watched her grow up. He was the one who¡¯d passed Chloe the urn containing her parents¡® ashes. In Chloe¡¯s eyes, Allen was basically family, ¡°Who are you guys?¡± Curtis asked Allen. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard Chloe mention your name before.¡± Allen was dressed in normal civilian clothes today rather than his army uniform. ¡°So you¡¯re Chloe¡¯s husband?¡± Allen gazed sharply at Curtis. He¡¯d developed a deadly, grim presence after having served in the army for more than 30 years. Right now, it was this exact bearing that made Curtis feel immensely pressured. Before Curtis could answer Allen, Helen yelled out, ¡°Not anymore! My son would never want a woman like Chloe!¡± ¡°Your son doesn¡¯t deserve Chloe! How can he call himself her husband if he won¡¯t even retrieve his inws ¡® ashes with her?¡± Allen snapped back. Chapter 43 Chloe¡¯s Reinforcements Have Arrived 2/3 ¡°You really expect Curtis to go and retrieve something as unlucky as human ashes? In your dreams!¡± Helen spat out. ¡°When Chloe brought that urn back home the other day and said she wanted to keep it in the house, I pped her so hard that she finally gave up the idea! ¡°I would¡¯ve smashed that urn if she¡¯d actually kept it in the house. How could she jinx my family with that grim little thing? What a horrible girl¡­¡± Allen was trembling angrily. Only now did he realize just how much Chloe must have suffered all this time. Lena and Ethan were enraged as well, with the former nearly bursting into tears. She finally saw how much Chloe had endured before deciding on this divorce. How could Curtis do that to Chloe? Helen was rambling on gleefully when a cold, male voice suddenly rang out. ¡°Hit her!¡± What followed was a mean p right on Helen¡¯s cheek, cutting her vile rambling short. All the onlookers were stunned. One of Brian¡¯s men had struck Helen, as per his instruction. Helen was stunned from the strike. She recovered after several seconds and cried out, ¡°How dare you gang up on me with these outsiders, Chloe Quall? Having a daughter like you is the reason your parents died so young!¡± ¡°Again!¡± Brian spat out. His men then fiercely struck Helen on the cheeks again. Her face quickly grew swollen and red. None of the onlookers dared stop the men. They worked for Brian after all, and he was incredibly powerful in Corvessia. Curtis wanted to run to Helen¡¯s side, but he was quickly stopped by Brian¡¯s men. He couldn¡¯t yell at Brian to stop, so he directed his rage at Chloe instead. He yelled, ¡°Stop them, Chloe! Why aren¡¯t you stopping them? Is this what you wanted?¡± Chloe¡¯s lips pursed into a thin line as she remained silent. She could have ignored Helen if thetter had kept her insults limited to Chloe alone. But there was no way Chloe would tolerate Helen insulting Jenna and Walter! Jenna and Walter were brave and powerful soldiers who¡¯d died for their country and deserved to be treated with respect. Brian¡¯s men continued pping Helen, the sounds echoing crisply in the air. ¡°Are you really going to take responsibility if anything terrible happens to my mother, Chloe Quall?¡± Curtis roared. ¡°I¡¯ll take full responsibility,¡± Brian answered instead. ¡°The Steele family will pay for all necessary medical expenses andpensation fees should your mother be gravely injured from this.¡± ?????? ???? find{n}ovel The silence was incredibly loud after that. Chapter 43 Chloe¡¯s Reinforcements Have Arrived Helen was all the more frightened now and began pleading with Curtis for help. ¡°Do you really have to resort to this, Chloe? Wasn¡¯t it just money you wanted? Alright, fine! I¡¯ll give you the money! Now can you please ask them to stop hurting my mother?¡± Curtis yelled. Brian¡¯s men stopped hitting Helen. Brian himself turned to look at Chloe as if awaiting her decision. If Chloe refused to forgive Helen, he would naturally have his men continue hurting thetter. Chloe gazed at Curtis and said firmly, ¡°Yes, I did ask you for money. But the 153 million dors I asked for isn¡¯tpensation for me; it¡¯s what you owe me. I was the one who gave you 153 million dors to start your business back then. ¡°The only reason I never asked for anything besides the 153 million dors is because I don¡¯t want to drag this out. I don¡¯t want you and your family to taint my life anymore.¡± Chloe¡¯s voice rang loud and clear in the air. The onlookers¡® perspectives were different now as they looked at Curtis. Everyone knew that he¡¯d single¨Chandedly founded Green Tech, but none of them had known that Chloe was the one who¡¯d given him the money for his startup capital. Yet now that Curtis and Chloe were getting a divorce, he was refusing to repay her even a single cent. ¡°You could be making up all kinds of stories right now! I could even say that Mom was the one who gave Curtis his startup capital!¡± Joanne retorted. Lena red at Joanne, growling out, ¡°If your family had the means to cough up 153 million dors for Curtis back then, he wouldn¡¯t have given a cheap¨Cass, 200¨Cdor wedding ring to Chloe!¡± ¡°How could an orphan like Chloe get her hands on so much money?¡± Joanne scoffed. ¡°Because it was the gratuity money from her parents¡® death!¡± Lena¡¯s words rang out through the venue, stunning everyone into silence. Curtis, who¡¯d been quiet all this while, turned to Chloe in utter disbelief, his pupils dting in shock. Had that startup capital for Green Tech been¡­ death gratuity money? How could that be? After Divorce 44 Chapter 44 Curtis Owes Chloe That Money But how else could Chloe have gotten so much money in such a short amount of time if it hadn¡¯t been her parents¡® death gratuity? Curtis remembered how anguished Chloe had been when Jenna and Walter passed away. He remembered how anxious he¡¯d been when he hadn¡¯t had enough funds. It was Chloe who¡¯d offered him 153 million dors right when he was so eager to make a name for himself. She¡¯d said, ¡°Here, use this money to fulfill your dreams!¡± ¡°How did you get so much money?¡± Curtis had asked Chloe curiously back then. ¡°I inherited it from my parents,¡± Chloe had replied softly. She¡¯d had a sorrowful look in her eyes as she looked at the sum of money, but Curtis hadn¡¯t noticed at all because he¡¯d been over the moon. Now, Curtis walked over to Chloe, saying hoarsely, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me back then? Why didn¡¯t you tell me¡­ that was your parents¡® death gratuity money?¡± A crushing weight pressed on Curtis¡® chest, making it hard to breathe. ¡°Because I didn¡¯t want you to feel burdened by the money,¡± Chloe replied lightly. When she¡¯d given the death gratuity money to Curtis back then, she¡¯d also entrusted her hopes and dreams for their married life to him. Chloe had thought she¡¯d spend the rest of her life with Curtis. Yet they¡¯d ended up in this state today. ¡°Don¡¯t believe her, Curtis. Chloe could be lying for all we know,¡± Joanne tittered on. ¡°She¡¯s lying through her teeth right now because she desperately wants that 153 million dors-¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Curtis snapped, cutting Joanne off. His eyes were filled with rage, anguish, and guilt. If he¡¯d known that that startup capital Chloe had given him all those years ago was her parents¡® death gratuity money, he would¡¯ve been kinder to her. He would¡¯ve gone and retrieved her parents¡® ashes with her. He would¡¯ve repaid the 153 million dors in full to Chloe the moment divorce was brought up. The pain in Curtis¡® chest soon began spreading throughout his entire body. He felt incredibly helpless and anguished. ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to repay all the money to you tomorrow!¡± Curtis cried out in agony. Tomorrow was the day he and Chloe would be officiating their divorce at the city hall. Curtis could no longer suggest using shares as a substitute for the sum Chloe was asking for. He owed her that 153 million dors without a doubt. That money had always belonged to her. ¡°Alright. Tomorrow it is.¡± Chloe gazed coldly at him. If Curtis continued dragging out the repayment, she would take him to court regardless of how inconvenient it would be. Chapter 44 Curtis Owes Chloe That Money Curtis stared at Chloe in shock. Her gaze used to be so tender and firm when she looked at him. It always felt like she would always be there by his side no matter what obstacles they faced. Yet now there was only coldness in Chloe¡¯s eyes. She would never be by his side anymore. ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find{n}ovel All of a sudden, an indescribable sense of loss welled up within Curtis. The press conference had be an absurd joke of an event. Once it came to an end, Chloe had Lena and Ethan return home, as she wanted to spend some time with Allen. ¡°Why don¡¯t I go to the city hall with you when you go to sign the papers tomorrow?¡± Ethan asked worriedly. ¡°No need. If there are any more disagreements, I can always just sue Curtis. I¡¯ll be asking for way more than 153 million dors at that point!¡± Chloe said. Meanwhile, Lena was still insulting the Greens for their vile behavior. Once Lena and Ethan left, Chloe went over to Allen and said, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry you had to witness this mess, Mr. Jackman.¡± Allen gazed at her tenderly. ¡°Oh, child. I would¡¯vee to your aid sooner if I¡¯d known you were suffering so much. Never forget that I¡¯ll always have your back, Chloe!¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Chloe croaked out somewhat tearfully. ¡°By the way, when will you be taking your parents¡® ashes back to Warlington?¡± Allen asked. ¡°Tomorrow. I¡¯ll be heading to the airport right after we sign the divorce papers.¡± Allen nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll send Walter and Jenna off tomorrow as well.¡± Brian walked over just then and stand by Allen¡¯s side. He then cleared his throat. Allen seemed to recall something all of a sudden. He said, ¡°There¡¯s one more thing I need to discuss with you, Chloe.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Chloe asked curiously. ¡°Well¡­¡± Allen seemed a little embarrassed. ¡°The Steele family has always worked with our forces. Mr. Steele Senior passed away just recently. Since then, there¡¯s been a little bit of a¡­ destabilization in the family when ites to the matter of inheritance. ¡°Mr. Steele himself has already been the target of countless assassination attempts thus far. That was why he hoped we could send someone from the special forces over to keep him safe. That way our coboration with his family remains secure.¡± Chloe understood the situation now. It was clear the team didn¡¯t want anything bad to happen to Brian. After all, they didn¡¯t know what any other sessor would do once they took the seat as head of the Steele family. Chapter 44 Curtis Owes Chloe That Money The best option was to y it safe. ¡°As for the person who will keep Mr. Steele here safe, Mr. Steele hopes you will fill that role,¡± Allen continued. ¡°What?¡± Chloe was shocked. ¡°You¡¯ve already saved me from death¡¯s door several times, Ms. Quall. So I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll seed in this mission,¡± Brian said. Chloe was speechless. Now she understood why Allen hade to the press conference with Brian. ¡°If it¡¯s a protection detail you need, there are many other candidates from the team who are far better equipped than I am to keep you safe,¡± Chloe said to Brian. ¡°But you¡¯re the only person I trust,¡± Brian replied. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t have the time to be your protection detail, Mr. Steele. I¡¯m headed to Yarfdale tomorrow with my parents¡® ashes. I¡¯ll even be staying there for some time to settle my parents¡® remaining assets,¡± Chloe said. ¡°What a coincidence. I¡¯m headed to Yarfdale as well. I¡¯m sure you can keep me safe while settling the matter of your parents¡® assets, Ms. Quall. I don¡¯t need to be protected 24/7, just whenever you have time to stay by my side and keep me safe.¡± Chloe¡¯s brows furrowed. Brian had arge team of bodyguards of his own. So why was he insisting on having Chloe protect him? Was it just because he was interested in Chloe? Or was it something else? Allen pulled Chloe to the side and said quietly, ¡°I really didn¡¯t want to involve you in these matters since you retired from the team. But one of the members said to ask your opinion on the matter at least, which is why I brought it up to you. Feel free to refuse Mr. Steele. I¡¯ll find some other way to settle this after.¡± Chloe knew Allen was truly concerned for her. But if she refused, Allen would be the one who¡¯d have to deal with such a pressuring matter. Chloe hesitantly looked at Brian. ¡°All I ask is for you to protect me for three months, Ms. Quall. I promise you I¡¯ll be able to secure my position as head of the Steele family within that range of time. I¡¯ll also be able to find out who¡¯s been plotting my death,¡± Brian said calmly. Chloe met his gaze. ¡°What if you fail to do any of that within three months?¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll ept any other candidates suggested by the team for my protection detail. Once three months are up, you¡¯ll have the freedom to decide whether to continue protecting me or not, Ms. Quall,¡± Brian answered. After Divorce 45 Chapter 45 She¡¯s Leaving His Life for Good Chloe agreed to Brian¡¯s suggestion in the end. She didn¡¯t want Allen to take on this extra burden because of her. Besides, three months wasn¡¯t a very long time for Chloe either. It would be over in the blink of an eye. But before they parted ways, Allen still gave her a quiet reminder. ¡°Remember, you¡¯ve already been discharged from duty. You must prioritize your own safety no matter what. If you really do find yourself caught in a life¨Cthreatening situation, keeping yourself alive should be your utmost priority. Got it?¡± Chloe knew that Allen was deeply concerned for her safety. ¡°Got it. Don¡¯t worry, I know my priorities,¡± Chloe responded. Allen sighed long and hard. Even though Chloe had retired from the military, Allen knew that her soldierly instincts would still make her prioritizepleting the mission. Chloe was Jenna and Walter¡¯s daughter after all. She had the soul of a soldier¨Ca fact that couldn¡¯t be changed by anybody. ¡°All I pray for is that you keep yourself safe and sound no matter what, Chloe. I¡¯m sure your parents hope the same for you too,¡± Allen said kindly. Tears filled Chloe¡¯s eyes. It took some time for her topose herself before she quietly hummed in assent. Once Allen left, Brian turned to Choe and said, ¡°So, you¡¯re headed for Yarfdale tomorrow.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Need a drive home?¡± Brian offered. ¡°No, thank you. I drove her.¡± Chloe refused. Brian smiled slightly. ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll be seeing each other again soon enough anyway.¡± Chloe pursed her lips, staying silent. She would just be Brian¡¯s bodyguard for three months. The mission would be over and done with soon enough! The moment Curtis returned home, he shut himself in his bedroom. The once warm and loving space now frightened him with how empty it was. The room was devoid of Chloe¡¯s belongings now. The wardrobe, the bedside table, the cupboard¨Cnone of her personal items were anywhere to be seen. She¡¯d already taken everything with her while Curtis was none the wiser. Chapter 45 She¡¯s Leaving His Life for Good It was as if she¡¯d left his life for good. Someone suddenly knocked on the door. Helen¡¯s and Joanne¡¯s voices then rang out from outside. But Curtis ignored them. He continued poring through the room to search for anything Chloe might¡¯ve left behind. When Curtis opened up the bedside table drawer, he was stunned. Inside were two rings¨Cthe ones that he¡¯d bought for himself and Chloe at the flea market all those years ago. They¡¯d only cost 200 dors at the time. ¡°Once I earn more money, I¡¯ll buy you a proper diamond ring!¡± Curtis had promised Chloe. Meanwhile, Chloe had smiled gently at him in return. She¡¯d dly worn the wedding ring without the least bit of disdain. Curtis took the two wedding rings, recalling the promise he¡¯d made to Chloe. Even though Curtis had be wealthy and was able to buy Chloe a fine diamond ring, he still hadn¡¯t fulfilled his promise to her¨Cnot even when their divorce was at hand. Curtis med himself for all of it. He continued searching the bedroom for some time, looking for any other belongings Chloe might¡¯ve left behind. He wasn¡¯t able to find anything else besides the two wedding rings. It was only then that Curtis realized that he and Chloe had never taken wedding photos together throughout their entire marriage. Originally, they¡¯d decided to save up and only go for a photoshoot once they were more financially stable. But as time passed, they slowly forgot about the matter and ultimately decided it wasn¡¯t necessary anymore. The knocks on the door grew louder. Curtis finally went over and opened it. ¡°Are you okay, Curtis?¡± Joanne asked in concern. Curtis looked deeply upset as he clutched the two wedding rings tightly. ¡°That bitch, Chloe, is the reason for all this. I told you¨Cyou shouldn¡¯t have married someone like her!¡± Helen grumbled through her pain. Both of Helen¡¯s cheeks were swollen. So each time she spoke, painnced through her face. ¡°That¡¯s enough! Neither of you is allowed to insult Chloe any longer. She¡¯s never once done me wrong throughout our three years together!¡± Curtis snapped. In fact, he was the one who¡¯d done Chloe a great disservice. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be where I am now if it weren¡¯t for Chloe!¡± ¡°Are you really going to side with Chloe, Curtis? All because of that 153 million dors?¡± Joanne huffed. ¡°All Chloe did was give you the money to start your business. You¡¯re the one who did all the hard work to make it sessful. It has nothing to do with Chloe. In fact, you should take all the credar The source of th?s content is Find1Novel Curtis stayed silent. He used to have the same train of thought as Joanne. But right now he wasn¡¯t so certain of it anymore ¡°Chloe and I haven¡¯t officially divorced yet, which means I¡¯m still her husband, tort it only right that i side with her?¡® Curtis retorted Joanne was shocked. ¡°What¡¯s happened to you, Curtis? You never used to side with Chloet Shock red across Curtis¡® face. It was only that he realized he had never once sided with Chloe throughout their marriage. Whenever Chloe got into an argument, Curtis would always me her first. The quilt and regret in Curtis¡® chest grew stronger. He suddenly said, ¡°How much money do the two of you have? Can you lend me some?¡± ¡°You¡¯re not really going to give Chloe the 153 million dors, are you, Curtis?¡± Joanne asked, ¡°I¡¯m not ¡®giving¡® it to Chloe; I¡¯m returning it to her,¡± Curtis replied. ¡°I need you guys to give me all the money you have saved up. ¡°I don¡¯t have any money!¡± Joanne cried, avoiding Curtis¡® gaze out of guilt. ¡°Didn¡¯t you ask me for money when thepany¡¯s capital was low? I don¡¯t have much on me anymore,¡± Helen added. Truth be told, Helen still had a sizable amount of savings. But she couldn¡¯t bear to see Curtis give it to Chloe just like that! Curtis was very disappointed. ¡°Forget it. I¡¯ll figure something out myself.¡± He left the vi right after and went looking for Sonya instead. ¡°Sonya, can you.. lend me some money?¡± Curtis asked with great difficulty. ¡°I funneled all my savings into thepany after that cash flow issue, so I won¡¯t be able to fork out 153 million dors at the moment.¡± Sonya looked troubled. ¡°I told you before that I can only lond you 10 million dors¨Cnothing more. I don¡¯t have much ie at the moment. After all, I¡¯ve only just recently been promoted to captain.¡± Curtis gritted his teeth. ¡°What about your jewelry?¡± ¡°My jewelry?¡± Sonya was taken aback. ¡°Yes, the ones I gifted to you. Could you pawn a couple pieces first to get 153 million dors in cash? Once Green Tech is more financially stable, I¡¯ll buy the jewelry back for you,¡± Curtis sald hurriedly. This was the fastest way to obtain 153 million dors in such a short amount of time that Curtis could think of Chapter 45 She¡¯s Leaving His Life for Good Sonya¡¯s eyes glinted coldly. Of course she wasn¡¯t willing to do this! But she also understood the gravity of the situation. Once Chloe received her 153 million dors, she would be out of their lives for good. So it was still a pretty fair trade. After all, the only way Sonya could have a chance with Curtis was if he divorced Chloe. Based on how much Curtis currently doted on Sonya, it wouldn¡¯t be long before Sonya married him! ¡°Of course I can. I¡¯ll get my jewelry box right away,¡± Sonya said. She evenid out all the pieces of jewelry Curtis had ever bought for her in front of him. Curtis was momentarily stunned by all the jewelry pieces disyed on the ck velvet tray. The 200- dor wedding rings were still in his pocket. Curtis¡® lip drew into a tight line as he scanned through the extravagant pieces of jewelry before him. All sorts of emotions swirled in his eyes. He¡¯d bought so much jewelry for Sonya. But why¡­ Why hadn¡¯t he ever thought to buy any for Chloe? im Bonus For Free Every Day>> After Divorce 46 Chapter 46 Official Divorce Curtis had even gifted the ruby ne that Chloe had begged him to win from the auction¨Cthe one that Jenna had lost in a foreign country¨Cto Sonya. If Sonya hadn¡¯t tossed that ruby ne to the floor, it would¡¯ve been part of the jewelry collection here. ¡°What is it, Curtis?¡± Sonya asked. Curtis quickly came back to his senses. He held up a ruby ring. ¡°Let¡¯s¡­ Let¡¯s pawn this first. Once Green Tech gains more revenue, I¡¯ll buy it back from the pawn shop for you. I¡¯ll even buy you a better one in the future.¡± Curtis¡® hand felt really warm as he clutched the ruby ring. The ring seemed to be burning his palm, as if it were a piece of molten metal. Curtis hadn¡¯t fulfilled his promise of buying Chloe a better wedding ring. Yet he¡¯d bought so many rings for Sonya. Even though Sonya had saved his life, Chloe was still hiswfully wedded wife. Chloe was the one who¡¯d been by his side through thick and thin as he built hispany up. Yet he¡¯d given Chloe so very, very little. It was far less than she deserved. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± Though Sonya felt immensely irritated, she still pretended to not mind on the surface. ¡°You know I¡¯m not too attached to such jewelry.¡± ¡°Yeah. You¡¯re someone who spends her time soaring high up in the sky. These pieces of jewelry are nothing more than decoration pieces for you,¡± Curtis said. Yet someone else surfaced in his mind instead of Sonya. He could see that person sitting in the cockpit, flying up into the clouds before doingplicated flight maneuvers mid¨Cair. For some reason, the image of Chloe piloting a jet left a far deeper impression than Sonya did. ¡°You don¡¯t have to fret about thepany¡¯s situation. My mother¡¯s family has quite an influence here. They have an ind development project going on right now and are in need of a techpany, especially one that specializes in drones. You can try coborating with them. I¡¯ll lend you a hand too,¡± Sonya said. Curtis¡® eyes lit up with hope. There were too many techpanies in Corvessia, which made for very strongpetition. If Curtis went to a bigger city, there would be much less industrypetition. Green Tech could even monopolize the local market there. It would be a new but viable route to take. ¡°Thank you, Sonya!¡± Curtis said gratefully. ¡°Not only did you save me all those years ago, but you¡¯ve even been helping me all this while.¡± Chapter 46 Official Divorce. Sonya beamed at him and said, ¡°There¡¯s no need to thank me. I just really want to see you seed.¡± Sonya was going to raise her standing in the Miller family. She would prove to them that Millers from her father¡¯s line were more capable than her uncle¡¯s! She wanted everyone who¡¯d ever looked down on her to grovel before her feet! That was why she was going to help Curtis seed! Because only then could she get everything she wanted. The next day, both Chloe and Curtis went to the city hall. They got their queue ticket before sitting in the waiting room. ¡°I¡¯ll transfer the 153 million dors to you right now,¡± Curtis said. ¡°What¡¯s your bank ount number?¡± Chloe told him the number, and Curtis swiftly transferred the money to her ount. A hint of nostalgia welled up inside Chloe as she looked at the text message notifying her of the transaction. The 153 million dors wasn¡¯t just money; it was also the final symbol of love that her parents had for her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Curtis muttered. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you sacrificed so much for me. If I¡¯d known earlier¡­¡± ¡°If you¡¯d known earlier, would you have severed ties with Sonya? Would you have stopped buying so much expensive jewelry for her? ¡°Or would you have acted objectively and locked your mother and sister in prison after those awful things they did to me in that hotel room so they can rightfully suffer the consequences of their actions?¡± Curtis was at a loss for words. Chloe sneered. ¡°What¡¯s the point of saying sorry now, hm? They¡¯re nothing but words, aren¡¯t they? I don¡¯t need such an apology!¡± Curtis found himself too afraid to meet Chloe¡¯s gaze right now. When their ticket number was called, they went to sit before the relevant staff member. The divorce procedure was straightforward enough and was quickly done with. Chloe and Curtis, respectively, received a divorce decree, which marked the end of their rtionship. From now on, they had nothing to do with each other. Chloe smiled in relief as she gazed at the document in her hands. She was no longer Curtis¡® wife anymore, just in old Chloe Quall. Right when Chloe was about to leave, Curtis finally called out, ¡°Wait!¡± ¡°How else can I help you, Mr. Green?¡± Chloe turned to face him. That form of address, ¡®Mr. Green¡®, felt like a p to Curtis¡® face. Chapter 46 Official Divorce ¡°I¡¯ve never paid my respects to your parents. I know it¡¯s a littlete to do so, but can you please take me there so I can pay my respects?¡± Chloe burst intoughter, finding Curtis¡® suggestion hrious. Curtis hadn¡¯t once visited her parents¡® grave while they were married. Chloe had been repeatedly let down by his refusals during those days. Yet now that they had divorced, he¡¯d suddenly had a change of heart? How priceless! ¡°My parents don¡¯t need anything from you, Curtis Green!¡± Chloe spat before turning and walking out of the city hall, not looking back even once. Lena was already waiting in her car outside the city hall. The moment Chloe got on, Lena took the urn from the front passenger seat and ced it in herp. ¡°Is it over?¡± Lena asked. ¡°Yes. I¡¯m officially divorced now.¡± Chloe held out the divorce decree for Lena to see. ¡°From now on, Curtis and I have nothing to do with each other.¡± Chloe felt that she should be grateful that Curtis hadn¡¯t slept with her even once throughout their three years of marriage. Because of that, they didn¡¯t have any children. If they had, Chloe would have probably still been entangled with Curtis after the divorce. ¡°Did he pay you the 153 million dors?¡± Lena asked. ¡°He did.¡± ¡°At least he¡¯s kept his word this once.¡± Lena was clearly still angry with Curtis. ¡°Once you¡¯re back from Yarfdale, we¡¯ll go to church and do some cleansing! Marrying a man like Curtis was a terrible misfortune on your part.¡± ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? find{n}ovel Chloe chuckled and gently caressed the g wrapped around the urn. ¡°Let¡¯s head to the airport.¡± She was going to take Jenna and Walter¡¯s ashes back to Yarfdale, her parents¡® hometown. Jenna had been an orphan back when she was young. She was then adopted by the Quall family andter married Walter, her adopted parents¡® son. Chloe recalled how her parents had once said that if they ever died, they wanted their remains to be buried back at their hometown. That would be their final homing. That was why Chloe nned to have her parents¡® ashes buried at the national military cemetery in Yarfdale. Lena drove Chloe to the airport. ¡°Why don¡¯t you head on home first? I can board the ne myself,¡± Chloe said. ¡°Aw, I¡¯ll keep you ¡± ¡°Homewrecker? You better be mindful of your words!¡± Sonya snapped. ¡°Do you have any evidence to support your words? I can sue you for defamation, you know!¡± Chloe rose to her feet. ¡°The documents I brought out during the press conference yesterday should be solid enough evidence, no? Say, Curtis gave you over 500 million dors¡® worth of jewelry, right? I hadn¡¯t consented to any of it. That means I can sue you too, right? I¡¯m sure half of that jewelry belongs to me!¡± ¡°What?¡± Sonya was shocked. ¡°So you should be thanking me instead of the other way around,¡± Chloe said with a sneer. ¡°You should be grateful I never made a big deal out of the fact that Curtis gave you all that jewelry behind my back. But now that you¡¯ve reminded me of them, I¡¯ll be sure to take this matter to court. Who knows, you might need to give me back half of that jewelry!¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Sonya¡¯s expression shifted. Meanwhile, the staff members around her began gossiping amongst themselves. After all, everyone in AeroQuest Airlines knew that Sonya had a good rtionship with Curtis, the CEO of Green Tech. Many of them had assumed Curtis and Sonya were a couple. They¡¯d even admired her for getting such a rich and handsome boyfriend. Discover more novels at F¦ÉndNovel Only now did they realize that Curtis had been married! Wouldn¡¯t that make Sonya a homewrecker then? Chapter 47 Forcing Chloe to Open the Um Sonya¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment as her colleagues shot her looks of disdain. All of a sudden, Sonya noticed the urn Chloe was carrying in her arms. Her eyes glinted cruelly. She said, ¡°What¡¯s that in your hand? I suspect it might be a safety hazard. As captain, I demand to inspect it!¡± Chloe was currently in the waiting zone that was designated for Sonya¡¯s uing flight. So, Sonya purposely used her position as captain to pressure Chloe. Chloe¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare cross the line, Sonya Miller!¡± Lena eximed angrily. Sonya raised her chin in the air. ¡°How am I crossing the line? I¡¯m only doing this out of concern for the safety of all the passengers and staff here!¡± She then turned to Chloe and said, ¡°If you have nothing to hide, then let the staff do the inspection!¡± Chloe clutched the urn tightly with both hands, gazing coldly at Sonya. ¡°This urn contains my parents¡® ashes. I¡¯ve already filled in a deration form and submitted it to the airport. There¡¯s no need to inspect it at all!¡± ¡°Ha! You think I should just take your word for it? What if it¡¯s contraband?¡± Sonya snorted. ¡°As for that deration -I didn¡¯t receive word of it whatsoever. So I¡¯m ordering you to hand me that urn right now!¡± Chloe¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°And what if I refuse?¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll confiscate the urn for further investigation on suspicion of being a safety hazard!¡± Sonya swiftly alerted the airport security with her walkie¨Ctalkie. The security guards soon came over. ¡°I suspect she has illegal substances in that urn of hers, so we need to confiscate it!¡± Sonya said to the guards. The guards came up to Chloe. ¡°Please hand us the urn for security inspection. We¡¯ll promptly return it to you if it passes the screening.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already filled in the formal deration form. This urn contains my parents¡® ashes and doesn¡¯t need additional screening anymore,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°Ms. Miller insists on a security inspection, so we have to cooperate with her. If you refuse, we¡¯ll have no choice but to detain you by force!¡± The guard said. The atmosphere became tense in an instant. Just then, someone came up and said, ¡°Why don¡¯t you let them inspect the urn, Chloe?¡± Chloe looked at the person in shock. Chapter 47 Forcing Chloe to Open the Urn What was Curtis doing here? Sonya went over to Curtis, asking, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Curtis pursed his lips, not daring to say that he¡¯d actually followed Chloe¡¯s vehicle here. When he saw Chloe carrying the urn into the airport, he guessed that she was going to take it back to her parents¡® hometown for burial. Hence, he¡¯d snuck in to see them off. ¡°You¡¯re not here to see me off because you know I¡¯m flying today, are you?¡± Sonya asked. ¡°Yes, I am,¡± Curtis said awkwardly. He then turned to Chloe and said, ¡°Sonya just wants to inspect the urn because of security concerns.¡± ¡°Inspect the urn?¡± Chloe snapped. ¡°Can¡¯t my parents rest in peace, Curtis Green?¡± ¡°No¡­ I just thought that if there¡¯s no issue¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve alreadypleted the deration procedure!¡± Chloe cut him off. ¡°If Sonya didn¡¯t receive the notification, then it¡¯s on her for herck of due diligence! Instead of making sure she does her job right, you¡¯re trying to have me give her my parents¡® ashes for inspection? Don¡¯t you find this ridiculous, Curtis?¡± Curtis¡® breath caught in his throat. Chloe¡¯s gaze was so cold and piercing that he didn¡¯t dare to look her in the eye. Sonya turned to the guards and urged them on, feeling irritated. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you guys taking the urn away from her? Who¡¯s going to take responsibility if it actually contains something dangerous, like a bomb?¡± The security guards immediately jumped into action upon hearing that. They swiftly zeroed in on Chloe. Lena wanted to help Chloe but was held back by one of the security guards. Chloe held the urn close to her chest. When the military had let her decide how to deliver the urn back home, she¡¯d chosen to bring it back to Yarfdale herself so she could bury it at the national military cemetery. Chloe had then applied to AeroQuest for the urn to be brought onto the flight, including the reasons why. She hadn¡¯t expected she would encounter such an obstacle on the way. ¡°I dare you to take this urn from me!¡± Chloe barked, ring at the security guards around her. She had a lethal presence right then, the kind that was only forged through countless battlefields. Fear crept into the security guards as they circled around her. They found themselves afraid of taking action. ¡°Hurry up!¡± Sonya cried. In the end, the security guards had no choice but to lunge forth. Chapter 47 Forcing Chloe to Open the Urn Chloe immediately kicked one of the guards who approached her, the urn still tight against her chest. The guard was instantly flung backward. One, two, three¡­ One by one, the security guards fell. Meanwhile, Chloe never once backed down even when she was struck. In fact, her presence just grew more menacing. She was a fierce force of nature as she fought to protect what mattered to her most. ¡°Why are all of you so useless?¡± Sonya cried angrily. ¡°There are so many of you, while it¡¯s just her alone! Hurry up and take the urn from her!¡± ¡°Stop it! Those ashes belong to war heroes!¡± Lena yelled. ¡°Are you out of your mind, Sonya Miller?¡± ¡°Ha! Please. Is that the best lie you cane up with?¡± Sonya sneered. ¡°Sonya!¡± Chloe suddenly turned her cold, steely gaze on Sonya. Her re pierced through Sonya like countless sharp arrows. Chloe then lunged toward Sonya. Sonya paled with fright and screamed at the guards, ¡°S¨CStop her!¡± But no one dared get in Chloe¡¯s way at all! Who in their right mind would do that, especially if the urn she was carrying really had war heroes¡® ashes? Just like that, Chloe ran over to Sonya before kicking her down. Chloe then stepped right on Sonya¡¯s chest. If Chloe used force, several of Sonya¡¯s ribs would break. ¡°How dare you do this to me, Chloe Quall? This is the airport!¡± Sonya screamed angrily. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I dare? You started it,¡± Chloe quipped. ¡°Sonya was just concerned about airport security, Chloe. How could you¡­¡± Curtis began saying. But before he could finish, Chloe kicked him in the chest. He flew backward andnded heavily on some benches. Curtis then stared at Chloe in utter shock. ¡°You have no right to say those things to me, Curtis Green!¡± Chloe said coldly. She then looked down at Sonya, who was still struggling beneath her. ¡°My parents sacrificed themselves for this country. You are not allowed to insult them!¡± ¡°I¨CI¡¯ll have your flight cancelled right now!¡± Sonya screeched back. ¡°Then I¡¯ll make sure you never board a single ne today!¡± Chloe eximed. She raised her foot, aiming right for Sonya¡¯s ribs. Chapter 47 Forcing Chloe to Open the Urn Just then, the sound of synchronized footsteps rang out in the waiting hall. ¡°What is the meaning of this?¡± A loud,manding voice rang out. Shocked, Chloe turned to see who it was. Rows of green military personnel uniforms filled her vision. After Divorce 48 Chapter 48 The Soldiers Are Here to See the War Heroes Off It was Allen! Chloe stared at the people standing a distance away. Behind Allen stood other military officers, Jenna and Walter¡¯s old fieldrades, as well as two rows of soldiers in uniform. The soldiers moved in unison, stern expressions on their faces. The waiting hall quietened down in an instant as everyone stared at the uniformed soldiers in bewilderment. Tears welled in Chloe¡¯s eyes. She hadn¡¯t felt like crying earlier when Sonya was causing her trouble, nor when she was being struck by the stun batons. Yet now, she felt an overwhelming urge to cry. Chloe knew that Allen and all the soldiers present were there to see Jenna and Walter off. The security guards set their stun batons down, not daring to do anything further. As Chloe gazed at the row of soldiers, she recalled how she¡¯d made a vow back when she was in the military to never do anything uwful. She swallowed the hatred boiling in her chest and lifted her foot from Sonya. Snapping a couple of Sonya¡¯s ribs and injuring her would certainly help Chloe vent her anger. But Sonya wasn¡¯t worth Chloe Sonya scrambled to her feet and hissed out, ¡°I¡¯m going to sue you, Chloe Quall!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll sue you first!¡± Lena ran over from the side. ¡°Chloe wouldn¡¯t have been attacked by the airport security or gotten electroshocked if it weren¡¯t for you!¡± ¡°Electroshocked ?¡± Allen¡¯s expression darkened as he looked at the stun batons in the security guards¡® hands. ¡°How¡­ How dare you attack Chloe with those? Chloe is a retired military veteran who fought for us! Her parents are war heroes who died in service to the country! How could you do such a thing to her?¡± Allen¡¯s voice rang out through the hall, shocking everyone present. This woman¡¯s parents were war heroes? Did that mean that the urn she was carrying contained said heroes¡® ashes? Was she really a military veteran who¡¯d served the country? The security guards exchanged uneasy nces, uncertain what to do. Meanwhile, Sonya was in disbelief. Were Chloe¡¯s parents really war heroes? But Curtis had never mentioned it to Sonya! Chapter 48 The Soldiers Are Here to See ¡°Curtis¡­¡± Sonya turned to look at Curtis, who stood by her side. To her surprise, he was staring ahead in shock. He was staring right at Chloe. It was as if Curtis had eyes for no one else but Chloe. He hadn¡¯t even heard Sonya when she¡¯d called his name. Bitter jealousy red in Sonya¡¯s eyes. As for Curtis, he was more shocked than anyone else present right now. Only now did he see that Chloe had been telling the truth. Chloe¡¯s parents really had been war heroes who¡¯d sacrificed themselves for their country! Curtis couldn¡¯t imagine what state of mind Chloe had been in when she¡¯d asked him to retrieve her parents¡® ashes with her. Yet he¡¯d¡­ Curtis felt all the more guilty for what he¡¯d done now. He still remembered how harsh Helen had been to Chloe when thetter had returned to the vi with her parents¡® urn. Even though Jenna and Walter had died as war heroes, they still hadn¡¯t been able to rest in peace in their daughter¡¯s own home. Curtis wanted to hit himself in the face so hard right now! Just then, several officers from AeroQuest Airlines¡® top management hurried over. ¡°There you are, Mr. Jackman. Oh, Ms. Quall, who are¡­¡± The officers were taken aback upon seeing how angry Allen was as well as the situation Chloe was in right now. ¡°I would like to know why Chloe was attacked by several of your airport¡¯s security guards for just having that urn on her!¡± Allen snapped. The officers shared a look. In the end, it was the PR department director who spoke up, saying, ¡°Someone please tell me what is going on here!¡± The bystanders shared looks with one another before they all turned to Sonya. Sonya had no choice but to grit out, ¡°I requested to inspect the urn Chloe was holding on suspicion of illegal substances. But Chloe refused to cooperate, so I ordered the security guards toe and help.¡± ¡°What a bloody good idea!¡± Allen eximed angrily. The soldiers standing behind him looked angry as well. ¡°I was only concerned for the flight crew and passengers¡® safety. What if the urn hadn¡¯t contained ashes but some contraband or a bomb instead? The entire ne would¡¯ve been in jeopardy!¡± Sonya lied. ¡°But I¡¯ve already made my deration to the airline. You could¡¯ve easily verified the deration, yet you refused. Instead, you insisted on confiscating this urn for inspection. What kind of logic is that?¡± Chloe Chapter 48 The Soldiers Are Here to See the War Heroes Off said, ring coldly at Sonya. ¡°I¡­ I just wanted to be extra careful and do the inspection,¡± Sonya continued, lying through her teeth. ¡°So what you¡¯re telling me is that as long as a captain wants to, they can perform an arbitrary inspection irrespective of the fact that said item is an urn containing the ashes of fallen soldiers? Or even seize it by force?¡± Allen said coldly. ¡°I had no idea the urn contained the ashes of war heroes!¡± Sonya eximed. Lena shoved the guards holding her back away and cried out, ¡°I clearly yelled out that there were war heroes¡® ashes in the urn! But what did you do in response? You ordered the guards to hurry up and seize it! ¡± Sonya grew pale in the face. Meanwhile, the soldiers behind Allen shot angrier res at Sonya. The officers from the airline¡¯s top management grew incredibly upset upon hearing this. How could Sonya, who prided herself on being poised and capable, do something so reckless? The deputy CEO even said promptly, ¡°If you ask me, I¡¯d say Ms. Miller isn¡¯t suitable to be piloting any aircraft for the time being. Have someone rece her right away!¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± someone answered from beside the deputy CEO and swiftly made a call to another candidate. Sonya¡¯s face grew paler than before as she swayed on her feet. She would¡¯ve fallen onto the floor if Curtis hadn¡¯t caught her in time. No! If Sonya were removed from her post right now, it would affect any future chance she had of getting further promotions. ¡°What do I do now? I can¡¯t be demoted. Please help me, Curtis!¡± Sonya grabbed onto Curtis as if he were a life raft while she drowned in fear. Curtis gazed at Sonya, feeling indignant as he saw Sonya¡¯s usually proud andposed face now frightfully pale. Curtis pitied Sonya and couldn¡¯t help but speak up for her. ¡°Chloe, why don¡¯t you forgive Sonya just this once? Stripping her of her post is too harsh on her! You¡¯ve already vented out your anger on Sonya by kicking her earlier-¡± Allen looked at Curtis in disdain. ¡°Didn¡¯t you and Chloe get divorced? What right do you have to say those things right now?¡± ¡°¨C¡± Chloe cut Curtis off before he could continue. ¡°You didn¡¯t so much as utter a word earlier when I was being attacked, Curtis. Yet the moment Sonya is affected in the slightest, you stand up for her. I told you before¨Cyou no longer have the right to talk to me N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on f?ndnovel Chapter 48 The Soldiers Are Here to See the War Heroes Off about these things!¡± ¡°Chloe, please just forgive Sonya this once on ount of our three years¡® of marriage!¡± Curtis pleaded. Even though he knew Sonya was in the wrong here, he had no choice but to help her. Sonya was the one who¡¯d saved his life, after all. Chloe suddenly burst intoughter, though there were tears in her eyes. Any regret at all she¡¯d felt for their loveless marriage was now gone. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t be alive here and saying these things to me today if I hadn¡¯t rescued you from that river after you suffered those eight stab wounds! You¡¯re a fucking bastard, Curtis Green!¡± After Divorce 49 Chapter 49 Chloe Was the One Who Rescued Curtis ¡°What?¡± Curtis¡® pupils dted in shock as he stared at Chloe. ¡°What did you say? What do you mean¡­ You saved me when I was in the river after getting eight stab wounds?¡± Wasn¡¯t Sonya the one who¡¯d rescued him? But Chloe didn¡¯t seem to want to bother with him anymore. Curtis was about to take a step closer to Chloe when Sonya suddenly grabbed onto his shirt, stopping him in his tracks. Curtis stopped and looked at Sonya. Her head was lowered, so he wasn¡¯t able to see her expression. Her hand was trembling, though. It happened to be time for Chloe to board the ne too. Allen patted Chloe¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°Alright, time to get on the ne. Don¡¯t forget to have your injuries checked on by a doctor in Yarfdale once you reach. Just because you¡¯re strong doesn¡¯t mean you can ignore all these small injuries.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Chloe said. Allen suddenly straightened up and performed a military salute toward Chloe. ¡°Jenna, Walter, have a safe flight home!¡± ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find~novel The soldiers and military officers behind Allen followed suit, paying their respects as they called out, ¡± Have a safe flight home!¡± Their firm but loud voices echoed throughout the waiting hall while the bystanders silently watched this solemn scene unfold. Tears clouded Chloe¡¯s vision. ¡°Are you watching this, Mom, Dad?¡± She thought to herself. ¡°Yourrades haven¡¯t forgotten about you two. They¡¯re all here to see you off!¡± Chloe held her parents¡® urn with both hands and saluted Allen and all the military personnel present. She then turned around and walked toward the boarding hall. She thought, ¡°Mom, Dad¡­ I¡¯m finally taking you home!¡± Meanwhile, Curtis¡® thoughts were in disarray as he stared fixedly at Chloe¡¯s retreating figure. He had so many questions to ask Chloe. Why had she said that she¡¯d rescued him? He¡¯d never told her about how he¡¯d fallen into the river with those eight stab wounds! How could she have known? Chapter 49 Chloe Was the One Who Rescued Curtis He wanted answers. His lips pulled into a tight line as he watched Chloe reach the boarding exit. He was determined to figure out the truth. As for Sonya, she was overwhelmed with terror as she watched Chloe leave. What was going on? Was Chloe the person who¡¯d actually saved Curtis? How could this be? Sonya hadn¡¯t actually saved Curtis all those years ago. She¡¯d just happened to meet him after he was rescued. When he¡¯d mistaken her for his savior, she¡¯d just gone along with it. Sonya had initially thought that having such an act of bravery added to her life achievements would be nice, even though it was false. After all, Curtis had been a penniless bum back then. But things were different now. There was no way Sonya could let go of Curtis now that he was at this stage in his life. Sonya had to find a way to trick Curtis so that he¡¯d continue believing that she was the one who saved his life! Chloe boarded the ne with the urn in hand. She¡¯d bought a business ss ticket for this flight because of the urn. But when Chloe walked into the business ss area, she saw that there were barely any other people here save for the flight crew. Only Brian was seated here! Chloe was briefly taken aback. She hadn¡¯t expected Brian to be on the same flight as her. ¡°I told you we¡¯d see each other soon,¡± Brian said. Chloe remained silent. Brian had been right after all. It was pretty soon. Chloe sat down in her seat, which was right beside Brian¡¯s. There were no other passengers in business ss save the two of them. When the ne lifted off, Brian said to Chloe, ¡°You surprised me today, Ms. Quall.¡± Chloe was surprised. She then quickly understood what Brian was implying. She asked, ¡°Did you see what happened in the waiting hall too?¡± ¡°Yes, I did,¡± Brian replied faintly. Brian had seen how Chloe had protected the urn in her arms with all her might, even as she was being attacked by over a dozen security guards. He¡¯d also seen how tightly she¡¯d held onto the urn even as she was hit by stun batons. Chapter 49 Chice Was Yet right when Brian had been about to go to Chloe¡¯s aid, she¡¯d suddenly run over to Sonya and kicked the down. She¡¯d even kicked Curtis away. The look of fury on Chloe¡¯s face and the fire in her eyes had mesmerized Brian. Yet he wasn¡¯t sure why. Even if Brian admired Chloe, that feeling should only remain as just that and nothing more. It was simr to how Brian was interested in Chloe being his bodyguard. He figured that if he spent some time around Chloe, his interest in her would fade with time. There was nothing else beyond that. So even if Chloe did drop dead in front of him, he wouldn¡¯t feel anything from it. Brian had never thought people¡¯s lives were precious, not even his own. Yet his emotions seemed to have fluctuated when Chloe was involved. He¡¯d felt a strange anger when he saw Chloe stumble back after being struck by a stun baton, gritting her teeth in pain. He¡¯d even been mesmerized by her disy of raw power at the end of the fight. He hadn¡¯t been able to keep his eyes off of her at all. ¡°Are you protecting those ashes with your life just because they were war heroes?¡± Brian asked. Chloe looked at the urn ced on the dining tray. ¡°War heroes aside, they were my parents. They kept me safe throughout my youth, so isn¡¯t it only right for me to do the same for them now that they¡¯re gone?¡± Brian pursed his lips slightly. ¡°Not all parents protect their children,¡± he said in a somewhat mocking tone. Chloe was a little surprised by his words. She then said, ¡°Yes. There are some parents who are unkind to their children. But my parents loved me deeply and were very nice to me, so I¡¯m not going to let anyone insult them even if it means I have to get hurt in the process.¡± ¡°Does that mean you¡¯ll repay someone as long as they were nice to you?¡± Brian suddenly asked. Chloe gazed curiously at him. Why had this be the topic of their conversation? ¡°If someone treats me kindly, then of course I¡¯ll repay them for it,¡± Chloe said firmly. ¡°What about me? If I was kind to you, would you protect my ashes after my death and make sure no one removes any of it?¡± Brian asked, staring fixedly at Chloe. All of a sudden, Chloe felt like a wild beast was staring at her. Brian¡¯s gaze was so cold, yet she felt strangely hot underneath it. Death was a topic most people avoided, especially those who were rich and powerful. Brian himself was a powerful and wealthy man who wanted for nothing, yet he could so easily discuss the matter of his death. ¡°I don¡¯t need to keep your ashes safe, Mr. Steele. I¡¯m sure there are many other people who are eager to do so in my stead,¡± Chloe answered. Chapter 49 Chloe Was the One Who Rescued Curtis ¡°So you¡¯re not going to repay me?¡± Brian asked. Chloe stayed silent. It wasn¡¯t like Brian had disyed much kindness to her, anyway. But there was no need to make things awkward right now. She still had to keep him safe for the next three months. ¡°As long as you stay healthy, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll live to 100 years old. Plus, the future is always uncertain. Who knows¨CI might die before you do,¡± Chloe answered. Brian¡¯s brows knitted together slightly. There was something irritating about thatst sentence. ¡°If you do die before me, I¡¯ll make sure to keep your ashes safe. No one will be able to touch them!¡± Brian said. Chloe nearly choked on her own spit. She had no ns of letting Brian look after for her ashes if she passed on! im Bonus For Free Every Day>> After Divorce 50 Chapter 50 The Identity of Curtis¡® Savior Meanwhile, Sonya was subjected to questioning from her superiors at AeroQuest Airlines. Hence, Curtis had to leave the airport alone. His thoughts were still a mess. All he could think about was what Chloe had said to him before she left. Who was the one who¡¯s actually saved Curtis? Chloe? Or Sonya? Curtis had seen Sonya the moment he¡¯d woken up in the hospital. The hospital staff had even told him that she¡¯d gone to the hospital with him. But why had Chloe said those words? Had she just been lying, or¡­ It felt like Curtis¡® chest was being crushed by a ten¨Cton weight, making it hard for him to breathe. He returned to the vi. The moment he entered, he saw Helen and Joanne sitting on the sofa. They quickly greeted Curtis when he came inside. ¡°Why are you home sote, Curtis? Didn¡¯t you just need to go to the city hall and sign some papers? Chloe hasn¡¯t regretted her decision about the divorce, has she?¡± Joanne asked. In Joanne¡¯s mind, it made sense for Chloe to not want to go through with the divorce. Curtis was CEO of Green Tech, and he was also rich! ¡°Was 153 million dors not enough for Chloe? Helen huffed. ¡°That sum is way more than she deserves, if you ask me!¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough, Mom.¡± Curtis massaged his temple. ¡°The divorce with Chloe has been finalized.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Helen eximed with joy. ¡®I have no need to lie to you,¡± Curtis replied. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful news! A woman like Chloe Quall could never be fit to be your wife. Sonya is a good choice. Her family is influential, and she¡¯s even a captain. Having a daughter¨Cinw like her would make me so proud!¡± Helen said happily. Helen was eagerly imagining the admiration on her rtives¡® faces once they found out that she had a rich heiress as her daughter¨Cinw. ¡®Chloe is definitely going to regret divorcing you, Curtis,¡± Joanne said gleefully. ¡°She won¡¯t be able to find a proper man like you anywhere else.¡± Joanne then said excitedly. ¡°Why don¡¯t you send a wedding invite to Chloe once you and Sonya marry? We¡¯ll let Chloee and join the wedding!¡± Chapter 50 The Identity of Curtis Savior ?????? ???? F¦ÉndNovel ¡°Sonya and I are just friends,¡± Curtis said, brows furrowing. ¡°What do you mean, just friends? Stop bluffing us. We both know Sonya is your first love. You only married Chloe because you lost interest in Sonya after she left the country. But now that you¡¯ve divorced Chloe, you can finally be with Sonya,¡± Joanne said. ¡°Yes! We¡¯re all family, so there¡¯s no need to be shy about this. I know how you truly feel, so we¡¯ll definitely start nning yours and Sonya¡¯s wedding soon,¡± Helen said. Curtis looked at Helen and Joanne as a wave of exhaustion washed over him. Without another word, he went upstairs and retired to his bedroom. Not even Helen and Joanne, his own family, believed that Sonya was just a friend to him! Had he really caused this misunderstanding through his actions? It was true that he¡¯d had feelings for Sonya at the start. It was partly because she¡¯d saved his life and partly because of her looks and background. But she¡¯d been so far out of his league at the time. Curtis knew the distance between their social standings was great, so he¡¯d only ever kept his love for Sonya hidden deep in his heart. He would mask any affection or kindness toward her as a repayment of gratitude. But once Curtis married Chloe, he knew the responsibilities he had to bear as a husband. He never once crossed the line with Sonya even when she returned¨Cnot even when he still had feelings for her. Curtis wanted to be loyal in his marriage but also wanted to show Sonya affection. Hence, he¡¯d imed Sonya was just a ¡°friend¡± in order to keep people from prying. But clearly no one thought that Curtis and Sonya were mere friends. Curtis recalled the usations Chloe had directed at him before. He¡¯d only imed that Sonya was ¡°just a friend¡± because he didn¡¯t want his reputation ruined or feel guilty for his actions. He took out the divorce decree he¡¯d received earlier today, a bitter taste filling his mouth. His phone rang just then. He looked at the screen and saw it was Sonya. It just so happened that Curtis had something to ask her too! Curtis answered the call and heard Sonya¡¯s voice ring out uneasily from the other end. ¡°Curtis? Where are you right now? I want to see you?¡± ¡°Where are you currently at? I¡¯ll go and fetch you,¡± Curtis said. ¡°I¡¯m still at the airport. I only just left the deputy CEO¡¯s office,¡± Sonya said in an aggrieved tone. Usually, Curtis would¡¯ve immediately consoled her. Yet right now he found himself unable to utter a single such word. Chapter 50 The Identity of Curtis Savior ¡°I¡¯lle over right now then,¡± Curtis said before hanging up the call. He then drove right to the airport. Sonya ground her teeth together as she gripped her phone tightly. Uneasiness shed across her face. She couldn¡¯t let Curtis know the truth at all. She had to be Curtis¡® life savior! Curtis arrived at the airport half an hourter and saw Sonya waiting for him. Her eyes were red¨Crimmed, and her face was pale. She looked quite pitiful right now with none of her usual prideful ir in sight. The moment Sonya saw Curtis, she leapt into his arms. ¡°Do you think it¡¯s my fault for being so reckless today, Curtis? I swear I really wasn¡¯t trying to antagonize Chloe. I only did what I did out of genuine safety concerns! I admit I went a little too far, which is why things turned out the way they did. ¡°Honestly, things wouldn¡¯t have ended up like that if Chloe had just told me earlier on that the urn contained her parents¡® ashes! She purposely kept silent about it just so I¡¯d humiliate myself!¡± Sonya was once again shifting all the me to Chloe. Curtis gazed at Sonya in his arms. ¡°But didn¡¯t Chloe¡¯s friend yell out to you that the urn had Chloe¡¯s parents ashes in it? You didn¡¯t believe her!¡± Sonya froze to the spot. ¡°Are you really siding with them right now, Curtis? Didn¡¯t you once promise me that you¡¯d stand on my side no matter what happens?¡± Curtis pursed his lips but didn¡¯t respond directly to Sonya. ¡°Let¡¯s find somece to sit and eat.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Sonya nodded. Something shed in her eyes when Curtis turned his back on her, though. It seemed like his attitude toward her really had changed! Had he grown suspicious of her all because of what Chloe said before she left? The most important thing for Sonya right now was to get rid of Curtis¡® suspicion! Sonya and Curtis went to a restaurant close to the airport. They sat in a private dining room and ordered two mugs of coffee. ¡°I was suspended because of what happened earlier today. Though after thinking it through, it doesn¡¯t seem like an entirely bad thing. Now I can apany you to Yarfdale, and you can meet my rtives from my mother¡¯s side of the family. That way you can build connections,¡± Sonya said. Curtis sipped on his coffee, his mind elsewhere entirely. Right now, the only thing he cared about was¡­ ¡°Sonya, I need to ask you something. Who was the person who actually rescued me from the river all those years ago?¡± Curtis asked. Sonya¡¯s expression instantly fell. After Divorce 51 Chapter 51 Chloe Is Far More Valiant and Spirited Than Sonya ¡°What are you saying, Curtis? Are you doubting me just because of what Chloe said before she left?¡± Sonya cried in frustration. ¡°No! I don¡¯t doubt you at all. I¡¯m just trying to figure out what really happened back then!¡± Curtis exined. Find the newest release on F¦Énd£Îovel ¡°Haven¡¯t we already gone over it? I saw you in the river, so I pulled you out. The ambnce took you to the hospital, and you were saved in the nick of time! Everyone saw it with their own eyes!¡± Sonya eximed, pretending to be upset. But the cold sweat on her palms betrayed her fear and panic. Curtis pursed his lips. It was true that there were many eyewitnesses to what had urred. He shouldn¡¯t have doubted Sonya. Yet he couldn¡¯t forget the look on Chloe¡¯s face when she¡¯d said those words to him. She had looked so firm and yet so hateful toward him. It almost seemed like Chloe had really been the one who¡¯d saved him. ¡°I never told Chloe how I ended up in the river, or that I¡¯d been stabbed eight times. But somehow, she already knew about all that,¡± Curtis said. ¡°Then maybe you should ask Chloe how she knows?¡± Sonya blurted and instantly regretted it. If Curtis really asked Chloe about it, he just might realize that Chloe was his true savior. She quicklyposed herself and said, ¡°Plenty of people knew about what happened to you back then- your ssmates, the hospital staff, and even many other friends and family members. ¡°Chloe must¡¯ve gotten word of what happened through them. Think about it¨Cif she really had been the one who saved you, why wouldn¡¯t she have brought it up all these years?¡± Curtis stayed silent. That was what puzzled him too. If the person who¡¯d rescued him had really been Chloe, then why had it been Sonya standing by his bedside when he woke up in the hospital? ¡°I¡¯m sure Chloe is just trying to drive a wedge between us after finding out that I was the one who rescued you in the past,¡± Sonya added firmly. Curtis remained silent. He wondered if that was true. But Chloe was the one who¡¯d brought up divorce. She hadn¡¯t seemed to have any attachment to their marriage at all. Plus, would someone like her really lie just to drive a couple apart? Curtis recalled Chloe on horseback, piloting a ne, and even fighting off a dozen men, all to protect her parents¡® urn. He used to think that Sonya was valiant and spirited. But now, he realized that those words were far more Chapter 51 Chice is Far More Vant and Spirited Than Sonya fitting for Chloe. 214 Seeing how silent Curtis was, Sonya quickly said, ¡°If you truly believe Chloe¡¯s words, then so be it. I¡¯ve told you from the beginning anyway that I only rescued you out of kindness. I never asked for anything in return, nor cared about the fact that I saved someone¡¯s life or not!¡± She then stood up to leave. Curtis quickly grabbed her wrist. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Sonya. I shouldn¡¯t have let my mind wander so much. Of course you saved me out of sincere kindness. I had nothing to my name at the time, after all.¡± ¡°So you¡¯vee to your senses?¡± Sonya huffed, shooting him an usatory look. She then softened her tone and said, ¡°I never wanted to use the fact that I saved your life to be with you. All I care about is whether or not you trust me. If Chloe¡¯s words can make you doubt me this easily, then maybe I shouldn¡¯t have saved you at all.¡± Guilt red in Curtis¡® eyes. Sonya was right. Curtis had been a poor man when she rescued him; he couldn¡¯t have given Sonya anything in return. She didn¡¯t need to lie about having saved his life at all. Chloe must¡¯ve heard about the incident somewhere and only brought it up because she wanted to upset him. ¡°I trust you, Sonya. You¡¯re the one who saved me, no one else!¡± Curtis said firmly, gazing steadily at Sonya. He wasn¡¯t going to doubt her anymore, as doing so would only hurt her. Sonya finally rxed. She smiled and said, ¡°Good. Don¡¯t you dare doubt me again. I¡¯ll never forgive you if you do.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Curtis promised. Yet for some reason, a strange unease lingered in his chest. Sonya had suggested they visit Yarfdale to meet her mother, and Yarfdale happened to be Chloe¡¯s parents ¡®hometown too. So maybe Curtis might be able to bump into Chloe there. If they did, he was definitely going to ask her why she¡¯d lied to him. Chloe and Brian stepped off the ne together. She¡¯d booked a hotel room for herself, but Brian had other ideas. ¡°Since you agreed to be my bodyguard for three months, it¡¯s only right that youe and stay with me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid it won¡¯t be convenient, Mr. Steele,¡± Chloe said. ¡°I¡¯ll be busy burying my parents¡® urn tomorrow.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine. I did say that I don¡¯t need protection around the clock, just when you¡¯re free to stick around,¡± Brian replied. ¡°It¡¯s only for three months. You already agreed to it yesterday, didn¡¯t you, Ms. Quall?¡± Chapter 51 Chloe ts Far More Valiant and Spirited Than Sonya Chloe silently sighed. She had agreed to Allen yesterday about taking on this mission. She¡¯d relented in the end since three months would pass by in the blink of an eye. The driver who came to pick them up was a local Yarfdalian. Once they got into the car, Brian had the driver take them to a local high¨Cend restaurant. Chloe sat in the backseat, gazing out the window. Unlike the grandeur of Corvessia, Yarfdale¡¯s beautyy in its teeming nature and rural charm. The roads were lined with trees, and individual houses dotted thendscape. It looked different now from how it had been when Chloe was young. Chloe only had vague memories of Yarfdale. After all, she¡¯d moved to Corvessia with her parents when she was only a child. She did return with her parents to pay respects to her family¡¯s lineage when she was in high school, but that was a very long time ago now. Jenna and Walter had returned to Yarfdale several times afterward, but Chloe had never joined them due to her work and studies. She still remembered how they had told her that they wanted her to join them on their trip back to Yarfdale once they finished their mission with the peacekeeping forces. Who knew that the next time she returned to Yarfdale would be with her parents¡® ashes? All of a sudden, Chloe spotted a memorial hall on the roadside. ¡°That memorial hall¡­¡± she gasped. ¡°That¡¯s the Quall Family Memorial Hall. The Qualls are quite prominent here in Yarfdale,¡± the driver said. 30 years ago, and developer had offered to buy the plot ofnd for 200 million dors. Thend development industry had just started kicking up, and the developer had even brought thugs to back them
  1. up.
All the Quall family members had then returned to Yarfdale from all corners of the country, stating that they¡¯d never sell their ancestralnd. Their unity had been immensely powerful. In the end, the developer had fled the scene along with his thugs. Ever since then, no one had ever tried acquiring thend again. Chloe¡¯s emotions rushed up within her as the driver told her the tale of what had happened back then. Walter had told her this story before. He¡¯d said that even though the Quall family hadn¡¯t been wealthy, they were always united. The Qualls had then drawn lots to decide who would care for the memorial hall. If the caretakers died, their children would be cared for by the rest of the family. Her grandfather, James Quall, hadn¡¯t participated in the drawing. Instead, he¡¯d brandished his de and said, ¡°My son is grown now and no longer needs the family¡¯s care. My wife has also passed on, so I no Chapter 51 Chloe is Far More Valiant and Spirited Than Sonya longer have anymitments or attachments. I can defend our family¡¯s memorial hall!¡± Chapter 52 Till Death Do Us Part After Divorce 52 Chapter 52 Till Death Do Us Part Walter had once said that James was his hero. But sadly, after James had died in an ident, Walter and Jenna moved to Corvessia. Yet no matter what, Yarfdale was where their rootsy. As the car drove past the Quall Family Memorial Hall, Chloe¡¯s fingers brushed gently against the urn in her hands. She would bring her parents¡® ashes back here¨Cto the ce where James had risked his life to protect, the very heart of the Quall family¡¯s spirit. Brian nced at her, seemingly lost in thought. When the car stopped at the restaurant, Chloe and Brian stepped out. They had barely entered when a woman¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°Brian? What brings you to Yarfdale?¡± Chloe looked up and saw a woman with a perfectly proportioned face and gold¨Crimmed sses sashaying toward Brian. The woman was dressed head to toe in thetest designer collection, every piece of her jewelry screaming her wealth. Yet, her paleplexion gave her a frail, almost sickly air. Several people her age trailed behind her. ¡°Just here for some business,¡± Brian replied evenly. ¡°Is it the ind development project?¡± the woman asked. He didn¡¯t answer, and she didn¡¯t push further. The source of th?s content is Find¡ïNovel ¡°Since this is a lovely coincidence, why not join us for a meal?¡± she offered, smiling. ¡°My friends here have all heard of you, and they¡¯d love the chance to meet you.¡± Herpanions brightened at the thought. After all, dining with Brian Steele¨Cthe head of the Steele family and the most influential man in Corvessia¨Cwas an honor worth bragging about. Brian gave them a quick nce. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in entertaining your guests. Let¡¯s go, Ms. Quall.¡± Chloe was just about to follow them when the woman blocked her path. ¡°What a coincidence. You¡¯re a Quall too?¡± she asked with a polite smile. ¡°I¡¯m Willow Quall. Brian and I have known each other since we were kids. Do you mind me asking what your rtionship to Brian is?¡± Before Chloe could respond, Brian snapped, ¡°My private affairs are none of your concern.¡± ¡°I was just checking in on you,¡± Willow exined. ¡°If Ms. Quall is your friend, then-¡± ¡°She¡¯s more than a friend.¡± Chapter 52 Till Death Do Us Part With that, Brian took Chloe¡¯s hand and led her away. Willow watched as they disappeared into the distance, her lips pressed together in a tight line. The gentle expression on her face was long gone, leaving only gloom. Herpanions hurried tofort her. ¡°That woman is just a passing fling.¡± ¡°Exactly. She might be a Quall, but she¡¯s nothingpared to you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. You¡¯re from the main branch of the family. Some random woman with the samest name could never measure up.¡± Meanwhile, Chloe and Brian settled into a private room. ¡°Since you¡¯re back in your hometown, I¡¯ll leave the ordering to you,¡± Brian said. Chloe epted without hesitation. She¡¯d longed for the vors of home. Flipping through the menu, picked out local Yarfdale specialities¨Cdishes her parents had always loved. If they had still been alive and had returned here together, she knew they would¡¯ve ordered the exact same dishes as her. Brian handed the menu back to the waiter. ¡°That¡¯s all.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to order more?¡± Chloe asked, surprised. ¡°These should be enough,¡± he replied. ¡°If they¡¯re not, then we can order moreter.¡± She arched an eyebrow. Wasn¡¯t he worried that the dishes she ordered might not suit his taste? Once the waiter left, Brian turned toward Chloe and asked, ¡°What did you tell Curtis at the airport today?¡± He had seen her say something to Curtis before boarding the ne, something that had made Curtis¡® expression change drastically. But because of the distance, he hadn¡¯t been able to hear. Chloe was caught off guard, then realized Brian must have been nearby. Since he was also taking the same flight, it made sense that he was at the airport at the time. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± She brushed it off. ¡°Just something small.¡± Saving Curtis back then wasn¡¯t a big deal to her, so she never told anyone about it. She¡¯d recognized him the moment she saw him, but she had stayed quiet, worried that he¡¯d suspect her of using it as leverage against him. She never saw the need to talk about the incident. If she hadn¡¯t been so angry, she never would¡¯ve said it out loud. Brian held her gaze for a while. ¡°If Curtis regretted letting you go, would you go back to him?¡± he asked Chapter 52 Till Death Do Us Part nonchntly. ¡°No,¡± Chloe answered quickly. ¡°Even if he desperately begged you toe back?¡± 3/3 ¡°What about you, Mr. Steele?¡± she shot back, her eyebrow raised. ¡°If you divorced a woman and sheter regretted it, begging you to take her back, would you?¡± A smirk tugged at his lips. ¡°If I actually got married, I would never divorce my wife.¡± Scorn shed in Chloe¡¯s eyes. Curtis had once said the same thing when he proposed, vowing that she would be his only love. But after marriage, he never touched her¨Call because of his first love. And now, they were divorced. Such empty ims of eternal love would only work on young women, who still fantasized about romance. ¡°What? You don¡¯t believe me?¡± Brian asked. Chloe looked at him and said, ¡°I don¡¯t believe in marriages thatst for a lifetime, Mr. Steele. If you stopped loving your wife, or changed your mind and fell for someone else, wouldn¡¯t you divorce her?¡± ¡°Since I¡¯ve chosen to marry her, I would never change my mind,¡± he replied. She was surprised, to say the least. She never expected him to be so loyal. After all, the impression she had on him was far from that. When she first saw Brian, she thought a man like him wouldn¡¯t even be capable of loving someone, let alone staying loyal to one woman for his entire life. ¡°But what if your wife doesn¡¯t love you anymore?¡± she pressed. ¡°What if she changed her mind and insisted on divorcing you?¡± ¡°To me, there¡¯s only one way to get out of a marriage,¡± Brian said calmly. ¡°Death. If she could kill me, then naturally, she¡¯d be able to leave me.¡± Chloe was stunned. She hadn¡¯t expected him to say something so chilling in such a calm, indifferent tone. ¡°So if she doesn¡¯t kill you, she¡¯s stuck with you forever?¡± she muttered, almost talking to herself. ¡°Exactly.¡± Brian smiled, the indifference fading as warmth touched his face. Yet, the stoicism beneath remained. Chloe froze. Chapter 53 Don¡¯t Leave Me Behind Chapter 53 Don¡¯t Leave Me Behind After Divorce 53 Chapter 53 Don¡¯t Leave Me Behind Fortunately, the waiter came in with the food, easing the tension in the room. Chloe¡¯s eyes stung as she looked at the familiar vors of Yarfdale spread across the table. She ate slowly, savoring each bite. The restaurant Brian had chosen was one of the city¡¯s finest, and the food was excellent. Yet, it still didn¡¯t taste like what she remembered from long ago. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You don¡¯t like it?¡± he suddenly asked. Caught off guard by his sharp observation, she quickly shook her head. ¡°No, it¡¯s good.¡± ¡°Your expression says otherwise,¡± he said. ¡°If you don¡¯t like this ce, we can go somewhere else.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need. It¡¯s just a meal, nothing worth fussing over,¡± she replied. ¡°Besides, this ce is one of the best in Yarfdale. Compared to the little diner my parents used to take my brother and me to, this is far more refined.¡± Even so, she couldn¡¯t help missing the taste of that little diner. ¡°Your brother¡­¡± Brian¡¯s eyes flickered. ¡°You barely mention him.¡® ¡°He went missing five years ago.¡± Chloe¡¯s expression dimmed. It had been years, and people kept telling her that Daniel was probably dead. But she refused to believe it. As long as his body wasn¡¯t found, she believed that he was still alive. ¡°Since I¡¯ll be working as your bodyguard, is there anything I should know beforehand?¡± she asked, trying to change the subject. ¡°Like I said, you can deal with your own affairs in Yarfdale,¡± Brian replied. ¡°The rest of the time, you¡¯ll stick to your bodyguard duties. If I attend any social functions, you¡¯ll keep mepany.¡± Chloe nodded. ¡°Understood.¡± During her time in the army, she had never worked as a bodyguard. But since she¡¯d done protection missions before, she assumed this job wouldn¡¯t be difficult. ¡°And most importantly¡­¡± Brian paused. ¡°No matter what happens, you can¡¯t leave me behind.¡± Chloe almost choked on her soup. He sounded as if he were terrified of being abandoned. However, it exined why he had been so insistent on having her as his bodyguard. It was probably because she never left his side in moments of danger. It was almost as if¡­ he¡¯d been left behind one too many times. hierarchy. Who in their right mind would dare leave him behind? ¡°Of course. That goes without saying,¡± she replied swiftly. Protecting him was her duty, so naturally, she¡¯d never leave him behind. ¡°Great.¡± A smile spread across Brian¡¯s face, softening his usually cold, distant features. Even the harsh lines of his face seemed gentler, and all of a sudden, he looked breathtakingly handsome. And against her better judgment, Chloe found it hard to look away. After dinner, Chloe went to the restroom. She ended up running into Willow at the sink. ¡°Ms. Quall, we meet again,¡± Willow said, adjusting her sses. ¡°Brian said you¡¯re more than just friends. What exactly is your rtionship with him?¡± Her tone was polite, far from confrontational. But there was something in her eyes that made Chloe uneasy. ¡°There¡¯s nothing between us,¡± Chloe replied, figuring she and Brian weren¡¯t even friends. At most, she was only working as his bodyguard for the next three months. Willow smiled. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to answer, that¡¯s fine. But I¡¯ve seen plenty of women like you.¡± Chapters first released on fin?novel Chloe arched an eyebrow. ¡°Women who think that cozying up to powerful men makes them special,¡± Willow continued, her smile perfectly in ce. ¡°In the end, they¡¯re just toys to be discarded.¡± ¡°Is that so? Alright, then,¡± Chloe replied coolly, turning to leave. Displeasure shed in Willow¡¯s eyes. She stopped Chloe, the same smile fixed firmly on her face. ¡°Shall I be more direct? You mean nothing to Brian. He¡¯ll never love anyone.¡± ¡®Does that mean he won¡¯t fall in love with you either?¡± Chloe shot back. Willow¡¯s expression changed. ¡°Who do you think you are topare yourself to me?¡± she hissed, raising her hand to p Chloe. But before the p couldnd, Chloe caught her wrist and snarled, ¡°All humans are equal. What makes you better than all of us?¡± ¡°Do you even know who I am?¡± Willow seethed. ¡°I¡¯m-¡± ¡°I know you¡¯re Willow Quall. That¡¯s all.¡± Chloe cut her off, pushing her hand away. ¡°As for your background, I¡¯m not interested.¡± A sneer twisted Willow¡¯s lips. ¡°What if I tell Brian you shoved me on purpose, broke my sses, and hurt Chapter 53 Dont Leave Me Behind my eyes? What do you think he¡¯ll do?¡± With that, she suddenly yanked the sses off her face and smashed them against the sink. The rims of the designer sses broke, the lenses shattering. ¡°You should know that Brian cares a lot about my eyes,¡± Willow added smugly. Usually, the women around Brian didn¡¯t bother her. She knew he¡¯d never care for them, and their feelings. for him would always go unreciprocated. So even if he didn¡¯t love her, she wasn¡¯t upset. She didn¡¯t mind waiting for him. After all, she¡¯d always. been patient. But Chloe stirred something in Willow. She began to panic after seeing Brian lead Chloe to a private room, her hand in his. All these years, he had never taken the initiative to hold a woman¡¯s hand. Unease pricked at Willow, reminding her that she couldn¡¯t let Chloe stay by Brian¡¯s side. She had to get rid of her, or things would spiral out of control. So even though she usually wouldn¡¯t stoop to such despicable methods, she had no choice now. But to Willow¡¯s surprise, Chloe seemed unfazed. Instead, she flipped her phone around, showing Willow that she was on a call. Brian¡¯s caller ID was flickering on the screen. Panic gripped Willow. ¡°D¨CDid you call Brian?¡± she sputtered, lunging at Chloe to snatch the phone from her. Chloe dodged her and put Brian on speaker. ¡°You heard what she said, didn¡¯t you?¡± His cold voice rang out. ¡°Yes, I did.¡± Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! After Divorce 54 Chapter 54 Can¡¯t Bear to Let Her Go Willow stiffened. Had Brian overheard their entire conversation? What exactly had he picked up on? When had Chloe even made that call? Willow hadn¡¯t noticed at all. Cold sweat slicked Willow¡¯s palms. She didn¡¯t dare move, and just then, Brian¡¯s tall figure appeared from behind the wall. Chloe slipped her phone back into her pocket and turned to him. ¡°Mr. Steele, since you heard everything, you won¡¯t me me, right?¡± She had felt uneasy the moment Willow confronted her, so she had quietly dialed his number. She hadn¡¯t expected it to work so perfectly, but at least it saved her from being framed. ¡°You set me up!¡± Willow¡¯s delicate features twisted with rage. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t tried to frame me, none of this would¡¯ve happened,¡± Chloe replied evenly. Willow lunged at her, hand raised to strike, but Brian caught her wrist. ¡°She¡¯s mine,¡± he snarled. ¡°You don¡¯t get to touch her. And also¡­¡± His cold gaze swept to Willow¡¯s left eye. ¡°If you ever use your eye as leverage again, don¡¯t me me for breaking the promise I made back then.¡± A shiver ran down Willow¡¯s spine. ¡°I¡­ understand.¡± She managed after a long pause. As Brian left with Chloe, Willow stood rooted to the spot. Defiance burned in her eyes as she watched them disappear into the distance. Years ago, she¡¯d nearly lost an eye for Brian, and in return, he had promised her thesting glory of the main branch of the Quall family. She¡¯d paid a hefty price just to get close to him. There was no way she would let another woman swoop in out of nowhere and sidle up to him so easily. Chloe and Brian left the restaurant and got into the car. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t answered your call just now, what would you have done?¡± he asked suddenly. ¡°I¡¯d have told Ms. Quall that if I wanted to hurt her, she wouldn¡¯t still be standing,¡± Chloe answered. If words failed, she¡¯d have no choice but to resort to violence. ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried that she¡¯ll get back on you?¡± Chapter 54 Cant Bear to Let Her Go ¡°If you spend your life worrying about every single thing, you¡¯d hardly be living at all,¡± she replied. She wasn¡¯t the type to stir trouble, but she never shied from it either. ¡°She¡¯s from the main branch of the Quall family in Yarfdale,¡± Brian said. ¡°Both of you share the samest name. That can¡¯t be a coincidence.¡± Chloe faltered. In Yarfdale, only one family bore that name with such weight¨Cit was the very one whose memorial hall still stood proudly downtown. ¡°So it really was a coincidence,¡± she murmured. Willow was probably her cousin. But it seemed they had gotten into a fight first before she¡¯d even returned to the family home. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to ask about my rtionship with Willow?¡± Brian asked. ¡°I¡¯m just a bodyguard,¡± Chloe replied. Whatever historyy between him and Willow, it wasn¡¯t her concern. Thest thing she wanted was to get involved in his personal life. ¡°Her eye was nearly ruined because of me,¡± Brian gritted out. ¡°Her eyeball was saved, but her vision is poor.¡± Chloe fell silent. So that was why Willow had imed that her eyes mattered to Brian more than anything. ¡°I was eight at the time,¡± he added softly. She looked at him, surprised that they¡¯d known each other since then. ¡°Was it some kind of ident while ying?¡± ¡°No,¡± he answered sullenly. ¡°I lost control, and I had my hands wrapped around her face and nearly gouged one of her eyes out.¡± Chills ran down her spine. She hadn¡¯t expected such a past between them. Still, her expression remained calm, betraying little shock. ¡°Aren¡¯t you scared?¡± Brian asked, watching her closely. ¡°I¡¯ve seen too much to be frightened so easily,¡± she answered. As a child, she had followed her parents to war¨Ctorn countries. She had seen what true hell looked like. Perhaps that was why she valued the peace of her homnd now. ¡°I just think that both you and Willow are pitiful,¡± she murmured. Even if she disliked Willow, it was hard not to pity a woman who¡¯s suffered such violence at such a young ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find{n}ovel age. ¡°So you pity me too?¡± Brian arched an eyebrow. Chapter 54 Can¡¯t Bear to Let Her Go After that incident, people had called Willow the victim. No one had ever considered that he might also suffer the same, for he was the perpetrator. ¡°You were only eight, and out of your mind. Isn¡¯t that pitiful?¡± Chloe met his gaze. ¡°Sometimes pitying a beast and getting too close is the quickest way to get mauled,¡± he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°What if one day I lose control again? What if I gouge out your eye instead? I¡¯m no longer a weak eight¨Cyear¨Cold child, you know.¡± ¡°And I¡¯m not Willow,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°If that day everes, I¡¯ll knock you out with a stick before you can hurt anyone.¡± Surprise flickered in Brian¡¯s eyes. He hadn¡¯t expected that answer. Chloe was indeed very amusing and refreshing. The more she said things like that, the harder it was to let go of her. Would his interest in her truly fade in three months? For a moment, he doubted it. The car stopped, and Chloe realized they¡¯d arrived at a hospital. ¡°Let a doctor check on you. You took quite a few blows back at the airport,¡± he said with a hint of amusement. Chloe didn¡¯t object. She had nned to get her medicine anyway. But what she hadn¡¯t expected was for him to follow her all the way to the lobby. ¡°Mr. Steele, aren¡¯t you going back?¡± she asked. ¡°You¡¯re my bodyguard,¡± he replied. ¡°Of course I have to be with you.¡± Chloe was at a loss for words. If that was the case, he could do as he pleased. She registered at the front desk and went to the outpatient surgery department. When her turn came, she stepped into the consulting room, exined where she had been struck, and pointed out the injuries. ¡°Take off your shoes and lie down on the bed,¡± the doctor said. ¡°I¡¯ll take a look.¡± There was an examination bed prepared for the patient, and now it was Chloe¡¯s turn to lie down on it. She bent down to remove her shoes, only for a sharp sting to re in her waist and abdomen. She¡¯d been hurt there, too. ¡°Does it hurt? Then get your husband to take them off for you,¡± the doctor suggested. ¡°My husband?¡± Chloe was stunned. Only then did she notice the doctor¡¯s gaze was lingering on Brian, who was standing beside her. After Divorce 55 174 Chapter 55 Not My Husband Chloe was speechless. The doctor had clearly misunderstood. ¡°He¡¯s not my husband,¡± she quickly exined. This wasn¡¯t something to joke about. ¡°Then he must be your boyfriend,¡± the doctor said, turning to Brian. ¡°Well? Don¡¯t just stand there. Your girlfriend¡¯s injured. Help her take off her shoes.¡± Chloe was wearing tightlyced sneakers, the kind that had to be undone first. ¡°He¡¯s not my-¡± Before she could finish, Brian crouched down, lifting her right foot with one hand. ¡°The doctor¡¯s right,¡± he said, his fingers deftly working at theces. ¡°You¡¯re hurt. Better let me do it.¡± Chloe stared at him as he slipped off her shoe, then moved to the other. She couldn¡¯t believe the head of the Steele family was helping her remove her shoes. It felt like she¡¯d been struck by a bolt of lightning. While she was still in a daze, he scooped her into his arms. ¡°Hey! What are you doing?¡± she sputtered, flustered. ¡°Were you nning to walk over in just your socks?¡± In stark contrast to her disbelief, he seemed calm, as though carrying her was the most ordinary thing in the world. He set her down gently on the examination bed. The doctor pulled the curtain shut and ushered him outside. Left alone, Brian stared at his hands. Even he hadn¡¯t expected himself to act on impulse like that. In the fog of his fractured memories, there was only one person he¡¯d ever helped with shoes before. But he couldn¡¯t remember who it was. And just now, he¡¯d done it again for Chloe. Was it simply because he was interested in her? 444 After examining Chloe¡¯s injuries, the doctor said, ¡°Nothing serious. Just bruising, no fractures. You¡¯re in good shape, so you¡¯ll heal quickly. I¡¯ll prescribe some medicine.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± she replied. Later, Briand and Chloe left the hospital after collecting her medicine. Back in the car, she found herself staring at his hands again. They were a work of art, every line of muscle Chapter 55 Not My Husband carved to perfection. His hands could just as easily create beauty or deal death. Yet those same hands had just taken off her shoes and retied herces. ¡°You must really like my hands,¡± he said suddenly, breaking the silence. ¡°You¡¯ve been staring at them nonstop.¡± 214 Chloe cleared her throat, awkwardly withdrawing her gaze. ¡°Uh¡­ thank you for helping me back there, Mr. Steele.¡± ¡°You should thank me. I don¡¯t do things like that for just anyone.¡± She fell silent, not sure how to respond. ¡°Have you thought about how you¡¯ll thank me?¡± he asked after a pause. She gaped at him. Hadn¡¯t she just thanked him? ¡°Or were those just empty words?¡± His gaze lingered on her. Pressing her dry lips together, she asked, ¡°What if I take off your shoes for you and tie them again?¡± ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± he replied without missing a beat. ¡°But I do hope you¡¯ll stop calling me ¡®Mr. Steele.¡® It sounds too distant.¡± Newest update provided by f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l? Chloe nced at him. The problem was, she had no desire to get close to him. ¡°Then¡­ what about ¡®sir¡®?¡± ¡°Call me by my name,¡± he said. ¡°Sir¡® makes me sound old.¡± But that was how everyone else addressed him. ¡°After all, we¡¯ll spend three months together. If you get used to calling me Brian, it won¡¯t feel so stiff between us. After that, you can go back to calling me ¡®Mr. Steele¡® or whatever you like.¡± Chloe drew a deep breath. ¡°Fine. Brian, then.¡± Three months. She could endure that much. ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll call you Chloe.¡± ¡°Just do as you please,¡± she replied, too tired to argue. ¡°Chloe.¡± Her name slipped past his lips, his tone cool and indifferent. She froze. Many had called her that¨Cher parents, her brother, her ssmates, herrades. But none had spoken it quite like this,ced with danger and edged with something she couldn¡¯t name. Chloe shook her head, forcing the feeling away. Chapter 55 Not My Husband The car rolled to a stop before a sprawling vi. ¡°This is the Steele residence in Yarfdale,¡± Brian said, getting out of the car. ¡°When I¡¯m here, I stay in this house.¡± The vi was huge, staffed with live¨Cin housekeepers, a butler, and full security. With hercking expertise, her role as a bodyguard suddenly felt redundant. He led her to a bedroom. ¡°You¡¯ll stay here. My room is next door, so it¡¯ll be easier for you to keep me safe. You¡¯re free to go anywhere in the vi except the room at the end of the third floor. You must never open it.¡± His warning stunned her for a moment. It sounded like something straight out of a fairy tale¨Cthe owner of arge mansion with his forbidden chamber. But Chloe was never the type to pry. ¡°Got it,¡± she said swiftly. ¡°Anything else I should know?¡± ¡°That¡¯s all. Go unpack,¡± he replied. ¡°If you need anything, ask the butler.¡± She nodded. Cradling the urn in her arms, she dragged her luggage into the room. The bedroom wasvish, decorated in an old¨Cfashioned romantic style¨Cplush carpets, ornate curtains, antique furniture. It wasn¡¯t to her taste at all. She preferred clean lines and simplicity. But she was only here for a short stay. She had no right toin. Her room was just next door to Brian¡¯s, making it easier for her to protect him. cing the urn carefully on the side table, she pulled out her phone and called the Quall Family Memorial Hall. She¡¯d already made arrangements back in Corvessia, but she wanted to confirm once more. Her parents¡® ashes would rest in the hall for three days with their ques prepared, before beingid to rest in Yarfdale¡¯s national military cemetery. Her call was answered quickly. ¡°This is Chloe Quall from the fifth branch, seventh line,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m back in Yarfdale now. I¡¯d like to bring my parents¡® ashes to the memorial hall tomorrow.¡± Tradition required the ashes to remain in the hall for three days before burial. ¡°Chloe, right? That¡¯s fine. Come by tomorrow.¡± Winston Quall ended the call and put down the receiver. Willow, who had been watching him speak over the phone, suddenly asked, ¡°Uncle Winston, who was on Chapter 55 Not My Husband the phone just now?¡± After Divorce 56 Chapter 56 I Want Someone Who Will Never Abandon Me ¡°Oh, it¡¯s a woman named Chloe,¡± Winston replied. ¡°She¡¯s from the fifth branch.¡± ¡°Fifth branch?¡± Willow was taken aback. ¡°But I thought there was no one left from that line.¡± ¡°There¡¯s still one daughter left¨CChloe,¡± he said, sighing. ¡°That branch has had it rough. Almost everyone¡¯s gone¡­ except for her. ¡°Tomorrow, she¡¯ll be at the memorial hall to ce her parents¡® ashes there for three days before their burial, and also to set up their ques.¡± Willow¡¯s eyes flickered. ¡°Uncle Winston, are you going to receive her tomorrow?¡± He was never close with the fifth branch, and years of distance had only widened the gap. ¡°No matter what, she¡¯s family. It wouldn¡¯t look right if I didn¡¯t go,¡± he said despite himself. ¡°In that case, why don¡¯t I go in your ce?¡± Willow offered. ¡°You?¡± Winston echoed, visibly shocked. After all, Willow was treated like a princess in the main branch of the family. Apart from major ceremonies, she hardly ever set foot in the memorial hall. And she didn¡¯t even know Chloe. ¡°Yeah. A few of my friends have been curious about our memorial hall anyway. I was nning to take them tomorrow, so I thought I could just wee Chloe at the same time. That way, you won¡¯t have to miss your poker game.¡± Winston chuckled. ¡°Aw, Willow, you¡¯ve really grown up. You¡¯re so considerate. Alright then, I¡¯ll let you handle it tomorrow.¡± As part of the third branch, he never had much standing in the family. He merely scraped by on the yearly dividends allotted to his branch, with nothing to upy him except managing the memorial hall. Poker was his real passion¨Ca day without it made him itch. Since the work was easy and rarely demanding, he was only too d to hand it off. A sweet smile spread across Willow¡¯s face. ¡°Of course. I¡¯m happy to help.¡± But behind her smile, a cold glint gleamed in her eyes. She would make sure to teach Chloe a lesson tomorrow. At the Steele residence, Brian stood at the far end of the third floor. On one side was the locked room he had forbidden Chloe to enter. On the other, a towering oil portrait hung on the wall. Chapter 56 I Want Someone Who We Never Abandon Me It was nearly twice the height of a man, depicting a gorgeous woman in an elegant silk dress. The Steele family¡¯s heirloom bracelet gleamed on her wrist, making her look radiant and untouchable. But this was the same woman who had once hurled that bracelet to the floor. ¡°I don¡¯t want any of your family¡¯s trinkets! Let me go! I don¡¯t belong here! ¡°Lunatics, all of you! All the Steeles are insane.¡± Later, the woman grew more and more haggard, like a withering rose slowly losing its vitality. And in her final moments, she had clutched Brian¡¯s hand with a chilling strength. ¡°You¡¯re his son,¡± Emily Whitemore had screeched. ¡°You¡¯ll be mad, just like him. You mustn¡¯t love anyone. Do you hear me? You¡¯re not fit to love or to be loved!¡± ¡°Mom¡­¡± Brian¡¯s gaze lingered on the portrait. ¡°I won¡¯t end up like Dad. I¡¯ll honor yourst wish. I won¡¯t love anyone.¡± He had seen too clearly what love could do. Liam Steele¡¯s love for Emily was so sick and obsessive that he even imprisoned her in this vi. It became her cage until the day she died, still dreaming of escape. But even in death, she never left the Steele family. She was buried in the family¡¯s cemetery. After Emily¡¯s passing, Liam hadpletely lost his mind. He drifted through life in a haze, always violent and bloodthirsty like a real madman. Brian could never fathom why Liam was obsessed with a woman who never loved him. He still remembered Liam standing in front of Emily¡¯s grave, his bloodshot eyes bearing into his. ¡°You¡¯re our son. You¡¯ll be just like us,¡± he hissed, his voice low and chilling. ¡°If you love someone, you¡¯ll stop at nothing to im them as your own. And if you don¡¯t¡­ then no matter how they beg or please you, you¡¯ll never give in. ¡°Brian, I wonder how you¡¯ll turn out to be. I look forward to it!¡± Liam¡¯sughter, raw and deranged, echoed in his ears even now. Brian thought he would never be either of those things. Lowering his gaze, he left the third floor and made his way down. When he reached the second floor, he spotted Chloe stepping out of her room. ¡°Tell me,¡± he suddenly said. ¡°Do you think I¡¯ll ever love someone? Or do you think I never be capable of that?¡± Chloe was startled, Something in his expression seemed wrong, and the emptiness in his eyes made her heart clench. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± she asked softly. Chapter 56 I Want Someone Who Will Never Abandon Me 373 ¡°Answer me. Do you think I¡¯ll ever love someone or not?¡± he pressed again. ¡°That¡¯s not for me to decide,¡± she replied, pressing her lips together. ¡°Only you can choose whether you¡¯ll love someone or be alone.¡± Brian¡¯s gaze locked on her. ¡°Then what about you? You once loved Curtis, yet you let him go so easily. If you truly loved him, shouldn¡¯t you have fought for him, no matter the cost?¡± Chloe frowned. ¡°Even if I love someone, I¡¯ll walk away if he doesn¡¯t love me back. And as for Curtis¡­ I don¡¯t love him anymore. He¡¯s not the one I want.¡± ¡°And the man you want. What is he like?¡± Brian asked, his tone tinged with rare curiosity. ¡°I want someone who¡¯ll always stay by my side and go through everything with me,¡± she murmured, her thoughts drifting to her parents. ¡°Someone who will never abandon me, no matter what.¡± The kind of marriage her parents had was the one she longed for. They might have bickered, but they always had each other¡¯s backs. And for their shared beliefs, they pressed on hand in hand. Even in the face of death, they never wavered. They stood together till the end. ¡°Does someone like that even exist?¡± Brian muttered. ¡°My parents were like that,¡± Chloe said, eyes brimming with tears even as her lips curved into a faint smile. ¡°They truly loved each other.¡± Her words painted a lovepletely unlike Liam and Emily¡¯s twisted bond. She and Brian were total opposites. Later that night, after dinner, Chloe was tidying her room when she noticed a door built into the wall on her right. Checktest chapters at fin?novel Wondering if it led to a smaller room, she twisted the doorknob and pushed it open. The sight before her left her speechless. Brian¡¯s bare torso came into view. He was clearly in the middle of changing¨Chis shirt was already off, and he was about to unbuckle his belt and remove his pants. Shocked, Chloe immediately tried to turn away. But when she caught a glimpse of his scarred back, she couldn¡¯t help but gasp. After Divorce 57 Chapter 57 I¡¯ll Be Good Chloe was so stunned that she just kept staring at Brian¡¯s back. She had forgotten to turn away. His cold voice snapped her out of it. ¡°How much longer do you n to look?¡± For more chapters visit find[f]ovel ¡°Oh, sorry!¡± She jolted and quickly turned away. Brian took his time getting dressed before walking over to Chloe. ¡°I forgot to mention that this door connects our rooms. You can lock your side if you want. Mine stays unlocked. If anything happens, you cane to my room¡­¡± He paused, then lowered his eyes to hers. ¡°To protect me.¡± Chloe awkwardly cleared her throat. ¡°R¨CRight. Well¡­ I¡¯ll be in my room. I don¡¯t want to interrupt you while you¡¯re changing.¡± She started back toward her room, but Brian pressed his hand t against the connecting door, blocking her. He stared at her. ¡°You saw, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Saw what?¡± Chloe asked, forcing herself to meet his gaze. ¡°My back.¡± For some reason, Chloe felt her cheeks burn under his gaze. It wasn¡¯t as if she hadn¡¯t seen shirtless men in the military before. Maybe she was just taken aback. She hadn¡¯t expected Brian¡¯s back would be covered in scars. They weren¡¯t the kind of scars that came from training orbat. They looked like the aftermath of abuse. ¡°Abuse?¡± she thought. From what she had glimpsed, the scars looked old. That would mean they were probably from his childhood. Her stomach turned. Who would do that to a kid? ¡°Who did this to you?¡± she snapped unknowingly. ¡°So you did see.¡± He ignored her question and asked, ¡°Are you angry? Do the scars piss you off?¡± His calmness cut through her anger. What was she so upset about? If Brian had truly suffered abuse, the abuser would have been punished long ago. After all, he was Brian Steele, the current head of the Steele family. He wasn¡¯t a helpless child anymore. ¡°Maybe a little. But that¡¯s your business, not mine. I shouldn¡¯t have pried,¡± Chloe admitted. Chapter 57 I¡¯ll Be Good Brian¡¯sshes flickered, then he took a step back. ¡°Fine. You should head to bed.¡± Chloe returned to her room and shut the door. Brian, on the other hand, stood with his back toward the full¨Clength mirror in his room. He turned his head to stare at the jagged map of scars across his back. They were whip marks. His dad, Liam, tried every means to get his mom, Emily, pregnant. He thought having a child would chain her to him. But it was utterly useless. Despite being bound to him by blood, she still left. Liam vented all his pent¨Cup resentment on Brian. Every time Emily rejected Liam, he would leave fresh whip marks on Brian¡¯s body. The scars could have been removed withser treatment long ago, but he had kept them as a reminder never to let anyone break him ever again. Later that night, Chloey awake staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow, she would visit the memorial hall that her grandfather had once risked his life to protect. The memorial hall was the Qualls¡® spiritual home. Her grandparents¡® memorial ques were kept there. She remembered visiting it with her parents and Daniel when they traveled back to Yarfdale. But now, she would be walking in alone. She hoped that once she found Daniel, they could return to the memorial hall together to honor their grandparents and parents. Just then, she heard a muffled cry from the next room. Had something happened to Brian? Chloe instantly sat up and rushed through the connecting door. She entered Brian¡¯s room. It was pitch ck, and the cries grew louder. She inched closer to the bed. Even without the lights, her vision was sharp enough that she could see him lying there. His eyes were shut tight, and he seemed to be having a nightmare. Broken words spilled from his lips. Chloe approached him and called his name, ¡°Brian!¡± ¡°Hurt¡­ it hurts¡­ Don¡¯t hit me¡­ I¡¯ll be good¡­¡± he muttered, but he showed no sign of waking up. Chloe froze. She had never imagined Brian would ever say something like that. She wondered what kind of nightmare he was having. Chapter 57 Ill Be Good The scars on his back immediately shed in her mind. She switched on the bedsidemp. Sweat drenched Brian¡¯s forehead, and his face twisted in agony. ¡°Brian!¡± she called again, trying to wake him up. She reached toward him to check if he was alright, but the moment her fingers brushed his face, Brian grabbed her wrist. He was so fast that she was caught off guard. Chloe tried to break free, but his whispered pleas stopped her. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ leave me¡­¡± She was speechless. She stopped trying to pull back and let him hold her hand. Gradually, his expression softened, and the pain eased from his features. With one hand held in his, she used the other to grab a tissue from the nightstand. She gently dabbed away the sweat from his forehead. She had always thought that men like Brian were like still water. He was cold and untouchable. But now, he seemed fragile. He was like a child in need of protection. After a while, his brow smoothedpletely, and he fell into a deep sleep. It didn¡¯t seem like he was going to wake up. Chloe nced at her trapped wrist and tried to slip it free. She tugged twice but had no luck She wasn¡¯t going anywhere unless she pried his fingers open one by one. But that would wake him up for sure. She pursed her lips before sighing in defeat. If he wanted to hold onto her hand while he slept, then she would let him. She could still fall asleep while sitting in the chair if she wanted to. Back when she was on field missions, she could catch a nap anytime, anywhere, no matter how harsh the conditions were. She needed to rest as much as possible to recover her strength. Chloe settled on the carpet beside the bed and leaned against the nightstand. With her hand still in Brian¡¯s, she turned off themp and shut her eyes. The creak of the door snapped her awake the next morning. Standing in the doorway was Brian¡¯s secretary, William. He stared at her in shock before stammering, ¡°M¨CMs. Quall¡­ you didn¡¯t actually spend the night with Brian, did you?¡± After Divorce 58 Chapter 58 The Quall Family Memorial Hall Isn¡¯t Open to Just Anyone. Chloe¡¯s face darkened. ¡°You¡¯ve got it all wrong. I was just herest night¡­ doing my job as a bodyguard.¡± William¡¯s eyes dropped to her wrist. Brian¡¯s hand was still mped tightly around it. He knew Chloe had been hired to protect Brian for three months, but since when did bodyguards start holding hands in bed? And since when had Brian needed to hold someone¡¯s hand while he slept? ¡°Even as a bodyguard, there¡¯s no way Mr. Steele would let you stay by his side while he slept,¡± William said. Brian had never let anyone near him while he slept. ¡°You should be asking him that,¡± Chloe shot back. ¡°He was the one who grabbed my hand. I couldn¡¯t get away.¡± Honestly, she was the victim here. Yet William looked at her like she had taken outrageous advantage of his precious boss. ¡°Really?¡± Brian¡¯s voice was rougher than usual. ¡°Was I the one who grabbed your hand?¡± Chloe stiffened and turned her head. Brian was awake. ¡°Yeah. You weren¡¯t resting wellst night. I heard a noise and came to check on you. You grabbed my hand,¡± Chloe exined. ¡°I didn¡¯t get on the bed. I slept on the floor while leaning against the nightstand.¡± A flicker of surprise crossed Brian¡¯s eyes. His fingers were still curled around her wrist, and her warmth bled into his palm. He hadn¡¯t been resting well? He figured he must have had another nightmare. He could still somewhat remember the sting of his father¡¯s whip. Back then, no matter how much he cried for help, it was useless. Those dreams had haunted him for years. At one point, he had even seen a therapist and taken medication for them. Eventually, the nightmares stopped. He hadn¡¯t had one in years. Untilst night. Had it been because Chloe had seen the scars on his back? Had they stirred up memories he thought he had buried? Yet, her hand felt warm. Despite the nightmare, he didn¡¯t feel that same nauseating sensation when he woke up. He wondered if it was because he hadn¡¯t let go of her hand. If anything, it had been the best sleep he had had. Chapter 58 The Quall Family Memorial Hall Isn¡¯t Open to Just Anyone ¡°Mr. Steele? Can you let go now?¡± Chloe asked. Her wrist was numb from being trapped in his grip all night. Brian frowned. ¡°Didn¡¯t we agree that you¡¯d call me Brian, Chloe?¡± Chloe wanted to roll her eyes. William, on the other hand, looked like he had been struck by lightning. He had never heard Brian speak so intimately to a woman before, let alone ask her to call him by his first name. Could Brian be interested in Chloe? Chloe pursed her lips. ¡°Fine. Brian, could you let go of my hand now?¡± It was only a name. She could deal with that. Atst, Brian loosened his grip, and Chloe pulled her hand free. She flexed her wrist to get the blood flowing again. ¡°I¡¯m going back to my room,¡± she said. ¡°I have to go to the Quall Family Memorial Hall today, so I won¡¯t be able to provide security for you. You¡¯ll have to rely on your other bodyguards.¡± After detailing her ns for the day, she opened the door and headed for her bedroom. Brian lowered his gaze to his hand. Her warmth still lingered on his fingertips. He hadn¡¯t wanted to let go of her hand. He wanted to keep holding it. Holding her hand gave him a sense of safety he hadn¡¯t felt in years. It reminded him of that day in the rubble when a little girl had pulled him up and refused to let go. However, her face was blurry in his memory. ¡°She didn¡¯t leave me this time either,¡± he murmured. ¡°What was that?¡± William asked after snapping out of his thoughts. ¡°Nothing.¡± Brian slowly curled his right hand into a fist. The more she refused to abandon him, the more he didn¡¯t want to let her go. Clutching the urn, Chloe left the vi and took a cab to the memorial hall. Checktest chapters at fin?novel Today, she would ce her parents¡® ashes inside, giving them a permanent resting ce alongside her grandparents and the rest of the Qualls. The car pulled up to the gates of the hall. Chloe stepped out of the car with the urn held tightly in her arms. Pride swelled in her chest. Above the entrance of the hall was a ckwood que that gleamed with five golden words, ¡°The Quall Family Memorial Hall.¡± Chapter 58 The Quall Family Memorial Hall Isn¡¯t Open to Just Anyone. On either side of the que were a pair of inscriptions that read, ¡°Honor the past. Live up to the future.¡± The imposing hall radiated dignity. Standing there, Chloe could feel herself passing through time. It was the hall James had risked his life to defend. Just as she was about to step inside, someone blocked her path. ¡°This is the Quall family¡¯s memorial hall. No outsiders allowed.¡± ¡°I¡¯m Chloe Quall. Walter Quall¡¯s daughter. My parents passed away. ording to family rules, their urns must rest here for three days before I can put up their memorial ques here.¡± ¡°Walter Quall?¡± The guard frowned. ¡°As far as I know, there¡¯s no one left from that side of the family.¡± ¡°My family has lived in Corvessia for years. Before I came here, I spoke with Winston Quall. He knows about this. Could you get him for me?¡± Chloe asked. The guard shifted ufortably. ¡°He isn¡¯t here today.¡± In truth, everyone knew he was off ying poker, but that wasn¡¯t something they would admit to her face. ¡°What? He¡¯s not here?¡± Chloe asked, surprised. ¡°I can try to call him,¡± the guard said. Just as he was about to take out his phone, a sharp voice cut through the air. ¡°Uncle Winston isn¡¯t here today. I¡¯ll handle this.¡± Chloe turned. It was the woman she had met at the restaurant before. Willow approached her, followed by a small group. They were all faces Chloe recognized fromst night. The guard quickly exined, ¡°Ms. Quall, this youngdy says she¡¯s Mr. Walter Quall¡¯s daughter and wants to ce her parents¡® ashes in the memorial hall.¡± ¡°Walter Quall?¡± Willow sneered. ¡°Everyone knows that branch of the family died out long ago. Besides, the Quall Family Memorial Hall isn¡¯t open to just anyone.¡± After Divorce 59 hapter 59 Chloe Fights Back at the Memorial Hall Gates Chloe frowned. ¡°You can check the family records if you doubt me.¡± ¡°Records?¡± Willow sneered. ¡°You think the Quall family records are something anyone can just flip through? Do you take the Qualls for a joke?¡± ¡°Those records are open to every Quall by blood!¡± Chloe shot back. One of the rich kids with Willow burst outughing. ¡°Do you really think having the samest name makes you one of the Qualls?¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± another chimed in. ¡°Plenty of people in Yarfdale are named Quall, but that doesn¡¯t make them a Quall from Yarfdale. Just look at you, clinging to that name while dreaming of sneaking your parents¡® ashes into the memorial hall. What a joke.¡± Chloe ignored the jeers and turned to the guard. ¡°Please contact Uncle Winston. He knows who I am and can vouch for me.¡± ¡°How dare you call him that?¡± Willow snapped. ¡°He¡¯s my uncle. Why shouldn¡¯t I?¡± Chloe retorted. ¡°Are you stupid?¡± asked a round¨Cfaced woman standing next to Willow. ¡°In the Quall family, names aren¡¯t chosen at random. They¡¯re passed down through generations. ¡°You¡¯re Chloe, right? I¡¯ve never heard of that name before. If you¡¯re going to pretend to be from the Qualls, at least do your homework first.¡± The woman was Dakota Meyer. She was Willow¡¯s best friend. Their families had business ties, and she was loyal to Willow. Her remark made the whole group burst intoughter again. Chloe pursed her lips. Her name didn¡¯t follow the family¡¯s naming custom because of what happened to the previous generation. Still, she didn¡¯t owe them an exnation. She turned back to the guard, ¡°Please, could you give Uncle Winston a call?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± The guard nced at Willow uneasily. ¡°Uncle Winston isn¡¯t here today, so I¡¯ll handle this in his ce,¡± Willow cut in. Her smile turned evil as she looked at Chloe. ¡°Not just anyone can bring ashes or ce a que inside the Quall Family Memorial Hall, Chloe. Even if you had some distant connection to the family, you¡¯ll never put your parents¡® urn here. So take your stuff and leave.¡± Chloe¡¯s face hardened. ¡°On what grounds?¡± Dakota let out a mockingugh. ¡°On the grounds that Willow is from the main branch of the Quall family. She could kick you out of Yarfdale if she wanted to!¡± Chapter 59 Chloe Fights Back at the Memorial Hall Gates ¡°So the main branch can abuse their power however they want?¡± Chloe asked coldly. ¡°Even if she did, no one would fight back!¡± Dakota shot back. ¡°Willow not only has the Qualls behind her but also Brian Steele. They¡¯re childhood friends. Willow just needs to talk with Brian for you to get kicked out of not only Yarfdale, but also Alverton.¡± ¡°Is that so? Then I¡¯d like to hear it from Brian himself,¡± Chloe replied tly. Chloe¡¯s words reminded Dakota ofst night. She had seen her with Brian at the restaurant. ¡°Do you think you matter more to him than Willow does? They¡¯re not just ordinary childhood friends. Willow and Brian are-¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough, Dakota.¡± Willow cut her off and red at Chloe. ¡°Chloe, this is the Quall Family Memorial Hall. Whatever your so¨Ccalled rtionship with Brian is, he has no authority here. Let me be clear that you¡¯re not setting foot inside.¡± ¡°What right do you have to do this?¡± Chloe¡¯s voice was like steel. ¡°I have every right!¡± Willow dered. ¡°As long as I deem you unfit to set foot inside this hall, then these men won¡¯t let you through.¡± Chloe looked at the guards. They stood still, awaiting Willow¡¯smand. ¡°You won¡¯t let me in even though I¡¯m part of the Quall family?¡± she growled. ¡°I won¡¯t. If I say no, then it¡¯s a no,¡± Willow said firmly. Chloe had humiliated her in front of Brian, and she wasn¡¯t going to let her off easily. ¡°Unbelievable!¡± Chloe red at Willow. ¡°The Quall family motto is loyalty, honor, and kindness. The rules demand that families support each other in hard times. Yet you won¡¯t even let me set foot in the hall. What kind of reasoning is that?¡± Willow¡¯s face stiffened. She hadn¡¯t expected Chloe to know the family motto, ¡°My word is the only rule here. Get her out of my sight. I won¡¯t have her defiling the hall,¡± Willow ordered. The guards moved in. ¡°Please leave.¡± Chloe clutched the urn tighter, her eyes fixed on the doors of the hall. She hade to Yarfdale only to find herself barred from her own family¡¯s memorial hall. If James and Walter could see how she was denied even the right to step inside, what would they think? ¡°Leave!¡± Dakota and the others jeered. Willow smirked. She wanted Chloe to see the gap between them, to feel the sting of humiliation. ¡°Get her to leave before she disturbs Great¨CGrandpa. None of us will be forgiven if she does.¡± The guards stepped closer to Chloe, trying to drive her away. Chapter 59 Chloe Fights Back at the Memorial Hall Gates Eager to curry favor from Willow, one of them lunged at Chloe. Chloe cradled the urn in both hands, then swiftly kicked the man clean off his feet. It took everyone by surprise. No one could¡¯ve imagined Chloe could so effortlessly send a burly man tumbling to the ground. ¡°You¡¯re asking for it!¡± the man snarled, scrambling to his feet. He immediately swung his fist at Chloe with even greater ferocity. She sidestepped and kicked him back down, pinning him under her boot. The other guards watched in fear. The man beneath her was the toughest fighter among them. Chloe took a deep breath and nted her foot firmly on the ground. She held the urn high up with both arms. Draped across it was a folded g. She shouted, ¡°I, Chloe Quall of the Quall family, have brought the ashes of my parents, Walter Quall and Jenna Knight. Open the doors!¡± The crowd froze, and Willow¡¯s face went pale. Passersby on the street had heard Chloe¡¯s announcement loud and clear. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n Find?Novel After Divorce 60 Chapter 60 A Family of Heroes The Quall Family Memorial Hall stood at the heart of Yarfdale. It was always busy with foot traffic. Chloe¡¯s fight had already drawn curious looks. Her subsequent shout caused pedestrians to stop and watch the scene unfold. Willow ordered, ¡°Get her out of here! Don¡¯t let her yell at the entrance. Do you want Great¨CGrandpa to see this circus?¡± ¡°Y¨CYes, ma¡¯am!¡± the guards said and closed in on Chloe. Brian was leaving the Quall Group headquarters with several senior executives. That included the two vice presidents of the Quall Group, Wade Quall and Leonard Quall. The Quall Group was family¨Crun, and most of its top brass were Qualls by blood. ¡°Brian, you should have told us you wereing to Yarfdale. We would¡¯ve arranged a proper wee dinner,¡± Wade said. The Qualls had once dominated Yarfdale, but in recent years, their influence had waned. Thanks to Willow¡¯s connection, the Qualls were able to establish a rtionship with the Steeles. Over the years, they had secured several projects through the Steele family¡¯s influence. It was only natural that Wade¡¯s tone toward Brian was eager. Leonard chimed in, ¡°Why don¡¯t we host a dinner tonight? We can invite Willow too. She always talks about you at home. You two grew up together, after all.¡± Leonard was Willow¡¯s father. Because of her connection to Brian, Leonard had gone from being the Qualls ¡® overlooked son to being a vice president of the Quall Group. He wanted to get his daughter closer to Brian. If Willow married him, Leonard¡¯s status in the Qualls would be second only to Geoffrey Quall¡¯s, the head of the family. However, Brian showed no interest in their suggestions. Instead, he suddenly asked, ¡°The Quall Family Memorial Hall is nearby, isn¡¯t it? Why don¡¯t we stop by?¡± ¡°The memorial hall?¡± The Qualls froze. ¡°What, are we not allowed to go?¡± Brian asked. ¡°No, of course not! You¡¯re more than wee,¡± Wade replied quickly. ¡°My grandfather is in the hall today as well. You can meet him.¡± They had no idea why Brian wanted to visit the memorial hall suddenly, but if that was his wish, they would go along with it. Since it was nearby, the group walked straight there. But before they reached it, they saw arge crowd Chapter 60 A Family of Heroes gathered at the entrance. Something was happening. The Qualls exchanged uneasy nces. ¡°Something must be going on at the hall. I¡¯ll go take a look¡­¡± Wade started, but Brian was already striding toward the crowd. His pace quickened. He couldn¡¯t exin the anxiety gnawing at him. Chloe was supposed to bring her parents¡® ashes to the memorial hall today. He wondered if something had happened to her. Suddenly, he stopped dead in his tracks. A figure came into view. With her back perfectly straight, she clutched an urn draped with a g in both hands. Her striking features were set in cold determination. Several bodies were strewn haphazardly around her. Some of the men wailed in agony, while others struggled to get back to their feet for another attack. But she knocked them back down. It was just like the scene at the airport all over again. ¡°Chloe! This isn¡¯t the ce for you to run wild. I¡¯ve already called the police. If you don¡¯t leave now, they¡¯ll arrest you!¡± Willow warned furiously. ¡°I¡¯m not here to cause trouble. I came to ce my parents¡® ashes and their que in the hall,¡± Chloe answered firmly. Leonard rushed to his daughter¡¯s side and red at Chloe. ¡°Do you think the Quall Family Memorial Hall is where just anyone can leave their urns?¡± Willow noticed Brian standing in the crowd. She wondered if he had seen her outburst earlier. The thought left her both angry and ashamed. Chloe stared coldly at Leonard. ¡°The ashes of a Quall belong in the Quall family¡¯s memorial hall.¡± ¡®A Quall? Who are you supposed to be?¡± Leonard shot back. ¡°Walter Quall¡¯s daughter, Chloe Quall!¡± ¡°What?¡± Leonard¡¯s expression froze. His eyes flickered with unease. ¡°Walter Quall? Stop lying. That line died out long ago.¡± ¡°Check the family records if you don¡¯t believe me,¡± Chloe retorted. Leonard¡¯s gaze wavered. Just then, police cars pulled up and several officers got out. The local police all knew the Quall family. ¡°Who¡¯s disturbing the peace here?¡± an officer asked. ¡°It¡¯s her!¡± Leonard shouted. He pointed at Chloe, beating Willow to it. ¡°She¡¯s the one making a scene at our memorial hall. Take her away!¡± The officers approached Chloe, but when they saw the urn in her hands draped with the national g, their Chapter 60 A Family of Heroes expression changed. ¡°What is that?¡± one asked. ¡°My parents¡® ashes. I came here today to ce them in the memorial hall,¡± Chloe exined. The officers paused, then asked, ¡°May we know how your parents passed?¡± ¡°They joined the peacekeeping force and died on duty overseas,¡± she answered. The officers widened their eyes, then snapped to attention and saluted the urn in her arms. Leonard and Willow were dumbfounded. They had expected the police to deal with Chloe, but it didn¡¯t go as nned. Readplete version only at find?novel Leonard protested, ¡°What are you doing? Take her away already?¡± The Qualls held considerable influence in Yarfdale, so one officer tried to mediate. ¡°Miss, why don¡¯t you step aside for now? We can sort out any misunderstandingster.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ll resolve it right now!¡± Chloe replied firmly. She turned toward the hall, raised the urn high in both hands, and dered in a ringing voice, ¡°In times of turmoil, seven brothers from the fifth branch of the Quall family served their country with unwavering loyalty. Ultimately, only one of them returned. ¡°My grandfather, James Quall, once defended this memorial. Though he never drew a lot for life or death, he stood guard before its doors. He suffered 13 cuts from enemy des, but didn¡¯t retreat even a single step. ¡°My parents, Walter Quall and Jenna Knight, enlisted when they were young and served in the peacekeeper force for 30 years. They gave their lives for this nation. They died as heroes.¡± Chloe stared at Willow as she continued, ¡°I beg the Quall family to open these doors and let my parents rest in the family¡¯s memorial hall. Please let me ce their ques among our family!¡± Her voice cracked like thunder, echoing through the hall. After Divorce 61 Chapter 61 No One Would Turn Away Someone Like Her For a moment, everyone stood frozen as they stared at Chloe. She stood with a solemn and dignified expression, holding the urn tightly with both hands. Her eyes were fixed on the two tightly shut doors of the memorial hall. Brian found himself staring too. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to look away. Chloe¡¯s story was tragic yet radiant. In that instant, no one tried to chase her away. Her parents were heroes. No one would turn away someone like her. Even Leonard and Willow were stunned. To Willow, Walter¡¯s side of the family was just a name on the family tree. She only knew that their numbers had dwindled and that hardly anyone remained. She had never known their past. Standing next to her was Leonard. His eyes shed with irritation. He had never expected Chloe to shout in public. Now, everyone in the crowd knew their history. However, if Chloe were allowed inside the hall, that would be an acknowledgement of her identity as a Quall. That would be a problem for him. After a moment of thought, he said coldly, ¡°Even if you put it that way, you can¡¯t prove what you¡¯re saying is true. I think it¡¯s better if-¡± ¡°It¡¯s true!¡± Wade interrupted after staying silent the whole time. ¡°I¡¯ve seen Chloe before. I didn¡¯t recognize her at first because she¡¯s all grown up now. But when I heard what she said, I knew she was Walter¡¯s daughter!¡± ¡°But, Wade¡­¡± Leonard began, trying to stop him. Just then, the heavy doors of the memorial hall slowly creaked open. Everyone turned to them in shock. An elderly man stepped out, leaning on a cane. Step by step, he walked out of the hall and stopped before Chloe. ¡°Are you¡­ Chloe Quall?¡± he asked. His hair was white, and deep wrinkles lined his face. Still, his eyes held authority. He was Geoffrey Quall, the head of the Quall family. Chloe met his gaze and answered, ¡°I am.¡± Geoffrey stared at Chloe. The faces of his cousins from long ago shed before him. They were a generation of heroes. Chapter 61 No One Would Turn Away Someone Like Her He remembered being young and watching seven of his older cousins enlist in the army, one after the other. He had tugged at their sleeves back then. ¡°Can¡¯t you stay? You¡¯ll die out there!¡± ¡°If we don¡¯t go, more people will die. Our deaths won¡¯t be in vain. We¡¯re going so that many more people in Alverton will have a chance to live,¡± one of his cousins said while ruffling his hair. Back then, he didn¡¯t fully understand what that meant. By the time he did, six of his cousins had sacrificed their lives. Only one, Jacob Quall, returned, missing a leg. Yet Jacob had never once regretted stepping onto that battlefield. The sharpness in Geoffrey¡¯s eyes softened into warmth. ¡°Wonderful! How splendid!¡± he eximed. ¡°Your parents belong in this hall! I¡¯d like to see anyone disagree with that.¡± He struck his cane hard against the ground. Silence fell at once. No one dared say another word. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Chloe. Bring your parents¡® ashes and walk with me!¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Chloe answered. Just then, another voice rang out. ¡°I¡¯d like to go with her!¡± Everyone turned. Brian stepped out from the crowd. Geoffrey nced at Brian and said, ¡°This is a Quall family matter. Outsiders should not interfere.¡± Brian frowned. Chloe walked over to him and said gently, ¡°This is the Quall Family Memorial Hall. Everything that happens here is personal. Thank you for caring, though.¡± Caring? Brian froze. Did he care for Chloe? If it wasn¡¯t care, then why had he spoken up? Why did he want to go in with her? Brian¡¯s expression shifted slightly. ¡°Then I¡¯ll wait for you out here.¡± Those words drew side eyes from the Qualls. Brian Steele, the head of the Steele family, had offered to wait for Chloe. When had he ever waited for someone like that before? Chloe looked at Brian for a long moment, then slowly nodded. ¡°Alright.¡± She turned toward Geoffrey, and together, they entered the memorial hall. The other Quall family members exchanged looks before following behind them. The guards that Chloe had knocked down helped each other up and were sent to the hospital by the Qualls for treatment. Chapter 61 No One Would Turn Away Someone Like Her Fresh chapters posted on find?novel Meanwhile, the police cleared the crowd of onlookers. Little by little, the people who had gathered at the hall¡¯s entrance drifted away. Only Brian remained at the gate. Standing before the hall, he couldn¡¯t shake the image of Chloe¡¯s sorrowful, yet resolute face from his mind. They were a family of heroes, and it was an honor to stand before them. But how many were willing to pay the price for such a title? He had once thought Chloe was just an interesting woman. He had hired her as his bodyguard to add a little color to his dull life. But now, something felt different. Chloe followed Geoffrey into the hall. She had visited the ce with her dad as a child to pay her respects, but it felt nothing like it did now. She carried the urn to where the Qualls ced their memorial ques. Row after row of ques lined the tform. Geoffrey pointed toward the section reserved for her side of the family. ¡°Your parents¡® ashes will go there. As for their ques¡­¡± ¡°I talked to Uncle Winston about it. He said they¡¯ll be made here, but I¡¯m not sure if they¡¯re finished,¡± Chloe exined. ¡°Winston?¡± Geoffrey mused. ¡°That Winston? Where is he?¡± The Qualls fell into an awkward silence. Finally, one of the workers at the hall muttered, ¡°I think¡­ he¡¯s out ying poker.¡± ¡°Poker, huh?¡± Geoffrey snorted. ¡°Of course. He¡¯s neglecting his duties and doing something he shouldn¡¯t be doing. Go find out if the ques are ready.¡± ¡°Got it!¡± Someone hurried off. Thankfully, although Winston was absent, Walter and Jenna¡¯s joint memorial que had already been made. Chloe¡¯s eyes reddened as she looked at her parents¡® names engraved on the que. She ced it solemnly beneath her grandparents¡® joint que. ¡°Thank you for your sacrifices,¡± she said, lowering her head at the countless ques. They were heroes who had given their lives for Alverton. Geoffrey watched Chloe with a mixture of relief and sorrow. When she rose, he said, ¡°I¡¯ll see to it that justice is given for what happened to you today.¡± Then, his gaze snapped to Leonard and Willow. ¡°Get on your knees!¡± After Divorce 62 Chapter 62 He Has Been Waiting for Her Leonard and Willow flinched. ¡°Grandpa, why¡­ why are you telling us to kneel?¡± Leonard stammered. Geoffrey shot back, ¡°Don¡¯t you think you should, after what you did at the memorial hall today?¡± ¡°But Great¨CGrandpa, how was I supposed to know that Chloe was really one of us?¡± Willow rushed to exin. ¡°She doesn¡¯t even have a passed¨Cdown name. It¡¯s easy to mistake her for an outsider. Plus, there are plenty of people with ulterior motives trying to cling to the Qualls. I couldn¡¯t be sure.¡± ¡°Couldn¡¯t you ask your uncles? Sure, maybe you didn¡¯t know if Chloe belonged to the Quall family, but you expect me to believe that none of them knew either?¡± Geoffrey snapped. At that moment, Winston hurried in. The hall workers had called him, saying something serious had happened. He broke into a cold sweat as soon as he heard the details. He hadn¡¯t had much contact with Chloe¡¯s side of the family. The most contact he had was when he saw them at old family events, but he knew their history. If the Qualls had a branch remembered for sacrifice, it had to be the fifth branch. Everyone from that side had either passed away or been crippled. The only person left was Chloe. He thought Willow could handle Chloe for him, leaving him with some time to rx. Instead, Willow had made a mess of everything. The moment Geoffreyid eyes on Winston, he threw his cane at him in a fit of rage. ¡°Shameless, aren¡¯t you? You were supposed to greet Chloe in the hall today! She was bringing her parents¡® ashes here. This was such an important asion, yet you didn¡¯t think to mention it?¡± If Winston had notified the family about Chloe¡¯s visit, she wouldn¡¯t have been humiliated outside the hall. She should¡¯ve been weed by the entire family. Instead, thest descendant of the fifth branch had stood at the gate while clutching an urn and shouting to be let in. The thought tore at Geoffrey¡¯s heart. The cane struck Winston squarely. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to dodge it. Geoffrey wasn¡¯t finished. He stepped forward and kicked Winston hard. Despite being in his 80s, he still had plenty of strength left. No one dared to intervene. Winston doubled over in pain. ¡°It was¡­ it was Willow. She said she would handle weing Chloe, so ! left. I¡¯ve already told her that Chloe is one of us!¡± Every head turned to Willow. ¡°I thought Uncle Winston had been tricked,¡± Willow muttered and paused to take a deep breath. She continued, ¡°The fifth branch hasn¡¯t returned to Yarfdale in years. Not to mention that the news about Chapter 62 He Has Been Waiting for Her her parents¡® death while in service came three years ago. Why would she only bring back their ashes now? It doesn¡¯t make sense!¡± Chloe red at Willow. ¡°The reason I¡¯m only returning with their ashes now is because they died abroad. It wasn¡¯t until a month ago that I was able to bring them home. Do you have any idea how many soldiers who die overseas never return? Do you know how hard it was to bring them back?¡± Willow¡¯s face first flushed red, then drained of color. She couldn¡¯t retort under the weight of the family¡¯s stares. ¡°You three will kneel before the memorial ques all night and reflect on how shamefully you¡¯ve acted!¡± Geoffrey thundered. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for these heroes who defended this family and country with their lives, do you think this memorial hall would still be here today?¡± Winston and Leonard exchanged nces. Willow lowered her head and bit her lip. Fury flickered in her eyes. She had wanted to humiliate Chloe, yet now she was the one being humiliated. In front of Chloe, no less. ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± Geoffrey barked. Winston, Leonard, and Willow dropped to their knees before the ques. Turning back to Chloe, Geoffrey said, ¡°I¡¯ll have your parents¡® urn guarded here in the hall. I¡¯ll personally send them off when the funeral is held in three days.¡± ¡°Grandpa, you¡¯re too old for that. Let the rest of us attend the funeral,¡± Wade said. ¡°Besides, isn¡¯t it considered bad luck for elders to send off the younger generation?¡± Geoffrey red at him. ¡°Don¡¯t you understand that Walter and Jenna were heroes? They went to war as teenagers and bore the burden so you could live in peace. If I don¡¯t go to their funeral, then I don¡¯t deserve to be here right now!¡± Wade fell silent. He knew better than anyone what they meant to Geoffrey. ¡°Chloe, since you¡¯re back in Yarfdale, why not stay at my house? I¡¯ll have a room prepared for you,¡± Geoffrey suggested. ¡°Thank you, but I already have somewhere to stay,¡± Chloe declined. ¡°I have other things to take care of, but if you¡¯d like to see me, I promise I¡¯ll visit often.¡± Geoffrey nodded. ¡°Sure. Come by my ce whenever you can. And if anyone tries to stop you from entering the hall, hit them. I¡¯ll take responsibility for whatever happens.¡± Chloe could see that his concern was genuine. ¡°Alright. I¡¯lle see you as much as I can,¡± she replied. When she finally stepped out of the hall, she saw a figure standing in the empty space in front of her. It was Brian. Chloe froze. He was still waiting in the same spot where she had left him. Chapter 62 He Has Been Waiting for Her As if sensing her gaze, he lifted his head and looked straight at her. Their eyes met, and something churned in her chest. Brian walked toward her. ¡°Are you done?¡± She nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Did they give you any trouble?¡± ¡°No,¡± she replied. ¡°But why did you wait here?¡± For more chapters visit Find~Novel When Brian said he would wait for her, she had assumed that he would find a spot nearby to rest. She hadn¡¯t expected him to stand at the entrance the entire time. She had been in the hall for over an hour. That meant he had stood there for the same amount of time. ¡°Standing here meant that I¡¯d be the first to see you when you came out of the hall.¡± Chloe¡¯s breath caught at his words. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! im Chapte Chapte After Divorce 63 r 63 A Fool for Falling for Him ¡°Don¡¯t you think standing outside the memorial hall is a little too¡­ conspicuous? And kind of tiring too Chloe asked. Brian¡¯s looks were already striking enough. Just his presence had drawn curious stares from passerst She had only stepped outside for a short while, yet several people had already been sneaking nces him. ¡°Not really,¡± he replied tly. Chloe rubbed her nose. Fine. She had already taken care of what she wanted to anyway. ¡°Let¡¯s head ba then.¡± ¡°Chloe!¡± Brian suddenly called after her. She froze and turned around. ¡°You know, I¡¯ll always be here waiting for you as long as you don¡¯t leave me,¡± he said. She blinked. What was that supposed to mean? Brian didn¡¯t exin. He simply took her hand and led her to the side of the road. A silver Maybach wa waiting for them, and they got in. ¡°When will your parents beid to rest?¡± he asked. ¡°Three days from now.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be there too.¡± Chloe was surprised. ¡°What?¡± ¡°They were heroes. And they were your parents. I should be there,¡± Brian said matter¨Cof¨Cfactly. She stared at him for a moment before finally agreeing. ¡°Alright.¡± They returned to Brian¡¯s vi. Just as Chloe reached her room, her phone rang. It was Lena. ¡°How are things in Yarfdale?¡± she asked with concern. ¡°Everything¡¯s going smoothly.¡± ¡°What about your parents¡® ashes?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve ced them in the Quall Family Memorial Hall. They¡¯ll be buried in the national military cemetery in three days,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°That¡¯s good. They can finally rest in peace.¡± Lena sighed. ¡°By the way, Ethan and I are going to Yarfdale Chapter 63 A Fool for Falling ¡°You¡¯reing here?¡± ¡°Of course! It¡¯s your parents¡® burial. We have to be there,¡± Lena replied. She had met Chloe¡¯s parents before. They were kind, intelligent, and gentle. But when danger came, they faced it fearlessly. When she had first heard the news of their deaths, she had held Chloe and cried with her for a long time. Now that they were to beid to rest at the national military cemetery, she just had to attend the funeral. ¡°That¡¯s great. My parents would be d to know that you¡¯re there to send them off,¡± Chloe whispered. ¡°One more thing,¡± Lena said. ¡°Did you know that Sonya was detained?¡± Chloe was taken aback. ¡°Detained?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no way she could walk away unscathed after picking a fight with you at the airport and insulting your parents!¡± Lena eximed. ¡°The military reported it. There were so many witnesses too. She¡¯s been given ten days in detention. ¡°It¡¯s not a prison sentence, but with that record, her career¡¯s done for. She probably won¡¯t even qualify as a co¨Cpilot anymore.¡± The thought of Sonya being locked up filled Lena with satisfaction. ¡°As for Curtis, he¡¯s been running around trying to pull strings in hopes that Sonya could avoid having the punishment appear on her official records. But let¡¯s be real, no one would want to help them!¡± Sonya had insulted the nation¡¯s heroes. She had angered the military itself. Soldiers who had shed blood and given their lives for the country would never tolerate anyone deliberately humiliating the families of martyrs, let alone when that person demanded to open their urn. If Sonya had managed to open it, she wouldn¡¯t just be facing ten days in detention. She¡¯d be looking at three years in prison. Even if the military hadn¡¯t stepped in, Chloe would¡¯ve taken action after settling her parents¡® affairs. She would never forgive someone for insulting them. Sonya had made her choice. Now she would face the consequences. As for Curtis, he was nothing more than a stranger to Chloe now. After chatting for a while, Lena asked, ¡°Where are you staying? Back at your childhood home?¡± ¡°No, that house has been empty for too long and is falling apart. It¡¯s probably not livable anymore. I¡¯ll renovate itter. For now, I¡¯m staying at Brian¡¯s vi,¡± Chloe said. ¡°What?¡± Lena¡¯s voice shot up an octave. ¡°You¡¯re living at Brian¡¯s ce? Have you¡­ moved in with him? When did that happen?¡± Chapter 63 A Fool for Falling for Him Chloe rubbed her temples. ¡°It¡¯s not like that. I¡¯m his bodyguard for three months. After that, we¡¯ll go our separate ways.¡± ¡°Why would you agree to be his bodyguard?¡± Lena asked, confused. ¡°It¡¯splicated. Let¡¯s just say I owed someone a favor,¡± Chloe said. Since the military was involved, she couldn¡¯t reveal everything. ¡°Got it.¡± Having been her best friend for years, Lena understood there were things Chloe couldn¡¯t say. ¡°But you¡¯ll still be around Brian for three months. Be careful. People say he¡¯s unpredictable. If something annoys him, he might just take it out on you,¡± she warned. Chloe¡¯s thoughts shed back to when Brian had paid his respects at her parents¡® urn in Corvessia, when he had waited for her at the memorial hall¡¯s gates, and when he said he woulde send her parents off at their funeral. ¡°He¡­ he does have a good side too,¡± she said quietly. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s not exactly like the rumors say.¡± The rumors painted him as crazy and ruthless. Butst night, she had seen him as fragile as a child. ¡°Wow, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re falling for him,¡± Lena teased. After all, Brian was undeniably good¨Clooking. ¡°No, you¡¯re overthinking!¡± Chloe rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not stupid enough to fall for him.¡± Readplete version only at find?novel ¡°Really? Once you¡¯re back in Corvessia, I¡¯ll set you up with a few handsome guys!¡± Lena eximed cheerfully. The line went silent. ¡°Chloe? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Lena asked. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ nothing. Something came up. I¡¯ll call youter,¡± Chloe blurted before hanging up. She then turned to the doorway. Brian was standing there, his face unreadable. How long had he been standing there? How much of the conversation had he overheard? Their eyes locked. Suddenly, he stepped in front of her. His lips parted. ¡°So falling for me would mean you¡¯re a fool?¡± ¡°Crap. He heard,¡± Chloe thought. After Divorce 64 r 64 Fall for Me Brian and Chloe locked eyes. Neither spoke. The air between them grew heavy. Brian leaned down as he kept his gaze fixed on Chloe. His breath was warm against her skin. ¡°Maybe you just can¡¯t stand me?¡± His usually t and lifeless eyes rippled with something different. It was almost alluring. ¡°I don¡¯t hate you,¡± Chloe said, meeting his gaze. ¡°But you know I just got divorced. Falling for someone else isn¡¯t on my mind right now. Besides, you¡¯re not interested in me either, are you?¡± ¡°And what if I was? Would you feel anything for me then?¡± Brian asked. Chloe froze. She wondered what he was getting at. ¡°Didn¡¯t I just tell you that I¡¯m not looking for love? So even if you liked me, I wouldn¡¯t like you back.¡± ¡°What about in the future? You¡¯ll fall for someone eventually, won¡¯t you?¡± he pressed. ¡°Who knows what¡¯s going to happen in the future?¡± Chloe raised her eyebrows. Brian narrowed his eyes. A rare smile tugged at his lips. ¡°Yeah. Who knows what will happen then?¡± Maybe it was the chaos of the day weighing on her, but that night, Chloe couldn¡¯t sleep. She was lying on her bed when she heard faint noises from the room next door. Startled, she sat up and slipped out of bed. She spotted Brian heading downstairs. He caught sight of her and looked surprised. ¡°You really are a good bodyguard.¡± ¡°Where are you going thiste at night?¡± she asked. ¡°The living room,¡± he replied. ¡°Since you¡¯re awake, why don¡¯t you have a drink with me?¡± He went straight for the liquor cab. ¡°What would you like?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t drink,¡± she replied. Protecting him was her job. She couldn¡¯t afford to dull her senses with alcohol. Brian didn¡¯t push. He poured himself a ss of red wine and downed it. Then another. And another. He wasn¡¯t savoring the wine. He was treating it back like shots. It was unlike his usual self. By the time he reached for a fourth ss, Chloe grabbed his hand. ¡°Enough. You¡¯ll ruin your body.¡± ¡°Are you worried about me?¡± He looked at Chloe. Although he sounded casual, his eyes betrayed him. They seemed to be longing for something. Longing? Chloe frowned. She must have misread the situation. Brian isn¡¯t the type to want pity. This text is hosted at FindN0vel Still, she yed along. ¡°Of course I¡¯m worried. I don¡¯t want anything to happen to you while you¡¯re under my protection.¡± His expression darkened slightly. ¡°So if you weren¡¯t my bodyguard, you wouldn¡¯t care?¡± Chloe pursed her lips. She had the uneasy feeling that if she said ¡°yes¡°, something would break between them. ¡°Would you care for me if you had feelings for me and weren¡¯t my bodyguard?¡± he murmured, leaning closer to her. Their faces were inches apart. His cool breath brushed her skin. ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you?¡± Chloe scowled and started to pull away, but Brian caught her wrist. He wouldn¡¯t let her put distance between them. ¡°Chloe, won¡¯t you fall for me?¡± His voice was low and husky from all the alcohol. She froze and stared at his face. His features were striking¨Ca straight nose, thin lips that glistened slightly, and deep eyes that now seemed to ripple with emotion. The alcohol had brought a faint flush to his cheeks. Even the space between his eyebrows and eyes was tinged with a touch of intoxication. ¡°I won¡¯t!¡± Chloe said firmly. Brian was far too dangerous for her. She had wanted nothing to do with him from the very start. Had it not been for Allen stepping in, she never would have taken the job to protect him. Brian frowned. ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°Would you even love me back?¡± Chloe retorted. It was Brian¡¯s time to fall silent. ¡°Falling for someone could lead to love. But as I said before, if I ever fall in love with someone, it has to be someone who can stand by my side. Someone I can trust with my life. Someone who won¡¯t abandon me in times of danger or betray me,¡± Chloe stated, enunciating each word clearly. She didn¡¯t want another Curtis, who was always next to another woman. He was indifferent to the sacrifices she had made. He had even broken every single promise he made. Brian muttered, ¡°If I could be the kind of man you described, would you fall for me then?¡± ¡°What?¡± Chloe was caught off guard. She hadn¡¯t expected him to say that. But he didn¡¯t exin. Instead, he let his head drift toward her shoulder. Chloe jolted. She wanted to move away, but he quicklymanded, ¡°Don¡¯t. Please just let me rest here.¡± She stopped trying to push him away, and his head settled against her shoulder. While her shoulder was much smaller than his, it felt safe. ¡°My dad called me today,¡± he said abruptly. Chloe raised an eyebrow. Brian¡¯s father was practically a ghost. The Steeles were previously led by Martin. After he passed, Brian took over the family business. As for Liam, it seemed like the Steeles had erased any signs of his existence. There was rarely any news about him in Corverssia. ¡°My dad and I don¡¯t get along,¡± he whispered. ¡°If I were to die tomorrow, he¡¯d probably be the happiest man alive.¡± Chloe hesitated. His words about how not every parent loves their child finally made sense. ¡°You know, when I was a kid, I always loved it when someone could stand up to¡­¡± His voice faltered, then broke off. Chloe let out a confused hum. ¡°Nothing,¡± he said tly. Maybe it was the alcohol, but for a split second, he had almost let slip the thoughts he had buried deep in his memory. He wanted someone to protect him from his dad and help him escape. Back then, he had been small and powerless. He had always hoped someone would save him. But now, he was a strong man who wasn¡¯t afraid of anyone. Yet he had almost revealed the most fragile part of himself to her. ¡°Chloe, if I only loved you, never betrayed you, and stayed by your side through everything, would you fall for me then?¡± After Divorce 65 Chapter 65 Apologize Now ¡°Is this a joke?¡± Chloe asked. Brian didn¡¯t seem like the kind of man who would ever joke about love. She couldn¡¯t even imagine what he would be like if he truly fell in love. ¡°Maybe¡­¡± Brian slowly closed his eyes and breathed in the faint scent that lingered on her. It wasn¡¯t perfume, but rather a scent that seemed to belong to her naturally. It smelled like sunlight mixed with fresh herbs. It soothed him. He leaned his head against her shoulder and muttered, ¡°Maybe I really am just kidding.¡± For a moment, he wanted to stay wrapped in her presence. The wave of nausea that hit him after the phone call with Liam was fading, reced by her warmth. Over the next two days, Chloe went to the Quall Family Memorial Hall daily. She would pay her respects to her parents¡® urn, then stop by the rest of the family¡¯s ques as well. When she reached the ques for the fifth branch, her eyes stung. Her parents¡® ques now sat beside her grandparents¡®. Once a family filled with life, they had been reduced to a row of names etched in wood. But none of them had died in vain. They had fulfilled their duty. They sacrificed everything for their country. Chloe lowered her head. ¡°Mom, Dad, I¡¯ll find Daniel. I¡¯ll bring him back here with me, and we¡¯ll stand before you and the rest of the Qualls.¡± Five years ago, Daniel had disappeared. The military had searched for him, but came up empty. Chloe had even gone all the way to the border herself, but still found nothing. Ever since, she had scoured the inte for any clues¨Cmissing person bulletins, online searches -but nothing ever came up. Once she wrapped up what she had to do in Yarfdale and finished protecting Brian, she nned to return to the border. Maybe she would find something then. Leaving the hall, she ran straight into Willow. ¡°Don¡¯t think just because Great¨CGrandpa dotes on you that you can look down on everyone else,¡± Willow sneered. ¡°Your whole side of the family was cursed. They¡¯re all dead and you¡¯re the only one left.¡± She was still bitter over the humiliation Chloe had caused her in the hall, where she was forced to kneel all night in front of the ques. Chapter 65 Apologize Now Chloe¡¯s face went cold. She stepped forward and pped Willow before she could react. The sharp p echoed through the quiet hall. Willow clutched her cheek in disbelief. ¡°Y¨CYou hit me!¡± ¡°You insulted my parents. Why wouldn¡¯t I hit you? You could run to Great¨CGrandpa all you¡¯d like, and I¡¯d still hit you,¡± she spat. She wasn¡¯t going to sit still and let anyone badmouth her family. Willow¡¯s face flushed with anger. She didn¡¯t have the guts to tell Geoffrey, but she couldn¡¯t ept the humiliation either. ¡°Don¡¯t think you can hide behind him forever, Chloe! He just felt sorry for you, that¡¯s all!¡± ¡°I hit you because you deserved it, not because of him,¡± Chloe snapped. ¡°A true Quall would never smear their own kin out of selfishness.¡± Shame and rage burned on Willow¡¯s face. She swung her hand in an attempt to p Chloe back, but Chloe dodged and slipped behind her. She kicked the back of her knee. Willow cried out as she stumbled forward, crashing to her knees. Right in front of her was Chloe¡¯s parents¡® que. ¡°These people didn¡¯t die because they were cursed. They gave their lives for Alverton and for the Quall family. If you can¡¯t even respect that, you don¡¯t deserve to call yourself a Quall,¡± Chloe said. Willow struggled to get up. ¡°I don¡¯t need you to lecture me about being a Quall!¡± Chloe pressed a hand to her shoulder, forcing her back down in front of the ques. ¡°Apologize to them.¡± ¡°Why should I?¡± Willow fought against her grip. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for them, the Qualls would probably not exist today,¡± a firm voice cut in. Chloe looked up to see Wade in the doorway, his expression hard. Willow froze. Of all people in the family, he was the one she feared the most. ¡°Willow, apologize to them. If not for their sacrifice, you wouldn¡¯t have the life you have now,¡± he said. Willow bit her lip. She had always believed she had earned everything she had today. She was the one responsible for the Quall family¡¯s current prosperity. ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find(?)ovel But with Wade here, she had no choice. Wade¡¯s voice rose. ¡°Well?¡± With shame burning her face, Willow lowered her head and muttered an apology. Wade turned to Chloe. ¡°You¡¯re not alone, Chloe. The Qualls will always stand behind you, no matter what.¡± ¡°I know,¡± she acknowledged. As Chloe stepped out of the hall, her phone rang. She picked up the phone, and Lena¡¯s voice sounded, Where are you now?¡± ¡°In Yarfdale,¡± she replied. ¡°I know that. I meant your exact location?¡± ¡°At the memorial hall¡¯s entrance.¡± ¡°Cool. I¡¯ll meet you there in half an hour,¡± Lena said. Chloe¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Wait, you¡¯re in Yarfdale?¡± ¡°Justnded. See you soon!¡± Chloe lowered her phone, a smile tugging at her lips at the thought of seeing her best friend again. The hall sat in the middle of the city, right next to some restaurants. She slipped into one to wait. Half an hourter, Lena showed up with Ethan. When he saw Chloe, he pulled her into a tight hug. ¡°I missed you so much.¡± Chloeughed and ruffled his hair like he was a big golden retriever. ¡°Alright, alright. I get it. Why didn¡¯t you two say anything before showing up?¡± Ethan grinned. He had wanted to see her genuine reaction to their surprise. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m starving,¡± Lena cut in. ¡°Why don¡¯t we eat here?¡± No one objected. They were at a local diner with a menu full of Yarfdale specialties. They ordered a few dishes and dug in. ¡°I heard from Lena what happened at the airport. I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t go with you,¡± Ethan apologized. Something hade up, so he couldn¡¯t send her off that day. If he had known something like that would happen, he would¡¯ve dropped everything to be there. ¡°What are you apologizing for? It wasn¡¯t your fault,¡± Chloeughed. ¡°Still, 1-¡± Chloe¡¯s phone rang again. She answered. It was Brian. ¡°Where are you?¡± ¡°At a diner near the memorial hall,¡± she replied. There was a pause. Then his tone shifted. ¡°Eating with the Hughes family¡¯s heir, aren¡¯t you?¡± Chloe froze, then slowly raised her head. Brian was in front of a tall building across from the diner. He was staring at her through the ss walls. Chapter 66 Jealousy Chapter 66 Jealousy After Divorce 66 Chapter 66 Jealousy Read full story at F?ndNovel Chloe froze, her phone still in hand. She stared at Brian across the street. He looked like he had just stepped out of the office tower and was about to get into the silver Maybach parked beside him. The timing felt almost too coincidental. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Clo?¡± Ethan asked. He followed her gaze and spotted Brian as well. A faint frown creased Ethan¡¯s brow. A chill ran down his spine in the brief moment their eyes met through the ss. It felt like something he had been guarding all was about to be taken from him. ¡°Lena and Ethan just arrived in Yarfdale, so I¡¯m having lunch with them,¡± Chloe exined. ¡°Perfect. I haven¡¯t eaten either,¡± Brian replied before hanging up. Chloe blinked, then saw him striding toward them. Momentster, he was at their table. ¡°I haven¡¯t had lunch. Mind if I join you?¡± Brian asked. ¡°What?¡± Lena¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Are you talking to us, Mr. Steele?¡± ¡°Yes. Got a problem with that?¡± he countered. Lena nced at Chloe instinctively. ¡°Have a seat,¡± Chloe said, signaling the waiter for another set of dishes. Brian slid into the seat directly across from Ethan. The four of them sat at a square table. Chloe continued eating as usual, but Brian and Ethan locked eyes. The tension was so thick that one could choke on it. Lena¡¯s eyes darted between the two men before she cleared her throat, ready to smooth things over. Before she could speak, Ethan leaned in first. ¡°Mr. Steele, what a coincidence. I didn¡¯t expect to run into you here.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t a coincidence,¡± Brian said calmly. ¡°I finished some business nearby and came to see Chloe.¡± Ethan frowned. ¡°Chloe?¡± Lena almost spat her coffee out. Did Brian just call her Chloe? Lots of people called Chloe by her first name, but she didn¡¯t think Brian would be on a first¨Cname basis with her. Ethan red at Brian. ¡°You call her Chloe? Who let you call her that?¡± Brian cleaned his utensils with a paper towel with deliberate calmness. ¡°She did, of course.¡± Both Ethan and Lena turned to stare at Chloe. ¡°Clo? You let him call you that?¡± Ethan asked. ¡°Yeah.¡± Chloe nodded. ¡°It¡¯s easier that way. Besides, it¡¯s only for three months.¡± Ethan¡¯s eyes flickered, his thoughts unreadable. ¡°Anyway, eat before the food gets cold,¡± Chloe urged. Lena quickly jumped in, grabbing her fork. ¡°Right, right. Let¡¯s just eat.¡± Ethan followed suit. Chloe nced at Brian. ¡°The food here isn¡¯t as fancy as what you¡¯re used to. Think you¡¯ll manage?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not picky. I¡¯ve eaten worse than this,¡± he said. Far worse. He could even swallow bark and dirt just to survive. Chloe looked at him with a little surprise, but let it go and returned to her meal. Brian ate with measured grace, a sharp contrast to Ethan¡¯s more casual style. ¡°That¡¯s funny, Mr. Steele,¡± Ethan muttered. ¡°I wasn¡¯t joking.¡± ¡°I¡¯m curious what food could be worse than this. I¡¯d like to try it myself. It can¡¯t be that bad.¡± ¡°Tree bark,¡± Brian said. ¡°I rmend you try some, Mr. Hughes.¡± ¡°Brian Steele!¡± Ethan snapped. ¡°What is it? Don¡¯t believe me? Or are you saying you¡¯d rather make me your enemy?¡± Brian¡¯s dark eyes lifted. The atmosphere at the table turned frigid. Lena nearly lost her appetite. Finally, Chloe cut in. ¡°Eat.¡®¡± Only then did the two men grudgingly return to their meals. Despite the presence of two handsome men at the table, Lena felt like the meal was taking years off her life. When they finished, Brian stood up and turned to Chloe. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Chloe agreed. She had a deal with him. During her stay in Yarfdale, she could take care of her personal business, but she was to be his bodyguard for the rest of her time. ¡°Lena, why don¡¯t you and Ethan¡­¡± Chloe started, but Ethan caught her hand. Chapter 66 Jealousy ¡°Clo, where are you staying? I¡¯ll take you back,¡± he said. ¡°She¡¯s staying with me,¡± Brian cut in, stepping forward and gripping Ethan¡¯s hand. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t trouble yourself, Mr. Hughes. Now, let go.¡± Ethan red at him. ¡°And if I don¡¯t?¡± ¡°Then don¡¯t me me if your wrist ends up broken,¡± Brian threatened. Ethanughed coldly. ¡°That¡¯s assuming you can pull it off.¡± The tension spiked again. ¡°Enough!¡± Chloe yanked her hand free from Ethan¡¯s grasp and pried Brian¡¯s hand off his wrist. She looked Brian dead in the eye. ¡°Don¡¯t touch my friends. I won¡¯t forgive you if you do.¡± Then she turned to Ethan. ¡°I¡¯m working as Brian¡¯s bodyguard for a while. That¡¯s why I¡¯m staying with him.¡± Ethan froze. ¡°A bodyguard? Did he force you to work for him?¡± ¡°No,¡± she replied. ¡°Then why?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t say.¡± Those two words told Ethan everything he needed to know. It was a ssified mission. ¡°I won¡¯t pry then,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting for you at the memorial hall for your parents¡® burial tomorrow.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± As Chloe turned to leave with Brian, Ethan suddenly pulled her into a hug. It startled her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°You¡¯re still the same, Clo,¡± Ethan murmured. ¡°Always protecting the people that matter to you the most.¡± When she had stood up to Brian for his sake, he remembered how years ago, she had carried him through snow¨Cblocked roads when he had been burning with a fever. ¡°Hold on, we¡¯re almost at the hospital. I won¡¯t let anything happen to you,¡± she had said as she ran. Sweat drenched her hair. His consciousness was hazy then. The cold had been brutal, yet his chest burned with warmth. Sometimes, all it takes is a single moment to leave a mark on someone. Ethan whispered, ¡°Clo, if you ever find yourself in trouble, I¡¯ll be there for you. No matter what it takes.¡± If Brian was her trouble, then Ethan was ready to face him head¨Con, even if he was the head of the Steele family. ¡°I¡¯m not in trouble, don¡¯t worry,¡± Chloe said, ruffling his hair. ¡°Alright, I have to go now.¡± Only then did Ethan reluctantly let her go. Chapter 66 Jealousy Off to the side, Lena nced at Brian and froze. His dark, piercing eyes were locked on Ethan and Chloe. His eyes burned with jealousy. After Divorce 67 Chapter 67 So That¡¯s What Jealousy Feels Like Jealousy? Lena was startled by the thought that shed through her mind. Brian was a man who had everything. Why would someone like him ever feel jealous? She must have imagined it. Chloe and Brian returned to the vi together. Just as Chloe was about to head upstairs, Brian suddenly asked, ¡°If I had actually broken Ethan¡¯s wrist today, what would you have done?¡± She paused before answering, ¡°I won¡¯t let you have the chance to do that.¡± ¡°I said ¡®if.¡°¡± ¡°No ifs,¡± she shot back. ¡°I¡¯ll never let you hurt him.¡± He frowned, locking his eyes on her. ¡°You¡¯re protecting Ethan that badly just because he used to be your ¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that reason enough?¡± she asked without hesitation. ¡°You¡¯re not in the military anymore,¡± he pressed. ¡°Neither of you are.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter. He¡¯s still myrade. If I ever were in danger, he¡¯s someone I could trust my life with.¡± His eyes glinted with jealousy. ¡°What about me?¡± ¡°What?¡± she blinked, caught off guard. ¡°If you were in danger one day, would you not trust me?¡± he exined. Chloe couldn¡¯t hide her surprise when she looked at him. She hadn¡¯t expected him to say something like that. Brian was a dangerous man. Her instinct told her to keep her distance from him. When he saw her expression, his eyes dimmed. He knew she had never even considered it. ¡°That¡¯s a shame,¡± he murmured. ¡°If I had been yourrade, would you protect me the way you protect Ethan?¡± Hope flickered in his eyes. Chloe pursed her lips. ¡°Hypotheticals don¡¯t matter. Right now, I¡¯m your bodyguard. Of course I¡¯ll protect you.¡± ¡°And if you weren¡¯t?¡± hapter ¡°Then you¡¯d have plenty of other bodyguards to protect you.¡± Hisshes fluttered. ¡°True.¡± He was asking her meaningless questions. He couldn¡¯t turn back time. He would never be herrade. Still, his chest ached with a strange sense of loss. Later that night, Brian stood in front of the mirror after getting out of the shower. He studied his face. He got his sharp jaw from his father and his eyes from his mother. That was why every time Emily saw him, she would push him away. He reminded her of the man she hated. ¡°Stay away from me. You¡¯re his son. One day, you¡¯ll turn into a monster like him too!¡± she would scream. Monster. That was what Emily would call him. She didn¡¯t look at him with love, but with hatred and fear. Meanwhile, Liam would beat him again and again. He would call him useless and scold him for failing to win his mother¡¯s affection. But after each beating, Liam would crumble and clutch at him with tear¨Cfilled eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Brian. I just love your mom too much. I can¡¯t lose her. You have to help me keep her. You have to love me too. She¡¯ll definitely love you because you¡¯re her son.¡± From the moment he was born, Brian had been nothing more than a tool. Their so¨Ccalled love was so ugly, it made him sick. But now, he wasn¡¯t sure what feelings he had for Chloe. ¡°Chloe,¡± he whispered at his own reflection. ¡°I think I might be jealous of Ethan.¡± When he had seen her with Ethan earlier, something ufortable had stirred inside him. That This content belongs to find?novel difort sharpened into pain and unease. It felt like something was gnawing at his chest, like fear of losing something precious. When she had stood up to him for Ethan¡¯s sake, the pain and unease had spiked to a breaking point. Onlyter had he realized what that feeling was. So that was jealousy. The next morning, Chloe woke up early. It was the day her parents¡® ashes would beid to rest at the national military cemetery. Dressed in simple back mourning clothes, she went to the Quall Family Memorial Hall. Inside the hall, members of the Quall family stood in solemn rows ording to seniority. They were all d in ck. The air was heavy. Chapter 67 So That¡¯s What Jealousy Feels Like At the front of the row was Geoffrey, leaning on his cane. He was lost in his thoughts. ¡°Geoffrey, Chloe¡¯s here,¡± someone informed him. He turned, his cloudy gaze settling on her. ¡°You¡¯re here. Send your parents off well, Chloe. It was an honor to have them as part of our family. Now, pay your respects to your great¨Cgrandparents, your grandparents, and your parents.¡± Chloe obeyed. She stepped forward and knelt in front of the ques. ¡°And the rest of you,¡± Geoffrey said. ¡°Pay your respects to them, too.¡± With that, he bent low himself. His age made simple actions like kneeling difficult, but he forced himself through the motion anyway. He wanted to show respect, grief, and guilt. His elder cousins had been the ones he admired most. Seven went to war, but only one returned. He had sworn to protect their descendants. But one by one, they, too, were lost. Only Chloe remained. He would protect her as long as he was alive. The other members of the Quall family followed Geoffrey¡¯s example and knelt before the ques. Willow knelt as well, though reluctance burned in her chest. Her resentment toward Chloe only deepened. The only reason Chloe was being honored was that Geoffrey valued her side of the family. Her parents had died as heroes. But Geoffrey¡¯s health was failing. He couldn¡¯t shield for long. Since Chloe was the only one left, she would be nothing after the funeral ended. Once everyone had paid their respect, Chloe lifted the urn and led the group of people out of the hall. Willow smirked inwardly. If it weren¡¯t for the other family members, today¡¯s funeral would have been Chloe carrying the urn alone. ¡°Do we really need this many people for a funeral?¡± someone close to Willow¡¯s age muttered. ¡°There¡¯s no one left on her side of the family. It would look too pitiful if we didn¡¯t attend the funeral,¡± Willow casually replied, her toneced with disdain. ¡°Exactly,¡± someone else chimed in. ¡°Without us, Chloe would be walking by herself. How sad would that look?¡± Many in the Qualls knew that Willow and Chloe had shed at the memorial hall before. With how Willow¡¯s status had been rising thanks to Brian¡¯s favor, they tried to stay on her good side. Willow¡¯s lips curled in satisfaction. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯d look utterly pathetic.¡± But as the group reached the memorial hall¡¯s entrance, Willow¡¯s smile froze. There, lined up in perfect formation on either side of the doorway, stood two full rows of uniformed Chapter 67 So That¡¯s What Jealousy Feels Like soldiers. Her eyes widened in shock. Disbelief flooded her face. After Divorce 68 Chapter 68 The National Military Cemetery Chapter 68 The National Military Cemetery Willow froze when she looked toward the memorial hall¡¯s entrance. It wasn¡¯t just two neat rows of soldiers standing guard, but government officials were there too. They were dressed in ck, solemnly waiting at the gates. The sight hit her like a p to the face. Moments ago, she had mocked Chloe as she imagined her walking alone behind the hearse with no family to see her parents off. But the scene before her was not what she had in mind. Even without the Qualls, it seemed like the whole country hade to honor Chloe¡¯s parents. They were heroes. And a nation never forgets its heroes. Even passersby on the street stopped, their gazes drawn to the scene unfolding before the hall. Willow¡¯s face paled in an instant. Then, she spotted Brian among the crowd. He was dressed in a ck suit. His expression was grave, and his eyes were fixed only on Chloe. Official source is find?novel Her chest tightened. She wondered what he was doing there. Was he really attending Chloe¡¯s parents¡® funeral? That was impossible. Brian had never cared about life or death. To her knowledge, he had only attended two funerals in his life. One was Emily¡¯s, and the other was Martin¡¯s. Yet now, here he was. Willow wondered if that meant Chloe¡¯s parents held a ce in his heart equal to Emily or even Martin, the man who raised him. The thought made Willow clench her fists. Her resentment toward Chloe red hotter than ever. Chloe walked toward the two rows of soldiers with the urn in her arms. At once, the soldiers raised their hands in salute. It was to honor the fallen. A g war draped over the urn, a mark of the sacrifice her parents had made for their country. The national anthem rang out. Chloe¡¯s eyes stung as the stirring notes carried across the sky. The g and the anthem had been her parents¡® faith. They had given their lives so that peace could endure. When the anthem ended, a government official approached her. ¡°We¡¯re sorry for your loss. Your parents were truly loyal citizens. Both Alverton and Yarfdale will remember them.¡± Chapter 68 The National Military Cemetery Chloe lowered her gaze to the urn in her arms. She knew it was true. The government had worked tirelessly to bring her parents¡® remains home despite the obstacles. Now, they could finally rest in their homnd, just as they had wished. ¡°We¡¯ll escort them to the national military cemetery,¡± the official said. Chloe nodded. She boarded the hearse with the urn. She was apanied by her parents¡®rades, Ethan, and Lena. When she boarded the car, she saw Brian through the ss. He stood solemnly in the crowd. A flood of emotions rose in her chest. Their eyes met through the window. He hade, just as he promised, to see her parents off. At first, Brian seemed like a moody, hard¨Cto¨Cread man who lived in death¡¯s shadow. But he had always shown respect toward her parents. That respect revealed a different side of him. One she hadn¡¯t noticed before. The hearse pulled away slowly. Along the roadside, strangers stopped walking. Some lowered their heads as they watched the hearse pass. Chloe¡¯s vision blurred. They were honoring her parents. Heroes deserved nothing less. When they reached the national military cemetery, the staff were already waiting for them. The burial was solemn. Four soldiers lowered the urn into the ground. Chloe followed close behind, carrying her parents¡® portrait. The Qualls, government officials, and military representatives stood behind her. Lena, Ethan, and Brian kept to the rear. Lena couldn¡¯t hide her surprise when she noticed Brian. She didn¡¯t think he would attend the funeral. Not to mention, he wasn¡¯t iming attention, but standing quietly at the back. It was almost as if his presence was not motivated by any personal gain or desire for renown. He was there for Chloe¡¯s parents. She wondered why he would do that. As far as she knew, Brian and Chloe had only met recently. Was it just because her parents were heroes, or was there something more? She nced at Brian again. His eyes never left Chloe. Chapter 68 The National Military Cemetery The gaze that was usually sharp and cold now held only a quiet intensity. It seemed like Chloe was the only person in the world to him. A chill ran through Lena. Could Brian be falling for her friend? Given the rumors about him, she couldn¡¯t be sure how a cold man like him would behave once he fell in love. She couldn¡¯t bear to imagine what would happen to Chloe if she didn¡¯t return Brian¡¯s feelings. Alverton¡¯s g covered the urn. Beside it, Chloe had ced a bullet pendant. Tears welled in her eyes. That pendant had been Walter¡¯s treasure. It was a reminder of the day Jenna had saved his life. He had always said that his life belonged not only to the nation, but to her. And in the end, he kept that promise. They had died together under fire. He had given his life to both. The honor guard raised their rifles. Seven shots cracked through the air. It was a soldier¡¯s farewell. Chloe finally let her tears fall. ¡°Dad, Mom¡­ you can finally rest now.¡± After Divorce 69 Chapter 69 Promise Me You¡¯ll Never Hate My Face When the funeral finally ended, Chloe forced herself to hold back her grief. She greeted Yarfdale officials one by one, as well as her parents¡®rades. Geoffrey remained at her side the entire time, as though silently dering to everyone present that even if Chloe had lost her parents, she was still a Quall. The Qualls will stand behind her. Thoughts were brewing among the younger Quall generation. ¡°Looks like Chloe¡¯s parents weren¡¯t as simple as we thought. That¡¯s an insane amount of officials around her. Not to mention Great¨CGrandpa publicly supporting her. Even Brian showed up at the funeral.¡± ¡°No kidding. I heard Brian never attends funerals unless it¡¯s for his family.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tell me Brian¡¯s actually interested in Chloe? What happens to Willow then?¡± ¡°Willow? Please, she could only hold her head high because she was using the Steele family¡¯s guilt against them. Does she really think Brian would choose someone with a ruined eye?¡± ¡°If Willow ever loses Brian as her shield, she and her useless father will be tossed out of Quall Group in no time.¡± Just outside the restroom, Willow heard every word. She dug her nails deep into her palms. She pushed open the door, her face cold as ice. The restroom went dead silent. The cousins who had been whispering moments before stared at her nervously. They were the same ones who usually ttered her in front of the elders. Who knew they were gossiping about her behind her back? Willow walked straight up to Wendy Quall and grabbed her jaw with one hand. Her cold, menacing gaze pierced through her sses and fixed on Wendy¡¯s face. Wendy had been the most vocal in the group. ¡°I¡¯m arrogant, huh? That my eye is ruined?¡± Willow¡¯s lips curled into a vicious smile. ¡°Why don¡¯t I gouge one of your eyes out right now and ruin your eye too? Let¡¯s see if Brian will protect me then.¡± She tightened her grip on Wendy¡¯s jaw, letting her finger creep toward her eye. ¡°Ah! No¡­ please, don¡¯t! I¡¯m sorry! I take it back! Chloe is nothingpared to you,¡± Wendy stammered. The others stayed quiet. While nobody knew exactly what Chloe meant to Brian, everyone knew what Brian was to Willow. Willow let Wendy go with a sneer. Her nails raked bloody scratches across Wendy¡¯s face. ¡°Next time, think twice before you run your mouth. Otherwise, you might not even know when you might Chapter 69 Promise Me You¡¯ll Never Hate My Face lose that eye.¡± Wendy nodded frantically. Willow left the restroom with a stormy expression. She knew better than anyone that her standing in the Quall family depended entirely on Brian. She couldn¡¯t afford to lose him. Her ruined eye was Brian¡¯s fault. If she could keep stoking his guilt, then surely¡­ She froze. Not far ahead, Brian and Chloe stood together. They were chatting about something. Brian¡¯s gaze at Chloe was calm, but Willow had never seen it that gentle. Her stomach stopped. Brian had never looked at any woman like that. Could it be that he truly liked Chloe? Then, he reached toward Chloe. Chloe quickly caught his wrist. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Just trying to wipe away your tears,¡± he said. Chloe was surprised. She nced at his arm and saw the folded handkerchief in his hand. ¡°Sorry.¡± She let go of his hand. ¡°I¡¯ll do it myself.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± he said, opening his palm. The pale blue handkerchiefy there, waiting. Chloe hesitated. She hadn¡¯t brought any tissues, and with him offering so inly, she had no choice but to take them. She dabbed her tears away. ¡°Why are you crying?¡± Brian asked in a low voice. ¡°Because they were your parents?¡± ¡°Is that reason not enough?¡± she shot back. He lowered his gaze. ¡°When my mom died, I didn¡¯t shed a single tear. People said I was cold¨Cblooded. Some even called me a monster. Do you think that too?¡± Chloe pursed her lips. If he truly were a monster, he wouldn¡¯t havee to her parents¡® funeral. ¡°Was your mom cruel to you?¡± she asked quietly. ¡°She hated me. Especially this face. She couldn¡¯t stand it,¡± he replied tly, as if describing the weather. Chloe faltered. What kind of mother despises her own child¡¯s face? ¡°What about you?¡± Brian lifted his eyes slowly. ¡°Would you hate my face, too?¡± His gaze was steady, like a dead sea. But beneath it flickered a fragile thread of hope. A strange feeling stirred in Chloe¡¯s chest. ¡°No,¡± she murmured. Brian¡¯s face was strikingly handsome. Most women could never bring themselves to hate it. His lips curved into the faintest smile when he heard her answer. It melted the ice in his eyes. Chapter 69 Promise Me You¡¯ll Never Hate My Face ¡°Here, your handkerchief,¡± Chloe said, handing back the handkerchief. He epted it. ¡°Promise me that you¡¯ll never hate my face.¡± She blinked, puzzled, but nodded. ¡°Sure.¡± She never hated someone¡¯s face. Only the person behind it. If she truly despised someone, she wouldn¡¯t even look their way. It would be just like how she never wanted to see Curtis ever again. ¡°Then let¡¯s pinky swear!¡± Brian said. To Chloe¡¯s astonishment, he held up his little finger. Chloe froze. The man who could shake the entire capital with a single step was asking for a childish pinky swear. ¡°What?¡± he asked when she didn¡¯t respond. This content belongs to FindN()vel ¡°I just didn¡¯t expect you would¡­ want a pinky swear. ¡°When I was a kid, a little girl told me a pinky promisests a hundred years.¡± He smiled faintly. ¡°Break it, and you¡¯ll lose the thing you treasure the most.¡± Chloe didn¡¯t think he actually believed that. But the funny thing was, when she was little, she had believed the same thing. She had even used those same words. Could she have pinky¨Csworn with him before? After Divorce 70 Chapter 70 Brian and Ethan Are Fighting Chloe quickly brushed off the fleeting thought. She and Brian had never been connected in any way. As a child, she didn¡¯t even remember ever crossing paths with the Steeles. There was no way she could have known Brian when he was young. And with a face like his, she definitely would¡¯ve remembered. Her memory had always been sharp, and she couldn¡¯t recall ever meeting him before. Fresh chapters posted on F¦Énd£Îovel ¡°Alright then, pinky promise,¡± Chloe said, holding out her pinky. Their pinkies hooked together. ¡°Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye,¡± Brian murmured. Those were words Chloe hadn¡¯t heard since childhood. A memory shed in her mind. It felt like looking at her younger self, making the same promise with someone else. Watching from the side, Willow clenched her teeth. Jealousy burned in her eyes. Brian made a pinky promise with Chloe. She remembered once, years ago, when she and Brian had stumbled across two kids making the same promise. He had stared at them, lost in thought. ¡°Why don¡¯t we do it too?¡± she had suggested. But Brian had only given her a cold nce. ¡°I don¡¯t need promises from you. And I¡¯m not giving you mine.¡± She had never mattered to him. Yet he was the one who ruined her eye. If not for him, she would never be living half¨Cblind. She had paid the price just to stay close to him. Yet he still wouldn¡¯t even give her a pinky promise. Now, he gave it to Chloe so easily. She wondered what was so special about her. Lena and Ethan had been watching the whole time. Ethan started walking toward them without thinking, but Lena grabbed his arm. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare cause a scene today. It¡¯s her parents¡® funeral.¡°. He froze in ce, jaw clenched tight. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me Brian¡¯s actually into her,¡± Lena muttered under her breath, What happened in front of them was warm. It didn¡¯t match Brian¡¯s usual image at all. Maybe the jealousy she had seen in his eyes before wasn¡¯t her imagination after all. Chapter 70 Brien and Ethan Are Fighting ¡°He likes Clo? That¡¯s ridiculous!¡± Ethan snapped. ¡°What, are you scared he¡¯s gonna steal her from you? Rx. She just got divorced. Falling in love again is thest thing on her mind.¡± Ethan stayed silent, but his eyes never left Chloe. Of course, he was scared. He had already missed his chance once. Back then, he hadn¡¯t even known she was getting married until it was toote. He hadn¡¯t even gotten the chance to confess. Frustrated, he had left the country for three years, thinking distance would cure him. But when he saw her again, he realized he had only been lying to himself. He couldn¡¯t let go. Part of him hated that Curtis never treasured her. But another part was grateful. If not for that, she never would have divorced, and he never would¡¯ve had another chance. Now that she had just buried her parents, he had nned to wait a while before confessing when the time was right. But Brian had appeared out of nowhere. When the funeral ended, Chloe turned to Brian. ¡®I¡¯m not going back to the vi with you. I want to stay here a little longer. With them.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll stay with you,¡± he offered. ¡°No, I want to talk to them alone.¡± There had been so many people at the funeral. Now that it was quiet, she just wanted time with her parents. Brian studied her for a moment, then nodded. ¡°Alright.¡± He walked away, leaving her in front of the headstone. Chloe stared at the ck¨Cand¨Cwhite photos etched into the stone, her parents smiling as brightly as ever. ¡°Rest easy, Mom, Dad,¡± she whispered. ¡°I¡¯lle visit often. I¡¯ll bring Daniel too. I¡¯ll keep loving what you guys loved and protect what you guys protected. ¡°And¡­ I¡¯m divorced now. I always envied your love. I guess I wasn¡¯t that lucky. But even if that marriage failed, I¡¯ll keep moving forward. I won¡¯t let it trap me. ¡°My life isn¡¯t just about love. There¡¯s so much more to live for. And one day, when I meet you again, I want to be able to say I lived a life worthy of being your daughter.¡± She kept talking to them in a low voice, like she was just having a casual conversation with her parents. But every word was heavy with longing. Chapter 70 Brian and Ethan Are Fighting 314 Outside the cemetery, Brian had barely stepped out when a figure lunged forward and mmed him against the wall. His bodyguards tensed, ready to strike. Brian raised his hand to stop them. His eyes met Ethan¡¯s. Ethan¡¯s arm was pressed hard against his throat. ¡°What is it, Mr. Hughes? You nning to fight me?¡± ¡°What if I am?¡± Ethan growled. ¡°Then don¡¯t think you¡¯re going to leave here in one piece,¡± Brian replied coolly. Lena had been walking with Ethan before he rushed straight at Brian. She had even wanted to suggest they wait for Chloe. She hurried over. ¡°Come on, you¡¯re both Chloe¡¯s¡­ friends. Why fight?¡± Neither man listened. Ethan¡¯s re burned into Brian. ¡°I¡¯m warning you. Chloe¡¯s not someone you can toy with. If you hurt her, I¡¯ll make you pay.¡± ¡°What if I¡¯m not toying with her?¡± Ethan froze, his expression darkening. ¡°I¡¯m not ying with Chloe,¡± Brian said sharply. ¡°And more importantly, whatever¡¯s between us is none of your business.¡± He struck Ethan the moment he finished. In seconds, the two men were trading blows. Lena stood there, stunned. She wanted to step in, but charging between them would only get her punched. So she turned to the bodyguards. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to stop this?¡± ¡°Not unless Mr. Steele tells us to,¡± their leader replied. Lena groaned. Were they going to fight until someone wins? Ethan¡¯s moves were steady and disciplined. Brian¡¯s were sharper and more ruthless. She knew Ethan could fight, but she hadn¡¯t expected Brian to be skilled as well. Five minutes passed. She grew anxious. She was worried someone would get seriously hurt. Then ten minutes passed. She was just anxious for it to be over. Fifteen minutester, she was numb. ¡°For God¡¯s sake, are you two done yet? Take a break and grab some water or something!¡± she muttered. Chapter 70 Brian and Ethan Are Fighting Just then, another figure ran toward the men locked inbat. Lena¡¯s eyes widened. It was Chloe. After Divorce 71 Chapter 71 Who Allowed You to Touch These Rings? Chloe rushed between the two men, blocking both of their punches with one swift move. The moment they saw her step in, they pulled back and stopped abruptly. ¡°What are you two doing?¡± Chloe demanded. As soon as she came out, she caught sight of Brian and Ethan trading blows. And they didn¡¯t seem like they were holding back either. ¡°I should be the one asking you that. Why did you jump in like that?¡± Lena asked. She ran over and grabbed Chloe. ¡°Are you trying to get yourself killed? They were fighting so fiercely. What if one of their punches hadnded on you?¡± Though her words were harsh, it was clear that she was worried. ¡°The fact that I jumped in means I obviously could protect myself,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t let myself get hurt.¡± Even if Brian and Ethan hadn¡¯t pulled back in time, she would still have been able to handle it. ¡°Fine, but no matter what, your safetyes first!¡± Lena said firmly. She just wanted to make sure that Chloe was safe. ¡°I know,¡± Chloe answered. ¡°By the way, why were they fighting?¡± ¡°They-¡± Lena started. But Ethan cut her off, ¡°I heard that Mr. Steele was skilled, so I wanted to spar with him a little.¡± ¡°Spar?¡± Chloe looked at Ethan suspiciously. Ethan averted his gaze and quickly changed the subject. ¡°Clo, where are you going? Let me drive you.¡± ¡°She¡¯sing back to the vi with me,¡± Brian said before Chloe could answer, frowning in displeasure. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m currently Mr. Steele¡¯s bodyguard, so I¡¯ll be going back with him,¡± Chloe said. Ethan pursed his lips at her words. ¡°I¡¯ll be in Yarfdale for a few more days. Call me whenever you¡¯re free. I have so much to say to you, Clo.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Chloe agreed. Then, she got into the car with Brian. Ethan¡¯s gaze was icy as he watched the car slowly drive off. If Brian wasn¡¯t just toying with Chloe, then could it mean he was serious? And when the Steele family was serious¡­ He remembered what his mother, Lisa Earlhart, had once told him, ¡°It¡¯s best not to provoke the Steeles. Once they take something seriously, they won¡¯t rest until they die.¡± Chapter 71 Who Allowed You to Touch These Rings? At the time, Ethan had brushed her off and said, ¡°Mom, you¡¯re exaggerating.¡± But Lisa had insisted, ¡°You only say that because you¡¯ve never dealt with them. Madness runs in their blood. Crossing them will bring nothing but endless trouble.¡± Her words still rang clear in his ears. But now, he had no choice but to provoke them. He didn¡¯t know what Brian was nning, but Ethan would never let him hurt Chloe, nor would he lose Chloe again. Inside the car, Brian looked at Chloe. ¡°Do you really believe Ethan and I were just sparring?¡± ¡°No,¡± Chloe replied bluntly. ¡°Then aren¡¯t you curious about the real reason?¡± ¡°If you want to tell me, you will. If you don¡¯t, asking won¡¯t help. But¡­¡± Her tone hardened. ¡°I told you before, don¡¯t hurt Ethan. Otherwise, I won¡¯t let you off!¡± A glint shed in Brian¡¯s eyes. ¡°And if he hurts me?¡± ¡°You have so many bodyguards around you. He can¡¯t get through them to hurt you, Mr. Steele,¡± Chloe said. Brian lowered his gaze slightly. There were many kinds of wounds, after all. And some, no bodyguard could protect against. ¡°Do you hate calling me by my name so much?¡± he suddenly asked. Chloe froze. ¡°Brian.¡± She said his name like he wanted. ¡°Don¡¯t hurt Ethan. I don¡¯t want to end up being your enemy either.¡± Brian¡¯sshes trembled faintly as bitterness rose in his throat. Why did he feel like this? Was it because he cared more and more about her? ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t hurt Ethan,¡± he said softly, lifting his gaze to look at her. ¡°Because I don¡¯t want to be your enemy.¡± Just the thought of standing against Chloe made him feel deeply ufortable. It was almost as if his instincts were screaming that he would regret it for his whole life if it ever happened. In Corvessia, Sonya was finally released from the detention center. Curtis and Luke went to pick her up. The moment they got in the car, Luke said, ¡°Sonya, do you know how much Curtis has run himself ragged these past few days for you? He barely slept. They say true feelings reveal themselves in hard times. If Chapter 71 Who Allowed You to Touch These Rings? this isn¡¯t love, then I don¡¯t know what it is!¡± ¡°Enough, Luke. Stop talking!¡± Curtis snapped. ¡°What? Are you shy now?¡± Luke teased. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯d bet good money that Sonya ended up in the detention center because of Chloe. She must have pushed the military to call the police just to bring Sonya down.¡± Sonya already hated Chloe to begin with. Hearing this only fanned her fury, and she scoffed coldly. ¡°I despise people who resort to underhanded tricks the most. If Chloe has a problem with me, she should face me openly. I didn¡¯t expect her to stoop this low.¡± The ordeal had made Sonya hate Chloe to the core. She had already suffered humiliation at the airport because of what Chloe did. To be locked up after that was utterly unbearable. And worse was that this detention would be recorded in her files. It meant that, even if she managed to keep her co¨Cpilot position, she would never advance further. Chloe had essentially destroyed Sonya¡¯s career prospects. ¡°Chloe is nothingpared to you, Sonya. She¡¯s a petty schemer who hides behind her parents¡® status as heroes to manipte situations. Does she really think that taking you down will make Curtis go back to her?¡± Luke sneered. ¡°Luke, that¡¯s enough!¡± Curtis roared. Luke scowled. ¡°You already divorced Chloe, so why are you still defending her? She¡¯s not your wife anymore. Did you forget how she embarrassed you at that press conference?¡± Curtis¡® chest tightened. That press conference. If he had been humiliated that day, it was because of his own actions. ¡°Chloe isn¡¯t the kind of person who schemes against others,¡± he said bitterly. No matter what, when Curtis looked back at their three years of marriage, Chloe had never once tried to manipte him. If anything, he had taken her devotion for granted, never once thinking to repay her. ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you? You¡¯re actually standing up for her?¡± Luke asked in surprise. A flicker of unease crossed Sonya¡¯s eyes. Curtis had never cared about Chloe before, and now he was defending her? Her mind began to wander. Could it be¡­ No, she tried to reassure herself that it was impossible. The car pulled up to a restaurant where Curtis had already reserved a private room. Once they were inside, he removed his suit jacket and set it aside. Just then, his phone rang. Chapter 71 Who Allowed You to Touch These Rings? ¡°I have to take this call,¡± Curtis said, picking up the phone and stepping out of the room. Sonya picked up Curtis¡® jacket, intending to hang it on the coat rack. But as she lifted it, something slipped out from the pocket and ttered to the floor. She bent down and picked it up. It was a pair of in rings, the kind that looked like they came from a street vendor. When did Curtis ever own rings like these? Discover more novels at find(?)ovel Just then, Curtis walked back in. The moment he saw the rings in Sonya¡¯s hand, his expression changed drastically. He rushed forward and snatched them away. ¡°Who allowed you to touch these rings?¡± Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! After Divorce 72 Chapter 72 What if I Don¡¯t Want to Be His Brother? Sonya looked at Curtis in surprise. They were just two cheap rings. Why was he so tense? ¡°Curtis, what¡¯s wrong with you? They only fell out of your suit pocket, and Sonya just picked them up. What¡¯s the big deal?¡± Luke asked from the side. Sonya put on a guilty look and said, ¡°It was my fault. I just wanted to hang your jacket, but instead, I dropped the rings. They must be very important to you.¡± On the surface, it sounded like an apology. However, what Sonya really wanted to do was to probe the reason for his reaction. Curtis pursed his lips together and remained silent. Important? Once, he thought the rings were meaningless. He thought of them as cheap trinkets that he had casually bought for his marriage. During their three years of marriage, he had never paid attention to those rings. If he hadn¡¯t identally spotted them in a drawer one day, he might have forgotten they even existed. But after the divorce, he found himself keeping them close, touching them every now and then. Even he didn¡¯t understand why. ¡°They¡¯re nothing important,¡± Curtis said a little awkwardly. ¡°If they¡¯re not important, then why did you get so worked up? You even scared Sonya,¡± Lukeined. However, when his eyes fell on the rings, a flicker of recognition crossed his face. ¡°Wait a second, those look familiar. Hey, aren¡¯t they the wedding rings you bought when you married Chloe?¡± The moment his words fell, the atmosphere in the room seemed to change.. Sonya¡¯s expression darkened, and Curtis clenched the rings tightly in his palm. Seeing him stay silent, Luke blurted in shock, ¡°No way, they really are your wedding rings? Curtis, you¡¯re divorced. Why are you still carrying such unlucky things with you?¡± Unlucky? Curtis frowned. ¡°Luke, even if you¡¯re my friend, you can¡¯t talk like that.¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong with what I said?¡± Luke asked nonchntly. ¡°You should¡¯ve thrown those away long ago. What you should be thinking about now is what kind of rings you want to buy for you and Sonya.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just friends with Sonya,¡± Curtis replied. ¡°Come on, it¡¯s just the three of us here,¡± Luke said. ¡°Saying that in front of outsiders is one thing, but you won¡¯t even admit it here? Aren¡¯t you being too disrespectful to Sonya?¡± Chapter 72 What ift Don¡¯t Want to Be His Brother? Curtis¡® expression changed slightly as he turned to look at Sonya. Sonya forced out a smile. ¡°Those are wedding rings from his marriage to Chloe. They were married for three years and were suddenly divorced. There¡¯s nothing wrong if he keeps the rings with him. Besides, Curtis and I are indeed just friends right now.¡± ¡°Just friends? Please. If you hadn¡¯t gone abroad back then, and Chloe hadn¡¯t swooped in, Curtis would never have married her. For all these three years, his heart has always been with you!¡± Luke retorted. ¡°Really?¡± Sonya¡¯s eyes shimmered as she looked at Curtis. For once, Curtis didn¡¯t know what to say. Yes, in the past, his heart belonged only to Sonya. After she returned from abroad, he had done everything he could to treat her well, trying to repay her for saving his life. Buttely, he couldn¡¯t stop recalling bits and pieces of the three years he spent with Chloe. What stuck with him in particr was herst words to him at the airport. Could it be that Chloe was actually the person who had saved him? ¡°Curtis, what are you spacing out for? Sonya¡¯s waiting for your answer,¡± Luke urged. Curtis opened his mouth. ¡°I¡­¡± At that moment, he didn¡¯t know what to say. Something flickered in Sonya¡¯s eyes before she said gently, ¡°These things can¡¯t be rushed. Still, if I hadn¡¯t gone abroad back then, we wouldn¡¯t have missed those three years.¡± ¡°Sonya,¡± Curtis began, ¡°I only recently got divorced, so-¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Sonya said warmly. ¡°The airline granted me an extended leave. Remember the ind development project near Yarfdale I mentioned before? Now I have the time to go with you and introduce you to my mother¡¯s family. They¡¯re directly involved in that project.¡± Curtis perked up the moment business was mentioned. ¡°Sonya, thank you.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to be so polite with me,¡± she said with a smile. She wanted Curtis to realize that while Chloe could secure projects for hispany, she could too. She would give him even bigger and more lucrative projects. Chloe was nothingpared to her. Curtis secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The Yarfdale ind project was crucial for hispany¡¯s future. No matter what, he had to win some part of it. And since Chloe was in Yarfdale as well, he would demand some answers from her when he arrived. Why had she said those words to him at the airport? Chapter 72 What if I Don¡¯t Want to Be His Brother? Why had she lied and told him that she was the one who saved him? After all, the person who saved him had clearly been Sonya. Ever since her parents were buried in the national military cemetery, Chloe had spent most of her days apanying Brian, fulfilling her duties as his bodyguard. At the same time, she also set aside time to deal with the assets her parents had left behind in Yarfdale. After the funeral, Lena returned to Corvessia, while Ethan continued to stay in Yarfdale. Whenever Chloe was handling her parents¡® estate, Ethan would tag along. He said that since he knew thew, he could help her if any legal problems arose in the inheritance process. Even if he couldn¡¯t solve them, he could always reach out to the most famouswyers in Corvessia. Chloe knew he wasn¡¯t lying. After all, Ethan had studiedw before joining the military. If he hadn¡¯t enlisted, he might very well have be awyer. His maternal family had close ties to the Corvessia legal quadrumvirate, and the most renownedwyer there just happened to be Ethan¡¯s uncle. So, Chloe let him assist in managing her parents¡® estate. At City Hall, Chloe sat waiting for her number to be called. Though she had long moved to Corvessia with her parents, they had lived in the militarypound there. Her parents¡® true assets were all still in Yarfdale. There were two properties, one in the city and another, an old family house, in a nearby town. Thetter would require her to go to the townter to process the paperwork. Since Daniel was still missing, everything had to be transferred under her name for now. Looking at her parents¡® death certificates and her brother¡¯s missing¨Cperson document issued by the military, Chloe idly brushed her finger over Daniel¡¯s name. ¡°Are you still thinking about Daniel?¡± Ethan asked. When he had enlisted, Daniel had already gone missing. So, he had never seen Daniel in person, only his photos. ¡°Yes,¡± Chloe answered softly. ¡°I will definitely find him.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll help you search for him, too,¡± Ethan said. Chloe looked at Ethan gratefully. ¡°If Daniel knew I had gotten such a good younger brother, he¡¯d be thrilled. I bet he¡¯d treat you as family.¡± Ethan frowned slightly. Younger brother? Once, calling himself her brother had let him get closer to her than anyone else. But now, he feared that Chapter 72 What if I Don¡¯t Want to Be His Brother? he would always remain just a younger brother in her eyes. ¡°What if I don¡¯t want to be his brother?¡± Ethan suddenly asked. Chapte Checktest chapters at find?novel After Divorce 73 r 73 Will a Woman as Bright and Pure as Her Really Be Moved by Him? Chapter 73 Will a Woman as Bright and Pure as Her Really Be Moved by Him? Chloe froze. ¡°What, you don¡¯t want to be Daniel¡¯s younger brother?¡± Ethan lowered his gaze slightly. ¡°You¡¯re the only person allowed to treat me as their younger brother.¡± Chloe chuckled, but didn¡¯t push it. ¡°Fine then. If you don¡¯t want to, you don¡¯t have to.¡± ¡°Then what about you? Have you always only seen me as a younger brother?¡± Ethan asked after some hesitation. Looking at the man before her, who had already shed his boyish youth, Chloe replied, ¡°Not just a little brother. You¡¯re also myrade¨Cin¨Carms.¡± Even though they had both retired now, in her heart, they would always berades. A glint shed in Ethan¡¯s eyes. Comrade and brother¨Cthat was all he was to her. He couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Then what about Brian? What¡¯s he to you?¡± ¡°Brian?¡± Chloe frowned. ¡°Why bring him up?¡± ¡°I just want to know how you see him.¡± ¡°He¡¯s the person I¡¯m currently tasked to protect.¡± ¡°That¡¯s all?¡± ¡°What else could there be?¡± Chloe asked. Ethan pursed his lips. Brian clearly saw Chloe in a different light. In particr, when Brian had hooked pinkies with Chloe, he had looked like he was gazing at someone he liked. ¡°Chloe, do you like Brian?¡± Ethan suddenly asked. Chloe choked on her water. ¡°What kind of nonsense are you saying?¡± Ethan said in a serious tone, ¡°Plenty of women like Brian in Corvessia. His face alone is enough to make their hearts race. So I¡¯m worried you¡¯ll fall for him too. But Brian isn¡¯t someone you should be falling for. There¡¯s something twisted about the Steeles. They¡¯re abnormal to the core.¡± Chloe thought of the scars on Brian¡¯s back and of his murmured cries when he had nightmares. For some reason, a strange feeling stirred in her chest. ¡°People are shaped by their environment. I don¡¯t believe he¡¯s abnormal,¡± Chloe replied. Ethan protested, ¡°That¡¯s just because you haven¡¯t heard the rumors. If I told you that he once-¡± ¡°Rumors aren¡¯t always true,¡± she cut him off. ¡°Compared to hearsay, I¡¯d rather believe what I¡¯ve seen with my own eyes!¡± Chapter 73 Will a Woman as Bright and Pure as Her Really Be Moved by Him? Ethan¡¯s expression shifted slightly. He wanted to argue more, but he suddenly fell silent. Then, his gaze. shifted past her to the figure behind her. Chloe immediately turned, only to see Brian standing not far away. Not knowing when he had appeared, she didn¡¯t know how much of their conversation he had overheard. Just then, the system called out Chloe¡¯s number. She got up and walked toward the service counter, leaving Ethan and Brian to stare each other down. ¡°What a coincidence, Mr. Steele. Are you here for business as well?¡± Ethan stepped forward. ¡°It¡¯s not a coincidence,¡± Brian replied. ¡°I came here specifically for Chloe.¡± Ethan frowned. ¡°Who allowed you to get so close to her?¡± ¡°She did, of course,¡± Brian said calmly. ¡°And I just learned that you like talking behind people¡¯s backs, Mr. Hughes. It seems like you¡¯re quite familiar with the rumors about me.¡± Ethan red at Brian. ¡°If it makes her more cautious of you, I don¡¯t care how many times I have to y the viin or repeat those rumors!¡± ¡°Araid she¡¯ll fall for me?¡± Brian sneered. ¡°You little-¡± Rage surged in Ethan¡¯s chest. But then heughed coldly, ¡°How could a woman as bright and pure as her ever like someone who skulks in the shadows? Brian, others may not know your family¡¯s filth, but don¡¯t forget, my mother is an Earlhart.¡± The Earlharts were the most renowned family ofwyers in Corvessia. They naturally knew plenty of secrets about the upper circles and their families. Brian¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°So what is it you want to tell her?¡± Ethan pursed his lips. He had intended to warn Chloe about how dangerous Brian was and about the mess within the Steele family. But since she refused to listen to rumors, Ethan let it rest. But now, facing Brian, Ethan didn¡¯t want to appear weak. He smirked and said, ¡°Naturally, I¡¯ll tell her what you least want her to know. Brian, your whole family is insane. Do you really think Chloe would fall for a madman?¡± There was a glint of savagery in Brian¡¯s eyes as he suddenly raised his hand, ready to grab Ethan by the throat. But the next moment, he froze. If he harmed Ethan here, Chloe would turn on him instantly. Ethan was startled by Brian¡¯s restraint. He had expected them to fight. Brian said slowly, ¡°Just as you said, she¡¯s bright and pure. You think she¡¯ll believe your rumors? In the end, you¡¯ll just look like a petty man.¡± The two of them stood facing each other in a silent confrontation. Chapter 73 Will a Woman as Bright and Pure as Her Really Be Moved by Him? Then, Chloe returned, her paperwork finished. She walked over and asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on with you two?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing, we were just chatting,¡± Brian replied. ¡°Are you done? I need you toe with me for something.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Chloe agreed easily. After all, she was his bodyguard. ¡°Let¡¯s go then,¡± Brian said. Chloe turned to Ethan. ¡°Sorry, I was nning to treat you to a meal after this.¡± ¡°No problem. I can eat with you anytime,¡± Ethan said. As they parted, he even pulled Chloe into a bear hug. Chloe returned it naturally. It wasmon to embrace like that amongrades. But while Ethan hugged her, he shot Brian a deliberately provocative re. Brian¡¯s expression darkened, lips pressed into a thin line. After that, Chloe left with him. In the car, she asked, ¡°So what do you need me for?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a banquet tomorrow night. I need you toe with me,¡± Brian replied. Official source is F?ndNovel ¡°I see,¡± Chloe responded. ¡°And now?¡± ¡°Now, we¡¯ll pick out a dress for you to wear tomorrow.¡± ¡°Dresses aren¡¯t convenient for moving around,¡± Chloe pointed out. ¡°Then find one that allows you to move,¡± Brian retorted. Fine, then. In the end, she was protecting him right now. In some sense, he was her employer. Chloe didn¡¯t say anything else as she turned to look out the car window. Brian¡¯s gaze, however, lingered on her. He hadn¡¯t expected to overhear her conversation with Ethan earlier. When Ethan said that the Steele family was abnormal, she disagreed. Even when he tried to tell her the Steele family¡¯s hidden scandals, she refused to believe rumors. Just like Ethan said, Chloe was too bright and too pure. Compared to her, Brian, no matter how polished he seemed on the surface, felt like a monster skulking in the shadows. He knew that he was a madman in the eyes of many. Even if he wasn¡¯t mad now, it was only a matter of time. Out of nowhere, he broke the silence inside the car. ¡°Do you really not want to know what the rumors around my family are?¡± After Divorce 74 Chapter 74 The Urge to p You ¡°I don¡¯t want to. I¡¯m not interested in rumors. Besides, who can say if they¡¯re even true?¡± Chloe said. Brian¡¯s eyes darkened slightly. Was she uninterested in the rumors, or uninterested in him? ¡°What if some of them are true?¡± he asked. ¡°What?¡± Chloe froze. Brian looked straight at her. ¡°For example, the rumor that all Steeles are somewhat abnormal, including me. What if I told you that was true?¡± ¡°You have a mental illness?¡± Chloe asked seriously. A flicker of surprise crossed Brian¡¯s face. He had thought that she would hesitate upon hearing that, or worse, be disgusted. But who could have predicted that the first thing she asked would be this? ¡°No,¡± Brian replied. ¡°In that case, you¡¯re normal. People have diverse personalities in the first ce. What others say is their business. You¡¯ll only be abnormal if you believe you are,¡± Chloe said. Something flickered in Brian¡¯s eyes. Yes. Since the day he met her, she had always looked at him as if he were just anyone else. She was unlike other women, who looked at him with ttery, greed, or fear. Chloe simply treated him like a normal man. Suddenly, Brian let out a low chuckle. ¡°You¡¯re right. If I consider myself abnormal, then I truly would be. From now on, just ask me if you want to know anything about me or my family. You don¡¯t need to learn it from anyone else.¡± Chloe gave him a strange look. Why would she need to know anything about Brian or the Steeles? It had nothing to do with her, after all. But she stayed quiet, and Brian didn¡¯t press the matter any further. The car pulled to a stop outside a luxury styling studio in Yarfdale. Chloe followed Brian out. The staff were already waiting inside, leading Chloe in to choose a gown. Meanwhile, Brian lounged on a couch, flipping casually through a catalogue. The catalogue was filled with beautiful models in elegant dresses meant to help clients make their choices. Chapter 74 The Urge to p You Looking at the pictures in the catalogue, Brian¡¯s gaze remained calm and indifferent. He had nevercked beautiful women fawning over him, yet he had no interest in them. Some even spected that Brian had different preferences. But only he knew that he just didn¡¯t have any interest in men or women. And yet, he had developed an interest in Chloe. From the moment she had pressed a table knife against his throat, to their encounters afterward, that interest had only grown. And now, it seemed to be going further and further out of his control. Chloe wasn¡¯t stunning in the conventional sense. But she had a sharp look in her eyes, which, paired with her delicate features, gave her an air of resilience. She was slender, a full head shorter than him, yet somehow, her presence made him feel inexplicably safe. Suddenly, he heard the sound of footsteps. Chloe had already put on the gown he had chosen as she appeared in front of him. It was a simple ankle¨Clength dress with a single slit. The gown was in ck, low¨Cprofile, and easy to move in. Yet, Brian felt that Chloe looked breathtaking. He struggled to look away from her face. ¡°I¡¯ll wear this to the banquet tomorrow,¡± Chloe said as she stopped before him. As she walked, the slit revealed shes of her right leg that could be glimpsed between the swaying fabric. Brian frowned. If she wore that, far too many people would see her leg. He had just been about to agree with Chloe¡¯s choice when he forced down the words. ¡°Why don¡¯t you try another one?¡± he suggested. ¡°Another one?¡± Chloe blinked, only to see him point to a dress in the catalogue that covered the model from neck to ankle. ¡°How about this one?¡± Brian asked. If she wore that one, she would probably trip over the hem if any danger surfaced. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with the one I chose?¡± There was nothing wrong with it. In fact, it suited her perfectly. And precisely because it did, Brian was afraid too many people would notice her beauty. He didn¡¯t want any other men coveting her. He fell silent, startled by the thoughts shing through his mind. When had he ever cared what a woman wore? Why did it matter to him if she would attract the attention of others? Yet, facing Chloe, he felt unsettled. He was afraid she would draw the eyes of other men. He was afraid Chapter 74 The Urge to p You her gaze would drift elsewhere, away from him. ¡°If there¡¯s really nothing wrong with it, then I¡¯ll wear the one I picked,¡± Chloe said firmly. She turned to change back into her own clothes. Just then, Brian suddenly said, ¡°Chloe, it seems I care about you more than I realized.¡± ¡°What?¡± Chloe turned, thinking she¡¯d misheard him. ¡°Nothing.¡± Brian smiled faintly. The curve of his lips softened the cold lines of his face. The next evening, Chloe apanied Brian to the banquet. It was hosted by Yarfdale Chamber of Commerce, attended by government officials tied to ind development, along with wealthy businessmen and social elites. The Steele family was involved in the project, so Brian had naturally been invited. Chloe held Brian¡¯s arm as she apanied him in greeting various bigwigs. As they made their way toward the center of the hall, a once¨Cfamiliar voice suddenly called out behind her. ¡°Chloe!¡± She faltered in her steps. That voice¡­ She turned slowly and saw Curtis just a few steps away. By his side stood Sonya. ¡°What are you doing here? And with¡­¡± Curtis looked back and forth between her and Brian with a When he first saw her, he thought his eyes were deceiving him. Curtis had never seen Chloe dressed like this. It was just a simple ck dress, yet it looked so sharp and graceful on her, with a rare touch of allure. Her long hair was pinned up, revealing her graceful neck. Paired with Chloe¡¯s sharp features, the sight left Curtis dazed. But what shocked him the most was Brian at her side. Hadn¡¯t Chloe returned to Yarfdale toy her parents to rest? How had she ended up with Brian? Could it be that her firm resolve to get a divorce back then was only because she had someone better? The thought left a bitter taste in him. At his side, Sonya sneered. ¡°So that¡¯s why you rushed to divorce Curtis. You were just trading up, weren¡¯t you? I thought you¡¯d have some integrity since your parents were heroes, but I clearly overestimated you- This text is hosted at f¦É¦Ídn¦Ïvel She hadn¡¯t even finished speaking when a p struck her across the face. Sonya staggered back and Chapter 74 The Urge to p You nearly fell. She looked at Brian in shock as he calmly pulled a handkerchief from his jacket pocket and wiped his fingers. ¡°It seems you enjoy running your mouth, Ms. Miller. Do you want to keep going?¡± Brian asked slowly. Sonya froze in ce. Brian had actually pped her. After Divorce 75 Chapter 75 Why Did You Say You Were the One Who Saved Me? The people around them, who had just been chatting among themselves, all turned to look over because of that sharp p. Sonya covered her face, looking shocked and furious. ¡°Mr. Steele, how could you do that?¡± Curtis held Sonya up and red at Brian. ¡°Even if you think Sonya said something wrong, you shouldn¡¯t hit her in public!¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Brianzily raised an eyebrow. ¡°So, when this woman beside you wanted to inspect the urn of heroes and even had the airport guards surround Chloe, you thought that was eptable? Mr. Green, your standards are quite peculiar.¡± Curtis¡® face flushed red before turning pale. These days, he felt a bitter wave of regret every time he recalled what happened at the airport. If he had stopped Sonya then, would things have turned out differently? ¡°That was Chloe¡¯s fault. If she had said that her parents were heroes, none of that would¡¯ve happened!¡± Sonya gritted her teeth through the pain. ¡°Mr. Steele, I was only thinking of the safety of the passengers on that ne. Chloe set me up!¡± Another crisp pnded on Sonya¡¯s other cheek. If Brian hadn¡¯t been holding her, she would have copsed to the floor. ¡°Mr. Steele, how can you strike her again?¡± Curtis shouted. But Brianpletely ignored him. He looked at Sonya with an icy gaze. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m stupid enough to believe you?¡± Sonya¡¯s cheeks were red and swollen, and she looked utterly humiliated. She had brought Curtis to the banquet to show him that she could be useful to him. But who could¡¯ve thought that she would be publicly disgraced right at the start of it? ¡°Mr. Steele, aren¡¯t you just trying to protect Chloe right now? What did I say that was wrong? If I¡¯d known those were the ashes of heroes, I wouldn¡¯t have done what I did! ¡°Chloe clearly had plenty of chances to tell the truth, but she didn¡¯t. It¡¯s obvious that she wanted to set me up!¡± Sonya protested angrily. Chloe spoke up. ¡°So you can just inspect ordinary people¡¯s ashes as you like? Are you saying it¡¯s fine as long as they¡¯re not heroes?¡± Sonya had no retort for that. Chloe coldly stared at her. ¡°You love framing others, but don¡¯t think everyone else is like you!¡± The shame on Sonya¡¯s face deepened. With more and more onlookers gathering around, she clenched Chapter 75 Why Did You Say You Were the One Who Saved Me? her teeth and shoved through the crowd to flee. Curtis quickly followed after her. Chloe turned back to Brian. ¡°Thank you.¡± Brian was slightly stunned. ¡°I thought you¡¯d scold me for hitting her.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a saint. I know when someone is helping me,¡± Chloe said. In less than two months of knowing Brian, he¡¯d stood up for her again and again. Yet, in their three years of marriage, Curtis had never once defended her when Sonya ndered her. How ironic. Soon, the crowd dispersed, and the banquet carried on as usual. Chloe also spotted members of the Quall family in attendance, including Willow. It made sense. The Quall family was one of the most powerful families in Yarfdale and a key yer in the ind development project. It was only natural that they would be there. ¡°Hi, Chloe,¡± Wade greeted her kindly. ¡°Hello, Uncle Wade,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°Are you here as Mr. Steele¡¯spanion? You and Mr. Steele are¡­¡± His curiosity about her rtionship with Brian was evident. ¡°It¡¯s work¨Crted,¡± Chloe answered. Strictly speaking, the military had assigned her as Brian¡¯s temporary bodyguard. What could it be but work? Brian nced at her but said nothing. ¡°Chloe, there were a few things I¡¯d like to discuss privately,¡± Wade said. Chloe hesitated and looked toward Brian. After all, she was supposed to protect him tonight. ¡°Go ahead, the security here is tight,¡± Brian reassured her. He would be fine. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be quick,¡± Chloe said. Then, she followed Wade to a small balcony off the banquet hall. ¡°Chloe, Grandpa hasn¡¯t been doing well. If you have time, you should visit him more often,¡± Wade said. Chloe froze. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with Great Uncle Geoffrey?¡± ¡°He¡¯s old. With agees illness. It might be because of your parents¡® burial, but he¡¯s been dwelling on the past. With the heavy sorrow, his health has worsened,¡± Wade exined. ¡°I¡¯ll visit him as soon as I can,¡± Chloe said. Wade continued, ¡°There¡¯s another thing. If you don¡¯t have a stable job right now, you can join Quall Group. Chapter 75 Why Did You Say You Were the One Who Saved Me? I¡¯ll arrange a position for you. You¡¯re the only one left from your side of the family. Thepany will always have a ce for you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not the only one left. There¡¯s still Daniel,¡± Chloe said firmly. Wade replied, ¡°But Daniel¡¯s already¡­¡± Chloe insisted, ¡°He¡¯s only missing. He¡¯s alive, and I will find him. I¡¯ll bring him to pay respect to our parents. Wade studied her face. Her gaze was determined and resolute. None of the younger generation of the family had an expression like hers. She truly was her parents¡® daughter. ¡°Yes, Daniel must be alive,¡± Wade said softly. Then, with some hesitation, he asked, ¡°Do you and Brian really just have a working rtionship?¡± ¡°For now,¡± Chloe answered. When the three¨Cmonth assignment ended, it would naturally no longer be the case. But Wade had clearly misunderstood her words. ¡°Willow and Brian are close. I don¡¯t want to see you two tearing each other apart over a man.¡± ¡°Whatever they have between them has nothing to do with me,¡± Chloe replied coolly. Wade sighed. ¡°Brian is hard to read. Don¡¯t let yourself fall too far, or you¡¯ll find it hard to escape.¡± After Wade left, Chloe turned to return to Brian¡¯s side. But before she could step off the balcony, Curtis blocked her path. ¡°Chloe, we need to talk!¡± ¡°Mr. Green, our rtionship no longer allows you to call me that. Please address me as Ms. Quall,¡± Chloe said coldly. The iciness in her tone made him ufortable. Curtis pressed his lips together. Summoning up the courage, he said, ¡°I want to apologize for what happened before. I didn¡¯t know your parents were heroes. If I had, I would have apanied you to receive their ashes, and I would¡¯ve stopped Sonya at the airport.¡± But his apology only made her expression harden. ¡°Curtis, you¡¯re just like Sonya! So, if my parents weren¡¯t heroes, you think it¡¯s fine to ignore me and humiliate me?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Curtis was dumbstruck. ¡°If that¡¯s all you came to say, then save your breath. I won¡¯t entertain you any longer.¡± With that, Chloe turned to leave. But Curtis blocked her way. ¡°Tell me, why did you say that in the end at the airport?¡± Curtis demanded, looking right at her. ¡°Why did Find the newest release on FindN0vel Chapter 75 Why Did You Say You Were the One Who Saved Me? you say you were the one who pulled me from the river after I was stabbed and barely alive?¡± After Divorce 76 Chapter 76 Do You Really Hate the Idea That I Saved You? Chloe looked coldly at Curtis. ¡°What? I saved you back then. Can¡¯t I even curse at you a few times now? Curtis, if I hadn¡¯t saved you that day, do you think you¡¯d still be talking to me now?¡± He would have been long gone. Curtis¡® expression changed. ¡°Where did you hear about me falling into the river and being injured? Are you trying to make me believe that you were the one who saved me?¡± Chloe froze. She had never expected him to say something like that. This felt even worse than ingratitude. He didn¡¯t even n on acknowledging her kindness at all. From the moment she had recognized him as the young man she had dragged out of the river, she had never once thought of holding that over him. Otherwise, why would she have stayed silent about it all these years? If she hadn¡¯t lost her temper after what had happened at the airport, she might never have spoken of it at all. And now, Curtis was twisting it as though she had deliberately misled him. ¡°So you think I¡¯m just making this up?¡± Chloeughed, finding it ridiculous. Curtis frowned. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the truth? Clearly, the one who saved me wasn¡¯t you. You just said that to make me feel guilty and torment me.¡± She stared at him. In his eyes, she noticed a clear sense of expectation. He was hoping that she would nod and admit that what he said was right. How could something this absurd happen? ¡°Curtis, do you really hate the idea that I saved you?¡± she asked. There was an awkward look on Curtis¡® face. ¡°I just want to clear things up.¡± ¡°Clear things up?¡± Chloe sneered. ¡°How do you n on doing that? Do you want me to say I lied? Do you want me to say I never saved your life? That I was never your savior? Then, you wouldn¡¯t feel guilty that our marriage ended in divorce. Is that it?¡± Curtis froze. But Chloe continued coldly, ¡°Unfortunately, I never wanted your guilt in the first ce. Curtis, your guilt is absolutely worthless to me right now.¡± A sharp pang pierced his chest. Curtis felt like Chloe¡¯s voice seemed to cut him every time she spoke. This was the woman who had once apanied him with gentle devotion. She had lost her parents and her brother, and he became her only support. Chapter 76 Do You Really Hate the Idea That I Saved You? So what happened? Why was she looking at him so coldly, as though he was nothing to her anymore? Curtis felt himself burning with an anger he couldn¡¯t exin. ¡°Is that it? My guilt means nothing to you? Then why would you tell such a ridiculous lie? Sonya was clearly the one who saved me. Did you think just a few words from you would make me believe otherwise?¡± ¡°What?¡± Chloe was taken aback. What nonsense was that? She had been the one to pull Curtis out of the raging river. What did Sonya have to do with it? He said firmly, ¡°I only came to hear the truth from you. I don¡¯t want you trying to use this to deceive me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re saying Sonya saved you?¡± Chloe narrowed her eyes. ¡°Yes!¡± Curtis snapped. ¡°You didn¡¯t expect that, did you? I¡¯ve known for a long time who my savior was! So stop telling me such ridiculous lies.¡± Ridiculous? Chloe burst outughing. ¡°Curtis, I wonder who the ridiculous one actually is?¡± She had risked her life, diving into the surging river to drag him out. Yet now, he was convinced that Sonya was the one who had saved his life. ¡°The ridiculous one is obviously you!¡± A mocking voice suddenly came out of nowhere. ¡°Chloe, I can¡¯t believe you actually tried to pretend that you saved Curtis. How shameless could you be?¡± Chloe turned to see Willow approaching the balcony with Sonya by her side. Sonya¡¯s cheeks were still red and swollen from the two ps Brian had given her earlier. Clearly, Brian hadn¡¯t held back. Chloe ignored Willow and fixed her gaze on Sonya. ¡°So, it was you who told Curtis that you saved him from the river.¡± Sonya had been prepared for this for a long time. From the moment she decided to apany Curtis to Yarfdale, she knew that he would confront Chloe. So, this situation was well within her expectations. ¡°I didn¡¯t say it. Curtis and the others saw it with their own eyes! I was the one who pulled him out,¡± Sonya replied smoothly. ¡°I went with him in the ambnce and stayed with him at the hospital. I even visited him many times while he recovered!¡± The second half of her words were true, so Sonya didn¡¯t feel the slightest bit guilty saying all of that. Chloe stared hard at her. ¡°I¡¯m asking you if you were the one who saved Curtis from the river.¡± Her piercing gaze made Sonya¡¯s heart jolt. For a moment, she felt crushed under Chloe¡¯s presence. ¡°Who else could it be if not Sonya? You?¡± Willow snapped. ¡°I¡¯m asking Sonya, not you,¡± Chloe retorted. ¡°What does it have to do with you?¡± Chapter 76 Do You Really Hate the Idea That I Saved You? ¡°Of course, it has something to do with me,¡± Willow replied. ¡°Sonya¡¯s my cousin. It¡¯s only natural that I stand up for her.¡± ¡°Cousin?¡± Chloe blinked. Readplete version only at Find1Novel ¡°Sonya¡¯s mother is a Quall, too,¡± Willow said proudly. So, Sonya¡¯s mother was part of the Quall family. It meant that, strictly speaking, Chloe and Sonya were distantly rted. Chloe had never expected such a connection. Willow looked at Chloe with disdain. She had just learned from Sonya that Chloe was divorced. A divorced woman. It made Chloe even less worthy of Brian now. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you regret your divorce? Is that why you¡¯re making this up to win him back? Too bad. Your ex -husband already knows you¡¯re lying. You were never his savior!¡± Willow sneered. Sonya joined in, saying scornfully, ¡°Chloe, you¡¯re divorced. Why are you stooping to such tricks? Do you think Curtis will reconcile with you if he believes you saved him?¡± Facing their mockery and nder, Chloe¡¯s cold gaze turned to Curtis. ¡°So, you really believe it was Sonya who saved you?¡± A trace of hesitation flickered in Curtis¡® eyes, but when he met Sonya¡¯s expectant gaze, he finally said, ¡°I believe Sonya.¡± When he¡¯d woken up in the hospital, Sonya had been at his side. Everyone had said she had ridden in the ambnce with him and brought him there. Her being his savior was always something beyond doubt. So if Chloe imed otherwise, it could only be a lie. But Chloe¡¯s expression hardly changed. She had long known that, when it came to choosing between her and Sonya, Curtis would always choose Sonya. ¡°Curtis, do you really believe someone like Sonya had the strength to pull you out of the raging river?¡± Chloe demanded. Chapter 77 Do You Want Me to Trample All Over You Again? After Divorce 77 Chapter 77 Do You Want Me to Trample All Over You Again? To save someone under such circumstances, physical strength, swimming skills, and experience had all been essential. When she had dragged Curtis out of the river, it had taken everything out of her. Both of them had almost been swept away. She didn¡¯t believe for a moment that, with Sonya¡¯s abilities, she could have pulled Curtis to safety. Curtis froze, and Sonya¡¯s expression also shifted slightly. Willow shouted, ¡°Chloe, what do you mean by that? Do you think you¡¯re the only one capable of saving people? So no one else could do it? Saving someone depends not on skill, but on courage! Even if you want to remarry Curtis, you shouldn¡¯t nder Sonya like this!¡± Willow deliberately raised her voice, drawing the attention of all the guests at the banquet. She wanted nothing more than for Chloe to be embarrassed in front of Yarfdale¡¯s officials and socialites. If damaging rumors about Chloe spread, her future in Yarfdale would be over. Sonya quickly added, ¡°Chloe, if you regret the divorce and want to remarry Curtis, you could have just said so. Why resort to such despicable tricks?¡± ¡°Sonya, who¡¯s really the despicable one here?¡± Chloe sneered. ¡°If you really saved Curtis, then where were you at the time? Why weren¡¯t you at the scene?¡± Sonya pressed. Chloe bit her lip. She had been on an urgent mission. After she had saved Curtis, she called the ambnce and asked a passerby to keep an eye on him. The emergency records wouldn¡¯t have been kept this long. And she had no idea where to find that passerby now. So, she didn¡¯t really have any way to prove that she was the one who had saved Curtis. But to Chloe, that wasn¡¯t important anymore. ¡°Sonya, stolen credit is still stolen. If Curtis is ever in danger again, I hope you¡¯ll be able to save him.¡± With that, Chloe turned to leave. Sonya¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Chloe, are you just going to leave like this? Don¡¯t you owe me an apology?¡± ¡°An apology?¡± Chloe¡¯s lips curled into a mocking smile. She looked at Sonya coldly. ¡°And what exactly should I be apologizing for?¡± ¡°For ndering me. Shouldn¡¯t you at least apologize?¡± Sonya shot back. She had to hold her ground. Only that way could she convince Curtis that she was the one who had saved him. Chapter 77 Do You Want Me to Trample All Over You Again? ¡°Sonya, do you want me to trample all over you again?¡± Chloe asked sharply. Sonya¡¯s face instantly flushed crimson. Being publicly trampled over by Chloe at the airport had been the ultimate humiliation. Curtis frowned and stepped forward. ¡°Chloe, you lied and ndered Sonya. It¡¯s only right that you apologize.¡± Chloe couldn¡¯t even be bothered to look at him. ¡°And what right do you have to make me apologize?¡± Curtis froze. That was true; they were already divorced. She was no longer the woman who once did whatever he asked without hesitation. He said, ¡°I just want you to be honest. Your parents were heroes. They wouldn¡¯t want their daughter to be someone who lies-¡± Before he could finish, Chloe pped him hard across the face. ¡°My parents or my conduct¨Cnone of that is for you to judge!¡± Curtis stood there, stunned. He never expected Chloe to hit him so suddenly. Sonya red at Chloe. ¡°How dare you hit him? I¡¯ll call the police. Chloe, you¡¯re not getting away with this. There are plenty of witnesses here!¡± After being sent to detention for a few days because of Chloe, staining her record, Sonya had held a grudge. Now, it was the perfect chance for revenge. She would make sure Chloe sat in a detention cell for a few days. ¡°So what if she hit you?¡± A cold voice cut through the air. Brian walked over. ¡°I¡¯d like to see whether the police would care more about a p, or about someone insulting the daughter of heroes, who is also a veteran.¡± Curtis and Sonya¡¯s expressions sank. ¡°And besides,¡± Brian addedzily. ¡°I just pped Ms. Miller twice myself. Why not mention that when you make your report?¡± The moment Brian said that, their expressions sank even more. Report Brian to the police? That would make him their enemy. Was there anyone in the country who dared to do that? ¡°This is probably just a misunderstanding.¡± Curtis tried to smooth things over. But Willow refused to let it go. She had finally found an opportunity to ruin Chloe¡¯s image in Brian¡¯s eyes. ¡°Brian, Chloe was married before. Mr. Green here is her ex¨Chusband!¡± Willow said, assuming Brian didn¡¯t know. Chapter 77 Do You Want Me to Trample All Over You Again? ¡°So what?¡± Brian said tly. ¡°I even watched their divorce press conference.¡± Willow froze. So Brian already knew that? Then why did he still care about a divorced woman? Her jealousy only deepened. Then, she suddenly smiled. Malice flickered in her eyes. ¡°But you probably don¡¯t know that she¡¯s been trying to remarry her ex¨Chusband. She even pretended to be his savior just to make him feel guilty!¡± Brian replied calmly, ¡°Is that true?¡± Willow hurriedly replied, ¡°Of course it¡¯s true! Thankfully, Mr. Green has known for a long time that Sonya was his savior. Otherwise, Chloe¡¯s scheme might have worked!¡± Brian turned, fixing his gaze on Chloe. ¡°Do you want to remarry him?¡± ¡°No,¡± Chloe answered firmly. ¡°When I chose divorce, I never thought of looking back.¡± Willow sneered. ¡°She¡¯s lying. She just couldn¡¯t bear to give up being the wife of the CEO of a publicly listedpany! After all, Mr. Green is young and aplished. He¡¯s a self¨Cmade star in the tech world. Of course, Chloe couldn¡¯t bear to lose that. She could never earn that kind of wealth in her life!¡± For more chapters visit FindN0vel Willow¡¯s words dripped with contempt, trying to paint Chloe as someone greedy for money. The surrounding guests exchanged knowing nces. Such women were hardly rare. Willow felt triumphant. After all, Brian had no patience for greedy women. Surely, his interest in Chloe would vanish now. But the next moment, Brian¡¯s response left her dumbstruck. ¡°If wealth is what she wanted, she could juste to me for it. Why would she need Curtis? My wealth far surpasses his, doesn¡¯t it?¡± After Divorce 78 Chapter 78 As Long as Chloe Agrees, I¡¯m Willing to Be With Her Anytime It wasn¡¯t just Willow who was stunned. Even Sonya, Curtis, and the other guests around were all taken aback. ¡°Brian, what did you mean by that?¡± Willow asked in a panic, finally snapping back to her senses. ¡°I meant exactly what I said,¡± Brian replied. ¡°If Chloe really wanted money, wouldn¡¯t I be the better choice? What I can give her is far more than what Mr. Green can.¡± Willow was utterly shocked. What did that mean? What did he mean when he said that he was the better choice? He had said it as if Chloe had the right to choose. For someone of Brian¡¯s status, how could he possibly hand over that power to someone else¡¯s hands? Curtis¡® expression shifted uneasily. At that moment, humiliation, agitation, and an inexplicable sense of unease all welled up inside him. Had Chloe already gotten together with Brian so soon after their divorce? Had she really let go of all her feelings for him? ¡°Chloe, we just got divorced, and you¡¯re already with someone else?¡± Cutis blurted. He waspletely unaware that his tone sounded exactly like a husband questioning a wife who had cheated. Chloe sneered. ¡°Just like you said, we¡¯re divorced. Whoever I¡¯m with has nothing to do with you? Do I need to report everything to you?¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Curtis faltered. He couldn¡¯t find the words. It had all been too fast. And the other party was Brian. After divorcing him, she not only wasn¡¯t living poorly, but she¡¯d even climbed to greater heights. He felt as though his chest was being crushed. It was suffocating. It was as if this proved that divorcing him had been the right choice. ¡°Chloe, Mr. Steele is just feeling a moment of pity toward you!¡± Curtis eximed. Then, he nced at Brian, ¡°Mr. Seele, Chloe is an orphan with no background. She¡¯s unlike the women who usually surround you. So please, have mercy and don¡¯t toy with her. Otherwise, it will only cause you trouble if she takes it to heart.¡± His words felt like a desperate attempt to make it clear to everyone around that Brian wasn¡¯t really interested in Chloe. At the same time, he was also trying to point out the gulf in status between Brian and Chloe. Curtis believed that, if he gave Brian a way out, he wouldn¡¯t press the matter. After all, a man like Brian, even if he was interested in Chloe, would be ying around at most. How could he possibly be serious? Chapter 28 As Long as Chloe Agrees, I¡¯m Willing to Be With Her Anytime Sonya bit her lip. Obviously, she didn¡¯t want Chloe to really end up with Brian either. But at this moment, the way Curtis was acting gave rise to an uneasy feeling in her heart. They were already divorced, so why did Curtis seem to care about Chloe even more now than when they were married? It was as though he couldn¡¯t bear to let another man take her away. Fresh chapters posted on fin?novel Could Curtis still have feelings for Chloe? No, that was impossible. Sonyaforted herself inwardly. The one Curtis loved was her. He was merely referring to her as a friend for now so others wouldn¡¯t gossip. Once time passed and the uproar over the divorce faded, their rtionship naturally wouldn¡¯t remain as just ¡°friends¡°. ¡°Pity?¡± Brian let out a lowugh. His lips curled up mockingly. ¡°It seems that you don¡¯t understand Chloe at all, Mr. Green.¡± For a woman like Chloe, who had the right to pity her, even for a moment? Besides, he had never once thought of toying with her. In the beginning, he had just been interested because she hadn¡¯t abandoned him even in danger. He thought that keeping her by his side might gradually cause that interest to fade. Yet, the more time he spent with her, the more he cared about Chloe. ¡°I¡¯m serious about Chloe. As long as she agrees, I¡¯m willing to be with her anytime,¡± Brian said. His words stirred a wave of whispers among the guests. ¡°Brian, what do you mean by that?¡± Willow asked in shock. ¡°Are you saying you want to date Chloe?¡± Dating? Brian¡¯s eyes trembled slightly. He felt that merely dating might not be enough for him. He wanted more¨Cmuch, much more. ¡°Chloe,¡± Brian turned toward Chloe. ¡°As long as you want to, let¡¯s date. From now on, you¡¯ll be my girlfriend.¡± Chloe froze, staring nkly at the man in front of her. His usually cool voice came out raspier than usual as he uttered the words slowly. Under his gaze, his words almost felt like a spell that could easily make one¡¯s heart waver. Was he serious about this? Or was he just trying to save her pride? Willow panicked at his words. ¡°How can Chloe be your girlfriend? She has nothing. How could she walk by your side?¡± Brian shot Willow a mocking nce. ¡°And you think you can?¡± Chapter 78 As Long as Chloe Agrees, I¡¯m Willing to Be With Her Anytime Willow flinched before she held her head high. ¡°Yes. I am a main member of the Quall family. I¡¯m far more suited to you than Chloe, and I have the ability to walk by your side.¡± This was her pride. She belonged to the Quall family and held an important position in Quall Group. The other members of the family always tried to win her favor as well. The Quall family was an influential family in Yarfdale. So, she should be the most suitable woman to stand at his side. ¡°Your ability?¡± Brian¡¯s voice dripped with scorn. ¡°Without my family supporting you, what ability do you really have? Willow, have you received too many favors for too long that you¡¯ve started to believe that you¡¯re actually capable?¡± His icy tone and cold gaze made Willow¡¯s face turn pale in an instant. His words were like a brutal reminder. Everything she had was only because she had leaned on Brian and the Steele family. Without their support, she had nothing. Before she met Brian, Willow had only been a neglected illegitimate daughter within the Quall family. It was only at a heavy cost that she was officially epted into the Quall family, and Leonard finally agreed to marry her mother. Among the banquet guests, some of them knew the reason for Willow¡¯s rise in the family. After hearing Brian¡¯s words, their gazes toward Willow seemed to change subtly with their own spections. Willow stiffened and said bitterly, ¡°And what about Chloe? What does she have? Aside from her parents being heroes, what is she capable of? What can she do for you, Brian? Don¡¯t forget, I was even willing to sacrifice one of my eyes for you!¡± Willow deliberately mentioned her eye to stir up Brian¡¯s guilt, but his eyes remained just as cold. ¡°I don¡¯t need her to do anything for me,¡± Brian replied. ¡°But if you keep belittling her in front of me, I wouldn¡¯t mind sending you back to where you came from!¡± At that moment, even the look of mockery in Brian¡¯s eyes had vanished. All that remained was icy coldness. Willow felt as though all the blood in her body had turned to ice. Chapter 29 Marry Me and Have My Children After Divorce 79 Chapter 79 Marry Me and Have My Children How could Brian treat her like this? Willow had sacrificed an eye for him, yet now, because of Chloe, he was treating her this way. How could she ept it? There were so many of her acquaintances around. Their gazes were full of sympathy and pity. When had she ever needed pity from anyone? Willow took a deep breath. ¡°What¡¯s so good about Chloe that she¡¯s worth your protection?¡± The Brian she knew was cold to everyone. He never showed kindness without reason. ¡°Because she didn¡¯t abandon me,¡± Brian said. Just that one sentence instantly drained all color from Willow¡¯s face. Brian took Chloe¡¯s hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Chloe replied. She didn¡¯t want to stay there any longer, not when it meant facing people she didn¡¯t want to see. The two of them left the balcony. Willow gritted her teeth. Chloe didn¡¯t abandon him? Was it because Willow had abandoned him once that she hadn¡¯t been able to get close to him after all these years? Meanwhile, after seeing Brian and Chloe leave, Sonya said sourly, ¡°Brian was just saying that. He didn¡¯t actually mean a word. It would be pitiful if Chloe took them seriously.¡± She continued, ¡°She only just divorced you, and she¡¯s already acting like this with him. Clearly, marriage means nothing to her. She¡¯s never serious about rtionships. Curtis, it¡¯s a good thing you divorced her, otherwise-¡± Sonya cut herself off when she noticed that Curtis wasn¡¯t even listening to her. His gaze was still fixed on Chloe and Brian¡¯s retreating figures. No, more precisely, his gaze was fixed on Chloe. It was as if, at that moment, Chloe was the only person in the world to him. Sonya bit her lip, tightening her grip around Curtis¡® arm. Curtis could only belong to her. She would never allow any possibility of him and Chloe reconciling. Chapter 79 Marry Me and Have My Children Brian held Chloe¡¯s hand all the way to the garden outside the banquet hall. It was quiet there, and the air carried the scent of leaves and flowers. The ce waspletely different from the clinking sses and endless chatter inside. ¡°Why did wee here?¡± Chloe asked. She had thought Brian would continue entertaining the big shots in the banquet hall. ¡°It¡¯s quieter here,¡± Brian said coolly. It was just a simple answer, nothing more than that. Yet, Chloe felt a sense of being protected. ¡°Thank you for what you did back there,¡± she said. ¡°For what?¡± Brian looked at her. ¡°For speaking up for me,¡± she exined. ¡°I know you did it to help me. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t take your words seriously.¡± ¡°My words? Which ones?¡± Brian raised an eyebrow slightly. ¡°When I said that I could give you money, or that I¡¯d be willing to be with you anytime?¡± ¡°Both,¡± Chloe said. ¡°Whether it was out of sympathy or a sense of righteousness, thank you for doing me that favor. In the future, if you ever need my help, I¡¯ll do what I can.¡± Brian fixed his gaze on Chloe. ¡°Chloe, I¡¯ve never been someone who does things out of a sense of righteousness. No one from the Steele family ever has.¡± The Steeles were known more for being cold¨Cblooded, selfish, and obsessive. Righteousness had never been associated with them. Chloe was slightly startled. Then, Brian continued, ¡°Also, I have never once pitied you. In fact, what I¡¯ve felt is envy.¡± ¡°Envy?¡± Chloe was surprised. ¡°Yes. I envy that you had such good parents, that you came from a loving family. Even if your parents have passed away, the love they gave you still lives in your memories,¡± he said softly. Chloe never expected that someone like Brian, who seemed to be able to obtain anything he wanted, would envy her. But when she recalled what he had said about his father before, she suddenly felt uneasy. Her family had always been filled with warmth. Walter and Jenna had loved her, and Daniel had always protected her. Even if work kept her parents busy and family time was often scarce, she always felt secure. Chloe didn¡¯t know what kind of family Brian had grown up in. Even if she wanted to offer words of Chapter 70 Marry Me and Have My Children After a pause, she finally said, ¡°If you want to, then one day, when you get married and have children, you can give them a warm and loving family, too.¡± Updates are released by F?nd-Novel Marriage and children? Brian¡¯s expression changed. He had never once considered those. His parents¡® marriage had only filled him with disgust. As for children, he had never felt the need for them. But now, hearing those wordsing from Chloe¡­ ¡°Then, will you marry me and have my children?¡± Brian asked suddenly. Chloe choked on her own saliva in shock. Coughing, she stammered, ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°Getting married and having children. Do you want to try it with me?¡± Brian¡¯s tone was calm, as if he were discussing something ordinary. Chloe rubbed her temples. Clearly, Brian¡¯s thoughts could sometimes jump too quickly for her to keep up. ¡°I just got a divorce,¡± she replied. ¡°I don¡¯t n on marrying again anytime soon. Besides¡­¡± She paused for a moment. ¡°I don¡¯t think marrying and children are things you can just ¡®try.¡® Especially children. Once they¡¯re born, you¡¯re responsible for them. That¡¯s not something you can experiment with and then return if you¡¯re not happy with it.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Brian lowered his gaze, as if deep in thought. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go back to the banquet,¡± Chloe said. She turned and walked ahead. ¡°Chloe!¡± Brian called after her. ¡°I wasn¡¯t lying in front of Curtis earlier. As long as you want to, I¡¯ll be with you anytime. I¡¯ll give you anything you want.¡± Chloe stopped and turned to look back at him. The trees rustled in the breeze, their branches blooming with fragrant flowers. Silver moonlight spilled over Brian, draping his handsome figure in a veil of cold light. His face was emotionless as always, but in his eyes burned an intense heat that she had never seen before. It was so intense that it contrasted sharply with his cold demeanor. All of that felt as if he was trying to tell her that he meant every word. At that moment, she just needed to nod, and she could be Brian¡¯s girlfriend. And whatever she wanted, he would deliver into her hands. It sounded absurd, but at that moment, Chloe truly felt that it was real. ¡°Do you want to?¡± Brian asked in his low, husky voice. His words seemed to echo in the quiet garden. After Divorce 80 Chapter 80 Want to Dominate Me? Chloe and Brian looked at each other. Brian¡¯s eyes shimmered faintly under the moonlight, looking like they could easily stir one¡¯s heart. She could feel that at this moment, if she said yes, then her life might undergo a drastic change. ¡°I don¡¯t want to,¡± Chloe replied. Brian frowned slightly. ¡°Why? Do you still have Curtis in your heart?¡± ¡°No. I don¡¯t have any feelings for Curtis anymore. I don¡¯t want to because I don¡¯t love you. Besides, I¡¯ll fight for whatever I want myself.¡± Brian pursed his lips. When she said she didn¡¯t love him, an indescribable sense of disappointment surged in his heart. After he stopped yearning for his parents¡® love long ago, he had clearly also stopped yearning for anyone¡¯s love. But now, he felt like he was yearning for her love. ¡°What about in the future?¡± he asked. Chloe replied, ¡°In the future, I-¡± Before she could finish, he suddenly pressed a finger against her lips. ¡°You don¡¯t need to answer me,¡± he murmured. He was afraid that whatever she might say wouldn¡¯t be the answer he was hoping for. Rather than hear that, it was better not to hear anything at all. Chloe was slightly stunned. At that moment, she realized the finger pressed to her lips was icy cold, but her lips felt as if they were burning. Sonya and Cutis returned to their hotel room. Curtis had been silent ever since they left the banquet, which only made the uneasiness in Sonya¡¯s heart grow. ¡°Curtis, Chloe had gone too far,¡± she said. ¡°She just got divorced, and she¡¯s already clinging to Brian. I even heard from Willow that Chloe¡¯s been stuck to Brian since she arrived in Yarfdale. They¡¯ve been inseparable. It¡¯s as if she¡¯s desperate for everyone to know they¡¯re close.¡± Curtis merely kept his head down, staying silent the whole time. ¡°Curtis?¡± Sonya raised her voice. ¡°What?¡± He suddenly snapped back to reality. ¡°What did you say?¡± Chapter 80 Want to Dominate Me? Sonya bit her lip. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? You¡¯ve been so distracted ever since we left the banquet.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± Curtis replied. ¡°I¡¯m just feeling a little tired.¡± ¡°You¡¯re thinking about Chloe, aren¡¯t you?¡± He didn¡¯t answer. Sonya continued, ¡°Well, you¡¯ve been married to her for three years, after all. I just didn¡¯t expect that she¡¯d be so eager to throw herself into Brian¡¯s arms right after the divorce. ¡°I thought she had real feelings for you at first, so I didn¡¯t want to affect your marriage when I came back. I didn¡¯t expect her to be like this.¡± As she spoke, she cupped Curtis¡® face. ¡°Curtis, if it were me, if I truly loved someone, I would never let my love waver. I would only ever love that one person my whole life.¡± Sonya gazed at him tenderly, slowly closing her eyes as she moved her lips closer to his. Curtis stiffened. He knew what Sonya was trying to hint at. If he just kissed her now, they would naturally move forward and be together. If this were before he married Chloe, he would have been overjoyed. He would have carefully kissed the lips he had longed for so desperately. He might have felt like it was the greatest blessing he could possibly get. But now, what shed in his mind was Chloe¡¯s face. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, you should go back to your room and rest,¡± he said slowly. Sonya¡¯s eyes snapped open as she looked at him in disbelief. Curtis turned his eyes away somewhat guiltily. ¡°Sonya, I¡¯m very grateful to you. No matter what, you¡¯re an important person to me.¡± She clenched her teeth, gripping her dress tightly. Was this a rejection? He kept on telling her how important she was to him. Yet, even after his divorce, he refused to take another step forward with her. Was Chloe still in his heart? The thought unsettled Sonya even more, though she still forced a smile on her face. ¡°You¡¯re right. It¡¯ste, and we¡¯re both tired. Rest well.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Curtis replied. After she left, a bitter smile yed on Curtis¡® face. What was wrong with him? He had actually rejected Sonya¡¯s advance because of Chloe, not taking that next step. Chapter 80 Want to Dominate Me? Worse still, when he saw Chloe with Brian, he actually started to regret the divorce. If he hadn¡¯t divorced Chloe, then the one standing at her side today would have been him. No, he shouldn¡¯t regret it. Curtis shook his head, driving away that fleeting thought. To him, Sonya was far more important than Chloe. What he should be thinking about now was how to treat Sonya better. He needed to repay her for saving his life and be someone she could rely on. ¡°Chloe, I don¡¯t regret it,¡± he murmured into the empty room. Early the next morning, Chloe was woken up by a call from Lena. The first thing she said was, ¡°You and Brian are dating, and you didn¡¯t even tell me?¡± Chloe blinked sleepily. ¡°Why don¡¯t I know I¡¯m dating Brian?¡± ¡°Brian¡¯s confession to you at the banquetst night is trending online!¡± Lena eximed. Chloe jolted awake, quickly pulling up the news feed on her phone. Sure enough, just like Lena said, it was trending. The headline read, ¡°Shocking, Corvessia¡¯s Mr. Steele Dating a Divorced Woman?¡± Underneath were photos from the banquet. Chloe and Brian were looking at each other, and his normally indifferent gaze seemed to carry an unusual gentleness to it. The contrast with his usual cold demeanor was so strong that it was no wonder thements section was blowing up. ¡°Wow, is this really the most powerful man in Corvessia? He can¡¯t seriously be interested in a divorced woman, right?¡± ¡°What¡¯s so good about that divorced woman that he¡¯d look at her like that?¡± ¡°If he confessed to me, I¡¯d ept him instantly!¡± ¡°That gaze could drown me! The gentle look in his eyes is lethal!¡± Chloe scrolled through thements in exasperation. Lena said loudly through the speaker, ¡°Hey, so are you dating Brian or not?¡± ¡°No,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°Do you really think I¡¯d jump into another rtionship immediately after my divorce?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re still hung up on that scumbag Curtis?¡± Lena shot back. ¡°No, but I don¡¯t n to date Brian either,¡± Chloe said. Find the newest release on find[f]ovel Lena clicked her tongue. ¡°He confessed to you, and you weren¡¯t even tempted? Did you know a magazine Chapter 80 Want to Dominate Me? once voted him as the man women most want to dominate?¡± Chloe nearly choked. Because her phone was on speaker, Lena¡¯s loud voice filled the whole room. The man women most want to dominate. What kind of magazine gave Brian that title? But as for whether she was tempted¡­ Chloe¡¯s lips tingled faintly, feeling hot. It was as if the lingering chill of his finger from the night before still rested there. ¡°No,¡± she said. At least, it was probably not. After hanging up, she washed up and went downstairs to have breakfast with Brian. Halfway through breakfast, Brian suddenly asked, ¡°Do I not make you want to pin me down?¡± Chloe froze, staring at him. The soup in her mouth instantly tasted like cardboard. After Divorce 81 Chapter 81 If You Can¡¯t Stand it. Then It Comes Off Chapter 81 If You Can¡¯t Stand It, Then It Comes Off Finally swallowing a mouthful of soup, Chloe asked, ¡°Brian¡­ what did you just say?¡± She could hardly believe her ears. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to pin me down?¡± Brian repeated earnestly. Standing nearby, William¡¯s eyes widened in shock. What on earth was Brian saying? Did he actually want Chloe to dominate him? William never knew that he had such a kink. Chloe blinked. So she hadn¡¯t misheard, after all. Lena had just mentioned on the phone that some magazine had voted Brian as the number one guy women wanted to dominate. Now, he was bringing up that very topic with her. ¡°You were eavesdropping on my call this morning?¡± Chloe asked in surprise. ¡°You were pretty loud,¡± Brian replied. ¡°I was in the next room, so it was hard not to.¡± Hearing that, Chloe silently cursed Lena¡¯s booming voice. ¡°Then, tell me,¡± he pressed, staring at her. ¡°Am I really so unattractive that I can¡¯t stir even a hint of desire? Chloe studied Brian carefully. Strictly speaking, his looks were striking¨Cthe very type many women adored. ¡°You¡¯re very attractive,¡± she admitted, ¡°But I prefer someone funny and lively.¡± ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find?novel She deliberately named a typepletely opposite to his personality, hoping it would soften the blow of rejection. Brian lowered his gaze slightly. ¡°I see.¡± Someone funny and lively. That was nothing like him at all. So the person she liked was Ethan? Unbeknownst to Chloe, he hadpletely misunderstood her casual remark. ¡°By the way,¡± she said, ¡°I¡¯m going to Quall Manor today to visit Great Uncle Geoffrey, so I won¡¯t be able to handle bodyguard duties for the day.¡± They had agreed that if she had personal matters to attend to, all she had to do was inform him. ¡°Should I drive you there?¡± Brian offered. ¡°No, I¡¯ll just grab a cab,¡± she replied. ¡°Alright then,¡± he said. Chapter 81 if You Can¡¯t Stand it. Then It Comes Off Chloe quickly finished her breakfast and left. Brian, on the other hand, kept his eye on her retreating figure until she disappeared from sight. ¡°How am I supposed to get close to her?¡± he muttered. William, who was standing nearby, stiffened nervously. ¡°I suppose it¡¯s because Ms. Quall has just got divorced, so¡­ that¡¯s why she¡¯s acting this way,¡± he said cautiously, ¡°Mr. Steele, I¡¯m certain that if she spends a bit more time with you, then she¡¯ll gradually grow closer to you.¡± He was now certain. Brian¡¯s feelings for Chloe were genuine. Brian pressed his lips together. She had spent so much time with him recently, often right by his side. But he still felt as though he couldn¡¯t truly reach her, and he didn¡¯t understand why. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m the funny and lively type?¡± he suddenly asked. At that, William was silent. Brian was far from that type. Brian looked down again. Since he wasn¡¯t her type, perhaps he should make sure no such man ever appeared in Chloe¡¯s life. That way, maybe she would finally notice him. Chloe arrived at Quall Manor to visit Geoffrey. He was leaning against the couch, looking far weaker than he had just a few days ago. ¡°How are you feeling, Great Uncle Geoffrey?¡± she asked with concern. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, these old bones are tough,¡± Geoffrey replied with a smile as soon as he saw her. ¡°It¡¯s you I¡¯m concerned about, sweetheart. I heard that you have no intention of joining the family business.¡± ¡°Yes, I won¡¯t be staying in Yarfdale for long,¡± Chloe admitted. Hearing that, Geoffrey sighed softly. Yarfdale was far too small a ce to hold her back. ¡°Then, where will you go?¡± he asked. ¡°I¡¯ll return to Corvessia. A friend of mine owns apany there, and I¡¯ll join her. Oh, and I also n to go to the border to continue searching for Daniel,¡± she exined. ¡°That¡¯s good. But do remember to return and keep an old manpany every once in a while.¡± ¡°Of course I will,¡± Chloe promised. Then, Geoffrey cut right to the chase, ¡°And what about you and Brian? Are you two¡­ together?¡± Chloe froze, surprised he would bring that up. ¡°I just saw the news about you two,¡± he continued. ¡°I don¡¯t mean anything by asking, but I just want to know. Is it true?¡± Chapter 81 If You Can¡¯t Stand It, Then It Comes Off ¡°My rtionship with Brian is strictly professional,¡± she replied. ¡°There¡¯s nothing more to it than that.¡± Aplex mix of emotions flickered across Geoffrey¡¯s face, but then, he smiled. ¡°Perhaps that¡¯s for the best. I heard you had just gotten divorced before returning to Yarfdale. If you decide to look for a partner again, you must choose carefully. Divorce or not, Chloe, you¡¯re worthy of any man.¡± Chloe smiled. ¡°I¡¯m not thinking about rtionships for now. I¡¯ll leave that to fate.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. There¡¯s no need to rush,¡± he agreed. ¡°Still, if you do fall for Brian one day, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem. Don¡¯t worry about Willow. That¡¯s nothing more than a one¨Csided wish on her part and some other member of the family.¡± Geoffrey could see that Brian had never been in love with Willow. ¡°Let¡¯s leave the future for the future,¡± Chloe said, steering the topic away. Then, they spoke of other matters. After a while, she noticed Geoffrey was getting tired and decided to take her leave. But as soon as she reached the gates of the manor, she unexpectedly came face to face with Curtis and Sonya. They had just stepped out of a car. The moment Sonya saw her, she frowned. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± she asked. ¡°I¡¯m a Quall too. I have more right to be here than you do,¡± Chloe replied with augh. Upon hearing that, Sonya¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°So that¡¯s it, Chloe. You think you can look down on everyone now just because youtched onto Brian?¡± she sneered. ¡°You just got divorced, and here you are, already clinging to the next man. How fickle can you be with your affections?¡± ¡°We¡¯re both single adults,¡± Chloe shot back. ¡°If I¡¯m with Brian, what¡¯s it to anyone else? I¡¯m still better than you. You were so eager to be his mistress that you couldn¡¯t even let the ink on the divorce papers dry.¡± ¡°Who are you calling a mistress?¡± Sonya snapped. ¡°While Curtis was still married, he secretly gave you 50 million dors¡® worth of jewelry. If you weren¡¯t his mistress, then what were you? Just a friend?¡± Chloe fired back. ¡°The ne you¡¯re wearing right now is one of those gifts. Once I¡¯m back in Corvessia, I¡¯ll get awyer. We¡¯ll see if you can keep the jewelry then.¡± ¡°Chloe, I know I wronged you,¡± Curtis said, breaking his silence. ¡°But our divorce isn¡¯t Sonya¡¯s fault. I gave her the jewelry because she saved my life. If you feel that you deservepensation, then I¡¯ll make it up to you in the future.¡± Sonya saved his life? Chloeughed at the fact. Even now, he still believed that story. ¡°Compensation? Fine then,¡± she said with a sneer. ¡°Sonya can start by taking off that ne around her neck.¡± Chapter 81 If You Can¡¯t Stand it, Then It Comes Off Curtis frowned, while Sonya snapped back, ¡°Don¡¯t push it, Chloe! Do you really think Curtis would take off my ne just because you told him to?¡± Before Chloe could answer, another voice cut in sharply. ¡°If Clo can¡¯t stand seeing that woman wearing it, then ites off! Period!¡± And with that, a hand shot out and ripped the ne straight from Sonya¡¯s neck. im Bonus For Free Every Day>> im Chapte After Divorce 82 r 82 Has She Truly Stopped Caring About Him Chapter 82 Has She Truly Stopped Caring About Him ¡°Ah!¡± Sonya cried out in pain as the ne was yanked from her neck. In the blink of an eye, the exquisite diamond ne that had been around her neck was now in Ethan¡¯s hand. Chloe stared at Ethan in surprise. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°I called you earlier,¡± Ethan said, stepping closer. ¡°You mentioned you wereing to Quall Manor, so I thought I¡¯de check on you.¡± Only then did Chloe remember. She had received a call from him that morning on her way over, though she hadn¡¯t expected him to actually show up. ¡°Ethan, you¡¯ve gone too far!¡± Curtis snapped, stepping forward. ¡°You can¡¯t just do that, no matter the situation. What you just did counts as robbery. I could even press charges against you!¡± ¡°Robbery?¡± Ethan sneered, weighing the ne lightly in his hand. ¡°I only helped Clo reim her marital property. Do you really think you could win a case against me?¡± Hearing that, Curtis faltered. He had almost forgotten that Ethan¡¯s mother, Lisa, was from one of Corvessia¡¯s most powerful legal families. Over half of the city¡¯s topwyers had been under the tutge of Ethan¡¯s grandfather, Michael Hughes. With just a single word from the Hugheses, Corvessia¡¯s legal quadrumvirate would fall in line. Sonya red at Ethan. ¡°Since when do you enjoy being someone¡¯s backup, Mr. Hughes?¡± she spat out. ¡°I have to admit, but it seems that Chloe is far more capable than I ever thought. She didn¡¯t stop at seducing Brian, but she¡¯s hooked you, too.¡± Chloe frowned. Just as she was about to speak, Ethan strode forward and pped Sonya. Sonya¡¯s cheek burned with pain. Just yesterday, Brian pped her, and the swelling had barely subsided. She had hidden the bruise with makeup, but she never expected Ethan to p her too. ¡°Mr. Hughes, how could you!¡± Curtis rushed forward to shield her. ¡°That p was a warning,¡± Ethan said coldly. ¡°If she dares to nder Clo again, she won¡¯t get off so easily. Sonya¡¯s eyes burned with hatred. ¡°Chloe, is that all you can do? Hiding behind men?¡± At that, Chloe¡¯s expression chilled. ¡°Are you sure you would like me to deal with you myself? Because if I do, you won¡¯t get off with a few scratches like at the airport¡± At the mention of the airport incident, Sonya stiffened instantly. That incident was a lifelong humiliation for her. ¡°I wasn¡¯t in the wrong,¡± she cried, gritting her teeth. ¡°I was only thinking of the passengers¡® safety. But I would never imagine you to be so vicious, Chloe. You had the nerve to encourage the military personnel Chapter 82 Has She Truly Stopped Caring About Him to call the police on me!¡± Ethan sneered, ¡°Ms. Miller, how dare you call her vicious? You really didn¡¯t learn a thing during your time in lockup, did you?¡± ¡°What the hell would I need to learn? I wasn¡¯t in the wrong!¡± Sonya shot back. ¡°Everything I did at the airport was for the safety of everyone on that flight. That¡¯s why I insisted the urn be checked!¡± ¡°If you still don¡¯t think you did anything wrong, then your career as a pilot is over,¡± Chloe coldly said. Sonya red at her. ¡°I know what this is,¡± she said. ¡°You¡¯re jealous. Jealous that Curtis cares about me and jealous that I¡¯ve be a pilot, something you¡¯ll never be!¡± Ethan burst outughing before Chloe could answer. He sneered at Sonya. ¡°How full of yourself can you be, Ms. Miller?¡± he asked, looking at her in disgust. ¡°Do you really believe that anyone would be jealous of the attention from a fool like Curtis?¡± Angered by the insult, Curtis¡® face darkened. ¡°Mr. Hughes, you have no right to insult me even if you¡¯re just standing up for Chloe!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not insulting you,¡± Ethan saidzily. ¡°I¡¯m stating facts. You took the credit for thepany going public. You spent your marriage showering your mistress with jewelry, and even treated the wife who built thatpany with you like nothing. If that¡¯s not being a fool, then what is?¡± ¡°You little-¡± Curtis¡® face twisted with anger. ¡°And another thing,¡± Ethan added, turning his scorn back on Sonya. ¡°You¡¯re just a co¨Cpilot. Do you really think you¡¯re special? Clo had flown fighter jets you couldn¡¯t even name.¡± At that, Sonya¡¯s face flushed red, but Ethan clearly wasn¡¯t done. ¡°Who knows,¡± he drawled, ¡°Before long, you might not even be a co¨Cpilot anyone. You didn¡¯t think that the incident you caused at the airport could be brushed off with just a few days in detention, did you?¡± Sonya¡¯s face flushed red before turning pale. She red at him coldly. ¡°Whether I stay a co¨Cpilot or not isn¡¯t for you to decide, Mr. Hughes.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± Ethan said tly before turning to Chloe. ¡°Clo, are you leaving? I¡¯ll drive you.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± she answered. Just as they headed toward the car, Curtis suddenly stepped forward to block their way. ¡°Mr. Hughes, you should at least return the ne.¡± Instead of giving it back, Ethan ced it in Chloe¡¯s hand. ¡°This belongs to Clo, so she decides what happens to it.¡± Chloe stared at the ne, its diamonds glinting brilliantly. The irony cut deep. She had worked herself to the bone to help build Curtis¡® business, and he had used the money to buy Sonya jewelry. This ne was nothing but a cruel reminder of her wasted devotion. Chapter 82 Has She Truly Stopped Caring About Him ¡°Chloe, I know I¡¯ve wronged you,¡± Curtis said. ¡°But the ne is Sonya¡¯s, so please, return it to her. As for what I owe you, I¡¯ll-¡± ¡°Curtis,¡± Chloe cut in coldly, her voice steady and sharp, ¡°How could you ever repay what you owe me?¡± The source of th?s content is Her icy gaze made Curtis¡® heart clench. It was the same look from before, a brutal reminder that he meant absolutely nothing to her now. ¡°And what do you mean it¡¯s Sonya¡¯s ne?¡± she continued, ¡°You used marital assets to buy her gifts without my consent. The ne was never hers, so there¡¯s nothing to return in the first ce. When I¡¯m back in Corvessia, I¡¯ll take you to court and reim it!¡± Chloe had yielded again and again, and that only made them take her for granted. Howughable. ¡°Let¡¯s be honest, Chloe. This is all about money, isn¡¯t it?¡± Sonya bitterly shot back. ¡°You imed you only wanted 1.53 million dors during the divorce, but now you¡¯re trying to snatch my expensive jewelry!¡± ¡°And what about you? Don¡¯t you care about money?¡± Chloe snapped. ¡°If you didn¡¯t, then why collect jewelry? If you hate being called a mistress so much, why not buy it yourself instead of getting it from a married man?¡± Sonya¡¯s face flushed once more, especially with Quall Manor¡¯s security guard standing nearby. They had heard everything she said. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Chloe said to Ethan. ¡°Alright,¡± he obediently replied. His agreeable demeanor stood in sharp contrast to the arrogance he had shown Curtis and Sonya just moments earlier. ¡°Curtis, Chloe has gone too far!¡± Sonya fumed. ¡°If she wanted the ne, she should¡¯ve just said so. I could¡¯ve given it to her. But for her to go back on her word? I just can¡¯t stand people like that, and I¡¯ll never let her have her way!¡± But Curtis didn¡¯t respond. He just stood there and stared nkly at the car pulling away. The image of Chloe¡¯s cold stare haunted him. When she left, she hadn¡¯t even spared him a single nce. Had she truly stopped caring about him? A sharp pain pierced Curtis¡® chest. The ache spread, growing until it swallowed him whole. After Divorce 83 Chapter 83 The Only Thing That Could Make Him Hesitate Was Her ¡°Curtis!¡± Sonya roared. She raised her voice because at that moment, Curtis was staring at Chloe¡¯s departing figure. He had done the exact same thing the night before the banquet,pletely oblivious to her presence at his side. The way he looked at Chloe made her feel even more unsettled. Snapping out of it, Curtis said, ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to fix this. Since I gave you that ne, it belongs to you.¡± Hearing that, Sonya¡¯s expression softened into a faint smile. ¡°Well, it¡¯s too bad the ne was taken by them.¡± ¡°When thepany secures the ind project, I¡¯ll buy you something even better,¡± he promised. Ultimately, Curtis came to Yarfdale for one reason. The goal was to leverage Sonya¡¯s connections to secure the ind project. Only then could he resolve thepany¡¯s crisis. More importantly, it would prove that thepany¡¯s sessful IPO and his entrepreneurial sess were built by him, not by Chloe. ¡°With me helping you, you¡¯ll definitely get it,¡± Sonya said sweetly as she hooked her arm through his. ¡°Let¡¯s go, I¡¯ll take you inside and introduce you to the Qualls.¡± In the car, Chloe told Ethan, ¡°Let¡¯s head over to the charity association first.¡± ¡°Why?¡± he asked curiously. ¡°I¡¯m donating the ne,¡± she replied. An hourter, Chloe hadpleted the paperwork. The ne would be auctioned off, and the proceeds would be donated to Hope School¨Ca school for underprivileged children. ¡°It¡¯s just as well to give it away,¡± Ethan said. ¡°Clo, if you ever want jewelry in the future, I¡¯ll buy it for you.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care much for jewelry,¡± she calmly answered. The only piece she ever cared about was the ruby ne Jenna had once exchanged to save 50 orphans. She used it to get them food and medicine. Chloe had already recovered that ne. To tell the truth, it was the only meaningful thing she had gained in her three years of marriage to Curtis. ¡°By the way, what did youe looking for me about?¡± she asked, turning to Ethan. Ethan pressed his lips together, looking uncharacteristically uneasy. ¡°Are you and Brian¡­ seeing each other?¡± Chapter 83 The Only Thing That Could Make Him Hesitate Was Her 214 Chloe blinked, caught off guard by the question. ¡°You too? Don¡¯t tell me you also saw the trending news. I¡¯m not in a rtionship with him. Last night, I just happened to run into Curtis and Sonya at the banquet, and Brian stepped in to help me. That¡¯s all.¡± ¡°He helped you?¡± Ethan asked in a low voice. ¡°He isn¡¯t the type to just help someone.¡± ¡°Well, maybe only because I was his datest night,¡± she exined. Brian had been serious in what he saidst night. But the way he looked at her suggested, at most, a fond attraction. It wasn¡¯t the gaze of someone deeply in love. Naturally, Chloe wouldn¡¯t attach a deeper meaning to words that were spoken lightly. And as for dating¡­ after going through a divorce, she was even more cautious than before. She wasn¡¯t like Brian. He was probably acting on impulse and just wanted to try out a rtionship on a whim. ¡°So you don¡¯t feel anything for him?¡± Ethan asked again, clearly uneasy. This update is avable on find?novel ¡°I just got divorced. I don¡¯t n to be in another rtionship right now,¡± Chloe firmly said. ¡°I only want to finish my job as a bodyguard as soon as possible, so I can return to Corvessia and sort out my work. Then I¡¯ll head to the border to see if I can find any clues about Daniel.¡± Her n was to handle work remotely over the inte while staying near the border as long as she could. She hoped that, against all odds, something might turn up. Chloe knew that the chances were slim. After all, evenrge¨Cscale searches by the military failed to find any trace of Daniel. Over the years, many have been telling her to ept reality. Someone missing for five years had almost no chance of survival. But she refused to believe it. To her, Daniel was still alive somewhere. He had to be. ¡°When that happens, I¡¯ll go to the border with you,¡± Ethan said firmly. ¡°You don¡¯t have to. This is personal. I can handle it my-¡± ¡°Clo!¡± he cut her off. ¡°Let me go with you. I won¡¯t be at ease if you go alone!¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°Just so you know¡­ You mean far more to me than you realize. So please, let me go with you!¡± Ethan insisted. At that, Chloe hesitated. ¡°We¡¯ll see when the timees. I won¡¯t just go and be back in a snap. I¡¯ll be staying there for a while, and I don¡¯t even know for how long.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll stay with you for as long as it takes.¡± Chapter She looked at him doubtfully. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this. Watching out for you was part of my job as your captain and my duty as yourrade. You don¡¯t owe me anything in return.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not doing this out of obligation¡­ or well, maybe a small part of it is,¡± Ethan exined. ¡°But the truth is, it¡¯s because¡­¡± Ethan faltered, and the words got stuck in his throat. He wondered if he should say it. Chloe had no intention of starting a new rtionship right now. If he confessed, she would definitely turn him down. And when that time came, would they still be able to interact so naturally? Ethan wasn¡¯t so sure about it. Ethan cared about her too much. He treasured their bond deeply, so he didn¡¯t dare risk ruining what they already had. Three years ago, he had missed his chance once. Could he afford to hesitate again? Ethan had always been reckless and carefree. But when it came to Chloe, he found himself paralyzed by doubt. ¡°What is it?¡± Chloe asked when he fell silent. ¡°I-¡± He opened his mouth. But his phone rang, cutting him off. Ethan answered it and listened for a moment. Then, his expression darkened. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll head back right away and take care of it.¡± When he hung up, Chloe asked, ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°My grandpa¡¯sw firm ran into some trouble,¡± Ethan exined. ¡°I need to return to Corvessia immediately.¡± Ethan¡¯s uncle, Thomas Hughes, managed the firm. But from the tone of his call just now, this was serious, and it seemed connected to his past abroad. ¡°Then, you should go take care of it,¡± she said. Ethan looked at her reluctantly. If he left now, would he regret it? ¡°You¡¯re¡­ You¡¯re only Brian¡¯s bodyguard for three months, right?¡± he suddenly asked. ¡°Yes. And if he¡¯s still in Yarfdale after three months, I¡¯ll return to Corvessia,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°Good. Then, I¡¯ll wait for you in Corvessia,¡± Ethan solemnly said. After some time had passed, he would tell her the truth. He would do it just when the timing was right. He longed to be more than a brother to her. He wanted to be the man who stood by her side. Chapter 83 The Only Thing That Could Make Hem Heptate Was Her When Brian returned to the vi, he suddenly froze mid¨Cstep. Someone was in the living room. He wondered if it was Chloe. However, the adrenaline told him otherwise. Chloe never made him feel like this. When Brian¡¯s eyes finally fell on the figure sitting inside, his pupils contracted sharply. Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> After Divorce 84 Chapter 84 The Steele Obsession Brian froze, his gaze locked on the man who was meant to be his father. Liam wore a perfectly tailored ck suit and a crisp white shirt. The sharp lines of his face mirrored his own, a constant reminder of their blood ties. Ever since his mother¡¯s death, Liam had worn nothing but ck and white. It was as if all other colors had been erased from the world. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Surprised to see me?¡± Liam asked, walking forward slowly. As he did, a smile tugged Updates are released by Find?Novel at his lips. To anyone else, his smile might have looked elegant and gentle. But in Brian¡¯s eyes, it was the flick of a viper¡¯s tongue, and it sent shivers down his spine. Liam might have looked sane on the surface, but Brian knew all too well. He had gone mad after Emily¡¯s death. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Brian asked coldly. ¡°My son has found a woman he loves. Of course, I had toe and show my concern,¡± Liam said, smiling. Brian pressed his lips into a thin line. He had already had the trending news pulled that morning, but not before some eyes had seen it. And clearly, Liam was among them. As for a woman he loved¡­ well, Brian wasn¡¯t even sure what kind of feeling deserved to be called love. But he knew one thing. He wanted to be by Chloe¡¯s side. Seeing Brian silent, Liam suddenly asked, ¡°What now, do you think you¡¯re not in love with her?¡± ¡°Whether I love her or not has nothing to do with you,¡± Brian snapped, ring at him coldly. ¡°But if you every a hand on her, I won¡¯t let you off so easily.¡± Liam burst outughing upon hearing that. ¡°I won¡¯t harm her, I definitely won¡¯t. I just want to see what bes of the son she and I raised.¡± He meant Emily, of course. Then he patted Brian¡¯s shoulder lightly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Even if you don¡¯t love her yet, the day wille when you do. And once you do, you¡¯ll finally understand what I felt. ¡°You¡¯ll crave her presence. If her eyes aren¡¯t fixed on you, you¡¯ll want to destroy everyone around her. You¡¯ll want to lock her away so she sees no one but you.¡± Liam¡¯s voice slithered into Brian¡¯s ears, each word dripping with venom. ¡°I¡¯m not you. I¡¯ll never be like you,¡± Brian shot back, his face taut with disgust. Chapter 84 The Steele Obsession But Liam smirked mockingly and said, ¡°You¡¯re my son. The Steele obsession is in your blood, carved into your very bones. In the end, you¡¯ll be just like me. Desperate, unfulfilled, and finally, a madman!¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Brian shouted. ¡°If that¡¯s all you came to say, then get out.¡± Not offended in the least, Liam continued, ¡°Though judging from those photos online, it seems like she doesn¡¯t love you. Winning her won¡¯t be so easy, but¡­¡± He suddenly brushed his fingers against Brian¡¯s cheek. ¡°This face of yours carries the best of me and your mother. Especially your eyes, they¡¯re hers. If you use this face and your body well, surely you can make that woman lose herself in you.¡± The next second, Liam¡¯s expression faltered. Brian¡¯s hand was wrapped tightly around his wrist. If he pressed hard enough, then Liam¡¯s wrist would be broken. ¡°I was only giving you a fatherly reminder not to waste what you have. Now, you¡¯d break my wrist for it?¡± Liam asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯m not that child you used to twist and crush at will,¡± Brian coldly said. ¡°If you don¡¯t leave now, I¡¯ll break your wrist.¡± ¡°Fine, fine. I¡¯ll go,¡± Liam relented, smiling. But before he turned away, he left onest remark. ¡°My dear son, I¡¯ll be waiting for you.¡± Liam would be waiting for him in the same hell of longing and despair. For every Steele suffers the torment of desiring what they cannot have. At that, Brian said nothing. He stood rigid, his eyes locked on Liam¡¯s retreating figure. Even after Liam disappeared from view, his body stayed tense. His hands clenched so tightly at his sides that his nails dug into his palm. When Chloe was heading to the vi, it had started raining. The gray, heavy clouds and the steady drizzle cast a dreary and unsettling pall over everything. Ethan was leaving for Corvessia. She, on the other hand, still had no idea how long she would remain in Yarfdale, Her parents¡® estate was mostly settled, except for the old family home, which still required some paperwork. As for how the inheritance would be split, she had decided to wait until she found Daniel so they could deal with it together. As for her parents¡® belongings, Chloe had them stashed in her old apartment. When she returned to that house and saw the familiar furnishings from her youth, it felt like stepping back in time. Her parents and Daniel were still alive. The four of them were together, happy and whole. Chapter 84 The Steele Obsession Her eyes stung at the scene. She knew better than anyone that peace and quiet always came at a cost, as someone always had to shoulder the burden and sacrifice for that beauty. Her parents had never regretted their sacrifice. It was their conviction. And Chloe would also keep walking the same path of belief without regret. At that moment, Ethan¡¯s car pulled up outside Brian¡¯s vi. ¡°Alright, you can stop here,¡± Chloe said. He studied her for a long moment, then handed her an umbre. ¡°Okay, go on inside. I¡¯ll see you in Corvessia.¡± ¡°The rain isn¡¯t that heavy,¡± she said, trying to give it back. ¡°I can just run in. It¡¯ll be troublesome for me to return this to youter.¡± But all Ethan had to say to that was, ¡°Then, you should return it to me when we meet again in Corvessia. For now, keep it safe for me.¡± ¡°Alright then,¡± Chloe agreed. At that, a smile tugged at his lips. She stepped out, umbre in hand. After she watched Ethan¡¯s car disappear into the distance, she finally turned and walked toward the vi. But just as Chloe was about to head inside, she froze. A tall figure stood beneath the big tree in the yard, letting the rain pour over him. The figure¡¯s head was tilted back slightly as the water streamed down his face, neck, and body. His ck hair clung wetly to his skin, and the white shirt he wore was soaked through. It was stered tightly against him. ¡°Brian? Why are you standing here?¡± Chloe asked in surprise. Brian slowly turned his head, his eyes locking on her. His pale lips parted as he whispered, ¡°You¡¯re back.¡± Chapter 85 He Falls Apart After Divorce 85 Chapter 85 He Falls Apart Brian was the epitome of a golden child. Yet now in Chloe¡¯s eyes, he looked as though he could fall apart at any second. It was a stark contrast to the man she shared a meal with this morning. What on earth could have happened since then to cause such a drastic change? ¡°Yes, I¡¯m back,¡± Chloe said as she stepped closer and raised the umbre over both of them. Therge ck umbre shielded them from the rain. ¡°The rain¡¯s getting heavier by the second. Let¡¯s go inside first,¡± she said. But Brian acted as if he hadn¡¯t heard her. His gaze returned once more to therge tree before them. ¡°Did you know? My mom used to love climbing this tree,¡± he said. The rightful source is f?ndnovel ¡°What?¡± Chloe blinked, caught off guard. Emily had loved¡­ climbing trees? ¡°She would always climb a tree just to look into the distance,¡± Brian continued as if in a trance. ¡°She wanted to escape this ce, but Dad imprisoned her here. She could never leave.¡± Chloe stayed silent. ¡°Chloe, I¡¯m not my Dad. I will never be him!¡± he said in a low voice. She hummed in response. But then, Brian¡¯s body stiffened. He whipped his head around to look at her. ¡°Do you believe that?¡± ¡°Yes, I believe you,¡± she answered softly. Something unfamiliar spread through her chest as she spoke. Like father, like son, they said. It was only a matter of time before Brian lost his mind too. Yet in that moment, she believed that he would not. ¡°Come on, you¡¯re soaked. You¡¯ll catch a cold if you don¡¯t get inside,¡± Chloe said, taking a step forward. When she noticed he still hadn¡¯t moved, she simply grabbed his hand. Then, she pulled him toward the vi. The rain pattered steadily against the umbre, creating a gentle rhythm. Brian looked down at Chloe¡¯s hand holding his. It was smaller than his own, calloused yet steady. But there was strength in it, and somehow it made him feel safe. As she led him step by step, he felt a sense of ease, knowing he didn¡¯t need to worry about anything. He knew that just following her was enough to guide him in the right direction. Once inside the vi, Chloe closed the umbre and looked at him. He was drenched. Chapter 85 He Falls Apart Brian seemed utterly broken in that moment. His eyes were lowered, fixed on their still¨Csped hands. She sighed, then kept hold of him and led him all the way to his bedroom. There, she ran a hot bath. ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened to you,¡± Chloe said. ¡°But for now, just soak in the bath and warm yourself up.¡± Water continued dripping from Brian¡¯s hair, face, and clothes. ¡°What about you?¡± he quietly asked. ¡°Will you wait here for me?¡± ¡°Yes, I will. I¡¯m your bodyguard. Of course, I¡¯ll stay and keep you safe,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°But¡­ what if you weren¡¯t my bodyguard?¡± Brian said, his voice faltering. He recalled asking her the same question once before. Back then, Chloe¡¯s answer had been that even if she wasn¡¯t protecting him, there would always be plenty of other bodyguards who would. ¡°¡­It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯ll go wash up,¡± Brian said, quickly letting go of her hand and disappearing into the bathroom. He was even afraid that if he lingered another second, he¡¯d hear words he wasn¡¯t ready for. His body was enveloped by the warm water filling the bathtub. The deep¨Cseated chill that had gued him started to fade away. After Liam left, Brian found himself drawn to therge tree in the courtyard. He couldn¡¯t stop thinking about Emily¡¯s despair. And now a question haunted him. If his feelings for Chloe continued to grow, would he eventually treat her the same way Liam had treated Emily? Obsession and madness¡­ These traits seemed like a brand seared into the soul of the Steeles. If love were mutual, it could be beautiful. But if only one person felt it, it almost always ended in tragedy- just as it had with Liam and Emily. When Brian finished his bath, he changed into a robe and stepped out of the bathroom. He didn¡¯t see Chloe in the room. His heart sank instantly. Had she left him? But then, the door opened. When he turned toward it, he saw Chloe walk in carrying a tray. Brian¡¯s disappointment vanished in a heartbeat. She hadn¡¯t abandoned him after all. ¡°You¡¯re done? Perfect timing,¡± she said as she walked over. On the tray was a bowl of dark brown soup with slices of mushroom floating on top. ¡°I just made some wild mushroom soup. Eat up to warm yourself up, or you¡¯ll catch a cold.¡± Brian pressed his lips together and stared at the bowl in silence. ¡°Eat!¡± she ordered, lifting the bowl and handing it to him. Chapter 85 He Falls Apart He obediently took it. Then, he lowered his head and ate spoonful after spoonful. Brian¡¯s handsome face didn¡¯t show the slightest change in expression as he swallowed. His pace was steady until the bowl was empty. Chloe nodded in satisfaction. Jenna had taught her this recipe. It was stronger and spicier than regr mushroom soup due to the extra ingredients, yet it worked far better. Her teammates used to scrunch their faces miserably whenever she made them eat it. Brian, however, was the first person to finish it without so much as a twitch. ¡°Does it taste good?¡± she curiously asked. ¡°Horrible,¡± he answered honestly. ¡°¡­Then why didn¡¯t you show any reaction or even refuse?¡± She was somewhat speechless. ¡°You told me to eat it, didn¡¯t you?¡± Brian said. Hearing that, Chloe froze for a moment. The way Brian said it made it sound like he would eat anything she gave him, so what if it had been poison? She didn¡¯t voice that thought, though. When he finished the soup, she pressed her palm lightly to his forehead. The moment her hand touched his skin, Brian stiffened. ¡°No fever. That¡¯s good,¡± Chloe said, pulling her hand back. A longing began to grow within Brian¡¯s heart. Steadily and unconsciously, it grew stronger. For the next two days, Brian stayed in the vi without leaving, and Chloe remained with him. But then, an uninvited guest appeared. Willow looked at Chloe in shock. ¡°Why are you here?¡± ¡°I¡¯m staying here for the time being,¡± Chloe calmly replied. Willow¡¯s expression shifted. This vi had once belonged to Brian¡¯s parents, and apart from the housekeepers, he had never let anyone else live there. ¡°You do know that just because you¡¯re staying here, it doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re special to Brian, right?¡± Willow said with a sudden, mockingugh. ¡°There¡¯s a room here he forbids everyone from entering, and that includes you.¡± Chloe paused. When she had first moved in, Brian had indeed told her not to enter the room at the end of the third floor. ¡°But I¡¯ve been inside,¡± Willow smugly said, her chin lifting high. It was as if in that moment, she had won Chapter 85 He Falls Apart some unseen victory. After Divorce 86 Chapter 86 He Obediently Listens to Her ¡°So what if you have been inside?¡± Chloe asked. Curiosity had never been her vice. When Brian first told her about the forbidden room, she never felt the urge to pry, not even once. It was his privacy, after all. Willow¡¯s expression darkened. She had swung with full force, hoping to elicit a reaction of pain and bitterness. But her efforts were futile. Chloe simply shrugged it off without a flinch. ¡°Chloe, you still don¡¯t get it, do you?¡± Willow said proudly. ¡°This proves that I¡¯m special to Brian. I¡¯m the only one who knows his secrets, and he¡¯ll forgive me even if I break his rules!¡± Chloe didn¡¯t bother to respond. She just started to walk away. Unwilling to concede, Willow stepped in her way. ¡°You don¡¯t know Brian at all. You¡¯ve never seen how cruel or pitiful he can be, but I have.¡± She continued, ¡°When Emily ignored him and Liam abused him, I was the one who epted him. I was the only one who could stay by his side. You can¡¯t imagine how pathetic he was back then. Without me, he wouldn¡¯t even be alive today!¡± The more Willow spoke, the more arrogant she became. Chloe frowned. ¡°That¡¯s enough, Willow. You better stop, I don¡¯t want to hear any more of it!¡± Those were Brian¡¯s private matters. And given their sensitivity, Chloe believed that such painful subjects shouldn¡¯t be discussed in such a tone. But Willow refused to stop. Thinking she had gained the upper hand, she continued, ¡°Do you even know how Liam tortured him? I¡¯m the only one who does!¡± Chloe was about to snap at her when she suddenly froze. She noticed a figure appear behind Willow. It was Brian. He walked toward them quietly, and it was obvious that he had heard everything. Mistaking Chloe¡¯s pause for a blow from her words, Willow¡¯s lips curled into a malicious smile. ¡°He never told you how Emily died, did he? I know. I was there with him when she died. You don¡¯t even know what he was like back then-¡± Her words broke off with a sharp gasp. A hand had closed around her throat. The fingers were long, slender, and as cold as steel. ¡°And what was I like?¡± Brian asked. His voice was low butced with an icy fury she rarely heard. Terror raced down Willow¡¯s spine, and her face drained of all color. She tried to pry his fingers loose, but no matter how hard she tried, they wouldn¡¯t budge. Her lungs Chapter 86 He Obediently Listens to Her screamed for air as suffocation set in and death pressed down on her like a shadow. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Chloe coldly said. ¡°Not going to keep talking? Just a moment ago, you had so much to say.¡± Choked from behind, Willow couldn¡¯t see Brian¡¯s face. But she didn¡¯t need to see him to know she had crossed a line. She had only wanted to unt her supposed intimacy with him. She wanted to show Chloe that there was a distance she could never cross, but she hadn¡¯t expected him to hear it. ¡°P¨CPlease¡­ Brian¡­ forgive me¡­ I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡± she choked out, her face flushed deep red. ¡°Doesn¡¯t it matter whether you meant it?¡± Brian asked, his tone detached and his grip tightening. ¡°If I had known you¡¯d run your mouth like this, I would have ripped out your tongue back then.¡± Willow¡¯s body shook violently. Her skin paled to a ghastly white, and her tongue protruded as she fought for breath. Realizing Brian truly meant to strangle her, Chloe rushed forward and grabbed his hand. ¡°Let go! If you keep this up, you¡¯ll kill her!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± Brian said tly. He had never cared about his own life, so how could he be expected to value someone else¡¯s? ¡°But I care! I don¡¯t want you to end up in prison!¡± Chloe shot back. ¡°If you¡¯re truly angry, there are other ways to deal with her. There are legal ways, so why choose the most extreme? Even if it feels good in the moment, you¡¯ll only ruin your future!¡± For the first time, a flicker of emotion rippled through Brian¡¯s otherwise lifeless eyes. He turned his head toward her. ¡°You don¡¯t want me to ruin my life?¡± ¡°Yes! I don¡¯t,¡± Chloe firmly said, her hand gripping his. ¡°So, let go. Now!¡± Her voice carried such steady conviction that itpelled obedience. Slowly, his fingers released their hold. Willow copsed to the floor, gasping and coughing violently. Her body trembled in fear. ¡°Get out!¡± Brian roared, casting her a disdainful look. Stumbling to her feet, Willow was dishevelled and furious. Yet, she red at Chloe and said, ¡°Chloe, don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be grateful for this. If it weren¡¯t for you, Brian would never have treated me this way!¡± Without another word, Chloe grabbed her by the shoulder and dragged her toward the gate. ¡°What are you doing? Let go of me, let go-¡± Willow struggled, but the next second, Chloe shoved her right out. With a heavy thud, shended on the ground in a pitiful heap. Readplete version only at F¦Énd£Îovel Chapter 86 He Obediently Listens to Her Looking down at her from the doorway, Chloe said, ¡°Don¡¯t get it wrong. I did it for Brian, not you. It would be a waste for him to go to prison because of someone like you.¡± ¡°You-¡± ¡°And one more thing,¡± Chloe cut her off sharply. ¡°What right do you have to parade his past around like some trophy? His pain isn¡¯t something you get to unt in front of others.¡± At that, Willow¡¯s face turned red and pale all at once. ¡°What right do you have to say that to me? He and I- But before she could finish, Chloe pressed the gate control button, and the iron gate began to slide shut. Rage twisted Willow¡¯s face, and she opened her mouth to curse. But the moment her eyes flickered to Brian, who was standing silently behind Chloe, the word stuck in her throat. His cold stare frightened her. She knew that if she dared to say another word, he might kill her on the spot. The gate to the Steele residence nged shut. When Chloe turned around, she found herself face¨Cto¨Cface with Brian¡¯s heavy, unreadable gaze. ¡°You¡¯re not going to ask me about any of¡­ that?¡± he suddenly asked. ¡°I¡¯ll pretend I never heard a word Willow said,¡± she firmly replied. Brian¡¯s eyes lowered, falling to his hand. Just a moment ago, he had lost control when he heard Willow talk. He wrapped his fingers around her throat, desperate to silence her. In that instant, his reason had all but disappeared. But Chloe¡¯s voice had cut through the haze, pulling him back to himself. At some point, her influence over him had grown far beyond what he¡¯d ever imagined. That night, Chloe couldn¡¯t shake her unease. Ever since Willow left, Brian had been unusually quiet. After some hesitation, she knocked on the door to his room, but there was no response. Her worry deepened. She pushed the door open, only to find the room empty. Brian¡¯s phoney untouched on the bedside table. Frowning, she quickly checked the vi¡¯s security system. There was no record of anyone leaving, which meant he was still inside. ¡°Brian? Brian!¡± Chloe called as she searched the vi. Then, she stopped before one particr door. From inside came the sound of faint, muffled groans. It was the very room Brian had once forbidden her from entering. After Divorce 87 Chapter 87 The Forbidden Room Chloe froze. Was Brian inside? From the hallway, all she could hear were broken, muffled groans. She stepped closer and knocked. ¡°Brian, are you in there? What¡¯s happening?¡± she asked. But the only answer was more fragmented moans. Chloe frowned. Under normal circumstances, Brian would never ignore her knocking and question. The only exnation was that something was wrong. That thought only made her more tense. The military had ced her as his bodyguard precisely because the Steeles were working with them, and there were people determined to sabotage the deal. Chloe¡¯s job was to ensure Brian¡¯s safety until the agreement was secure. Could someone have made a move against him? Her instincts sharpened. She reached for the small pistol at her waist, the one she had been permitted to carry while on duty. It held six rounds, but that was more than enough for emergencies. Just as Chloe hesitated, intending to assess Brian¡¯s condition from outside the room, a pained groan suddenly echoed from within. It sounded feral, as if something was trapped and wounded. Her heart jumped. Whatever rules Brian had set about this forbidden room no longer mattered. She grabbed the doorknob, bracing to force it open if she had to. But to her surprise, it turned easily. The door hadn¡¯t even been locked. When she entered the room, the sight that met her eyes as she stepped inside stopped her cold. The room was dim, and on the walls hung whips. There were rows of them in all kinds and sizes. In the corner, Brian was curled up tightly. His elegant, slender fingers twisted at unnatural angles, and his striking face was contorted with agony. The broken moans she had heard from outside spilled endlessly from his lips. Relieved to see no one else was inside, Chloe quickly holstered her gun and rushed to Brian¡¯s side. What¡¯s happening to you?¡± she urgently asked. But he didn¡¯t seem to hear her. His body shook, and his finger wed at his own flesh as if he meant to drive them to the bone. ¡°Brian!¡± Chloe shouted, grabbing his hand. She forced them still before he could tear himself apart. What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be good¡­ I¡¯ll be good. I¡¯ll keep Mom here¡­¡± Brian¡¯s voice was broken and incoherent, spilling from him in fragments. ¡°Hurts¡­ it hurts¡­ it hurts so much¡­¡± Chloe¡¯s chest tightened. Her mind shed to the scars she had once seen on his back. for Liam. The implications dawned on Chloe. Had Brian been a victim of his own father? Suddenly, her chest began to hurt. It was a dull, aching pain. To Chloe¡¯s surprise, she realized it was pity. She felt sorry for him. ¡°Brian, snap out of it!¡± she shouted. But his eyes were lifeless, as if drowned in pain. His hand thrashed, trying to break free of her grip. His strength was frightening. When Chloe realized she couldn¡¯t hold him for much longer, she made a split -second decision. Using her body weight, she pushed Brian down beneath her and locked her fingers tightly with his. ¡°Wake up! No one is going to hit you now. As long as I¡¯m here, I won¡¯t let you suffer!¡± she pressed him down, looking at him as she spoke. Brian was lost in a sea of never¨Cending pain. The relentless scourge of a whip fell upon him, each blow more excruciating than thest. But what cut even deeper were Liam¡¯s words, each one a curse. Was he unworthy of being used as a mere tool? If his existence had meaning only in keeping Emily from leaving, then what was the point of living once she was gone? The pain and the darkness were overwhelming him. Who would save him now? No one, surely. Even his parents had abandoned him¡­ ¡°Brian? Brian! Do you hear me?¡± The voice cut through. It was familiar, desperate, and close to his ear. Whose voice was it? It sounded so familiar, so steady, that it gave him an odd sense of peace. ¡°Brian, you have to listen to me! As long as I¡¯m here, no one will hurt you ever again! So wake up!¡± The voice was strong andmanding. It drove the darkness away, and with it, Brian¡¯s eyes slowly cleared. The first thing he saw was those familiar eyes, bright and unyielding. Then, that delicate yet spirited face he longed for came into view. It was Chloe. Brian¡¯sshes trembled as he stared at her in shock. She had pulled him out of his madness. Chloe didn¡¯t run or flinch. Most importantly, she didn¡¯t abandon him. Chapter 87 The Forbidden Room ¡°You came¡­¡± he murmured. ¡°Yes, I came,¡± she answered. ¡°Is your head clear now? Do you know who I am and where you are?¡± Brian pressed his dry lips together. ¡°You¡¯re Chloe and¡­ this is a room in my vi.¡± His gaze flicked to the whips hanging on the wall, and he instantly knew where they were. They were inside the forbidden room. As a child, Liam had brought him here to punish him. This room was his deepest, darkest nightmare. Brian had preserved the room as a stark reminder. Weakness meant being controlled. ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find?novel This was why he had to be stronger. He had to rise above Liam and forever break free from his torment. But he never expected that after all these years without a single episode, his condition would resurface. And worse still, Chloe had entered the room. ¡°How do you feel now? Let me take you to the hospital,¡± she softly said. ¡°I¡¯m not going to the hospital. I¡¯m fine now,¡± he replied. ¡°But just now you-¡± ¡°There¡¯s no point. A regr hospital wouldn¡¯t be able to help me.¡± Chloe didn¡¯t argue further. She started to get up, only to realize their fingers were still interlocked. ¡°Loosen your hand,¡± she said. Brian¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line, and he released his left hand. As soon as she reached to loosen the other, his arm suddenly slid around her waist and pulled her down against him. Caught off guard, Chloe tumbled onto his chest. ¡°What are you-¡± She lifted her head, only to be trapped by his deep, dark gaze. Brian¡¯s gaze burned into her as his lips moved. ¡°Even with you pinning me down like this, don¡¯t you desire me?¡± After Divorce 88 Chapter 88 Chloe Wants to Punch Liam Chloe met Brian¡¯s gaze. Their bodies were so close she could feel the chill radiating from his skin. ¡°If I ever truly wanted a man, it would be only because I love him deeply. That¡¯s the only reason I would ever want him,¡± she said, then pulled herself out of his arms. Their sped hands finally slipped apart. Brian stared at the emptiness in his palm, and a hollow ache spread through his chest. ¡°Let¡¯s leave this room first,¡± Chloe said. Brian slowly rose to his feet and asked, ¡°How did you even get in here?¡± ¡°I heard you groaning inside,¡± she exined. ¡°I called your name and knocked, but you didn¡¯t answer. I was worried something had happened to you, so I forced my way in. I¡¯m sorry for breaking your rule.¡± Chloe hadn¡¯t meant to intrude. Still, she had stepped into a ce he had marked as forbidden. ¡°Other than that, don¡¯t you have anything else to say?¡± Brian pressed, his dark eyes fixed on her. The whips covering the wall, coupled with the oppressive atmosphere in the room, could easily make anyone feel sick to their stomach. Chloe bit her lips. ¡°It¡¯s all in the past. You¡¯ve grown up now, and you shouldn¡¯t let this room keep you chained.¡± She didn¡¯t know everything that had happened here, but she could piece together enough. And even that much left her burning with anger. Brian¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at her. ¡°And one more thing¡­¡± Chloe paused, then said, ¡°If I ever see Mr. Steele again, I think I¡¯d like to punch him. When that happens, do you think your legal team could keep me out of jail?¡± His surprise turned into sheer disbelief. It had been years since anything managed to truly startle him, yet her words left him stunned. ¡°You¡­ want to punch my Dad?¡± Brian asked in a daze. ¡°Yes. I want to hit him. Just tell me this. Can yourwyers make sure I don¡¯t end up behind bars?¡± No one had dared say such a thing about Liam, not even him. Brian had only ever thought of bing strong enough so that Liam could no longer control him. But here Chloe was, standing before him. She boldly dered that she wanted to strike the man. Was it because of him? It had to be. She wanted to hit Liam because of him. The corners of Brian¡¯s lips lifted in the faintest smile. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll protect you. No matter what happens, I¡¯ll Chapter 88 Chloe Wants to Punch Liam keep you safe.¡± Willow stared at the vivid red marks circling her neck in the mirror, her jaw clenching in fury. There was no mistaking Brian¡¯s intent. When his hands had closed around her throat, he had truly meant to kill her. Even if she had touched on something he didn¡¯t want to hear, he never should have gone that far. It had to be because of Chloe. Ever since Chloe appeared in his life, Brian had changed. He had shown up at her parents¡® funeral and even behaved in ways he had never done before. Now, even within the Quall family, criticism of Willow was growing. Many of her peers saw her as if she were a pitiable woman on the verge of being cast aside. The humiliation was unbearable. Why should anyone pity her? The Qualls had only received the Steeles¡® support because of her. She was the one who had sacrificed an eye for it. Without having sacrificed a thing, Chloe had won it all. She had gained Geoffrey¡¯s affections, the family¡¯s favor, and Brian¡¯s attention. All of it should have been Willow¡¯s! Willow tugged at her cor and stepped out of the bathroom. But as soon as she reached a corner, she froze. Follow current nov?ls on find{n}ovel A familiar female voice carried down the hall. ¡°Curtis, do you still have feelings for Chloe?¡± It was Sonya. Willow edged close and peeked around the corner. There stood Sonya and Curtis, speaking quietly. If she remembered correctly, Curtis was Chloe¡¯s ex¨Chusband. ¡°Chloe and I are divorced, so how could I still have feelings for her?¡± Curtis replied. ¡°Then why are you looking for those two rings?¡± Sonya pressed. Sonya had brought Curtis to Quall Manor today to win him a stake in the ind development project. But right in the middle of the discussion with her rtives, his demeanor shifted abruptly, and he left with a rushed excuse, Sonya had thought something serious had happened, but it turned out he had been searching for the cheap wedding rings he and Chloe had once shared. ¡°I just want to remind myself not to repeat the same mistakes in my next marriage,¡± Curtis replied. His words were meant for Sonya and for himself. Chapter 88 Chloe Wants to Punchl Liam Yes, that was the only reason he kept the rings. Nothing more. ¡°In that case, what if I told you that you won¡¯t make the same mistakes ever again? Would that free you to discard these?¡± Sonya suggested, opening her palm. Resting in her hands were the two missing wedding rings. At that, Curtis¡® eyes widened. ¡°You¡­ how did you¡­¡± ¡°I happened to find them while you were searching for them,¡± Sonya exined. He stepped forward to take them, but she quickly closed her hand. ¡°Curtis, we¡¯ve already wasted three years. I don¡¯t want to waste any more time. Our future will never end the way it did for you and Chloe, so you don¡¯t need these rings to remind yourself of that anymore!¡± Curtis hesitated, conflict flickering in his eyes. ¡°Just give them to me first.¡± ¡°And what if I decide to throw them away instead?¡± Sonya countered. ¡°What?¡± The words burst from him just as she lifted her hand, the rings poised to vanish into the trash can beside her. Curtis immediately grabbed her wrist. ¡°Don¡¯t throw them away!¡± ¡°And yet you have the nerve to say that you don¡¯t care about Chloe?¡± Sonya snapped. ¡°I think that if the rings are to be thrown away, then it should be done in front of Chloe. That would be the only closure!¡± he shouted. ¡°Well said,¡± Willow said. She stepped out from around the corner, pping with a smile. ¡°Willow.¡± Sonya frowned slightly. Had she overheard everything? ¡°In a few days, there will be a government¨Cled groundbreaking ceremony on the ind,¡± Willow smoothly said. ¡°Why don¡¯t you and Mr. Green attend together? Brian will likely be there as well, and Chloe will almost certainly be with him. Both Sonya and Curtis stiffened. Of course, they wanted to attend the ceremony. It would be the perfect opportunity to connect with government officials and thepanies involved in the development. They might even secure some projects, but¡­. ¡°Will Chloe be there too?¡± Sonya asked. ¡°Most likely,¡± Willow replied, smiling. ¡°If Mr. Green truly wants to sever ties with Chloe once and for all, why not take this opportunity and throw the rings away before her?¡± Chapter 89 Stay With Me Again Tonight After Divorce 89 Chapter 89 Stay With Me Again Tonight Curtis hesitated. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to part with the rings. The rings were more than metal. They were the weight of his guilt toward Chloe. But beneath the expectant stares of Sonya and Willow, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to say no. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mr. Green? You don¡¯t want to?¡± Willow cooly asked. ¡°Curtis!¡± Sonya barked, frowning. Curtis clenched his jaw and forced a smile. ¡°Of course I want to. Besides, being able to attend the groundbreaking ceremony on the ind is something I¡¯d be grateful for.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Willow said, her lips curved. ¡°I¡¯ll ask Uncle Wade for two extra spots, and we¡¯ll all go together.¡± She couldn¡¯t wait to see Chloe¡¯s reaction when she was publicly humiliated by Curtis, flinging her wedding ring back at her as if it were garbage. Then, everyone would see her for what she was. A pitiful, divorced reject. Even if Brian didn¡¯t care about her past, enough gossip and ridicule might still nt seeds of doubt in his mind. He might even start resenting her. The thought alone filled Willow with anticipation. She could hardly wait for that day toe. Ever since that night when Chloe pulled Brian out of his forbidden room, she hadn¡¯t left his side. Even at night, she stayed in his bedroom. At first, she did so only because she was worried something might happen again, so she kept watch by his bed that first night. But the next evening, as they sat at the dinner table, Brian suddenly asked, ¡°Could you stay with me again tonight?¡± Hearing that, William¡¯s jaw dropped. He stared at Brian and Chloe, looking as if he had just been struck by lightning. Chloe rubbed her temples, realizing he had misunderstood. ¡°Since you¡¯re fine now, there¡¯s no need for me to keep watch in your room.¡± ¡°But I only feel at ease when you¡¯re there,¡± Brian simply said. ¡°You¡¯re my bodyguard now, aren¡¯t you? Protecting me is your job.¡± She was speechless. She had noeback for that, so she gave in and moved her nket and pillow onto the couch in his room. Chapter 89 Stay With Me Again Tonight William pulled her aside and whispered, ¡°Ms. Quall¡­ you do realize that when a man and woman live under the same roof, things can get¡­ hard to control. If you really can¡¯t hold yourself back in Mr. Steele¡¯s presence¡­ then, you should at least be prepared.¡± ¡°Prepared?¡± Chloe repeated nkly. Then, he shoved a small box into her hand. ¡°Mr. Steele wouldn¡¯t refuse you.¡± In fact, Brian would probably wee her. William thought that no secretary had ever been more loyal than he. ¡°What are you two whispering about?¡± Brian suddenly cut in. ¡°Nothing! I¡¯ll be going now!¡± William blurted, fleeing the room. Brian and Chloe were left alone. His gaze dripped to the box in Chloe¡¯s hand. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± he asked. ¡°Mr. Vaughn gave it to me¡­¡± She froze as she finally saw what it was. Condoms. Chloe¡¯s first instinct was to curse. What on earth was William thinking? Brian, on the other hand, looked at the condoms in her hand. ¡°Do you want to use them?¡± he calmly asked as if he were asking about the weather. She nearly choked. How could he say something like that in such a t tone? ¡°Of course not!¡± Chloe shot back, quickly shoving the box into a drawer. At that, a faint shadow of disappointment flickered in Brian¡¯s eyes. So, she still didn¡¯t want him. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s sleep,¡± she quickly said, desperate to end the awkwardness. ¡°Let¡¯s chat for a bit. If you do, I might be able to fall asleep,¡± Brian murmured. ¡°What do you want to talk about?¡± Chloe asked. ¡°Anything,¡± he replied. He just wanted to hear her voice. It was the only thing that made him feel at peace. Thus, she casually pulled out a magazine. It was one from the science and technology field that caught her interest. As Chloe flipped through the pages, she read aloud softly. Her gentle voice drifted through the room. Brian felt his nerves slowly unwind under the sound of her voice. It was as though his body was telling him that she was someone special. He was bing too attached to let her go. Having known her light after a lifetime of darkness, he would do anything to make sure he never had to give her up. Brian gradually closed his eyes. Normally, he never slept in front of others. It always made him feel exposed and uneasy. Yet before Chloe, he could sleep peacefully. Chapter 89 Stay With Me Again Tonight Two dayster, Chloe apanied Brian to an ind for a groundbreaking ceremony organized by the government. On the boat ride over, she hesitated before asking, ¡°About that¡­ condition of yours, are you sure you don¡¯t need to see a doctor?¡± She was referring to the way he had lost control in that forbidden room, as if he were trapped in a nightmare. ¡°I¡¯ve already taken my medicine. You don¡¯t have to worry, and besides, I haven¡¯t had an episode in years,¡± Brian replied. If it wasn¡¯t for this sudden rpse, he might have believed he was fully healed. The shadows of his childhood no longer had a hold on him. Did Willow¡¯s mention of the room¡¯s past cause a shback that made Brian rpse? As he thought about this, his lips pressed into a thin line, and a sh of cold severity flickered in his eyes. At that very moment, the boat docked at the harbor. Brian and Chloe disembarked, only to be met with Willow and several senior members of the Quall family. With a bright smile, Willow walked up to him and said, ¡°Brian, you¡¯re here. I¡¯ve been waiting for you for quite some time.¡± She acted as if that day when he had gripped her by the throat had never happened. Brian cast her a faint nce and ignored her, but Willow didn¡¯t mind. Instead, she turned to Chloe with a sly smile and said, ¡°Oh, by the way, your ex¨Chusband is here today too! He has something he wants to tell you.¡± Chloe frowned as Willow looked over at Curtis, who was standing not too far away with Sonya. Willow called out sweetly, ¡°Mr. Green, Chloe is here. Since you wanted to settle things with her in person, now¡¯s your chance.¡± Curtis stiffened. His expression darkened as he nced uneasily at Willow, then at Chloe. The source of th?s content is Find?Novel ¡°Curtis, please don¡¯t tell me that you¡¯re not going to go through with this,¡± Sonya said, her soft but pointed voice reaching his ear. ¡°I won¡¯t make you if you don¡¯t want to. But while I might understand you keeping those rings, others might not, and that could only end in embarrassment.¡± Her words sank in, and she was right. He and Chloe were already divorced, and his future should be Sonya¡¯s entirely. ¡°I want this!¡± he dered, producing the pair of wedding rings as he strode toward Chloe. After Divorce 90 Chapter 90 Push You Into the Sea Curtis stopped in front of Chloe and said, ¡°Chloe, think it¡¯s time we settled things between us, once and for all.¡± She met his gaze coldly. ¡°I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything left between us that we haven¡¯t settled.¡± He opened his palm, revealing two cheap wedding rings. ¡°When we divorced, you left these on the nightstand and never took them. I thought it would be best to deal with them now.¡± Chloe¡¯s eyes lingered on the rings. There were worthless trinkets from the flea market. For a moment, she wondered how she could have been so foolish back then. She had believed that love could make up for a cheap ring and that price could ever be separate from worth. Back then, she had even believed his promise. ¡°When I strike it rich, I¡¯ll buy you better rings!¡± he had said. But the truth was clear. When a man gives a woman nothing more than bargain¨Cbin rings for a wedding, it means she never truly mattered to him. After Curtis became rich, he bought better rings. But it was meant for Sonya, not her. Chloe¡¯s gaze shifted past the rings in his hand and settled on the emerald ring sparkling on Sonya¡¯s finger. The source of th?s content is find[f]ovel The vivid green gemstone was impossible to miss. Then, Willow¡¯s mocking voice cut in. ¡°Chloe, why are you staring at Sonya¡¯s ring? No matter how beautiful it is, it¡¯s not yours.¡± Brianzily shot her a nce. ¡°It seems you really don¡¯t know when to keep your mouth shut.¡± Hearing that, a chill crept up Willow¡¯s spine. Though the bruises had faded, her throat seemed to ache again faintly at the memory. Chloe turned to Brian. ¡°This is my business. I¡¯ll handle it myself.¡± Then she looked at Willow and evenly said, ¡°And how do you know that the ring on Sonya¡¯s finger isn¡¯t mine? Curtis bought it for Sonya during our marriage behind my back. That means I have every right to reim it. That ring is rightfully mine.¡± Willow froze. A ripple of suspicion passed through the crowd at Chloe¡¯s words. All eyes turned toward Curtis and Sonya, their gazes now sharp with doubt. Curtis¡® hand trembled. The two wedding rings nearly slipped from his palm. ¡°How dare you call this ring yours?¡± Sonya snapped, her face pale. ¡°Curtis bought it with the money he earned from starting his business. If you still have any dignity, then you should buy your own jewelry instead of living off what someone else provides.¡± Chapter 90 Push You Into the Sea At that, Chloe let out a coldugh. She nced at Curtis from the corner of her eye. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying this was bought with his earnings? Fine then, I hope he¡¯ll continue to make that kind of money in the future.¡± ¡°Without you dragging him down, he¡¯ll only do better,¡± Sonya proimed, lifting her chin proudly.¡± Especially with me by his side.¡± Then, Chloe stepped past Curtis and stood right before Sonya. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect your memory to be so poor. After I tore that ne from your neck, I never imagined you¡¯d still have the nerve to wear jewelry Curtis gave you while we were still married. Did you think keeping stolen goods long enough would make them yours?¡± Sonya¡¯s face flushed red. ¡°I¡¯m no thief! Curtis gave them to me!¡± ¡°If he gave them to you, then exin this. Why did I get a worthless trinket for a wedding ring, while you received one worth a king¡¯s ransom?¡± Chloe sneered. Whispers rippled through the crowd. The onlookers were beginning to view Sonya with open disdain. Her embarrassment deepened, but she gritted her teeth. ¡°Curtis gave me jewelry because I saved his life!¡± she shouted. ¡°What about you, Chloe? What have you ever given him?¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Chloe said, giving a sharp, dismissiveugh. Then, she suddenly grabbed Sonya¡¯s right hand, the one wearing the emerald ring. Sonya yelped in pain. ¡°Chloe, what do you think you¡¯re doing!¡± Immediately, Curtis tried to rush forward, but Brian stepped into his path and blocked him. ¡°If anyone takes a single step forward, I¡¯ll break their leg,¡± he said. His words were measured, yet they carried a terrifying, undeniable weight. The quiet threat was so absolute that everyone froze in ce. No one was foolish enough to test whether Brian would make good on his word. Curtis red at Brian in frustration. ¡°Mr. Steele, by doing this, you¡¯re only letting Chloe throw her weight around even more!¡± Brian responded with a faint, mocking smile. ¡°If she wants power, then I¡¯ll give her mine. If she wants to bully someone, then I¡¯ll do it with her.¡± The atmosphere shifted instantly once his words fell, and Curtis¡® expression darkened. Many senior members of the Quall family were in the crowd. They looked at Brian in shock. Willow had stayed by Brian¡¯s side for years. She had even lost an eye for him, yet he had never stood up for her. Now here he was, openly dering himself as Chloe¡¯s staunch supporter. Did this mean that Brian was Chapter 90 Push You Into the Sea willing to be her backer? Willow bit her lip until she nearly drew blood. Her eyes burned with hatred as she red at Chloe. Damn her! She had nned to use Curtis to humiliate Chloe today. But she had been humiliated, instead. Meanwhile, Chloe dragged Sonya toward the shoreline. Panic shed across Sonya¡¯s face. ¡°What are you doing? Chloe, don¡¯t be reckless!¡± ¡°What am I doing?¡± Chloe said, smiling. ¡°You im you were the one who saved Curtis. You must be an excellent swimmer to pull a man stabbed eight times from a raging river. So surely, a little seawater will be a piece of cake, right?¡± Before Sonya could make sense of her words, Chloe¡¯s fingers tightened on her hand and twisted sharply. Then, she pulled the emerald ring free. In the same motion, she let go. Sonya stumbled backward, iling helplessly before tumbling into the sea. ¡°Ah! Help! Please help me!¡± she shrieked, thrashing in the water in blind panic. Curtis tried to lunge forward, but Brian mped a hand down on his shoulder with unshakable strength and held him in ce. ¡°Chloe, are you trying to kill her?¡± Willow shouted. ¡°Even if you¡¯re jealous of Sonya, you can¡¯t just be a murderer!¡± At that, Chloe gave a coldugh. The sea was calm, and the sight of Sonya floundering looked pitifully exaggerated. ¡°Kill her? I thought that Ms. Miller was supposed to be such a strong swimmer. It¡¯s funny how she can¡¯t even handle this.¡± Chloe reached out and yanked Sonya upright. Only then did Sonya realize that the water barely reached her waist. Her face flushed scarlet with humiliation. Chloe turned her gaze straight to Curtis. ¡°So tell me, do you still believe that Sonya saved your life? Do you still think that she, of all people, could have dragged you from that river in the dead of the night? All while you were bleeding from eight stab wounds, no less.¡± Meanwhile, Curtis stared at them. His throat was tight, and his words caught somewhere he couldn¡¯t force out. After Divorce 91 Chapter 91 Cutting All Ties Sonya¡¯s face burned with shame and fury as she eximed, ¡°Chloe, everyone knows I¡¯m the one who saved Curtis! You can¡¯t just tarnish my reputation like this!¡± ¡°Tarnish your reputation? Please. You¡¯re not even worth the effort,¡± Chloe shot back, yanking Sonya toward the shore before shoving her hard. Sonya tumbled onto the sand, her body, face, and hair instantly coated in sand. Her drenched clothes clung to her pitifully, making her look utterly disheveled. Chloe¡¯s clothes were damp as well, yet she remained perfectly calm andposed, showing not the slightest trace of unease. ¡°It¡¯s no use, Chloe. Curtis believes me!¡± Sonya shot to her feet, turning toward him. ¡°Curtis, tell her! Am I right?¡± Curtis blinked as if snapping out of a daze. Meeting Sonya¡¯s hopeful gaze, he clenched his jaw and said firmly, ¡°Yes. I believe Sonya.¡± Hadn¡¯t he already decided to trust her long ago? Relief washed over Sonya, and she smirked at Chloe. ¡°See? Curtis is on my side. All you¡¯ve done is make a fool of yourself. Now, hand back my emerald ring. Stop acting like some petty thief who takes what doesn¡¯t belong to her!¡± ?????? ???? F?ndNovel ¡°Curtis bought this ring with our shared marital assets. So, tell me, who¡¯s the real thief here?¡± Chloe sneered. ¡°Sonya, let me make this clear! From now on, anything Curtis bought you during our marriage without my consent, I¡¯ll take back the moment I see it.¡± Sonya was stunned. She never expected Chloe to say something like that. After theirst sh, everyone knew Chloe meant exactly what she said. Sonya wanted to fire back, but the sight of onlookers whispering and pointing at her forced her into silence. After all, every piece of jewelry Curtis had given her while still married belonged to Chloe by right, and no matter how she spun it, she was in the wrong. Chloe approached Curtis with a calm expression. ¡°You said you wanted to end things with me. So where¡¯s the wedding ring?¡± Curtis was taken aback. Slowly, he opened his hand to reveal the two cheap wedding bands he had been clutching all along. Chloe nced at them and let out a softugh. Sheughed at her own foolishness for ever mistaking Curtis for a good man. Sheughed at herself for giving so much to someone who had never truly trusted her. Taking the rings from his hand, she hurled them into the sea. It was swift and decisive. The rings disappeared beneath the surface, carried away by the restless waves. ¡°You!¡± Curtis was stunned to see Chloe toss the rings away without a shred of hesitation, as though she were throwing out nothing more than garbage. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder what it had all meant, all the time he had spent carrying those rings with him. Just then, Chloe¡¯s voice brushed against his ear. ¡°Curtis, this is it. We¡¯re done.¡± He looked up sharply, his eyes nk as they fixed on her. Without hesitation, Chloe turned to leave, not sparing him a single nce. Curtis instinctively reached out to stop her, but Brian swatted his hand aside. ¡°You don¡¯t have that right anymore,¡± he said, following after Chloe. Curtis watched them disappear into the distance. His gaze dropped to his empty hand. The rings that had once rested in his palm were gone. A hollow ache coursed through him, making it clear that what he had lost was more than just rings. Since her clothes were damp, Chloe went to the lounge to change. Fortunately, she had brought a spare outfit, so it didn¡¯t take long. When she stepped back out, she found Brian still waiting by the door. ¡°Why are you-¡± ¡°I¡¯m waiting for you.¡± His simple reply said it all. ¡°We¡¯ve already lost some time. The groundbreaking ceremony is about to begin. Let¡¯s head over.¡± Brian nodded, and together they made their way to the ceremony. Along the way, he asked, ¡°Are you really done with Curtis?¡± ¡°What else would I be?¡± Chloe replied. ¡°Honestly, whether I threw those rings away or not, I was already done with him.¡± The moment she had left the rings on the nightstand when moving out of the vi, it had been clear. She no longer needed the rings and no longer held onto their marriage. She just never expected Curtis to bring them here. ¡°Is that so? That¡¯s good then,¡± Brian said, a faint smile flickering in his eyes, softening their usual coldness. Meanwhile, on the other side, Sonya showered and changed, still caught in a storm of distress. When she 373 Chapter 91 Cutting All Ties stepped out of the bathroom, she found Curtis sitting on the sofa, staring intently at his palm. ¡°Curtis, what are you thinking about?¡± Sonya asked. ¡°Oh, nothing!¡± Curtis snapped back to his senses, quickly tucking his hand away. Looking at her with concern, he asked, ¡°Are you alright?¡± ¡°This is all Chloe¡¯s fault. She practically wants me dead! Stealing my ne was one thing, but now she¡¯s after the ring you gave me too!¡± Sonya said bitterly. ¡°I¡¯ll buy you a better one in the future,¡± Curtis promised. Sonya¡¯s expression softened a little. Then he suddenly asked, ¡°Sonya, why did you panic in the ocean earlier? I thought you were a strong swimmer.¡± After all, she had managed to pull a grown man like him out of a river years ago. A flicker of unease crossed Sonya¡¯s face. ¡°Are you saying you don¡¯t believe me? Do you think I wasn¡¯t the one who saved you back then?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m not doubting you. I¡¯m just confused, that¡¯s all.¡± Curtis replied quickly. ¡°It all happened so suddenly, and I haven¡¯t swum much since going abroad. I just couldn¡¯t react in time,¡± Sonya said, irritation clear in her voice. ¡°If you really doubt me, then don¡¯t treat me like your savior. I told you from the very start, I didn¡¯t expect anything in return, especially when you had nothing back then.¡± Curtis¡® face burned with guilt. What was wrong with him? How could he let the memory of Chloe pushing Sonya into the sea shake his trust in her? He had told Sonya he wasn¡¯t doubting her, but in truth, he was. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Curtis said. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Sonya replied with feigned generosity. ¡°You were just misled by Chloe. For now, let¡¯s focus on why we really came to this ind. ¡°I heard from the Quall family that the government is very interested in your drone proposal and will likely partner with yourpany. You¡¯re so capable. You¡¯re thriving without Chloe!¡± Curtis ufortably pursed his lips. The drone proposal he had submitted to the government was actually the one Chloe had left behind at thepany, and the patents tied to it were all ones she had registered after their marriage. It felt as though he had stolen every one of her aplishments. After Divorce 92 Chapter 92 Do You Want to Lose That Hand Curtis tried to reassure himself. Chloe had drafted the drone proposal before leaving thepany, which meant it belonged to thepany. The patent she had worked on during their marriage also counted as shared property. He hadn¡¯t done anything wrong. Everything he did was for thepany. Before long, the groundbreaking ceremony began. Government officials, along with the families and corporations tied to the ind¡¯s development project, were all present. Brian stood out in the crowd, and with Chloe at his side, she naturally drew plenty of attention. Willow red at Chloe. Her original n had been to use Curtis to disgrace Chloe, exposing her as nothing more than a woman abandoned by her man. But instead, it was Curtis and Sonya who ended up humiliated, while Chloe walked away unscathed and even better in the public¡¯s eyes. Now, many people knew that Brian was willing to stand firmly as her powerful backer. ¡°Willow, Brian isn¡¯t someone you can control,¡± Wade said quietly from her side. Unhappy, Willow snapped back, ¡°That¡¯s not what you used to tell me. Didn¡¯t you once say that if I could win Brian over, it would be a huge advantage for the Qualls?¡± ¡°At the time, Chloe hadn¡¯t entered the picture, and you and Brian did stand a chance,¡± Wade replied. ¡°Back then, even though Brian wasn¡¯t particrly interested in women, he still supported the Quall family in business out of guilt toward you.¡± Willow had once been the woman closest to him. He had always believed Brian was simply indifferent toward women. But what he witnessed at the beach today shook him. He never imagined that Brian, who seemed almost inhumanly detached from everything, would step in for Chloe¡¯s sake. Brian¡¯s feelings for Chloe were undeniably different. With his years of experience, he understood that when a man was willing to go that far for a woman, it meant he had fallen for her. ¡°So, you¡¯ve decided Chloe is the better choice for the family, and that means you no longer need me, is that it?¡± Willow sneered. ¡°Don¡¯t forget, Uncle Wade, the Quall family owes its sess to me. I¡¯m the one who paid the price. I gave up an eye for it!¡± Wade sighed. ¡°I¡¯m only saying this for your own good.¡± ¡°For my own good? Funny, considering how worried you seem about Chloe,¡± Willow snapped back. ¡°Don¡¯t Chapter 92 Do You Want to Lose That Hand ce your bet on the wrong horse, Uncle Wade. Do you really think Chloe has a chance with Brian?¡± Wade¡¯s frown deepened. He had only spoken up out of respect for the help Willow had given the family over the years. Since she wasn¡¯t the least bit grateful, there was no point in continuing. After all, Willow never stopped reminding everyone of the sacrifices she made for the Qualls, yet she never acknowledged the truth. If not for that incident, how could an illegitimate daughter like her have even stepped foot into the family, let alone taken a senior role at Quall Group? Only the most capable members of the Quall family were entrusted with key positions in the with Brian. As the groundbreaking ceremony drew to a close, a sudden wave of cheers rippled through the crowd. Journalists rushed to raise their cameras and video recorders, snapping photos and filming nonstop. Following themotion, Chloe noticed five figures in pilot uniforms striding toward a row of nes parked on the field. They were Zivko Edge 541s, nes used for flight demonstrations andpetitions. Among the five pilots was none other than Sonya. Sonya walked confidently toward her aircraft. She was the only female pilot among the five. Noticing the shower of camera shes, a triumphant smile curved across her lips. After her suspension, she desperately needed positive publicity to salvage her image. Today¡¯s flight demonstration at the ind¡¯s groundbreaking ceremony doubled as a charity event. Children from a local orphanage had been invited to watch, and a fundraiser would follow. She nned to donate generously afterward, a gesture that would naturally help rebuild her reputation. Once her public image was restored, she could leverage her connections at AeroQuest Airlines to reim her position. Remaining a captain was out of the question. She had worked too hard and wanted far more than that. Out of the corner of her eye, Sonya spotted Chloe, and a smirk tugged at her lips. Chloe had blindsided herst time, leaving her humiliated. But today, she would erase that embarrassment and prove just how vast the gap between them truly was. Sonya and the other four pilots boarded their nes, with her aircraft unmistakably taking the lead. The formation dazzled the crowd below as the nes executed a series of aerobatic maneuvers across the sky. Noticing Chloe and Brian, Willow¡¯s eyes lit up. She made her way over to them. ¡°Brian, what do you think of the performance? The lead pilot is my cousin, Sonya. She¡¯s actually the first female captain at Chapter 92 Do You Want to Lose That Hand AeroQuest Airlines.¡± Brian regarded Willow with a faint, knowing smile. 213 She felt as though he could see right through her but pushed ahead anyway. ¡°I¡¯m guessing Mr. Green wanted to leave Chloe for Sonya. After all, Chloe can¡¯t do anything for his career. She has no real skills, Read full story at Find[F]ovel just brute strength.¡± To Willow, a retired soldier was little more than someone with above¨Caverage fighting ability, and wealthy people could always hire bodyguards for that. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve got too much time on your hands, spouting such pointless nonsense,¡± Brian said coolly. ¡°I¡¯m not lying! Can Chloe even fly a ne? What skills does she even have?¡± Willow shot back. ¡°Can you fly a ne?¡± Chloe asked evenly. ¡°I can¡¯t, but I hold an important position at Quall Group. Thepany wouldn¡¯t be thriving without me. I¡¯m far more capable than you, Chloe,¡± Willow said smugly. ¡°You¡¯re only where you are because you¡¯re clinging to the Steele family¡¯s coattails,¡± Chloe said bluntly. ¡°You!¡± Willow¡¯s confident expression cracked. She couldn¡¯t believe Chloe had dared to say that right in front of Brian. ¡°Those favors others give you can be taken back at any moment. Don¡¯t mistake their kindness for your own ability,¡± Chloe said casually. Willow¡¯s face twisted with rage as she raised her hand. ¡°Chloe, how dare you speak to me like that!¡± Before the p couldnd, Brian caught her wrist. His voice was cold as he warned, ¡°Do you want to lose that hand?¡± Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! After Divorce 93 Chapter 93 Chloe and His Rescuer¡¯s Ovepping Shadows Willow flinched, a jolt of cold dread running up her spine. It was the same feeling she had when Brian had choked her before. ¡°I¡¯m just angry that Chloe belittled our rtionship. She spoke as if it were some kind of transaction!¡± Willow snapped. ¡°Transaction?¡± Brian replied tly. ¡°I don¡¯t see anything wrong with that. You traded an eye for the benefits the Steele family provided.¡± Willow¡¯s body stiffened. Just then, the flight demonstration ended, and Sonya stepped out of the cockpit, a smug smile on her face. Reporters swarmed around her, bombarding her with questions. Several of them had been paid by Sonya to write glowing press releases in her favor. Curtis stood by her side. ¡°Excuse me, Ms. Miller, are you and Mr. Green dating?¡± a reporter asked. Curtis froze. Before he could answer, Sonya smiled and said, ¡°Yes, Curtis and I are officially dating.¡± The reporter quickly offered his congrattions. Curtis pressed his lips together, ufortable, and nced at Chloe. To his surprise, she appearedpletely calm, as if she hadn¡¯t heard a word. Had she not heard Sonya and the reporter? Or had she heard and simply didn¡¯t care? The thought made his chest tighten. Just then, another reporter spoke up. ¡°We heard that Mr. Green recently got a divorce. Was that why you and Ms. Miller started dating so soon?¡± ¡°Curtis and I were friends first. It was only after his divorce that we realized our feelings for each other. I¡¯m really grateful he¡¯s divorced.¡± Sonya replied. She turned her gaze directly to Chloe. ¡°Chloe Quall, I should thank you for divorcing Curtis. Otherwise, I might never have met such a wonderful man.¡± Though her words sounded polite, they were clearly a taunt, a subtle act of bragging. Everyone¡¯s eyes turned to Chloe. A reporter hurried over. ¡°Ms. Quall, what are your thoughts on Mr. Green and Ms. Miller¡¯s rtionship?¡± Chloe sneered. ¡°I have no thoughts.¡± ¡°Ms. Miller is AeroQuest Airlines¡® first female captain. Aren¡¯t you ufortable that your ex¨Chusband has found such an amazing new girlfriend?¡± the reporter pressed. Having taken Sonya¡¯s money, the reporter was clearly trying to embarrass Chloe. But Chloe¡¯s answer was simple andposed. ¡°No.¡± ¡°And what about Ms. Miller¡¯s flight demonstration just now? She can do things you¡¯ll never be able to,¡± the reporter continued. Chloe gave the reporter a measured look. ¡°Her demonstration wasn¡¯t anything special. Her speed control was sloppy, and she required other nes to assist. Most importantly, hernding approach was far too fast. With a bit of bad luck, she could have overshot the runway.¡± If they wanted her opinion, she wasn¡¯t going to hold back. The reporter was stunned. His words had been meant to humiliate her, but now it was Sonya who looked embarrassed. Sonya¡¯s face fell. ¡°Chloe, you don¡¯t have to say that just to put me down!¡± ¡°Come on, Ms. Miller is a pilot with plenty of flying experience. You can¡¯t tear her down with a few empty words. Besides, do you even know how to fly a ne?¡± the reporter interjected. ¡°What would she know about flying? She probably hasn¡¯t even sat in the pilot¡¯s seat.¡± Willow finally seized the chance to mock Chloe. ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? Find_Novel(. ¡°Chloe was once the captain of the Shadow Hawks Special Forces. Do you really think she¡¯s never sat in a pilot¡¯s seat?¡± Brian said coldly, looking at Willow as if she were a fool. Willow¡¯s smile froze instantly. She had always assumed Chloe was just a regr veteran, but the captain of the Shadow Hawks Special Forces? ¡°Even if she knew how to fly before, it¡¯s been years since she retired. Her skills must be rusty. How could she possibly be as good as Sonya? Herments are clearly meant to be malicious!¡± Willow insisted stubbornly. ¡°Malicious?¡± Brian sneered. ¡°There are a few other pilots here, aren¡¯t there? Let¡¯s ask them if her remarks were really malicious.¡± The other pilots who had participated in the performance exchanged nces. Finally, one stepped forward. ¡°Ms. Quall is right. Ms. Miller¡¯s flight demonstration did have that issue.¡± After all, the demonstration had been recorded. If they denied the problem and someer used the video to expose them, it would only make them look ipetent. They had no choice but to tell the truth. Sonya¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°How much did she pay you to take her side like this?¡± ¡°Ms. Miller, we haven¡¯t taken any money. We¡¯re just speaking the truth. If you think we¡¯re lying, you¡¯re Chapter 93 Chloe and His Rescuer¡¯s Ovepping Shadows wee to have an expert review the footage,¡± the pilot replied calmly. Sonya was left speechless. Chloe fixed her with a cold gaze. ¡°Your flying skills aren¡¯t up to par. I suggest you stop showing off and spend more time training. When you¡¯re in the cockpit, you¡¯re responsible for everyone¡¯s life on board.¡± Sonya¡¯s face burned a deep red as reporters and media outlets continued snapping photos. Mortified, she quickly pulled Curtis away from the cameras. She had intended to outshine Chloe and make her feel inferior, but instead, she had humiliated herself in front of the media. ¡°She¡¯s just being malicious. Even if she used to be skilled at flying, she hasn¡¯t done it in years. Who knows how much her abilities have deteriorated!¡± Sonya fumed. Was her skill rusty? Curtis remembered a time before his divorce, when he had watched Chloe perform at a flight demonstration. She had been piloting the same model of stunt ne, and her skills had been wless. Even he, ayman, could tell that her technique far surpassed Sonya¡¯s. The maneuvers Chloe executed in the air that day had been far moreplex, and hernding had been perfectly smooth. But now, facing a furious Sonya, he kept these thoughts to himself. Just as the two were about to leave, a piercing shriek tore through the air. ¡°Oh no! A child has fallen into the sea!¡± Since the groundbreaking ceremony was also hosting a charity fundraiser, a group of children from Yarfdale Orphanage had been in attendance. One of them had been swept away by a wave and was now floating in the water. Although the child was still close to shore, the strong waves threatened to pull them farther out. Instinctively, Curtis started to rush forward, but Sonya grabbed his arm with a firm grip. ¡°Don¡¯t go!¡± Curtis froze, momentarily stunned. Had he really heard her correctly? The woman who had once rescued him from a river without a second thought was now holding him back from saving an innocent life? At that same moment, another figure was already charging toward the struggling child. Curtis¡® eyes widened in disbelief. It was Chloe. She moved with athletic grace, diving into the waves and swimming swiftly toward the child. Chapter 93 Chloe and His Rescuer¡¯s Ovepping Shadows In that instant, Curtis felt as though Chloe¡¯s figure was merging with the image he had seen in the river- the one that had haunted him as he drifted in and out of consciousness. After Divorce 94 Chapter 94 I Really Love You Curtis stared, eyes wide with shock, at the figure desperately swimming toward the child in the ocean. Brian¡¯s gaze was fixed on Chloe in the same way. His tall frame stood rigid, almost frozen, as he watched her battling the waves. The sea kept rolling over her head, yet she pressed on, swimming deeper into danger. It was as if the blood in his veins had turned to ice and his breath had stopped. The woman who had been by his side just moments ago was now risking everything to save someone else. The waves seemed intent on dragging her into danger. Fresh chapters posted on F¦Énd£Îovel Would he ever see her again? Just as he would never see his mother. Brian¡¯s mind wentpletely nk, yet his body moved on its own, charging toward the surging waters. She couldn¡¯t be hurt. She absolutely couldn¡¯t be in danger. ¡°Mr. Steele!¡± The bodyguards who had been secretly watching over him appeared, trying to stop him. After all, their top priority was Brian¡¯s safety. Brian dodged one of them, but a second bodyguard¡¯s hand shot out toward him. In the next instant, Brian lunged forward, executing a swift over¨Cthe¨Cshoulder throw that sent the man crashing, and he continued his sprint. At that moment, his eyes locked on Chloe. Everyone watched as Brian plunged into the sea, swimming straight toward her. To rush into the waves like that was to risk his own life to save another. Chloe had gone in to rescue a child, but who was Brian, head of the Steele family, risking everything for? Chloe swam desperately toward the child. Rescuing someone in choppy ocean water was far more difficult than in a river. Despite her excellent fitness, strong swimming skills, and training in various water rescue techniques, the relentless waves were taking their toll. She fought to avoid the crests with every stroke, waiting for each wave to pass before pushing forward. Even so, her strength was fading fast. She had to save this child. Finally, she managed to grab the child¡¯s arm, and a wave of relief washed over her. The child, who had swallowed a lot of seawater, had stopped struggling, allowing Chloe to pull them Chapter 941 Really Love You toward the shore. 273 Chloe knew she had to get back to the beach as quickly as possible. The window for a sessful rescue was only a few minutes. If she missed it, even getting the child back to shore might be too to move faster. So much faster. Chloe swam frantically, her strength fading with every stroke. Another wave crashed over them, making her feel as if all the progress she and her child had fought for was being swept away. Just as panic began to tighten in her chest, a hand suddenly grabbed the child she was holding, giving her a brief moment to catch her breath. Stunned, Chloe realized the person helping them in the water was none other than Brian. With his assistance, the three of them made it to shore. By then, medical staff from the ind had arrived, taken the child, and were already performing CPR. ¡°Ms. Quall, Mr. Steele, are you both alright? Do you need a doctor?¡± someone asked. ¡°I¡¯m fine, just need a moment to rest,¡± Chloe said, panting as she staggered to the side. The intense exertion in the water had left her feeling weak. As she tried to steady herself, a hand gripped her waist, holding her in ce. The hand was pale and sharply defined, and at a single nce, Chloe recognized it as Brian¡¯s. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m okay. You can¡­¡± Before she could finish, Brian pulled her into a firm, sudden embrace. His arms held her tightly, yet cautiously, as if he feared hurting her. Chloe froze. ¡°Brian?¡± He buried his face in the hollow of her shoulder, inhaling her scent, feeling her warmth. Holding her like this was the only thing that could steady his frantic heartbeat. Chloe was here. She was alive. She was a living, breathing person right here in his arms! He had never realized he could care so deeply for someone so intensely about their life and their safety. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Chloe asked. His hold wasn¡¯t tight, yet it was impossible to break free. What worried her even more was that the hands holding her were trembling, shaking violently as if gripped by fear. Could it be the trauma of the rescue? After all, with those churning waves, even a rescue could turn deadly. Chapter 941 Really Love You 3/3 ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid,¡± Chloe whispered, trying to soothe him. ¡°It¡¯s all over now. We¡¯re safe.¡± ¡°Yes. We¡¯re safe,¡± he murmured against her neck. She held him close, and he was safe in her arms, but his body wouldn¡¯t stop trembling. It wasn¡¯t just his hands. His entire body shook. The fear that had flooded him still lingered. It was the fear of losing her. ¡°Chloe,¡± he whispered, his voice brushing against her ear, ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve really fallen in love with you.¡± Chloe¡¯s body froze. What was he saying? In love? He had fallen in love with her? Surely she must have misheard. But Brian¡¯s next words cut through the doubt, leaving no room for misunderstanding. ¡°More than I ever thought possible,¡± he murmured. ¡°So please don¡¯t ever scare me like that again, okay?¡± ¡°What?¡± Chloe stammered. Brian slowly lifted his head, his gaze locking onto hers. Water dripped from his hair and face, soaking himpletely. His pale skin only made his eyes appear darker and more intense than usual. Unlike his usual detached, lifeless expression, his eyes now shone with intense anxiety and a deep fear of losing her. ¡°From now on, anyone you want to save, I¡¯ll help you save. Anything you want to do, I¡¯ll help you do. You don¡¯t have to put yourself in danger anymore. Whatever you desire, I¡¯ll make it happen,¡± Brian said, his hoarse, low voice carrying the weight of a sacred vow. Chloe stared at him, stunned. He was serious. C: Lowering his head, he kissed the back of her hand with a devotion that felt almost worshipful. ¡°Chloe, don¡¯t leave me. Not in any way,¡± he whispered, his words drifting softly through the air. Nearby, Curtis¡® face went pale. In that instant, he felt as though something precious was slipping away forever. After Divorce 95 Chapter 95 Curtis¡® Suspicion Seeing Brian holding Chloe was unbearable for him, so much so that he almost wanted to rush forward and pull her from his arms. ¡°Curtis!¡± Sonya¡¯s voice snapped him back to reality. He turned to look at her. ¡°Looks like Chloe has quite a few tricks up her sleeve. Getting Brian to jump into the sea to save someone? I¡¯m willing to bet she did it for attention. With all these reporters here, she knew she¡¯d make the headlines, so she yed the hero.¡± Sonya sneered. Curtis stayed silent. Attention? Who would risk their life in a stormy sea just for attention? She was literally putting herself in danger. ¡°I think she¡¯s just way too maniptive¡­¡± Sonya continued, her voice dripping with disdain. Normally, Curtis would have brushed off Sonya¡¯s words, but this time, they struck a nerve. ¡°That¡¯s enough, Sonya. Chloe was saving a life! Just like you saved me from the river back then. Did you do it for attention?¡± Curtis snapped. Sonya¡¯s expression faltered. ¡°How can you evenpare me saving you to this? There were no reporters around when I saved you.¡± ¡°There were plenty of people there, but Chloe was the first to rush in. Why didn¡¯t any of the others, who were closer to the sea, step forward to save the child? Are you saying Chloe was the only one seeking attention?¡± Curtis shot back. Sonya frowned. ¡°Are you defending Chloe?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not defending her,¡± Curtis said, pursing his lips. ¡°I¡¯m just stating the facts.¡± He stared at Sonya, his eyes full of doubt and conflict. ¡°Sonya, why were you willing to save me from the river back then, but now that a child has fallen into the sea, you don¡¯t even want me to go after them?¡± A flicker of panic crossed Sonya¡¯s face. ¡°What are you implying?¡± ¡°You just don¡¯t seem like the person I remember,¡± he murmured. In his memory, she had been selfless, always ready to help a stranger. Even in danger, she would have pulled him from the river andforted him when he was disoriented and hopeless. Discover more novels at find?novel She wouldn¡¯t have been someone to stand by and watch others suffer. ¡°That¡¯s because I care about you so much!¡± Sonya said. ¡°I was worried you might be in danger, which is why I stopped you. If Chloe hadn¡¯t rushed over to save the child, I would have!¡± Chapter 95 Curtis Suspicion 21 ¡°Is that so?¡± Curtis said, studying her closely. ¡°Are you saying I¡¯m lying?¡± Sonya asked, her voice tinged with hurt. ¡°If you can¡¯t even trust me, maybe we shouldn¡¯t be together. I could go to the media and tell them I have nothing to do with you.¡± ¡°Sonya, that¡¯s not what I meant!¡± Curtis said quickly. ¡°I do trust you!¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s never speak of this again,¡± Sonya said firmly, turning her gaze toward Chloe in the distance. She was determined not to let Chloe ruin everything she had worked so hard for. Curtis could never discover who his true savior was! At the same time, Willow red at Chloe with pure disbelief. She could hardly fathom that Brian would dive into the sea with Chloe to save someone. Saving a life was something anyone could do, but for Brian, it was unthinkable. After all these years, she knew him well enough to be certain he didn¡¯t possess a single ounce of mercy orpassion. He could watch someone die right in front of him without a flicker of emotion. And yet, here he was rescuing someone. Why? Was it because of Chloe? He had even hugged Chloe right there, in front of everyone. It felt like he was announcing to the world that his rtionship with Chloe was special. Seeing the reporters around them lifting their cameras to capture the moment, jealousy surged in Willow¡¯s chest. She was supposed to be the one standing by his side, not Chloe! Meanwhile, the child who had fallen into the sea was eventually rescued by the medical team. Chloe let out a relieved sigh. Afterward, she and Brian went to the ind¡¯s only hotel to change out of their wet clothes. Since the ind was still in the early stages of development andcked many facilities, this was the only hotel avable. Inside the room, Chloe looked at the change of clothes the staff had brought, then nced at Brian, who was standing beside her. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going to take a shower. You should head to the room next door and wash up too.¡± Brian met her gaze. ¡°I¡¯ll wait here until you¡¯re done.¡± Chloe sighed. The way he looked at her made it feel as if she might disappear at any moment. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere. You should take a hot shower. If you get sick, the medical facilities here are limited, and you might have to leave before the ind¡¯s investment conference even begins.¡± Still, Brian seemed determined to wait. Chapter 95 Curtis Suspicion Chloe paused for a moment, then extended her right pinky. She took his hand, hooking their fingers together. ¡°Let¡¯s pinky swear. I¡¯ll wait for you in the room when I¡¯m done.¡± Since Brian had fallen for the pinky promise trick before, she knew she could use it again. Brian pressed his lips together, his gaze fixed on their intertwined pinkies. After a long moment, he finally murmured, ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll go wash up. Wait for me.¡± After Brian left her room, she grabbed a change of clothes and headed to the bathroom. The warm water was a stark contrast to the icy cold of the sea, slowly thawing her chilled body. Today¡¯s sessful rescue was also thanks to Brian. Had he not helped bring the boy to shore, it might have taken much longer. The child could have been in the water too long to be saved. Still, she never expected Brian to charge into the ocean like that, and she certainly didn¡¯t expect him to confess that he loved her. Love¡­ she had once believed it was like her parents¡®, a mutual exchange of care and devotion thatsted a lifetime. When Curtis married her, he had promised love and devotion, iming he would cherish her forever. But in the end, all she received was betrayal. Three years of marriage, and his heart had belonged only to Sonya. And now Brian was saying he loved her. It felt almost impossible to believe. How long had she even known him? Could a man like him truly love a woman? After her warm shower, Chloe stepped out of the bathroom, towel¨Cdrying her hair, only to see Brian back in her room. He had changed into a fresh outfit, but his hair was still damp, water dripping from the ends. Chloe stepped closer. ¡°You¡¯ve showered¡­ But why didn¡¯t you dry your hair?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t want to waste time,¡± he admitted. She froze. They hadn¡¯t agreed on a schedule, and she wasn¡¯t going anywhere. ¡°Bend down,¡± she instructed. His eyes flickered for a moment, then he obeyed. Chloe picked up a towel and began drying his dripping hair. ¡°By the way,¡± she said, ¡°did you mean it when you said you loved me?¡± Brian¡¯s body tensed. Slowly, he lifted his lowered head, and their eyes met. After Divorce 96 Chapter 96 I¡¯ll Be Good For You ¡°I don¡¯t make jokes about things like this,¡± Brian said, his thin lips parting slightly. His dark eyes reflected Chloe¡¯s face. ¡°Chloe, I don¡¯t know if this feeling counts as love to you, but if there everes a day when I find I can¡¯t live without someone, then I will call that love.¡± Chloe froze. So, he meant he couldn¡¯t live without her. ¡°Maybe at first, I just found you interesting. It was because you didn¡¯t abandon me when I was in danger that I wanted you by my side. But when I saw you rush into the sea to save that child, everything changed.¡± Brian murmured, leaning in slowly, his face drawing closer to hers. ¡°I was terrified. I was afraid of losing you like that. It¡¯s a feeling I never want to experience again. And when I finally realized what was happening, I was already following you into the sea.¡± His voice softened in her ear, his eyes brimming with a longing she could feel. ¡°So, Chloe, please give me a chance. Let¡¯s be together. I¡¯ll treat you right. I¡¯ll give you everything I have.¡± His hoarse voice was almost hypnotic, especiallying from someone as proud as him, begging so humbly. Updates are released by find?novel Chloe felt her heart skip a beat. ¡°We¡¯ve only known each other for such a short time, and you¡¯re telling me you love me and will give me everything? Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s a little unreasonable?¡± she asked, keeping her voice steady despite the sudden flutter in her chest. ¡°How long we¡¯ve known each other doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Brian said. ¡°So many people fall in love at first sight, don¡¯t they?¡± Chloe looked up. ¡°What people call ¡®love at first sight¡® is really just a fancy way of saying they¡¯re infatuated with someone¡¯s looks.¡± ¡°But for me, if I fall in love at first sight, it¡¯s never about appearances. It¡¯s for a lifetime,¡± he insisted. ¡°You¡¯re being too absolute,¡± she said. ¡°That¡¯s just how the Steele family is with love,¡± he replied slowly. He might have despised Liam, but he couldn¡¯t deny that Liam¡¯s love for Emily hadsted a lifetime. As long as Liam had lived, he had loved a woman who was already gone. And he would always long for something he could never have, right up to the day he died. ¡°Chloe,¡± he said, his voice soft with affection. ¡°What I feel for you isn¡¯t love at first sight. It¡¯s something that grew over time. Although maybe love at first sight would have been better. Then I wouldn¡¯t have wasted so much time and might have realized my feelings for you sooner.¡± Chloe pressed her lips together. They were so close now that she could feel his breath against her cheek. 213 ¡°Grew over time? We haven¡¯t known each other that long. Mr. Steele, this might just be a fleeting feeling, perhaps stirred by what happened today when we saved that person. Maybe in a little while, you won¡¯t feel the same way about me.¡± ¡°What if I still feel this way after some time? Would you be willing to be with me?¡± Brian asked. Chloe met his gaze steadily. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Because you don¡¯t love me?¡± His eyes flickered with uncertainty. ¡°Yes,¡± she said firmly. ¡°I don¡¯t have those kinds of feelings for you, Mr. Steele. I also told you I just got divorced and have a lot I want to focus on. I have no intention of being in another rtionship right now.¡± After saying that, Chloe added, ¡°You can dry your hair yourself now.¡± She had been drying his hair, her hands still resting on the sides of the towel on his head. But before she could pull away, Brian¡¯s hand moved faster, pressing over hers. ¡°I won¡¯t stop you from doing what you want,¡± he whispered, ¡°and I can be your spear and your shield. I will stand by your side. I will entrust my life to you. No matter what happens, I will never abandon you or betray you.¡± He spoke each word with deliberate care. Chloe froze. Those were the exact words she had used to describe the kind of man she wanted to love. And Brian had remembered every single one. ¡°Or is it that I¡¯m such a terrible person that you could never love me?¡± he asked. ¡°No!¡± The word slipped out before she could stop it. His eyes, previously dim, suddenly brightened. ¡°So¡­ you will fall in love with me?¡± Chloe cleared her throat, feeling awkward. ¡°I just meant that you¡¯re not a terrible person.¡± If he truly were terrible, he wouldn¡¯t have visited her parents¡® urns at the memorial hall, nor would he have quietly stayed by her side while they wereid to rest in the national military cemetery. ¡°And today, you went into the ocean to save someone,¡± Chloe added. ¡°A terrible person wouldn¡¯t do that either.¡± ¡°I saved that child because you were saving someone. I never realized life could feel this precious until today.¡± Brian¡¯s voice faltered. He gently took her hand and pressed it to his face. ¡°Because of you, I want to save people. I want to be a good person,¡± he murmured. Chloe shone with a brightness and honesty that seemed untouchable by any darkness or corruption. Chapter 96 I¡¯ll Be Good For You Brian, in contrast, was steeped in shadow. No matter how respectable he appeared on the surface, he knew he was rotten at his core. Yet darkness is drawn to light. And in reaching for the light, even the darkest heart yearns to grow brighter. Chloe looked at Brian in surprise. She had never expected to hear such words from him. He seemed to be telling her that she had the power to influence his life. ¡°Give me a chance, Chloe.¡± His eyes searched hers, filled with a quiet, desperate longing. ¡°If the day everes when you¡¯re certain you can¡¯t love me, I won¡¯t bother you. I can leave, or we can be strangers. Whatever you want. But until then, please don¡¯t push me away on purpose.¡± Chloe stayed silent. Somehow, the yearning in Brian¡¯s gaze made her mind drift to that forbidden room in the vi. His body curled in fear, the intricate web of scars covering his back. And then there were the whips scattered around the room. Willow had once told her that he must have seen Emily¡¯s death with his own eyes. The word ¡®no¡® seemed lodged in her throat. A dull ache bloomed in her chest. Could she truly be certain she would never love Brian? She asked herself, but no clear answer came. A nd Brian wasn¡¯t someone who took rejection lightly. Taking a deep breath, Chloe said, ¡°Alright, I agree. I won¡¯t intentionally push you away. If I truly fall in love with you, then we can date. But if I don¡¯t before my bodyguard mission ends, then we go our separate ways. How does that sound?¡± Her eyshes quivered slightly, and he smiled slowly. ¡°Okay, it¡¯s a deal.¡± If she didn¡¯t fall in love with him, he would make sure she did. After Divorce 97 Inside the banquet hall, Curtis was half¨Cheartedly making small talk with government officials and wealthy businessmen from Yarfdale. Yet his mind kept circling back to the image of Chloe plunging into the sea to save the child. She had acted so swiftly, so decisively, without a second¡¯s hesitation. How many people possessed that kind of courage? He, too, had seen the child fall into the water and had the impulse to rush over. But if he had reached the shore in time, would he truly have jumped in, or would he have hesitated? When he pressed himself for an honest answer, he realized hesitation was far more likely. That realization unsettled him even more. Could Chloe really have been lying all this time? With her swimming skills and that kind of courage, if she had really seen him in the river, she would have jumped in to save him. But if she wasn¡¯t lying, then did that mean Sonya was the one who had lied? The thought made his hand tremble, nearly spilling the wine in his ss. ¡°Curtis?¡± Sonya¡¯s voice came from beside him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You don¡¯t look well.¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ nothing,¡± he answered, his eyes settling on her face. From the very beginning, she had always struck him as bold and magnanimous. How could a woman like her ever deceive him? After all, as she¡¯d once reminded him, when he was just a penniless nobody, what possible advantage could she have gained by lying? Just then, a stir rose at the entrance of the banquet hall. Curtis and Sonya turned to see Brian and Chloe walking side by side. Brian, dressed in a ck suit, exuded elegance and authority. Beside him, Chloe, in a simple yet striking outfit, carried an air of sharp confidence. Noticing the healthy color back in her cheeks since the rescue, Curtis felt a wave of relief. ¡°Mr. Steele, Ms. Quall, we owe you our deepest thanks for your bravery today. You spared us from what could have been a tragedy,¡± said Edward Walker, the Yarfdale official overseeing the ind¡¯s development. Brian¡¯s expression remainedposed. ¡°The one you should thank is Chloe. She was the one who saved the child. I only helped.¡± Chapter 97 Who Saved Him Back Then ¡°But I saw you embracing Ms. Quall after the rescue,¡± Edward said, curiosity sparking in his eyes. ¡°If I may ask, what exactly is your rtionship?¡± ¡°She¡¯s someone very important to me. I was just too worried about her at that moment.¡± Edward cast Chloe a few more thoughtful nces. For Brian to describe someone as very important meant she held a truly special ce in his life. Meanwhile, not far away, Wade was chatting with some of Yarfdale¡¯s wealthiest men. The wealthy man nced at Brian and Chloe standing side by side, their eyes filled with envy. ¡°Wade, isn¡¯t that Walter¡¯s daughter?¡± one of them asked. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s Chloe, Walter¡¯s daughter,¡± he replied. ¡°The Quall family is truly fortunate. First, you had Willow, and now you have Chloe,¡± someone remarked with a trace of envy. After all, with the Steele family¡¯s protection, the Qualls were bound to grow even more powerful. Every prominent family in Yarfdale longed to establish ties with the Steeles, but it was the two Quall daughters who had managed to seed. Wade managed a smile, though a flicker of worry passed through his eyes. Beside him, Willow clenched her jaw, seething. The way these people spoke made her feel like nothing more than a relic of the past. Just then, she noticed someone approach Chloe and whisper something. A momentter, Chloe drifted away from Brian¡¯s side. This was a good opportunity. Willow stepped up to Brian. ¡°Brian, can we talk in private?¡± Chapters first released on find?novel Brian¡¯s gaze turned cold. ¡°And what exactly do we have to discuss alone?¡± ¡°I know I said the wrong thing at the vist time, and I¡¯m sorry if I upset you,¡± Willow began. ¡°I never meant any harm. I just wanted to show that you and I¡­ That we¡¯ve been close since childhood. I only wanted Chloe to know how much I care about you.¡± ¡°You care about me?¡± he scoffed. ¡°If you truly cared, you wouldn¡¯t have run away in fear all those years ago.¡± Willow¡¯s face fell. That was the one mistake she regretted more than anything. Back then, she had stumbled into that forbidden room and seen the walls lined with whips and the raw wounds carved into Brian¡¯s back, and Emily copsed on the floor. Terrified, she fled. If only she had stayed tofort him, maybe he would have opened his heart to her long ago. ¡°I¡­ I was just a child back then,¡± she stammered, scrambling for an excuse. ¡°I was terrified by what I saw, and I ran. Any kid would¡¯ve done the same!¡± But hadn¡¯t she already paid the price? Losing her eye had been punishment enough. ¡°Yes, you were young and scared, so you ran,¡± Brian said nonchntly. ¡°I¡¯ve never med you. You had no obligation to stay for me.¡± ¡°Brian, you do me me,¡± Willow insisted, her voice urgent. ¡°But I¡¯ll make it right. I swear, no matter what happens, I¡¯ll never abandon you again.¡± ¡°I told you, I don¡¯t me you. There¡¯s nothing for you to atone for,¡± Brian replied. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t give you the right to spread my family¡¯s secrets. You should be thanking Chloe that you¡¯re still alive right now.¡± Willow nearly bit her tongue in frustration. She despised Chloe with every fiber of her being. Why on earth would she ever feel grateful to her? Brian, on the other hand, paid Willow no mind. His eyes followed the direction Chloe had gone. Now that he finally understood his own feelings, an even deeper restlessness stirred within him. She had only just left, yet he was already aching to see her again. Chloe followed the orphanage director into the hotel¡¯s medical room. Maisie Fulmer, the child who had fallen into the water,y on the bed, her face still clouded with fear. But the moment she saw Chloe, she struggled to her feet and threw herself into thetter¡¯s arms. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± the orphanage director said with an apologetic smile. ¡°Maisie has been in distress ever since we pulled her out, crying and asking for you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± Chloe murmured, holding Maisie gently. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You¡¯re safe now. There¡¯s nothing to fear.¡± ¡°I¡¯m still scared¡­ I¡¯m so scared!¡± Maisie sobbed. The ordeal of nearly drowning had clearly left her shaken. ¡°Don¡¯t be scared. I¡¯m here. If you¡¯re ever in danger, I¡¯ll save you,¡± Chloe said. ¡°Really?¡± Maisie looked up, her face still etched with the terror of her narrow escape. ¡°Yes, really. I¡¯ll save you. I promise!¡± Chloe said firmly. Her steady, resolute voice calmed Maisie and eased her fear, but it made Curtis, who had just stepped into the doorway, freeze in ce. Those words¡­ They were almost identical to what he had heard while drifting in and out of consciousness in the river all those years ago. Why was Chloe saying them now? And why did her figure keep ovepping with the hazy silhouette he had seen in that half¨Cconscious dream of the past? Who was the one who saved him back then? After Divorce 98 Chapter 98 Uncovering the Truth Chloe gently soothed Maisie in her arms until the terror slowly faded from her face. Before long, the drifted into a peaceful sleep. Chloe carefullyid her back on the hospital bed and pulled the nket snug around her. ¡°Thank you so much,¡± the orphanage director said with heartfelt gratitude. He wasn¡¯t only thanking her for soothing Maisie but also for saving her life. Chloe shook her head lightly. ¡°There¡¯s no need to thank me. It¡¯s simply my duty.¡± Though she had left the military, the vows she once made were promises she intended to keep for the rest of her life. ¡°If Maisie has any other issues, please don¡¯t hesitate to reach out,¡± Chloe added, handing over her contact information before leaving the room. The moment Chloe stepped outside, she found Curtis waiting by the door. She wondered what he was doing there. Latest content published on f?ndnovel She tried to walk past him, but he blocked her way. ¡°Why did you say those words to that child?¡± Chloe¡¯s brow tightened. ¡°What things?¡± ¡°You told her you¡¯d save her and promised you definitely would. Why would you say that?¡± Curtis stared intensely at her. He felt a wave of panic he couldn¡¯t name rising inside him. Chloe¡¯s voice was cold. ¡°And what, I¡¯m not allowed to say that?¡± ¡°No, but why would you¡­¡± Curtis¡® voice faltered. ¡°Chloe, I don¡¯t know where you heard that, but why do you keep pretending to be Sonya? You and I both know it wasn¡¯t you who saved me back then. It was Sonya!¡± He wasn¡¯t just trying to convince her. He was trying to convince himself. It had to be Sonya. He couldn¡¯t be wrong. Because if he were, the consequences would be unthinkable. ¡°What I choose to say is my business. If you want to believe Sonya saved you, then keep believing it. I¡¯ve never once wanted to be your savior, and I am most definitely not pretending to be her,¡± Chloe replied coldly. As she moved to pass him, Curtis suddenly grabbed her sleeve. ¡°Chloe, tell me. Why did you run into the sea to save that child? She¡¯s a stranger. Why risk your life for someone you don¡¯t even know?¡± he demanded. ¡°Do I need a reason?¡± Chloe gave a short, bitterugh. ¡°If saving a stranger required one, then wouldn¡¯t be standing here right now. You would¡¯ve drowned in the river long ago.¡± you ¡°You¡± Curtis started, but before he could finish, another figure stepped forward and pped his hand away from Chloe¡¯s sleeve. Curtis red at the suddenly materialized Brian. ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing, Mr. Steele?¡± ¡°You and Chloe are divorced. There¡¯s no reason for you to act like this,¡± Brian replied coldly. The way he said her name grated against Curtis¡® ears. The memory of Brian holding her by the sea shed before him, and his anger red. ¡°And you think you can?¡± he shot back. Brian¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°If it were me, I never would¡¯ve been foolish enough to divorce Chloe. Whatever happens between us is none of your concern. As for you, congrattions onnding that Miller woman. When you two get married, I¡¯ll be sure to send avish gift.¡± The words struck Curtis like a blow, leaving his chest tight and heavy. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Chloe asked, ncing at Brian. ¡°I was worried something might¡¯ve happened, so I came to check on you,¡± he replied. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. The child was just startled, but she¡¯s asleep now. Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Just as the two were about to leave, Curtis suddenly called out, ¡°Chloe!¡± She stopped and turned to face him. A spark of joy lit up Curtis¡® face. He still had an effect on her. Just saying her name was enough to make her turn back. But when her cold eyes met his, he froze. The words he¡¯d been about to say caught in his throat and went no further. ¡°Curtis, don¡¯te to me again asking about the person who saved you from drowning all those years ago. We¡¯re divorced now. It doesn¡¯t matter who your savior was. ¡°Or,¡± she added with a taunting edge, ¡°if it really was me, would you regret it? Regret treating me so cruelly for three years? Regret divorcing me?¡± Her eyes brimmed with mockery, leaving him speechless. It was only after Chloe and Brian had gone that Curtis staggered slightly. Regret? Would he regret it? 3741 No. He wouldn¡¯t. It was Chloe who should regret it. Did she really believe things would be better with Brian? A man like him could never truly care for her. She was nothing more than a fleeting distraction. Once he got through thispany crisis, his future would shine even brighter. Then Chloe would finally see that not being his wife was the greatest mistake of her life. And yet¡­ Why did his chest feel so heavy? Curtis stepped into the infirmary, his pace slow and unsteady. ¡°Hey, are you alright?¡± the orphanage director asked, noticing his pale face. Curtis didn¡¯t respond. His eyes were fixed on the small boy lying on the bed, his thoughts drifting far away. After a long while, he finally left and made a call. ¡°I need you to investigate the time I fell into the river. Find out if anyone besides Sonya was there when I was rescued.¡± When the call ended, Curtis slipped his phone back into his pocket, reminding himself that he was only doing this to put his doubts about Sonya to rest. On their way back to the banquet hall, Brian suddenly asked, ¡°If one day Curtis found out you were the one who saved his life and regretted divorcing you, what would you do?¡± Chloe froze. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Would you marry him again?¡± Brian¡¯s gaze stayed fixed on her, studying her reaction. ¡°Of course not,¡± she said firmly. ¡°No matter what, things between me and Curtis are over.¡± ¡°And what if he went as far as kneeling in front of you, begging for another chance?¡± Brian pressed. Chloe let out a softugh. ¡°He won¡¯t. The woman he loves is Sonya. If he only begged me to take him back just because I was his lifesaver, wouldn¡¯t that kind of rtionship be pathetic?¡± Brian¡¯s lips curved faintly. ¡°Pathetic indeed.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but feel sorry for Curtis. Chloe had been his lifesaver, standing by his side all this time, yet he had been so easily deceived by Sonya. ¡°If it were me,¡± Brian said in a low voice, ¡°I would never mistake my lifesaver.¡± ¡°You really believe I¡¯m Curtis¡® lifesaver?¡± Chloe asked. ¡°I do,¡± he replied without hesitation. ¡°I believe everything you say.¡± Chapter 98 Uncovering the Truth 414 A gentle warmth spread through Chloe¡¯s heart. Curtis, who had been married to her for three years, had never trusted her. However, Brian, whom she had known for less than three months, chose to believe her without question. The feeling of being trusted was truly wonderful. That night, however, when Chloe opened her bedroom door and found Brian standing there with a pillow in his arms, that wonderful feeling suddenly vanished. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! After Divorce 99 Chapter 99 You Think You Can Use My Patent ¡°You¡¯re¡­¡± Chloe¡¯s gaze dropped to the pillow in his hand, suspicion flickering in her eyes. Surely he wasn¡¯t thinking what she thought he was. ¡°I¡¯d like to sleep in your room tonight,¡± Brian said. ¡°Why?¡± Chloe asked. ¡°I get scared being alone in my room. You¡¯re my bodyguard, so you¡¯ll protect me, won¡¯t you?¡± Chloe nearly choked on her own saliva. Brian, scared? She had watched him take down a pack of armed men without breaking a sweat and disarm someone with a gun to his head as if it were nothing. And now he was saying those words with a perfectly straight face. ¡°Don¡¯t you have bodyguards outside your room?¡± she asked. A few of the Steele family¡¯s bodyguards hade along to the ind to ensure his safety. ¡°They¡¯re not you. You¡¯re the only one I trust,¡± he replied. Chloe was momentarily speechless. With a long sigh, she finally said, ¡°Fine. You take the bed. I¡¯ll sleep on the couch.¡± After all, she was his bodyguard now. ¡°I¡¯ll take the couch,¡± he said instead, setting a pillow down before stretching out on it. Chloe didn¡¯t argue further. ¡°Good night, then,¡± she murmured, ncing at him. ¤° ¡°Good night.¡± He gave her a faint smile. She found herself staring at the gentle curve of his smile. Recently, his smile had appeared more often, a sharp change from the coldness he once carried. Chloe closed her eyes and drifted to sleep, but Brian didn¡¯t. He remained on the couch, sitting upright, his gaze fixed on her as shey on the bed. She probably thought he was afraid of being attacked. But the truth was, his fear was for her. He was terrified something might happen to her and even more afraid that she might go back on the promise she had made to him. He feared her offer to give him a chance was nothing more than a fleeting thought. Loving someone, he realized, brought with it a whole new world of fears. He wondered if Liam had felt the same way when he loved Emily all those years ago. But unlike his father, he wouldn¡¯t end up in misery. Liam¡¯s actions had only driven Emily to hate him more. Brian, on the other hand, would make sure Chloe loved him even if it meant using this body and this face to win her over. His hand stilled, fingers brushing the old, jagged scars across his back. He had kept them as a constant reminder to himself, but now he feared Chloe might find his scarred body repulsive. ¡°Chloe¡­ please don¡¯t be disgusted by me,¡± he whispered, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the room. The next morning, Chloe and the man she had just pinned down, Brian, were staring at each other in wide- eyed shock. ¡°Sorry, I wasn¡¯t fully awake. I didn¡¯t realize it was you,¡± she muttered, cheeks warming. When he¡¯d leaned over the bed while she was half¨Casleep, her instincts had kicked in the moment his hand reached toward her. She hadn¡¯t snapped back to full awareness until after she¡¯d already pressed him t against the bed. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Brian replied easily. ¡°I was only trying to wake you up. But if you ever feel like pinning me down again, I won¡¯tin.¡± What a brazen thing to say! Chloe¡¯s ears med. If any other man had said something like that, it would¡¯ve sounded like a corny pickup line. But with Brian¡¯s dead¨Cserious expression, the words set her imagination spinning. Maybe there was a reason the magazine had named him the man most women want to dominate. ¡°Ahem!¡± Chloe cleared her throat and stood, eager to change the subject. ¡°You should head back to your room and get ready. I need to freshen up too. Isn¡¯t there an investment conference on the ind today?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Brian said. ¡°Interested?¡± ¡°Me?¡± She gave a small smile. ¡°Not really.¡± Lena¡¯s Skyline Tech had no immediate ns to expand into Yarfdale, and she would be returning to Corvessia to continue working for herpany, rather than staying in Yarfdale or joining Quall Group. Naturally, she had little interest in the investment conference for the ind development project. Still, she was aware that the Steele family was involved in the project and that Brian hade to Yarfdale for that very reason. ¡°What if I told you that the proposal Curtis is submitting to the Yarfdale government uses a patent you filed while you were married? Would you still have no interest?¡± Brian asked. Chloe froze. ¡°How do you know that?¡± ¡°Is it really that hard to find out?¡± he shot back. Chloeughed at herself. She had asked a foolish question. With the Steele family also involved in the ind¡¯s development, it was obviously easy for Brian to ess that kind of information. In the end, Chloe attended the government¨Chosted investment conference alongside Brian. When Willow saw Chloe walk in with Brian, her expression immediately soured. ¡°Brian, why did you bring Chloe to the investment conference? She¡¯s just a retired soldier. What could she possibly understand here?¡± A half¨Csmile tugged at Brian¡¯s lips. ¡°If you can understand it, she certainly can.¡± Willow¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°Even if you¡¯re interested in her, you¡¯re giving her far too much credit.¡± ¡°How I see Chloe is none of your business,¡± Brian shot back. Chapters first released on f?ndnovel Willow could only grit her teeth in frustration. Shortly after, Curtis and Sonya arrived in the conference hall. Upon seeing Chloe, Curtis¡® eyes narrowed. ¡°Chloe, what are you doing here?¡± ¡°If you can be here, why can¡¯t I?¡± Chloe shot back, a sarcastic smile tugging at her lips. ¡°I¡¯m here on behalf of Green Tech. And you¡­ who are you representing? Your friend¡¯s Skyline Tech isn¡¯t even on the government¡¯s list ofpanies attending this conference,¡± Curtis said. ¡°You¡¯re nning to use my patent. Shouldn¡¯t I be here to see it for myself?¡± Chloe replied. Curtis¡® face darkened instantly. How did she know? He nced at Brian, standing beside her. Clearly, Brian was now backing her, and kicking Chloe out would be impossible. ¡°When we divorced, we agreed that the patent was developed after our marriage, which means I have the right to use it!¡± Curtis insisted. Sonya interjected, ¡°Chloe, you were so quick to agree to the divorce terms. And now that Curtis wants to use the patent, suddenly you¡¯re having second thoughts? I knew a woman like you would go back on her word. But even if you refuse, it doesn¡¯t matter. Everything is governed by thew!¡± Sonya¡¯s eyes gleamed with anticipation, eager to see Chloe¡¯s frustration. What did it matter if Chloe was talented enough to create a patent? Curtis could still use it, and all the profits would belong to them. Chloe met Sonya¡¯s malicious grin with cool disdain. ¡°I never said you couldn¡¯t use it. But do you really Chapter 99 You Think You Can Use My Patent think my patent is something you can actually use?¡± After Divorce 100 Chapter 100 Does Chloe Need to Be Jealous Curtis was taken aback. Sonya shot back, ¡°This patent is jointly owned by you and Curtis. So why can¡¯t he use it? Besides, after you got married, if Curtis hadn¡¯t worked so hard to make money, do you think you would have had the time to focus on patents?¡± Have the time? Chloe let out a coldugh. During their three years of marriage, she had poured herself into helping Curtis get his business off the ground. Otherwise, why would this be the only patent she had to show from that period? ¡°So, you¡¯re saying Green Tech is what it is today solely because of Curtis¡® ability and the money he made?¡± Chloe asked. ¡°What else? Even if you had research experience in the military, so what? Starting a business ispletely different. It demands vision, guts, and connections. Do you think money grows on trees?¡± Sonya said bluntly. Even though Ethan had previously told Sonya outright that Chloe had multiple research achievements in the military and was an expert in drone technology, Sonya had always assumed he was exaggerating. Chloe smiled and nced at Curtis. ¡°You¡¯re right. Starting a business does take vision, courage, and connections. Money doesn¡¯t just grow on trees.¡± Back then, for Curtis¡® sake, she had leveraged every connection she had and taken part in nearly every majorpany decision. On more than one asion, Curtis made reckless choices that could have thrown thepany into immediate crisis, but it was Chloe who persuaded him to change course. Yet now, ording to Sonya, all the credit belonged to Curtis. ¡°So, it¡¯s only natural for Curtis to use a patent you developed after you were married,¡± Sonya said. ¡°He contributed too. It¡¯s not just your patent!¡± ¡°Fine, if you think Curtis is so capable, go ahead and keep believing that. Just don¡¯t be surprised if he ever hits hard times. Let¡¯s see if you¡¯ll still stand by him then,¡± Chloe snapped. She knew that once the investment conference officially started, she would make Curtis realize that her patent wasn¡¯t so easy to exploit. ¡°Chloe, you¡¯re just jealous of Sonya,¡± Willow sneered. ¡°A rising tech star like Curtis dumped you and chose her. You really lost out!¡± Curtis frowned at Willow¡¯s words, feeling as if they painted him as someone who got rich and then abandoned his wife. He was about to speak when Brian cut in first. ¡°Does Chloe need to be jealous?¡± The sound of her name on his lips instantly silenced everyone. Willow nearly bit her tongue. Brian¡¯s words made it clear that Chloe was now with him. As the head of the Steele family, he far outmatched a rising tech star who had only recently made a name for himself. Chloe had no reason to feel jealous. Curtis¡® face flushed with embarrassment. He had worried people would think he was the type to get rich and leave his wife, but now it seemed he was the one being left behind. This text is hosted at F¦Énd£Îovel Chloe had found someone far better than him, and inparison, he felt utterly pathetic. Sonya forced a weak smile. ¡°The depth of a rtionship isn¡¯t measured by how much a man has, but by how much he¡¯s willing to give. If he has 100 dors and only gives you one, that¡¯s hardly worth anything.¡± Brian¡¯s voice was pointed. ¡°Well, it seems Mr. Green has given Ms. Miller quite a lot. He even used money he earned while married to buy her all sorts of jewelry.¡± Sonya felt her face flush. It was because of that jewelry that people hadbeled her a homewrecker. She had poured so much effort into restoring her reputation with that ne flight over the ind, only for Brian to dredge it all up again, rendering her hard work meaningless. ¡°Furthermore, anything I own, Chloe can have if she wants it,¡± Brian added. Everyone was stunned. Brian was the head of the Steele family, and no one could even begin to fathom the full extent of his wealth and influence. ¡°So, if Chloe wanted the Steele Group itself, would you give it to her too, Mr. Steele?¡± Sonya asked, her voice carrying a hint of challenge. Brian offered a half¨Csmile, then turned to Chloe. ¡°If you want it, I¡¯ll give it to you.¡± A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Even Chloe was caught off guard. She hadn¡¯t expected him to say something like that. Even if it was meant as a joke, it was clear just how much he respected her. ¡°No, thank you,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°If I want something, I¡¯ll get it myself.¡± Many in the crowd nodded in agreement, assuming his words were merely for show. But whether sincere or not, they made one thing clear to everyone -Chloe was incredibly important to Brian. ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Brian said. ¡°A woman like you earns what she wants through her own efforts. Unlike some Chapter 100 Does Chloe Need to Be Jealous people who always rely on others.¡± Sonya¡¯s face burned crimson, and even Willow shifted ufortably. His words were a direct p in the face to both of them. The investment conference was about to begin. One by one, corporate representatives stepped forward to announce theirpany and the projects they were proposing for the ind¡¯s development. Representatives would each put forward their proposals, but the ultimate decisiony with the government officials and the two major partner groups, the Steeles and the Qualls. Curtis kept his head down, eyes fixed on the proposal in his hands. He was surprised to see that Chloe had stayed. If he presented this proposal in front of everyone, she would realize it was the very one she had written before she resigned. All this time, he had never considered Chloe¡¯s work anything special. At best, she was apetent project manager. But after she left, none of thepany¡¯s new proposals for the ind development project had managed to capture the Yarfdale government¡¯s interest. It was only when he submitted Chloe¡¯s old proposal just to fill a slot that it was unexpectedly chosen. He had barely touched the n, only changing ¡®riverbank¡® to ¡®ind¡®. The thought of Chloe listening to him present her work made Curtis uneasy. ¡°Curtis, you don¡¯t look too good. Are you feeling okay?¡± Sonya asked, standing beside him. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m fine,¡± Curtis replied, though his eyes unconsciously found Chloe¡¯s across the room, and a wave of guilt hit him. Just then, the conference host announced, ¡°Please wee Mr. Curtis Green, CEO of Green Tech, to present hispany¡¯s project proposal!¡± Apuse filled the room, and Curtis felt his heart sink. After Divorce 101 Chapter 101 Don¡¯t Even Think About Using Her Patent Curtis had no choice but to step onto the stage and begin presenting the contents of the proposal line by line. Usually, he could deliver this presentation with practiced ease. He¡¯d done it in front of government officials and even memorized half the content by heart. But now, even with the proposal in his hands, his words came out halting and strained. A sense of shame washed over him, especially under Chloe¡¯s gaze. After he finally finished, Edward, who¡¯d been optimistic on Green Tech, spoke up. ¡°I personally find this an excellent project proposal. Drones will y a significant role in the development of the ind. ¡°More importantly, the patent held by Green Tech can greatly enhance drone efficiency, reducebor costs, and elerate progress. I see a lot of potential here for Green Tech.¡± With his endorsement, apuse followed. Suddenly, Chloe¡¯s voice broke through the sound. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you would im my patent and even steal the proposal I wrote.¡± Curtis stiffened awkwardly before he snapped back, ¡°This proposal belongs to Green Tech. You may have resigned, but anything you worked on during your employment belongs to thepany.¡± ¡°It seems you¡¯vepletely abandoned all sense of shame,¡± Chloe sarcastically retorted. Curtis¡® face flushed red in embarrassment. ¡°If you won¡¯t stop with the nder, Chloe, I won¡¯t show mercy, regardless of the past we shared!¡± Chloe almostughed out loud at his words. If he¡¯d ever cared about her, why would she have had to endure such misery during their three years of marriage? ¡°When have you ever shown me mercy, Curtis? Sonya¡¯s the only one you truly care about, isn¡¯t she?¡± she mocked. ¡°You¡­¡± Curtis choked, at a loss for words to retort. Meanwhile, Sonya was helplessly subjected to everyone¡¯s stares once again. ¡°And in case you¡¯ve forgotten, I resigned before that proposal waspleted. That means it¡¯s currently iplete,¡± Chloe added. ¡°What? Iplete?¡± He seemed stunned because he hadn¡¯t noticed any ipleteness, and the proposal had seemed thoroughlyprehensive to him. Chloe exined, ¡°The patent mentioned in the proposal does significantly improve drone efficiency and application range, but it¡¯s from three years ago. Technology has advanced since then, and so have the drone interference systems. Chapter 101 Don¡¯t Even Think About Using Her Patent 273 ¡°If anyone deploys top¨Ctier jamming and interference signals, your drones won¡¯t be any different from useless scrap metal. My patent requires an additional anti¨Cinterference program to remain effective.¡± If they hadn¡¯t gotten a divorce, she would have upgraded the patent¡¯s technological advancements herself. But since Curtis had insisted on taking it, she would ensure that even if he owned the patent, it would bepletely useless. The blood drained from Curtis¡® face as he grasped the meaning behind Chloe¡¯s words. It seemed everything he¡¯d worked for had been in vain. Since the proposal failed to address the w Chloe had pointed out, it hadpletely lost its value. The audience quickly caught on. It turned out that Curtis¨Cthe rising star Edward had highly praised¨Chad submitted a proposal and patent that belonged entirely to Chloe, his ex¨Cwife. He himself had contributed nothing and had merely recited the proposal aloud¨Csomething anyone could
  1. do.
¡°So all this time, has Curtis been parading his ex¨Cwife¡¯s work?¡± ¡°He¡¯s divorced her, yet he¡¯s still living off her work and ideas.¡± ¡°Couldn¡¯t he have contributed something of his own?¡± ¡°Maybe his entire sess these past three years was built on her back.¡± Every whispered doubt felt like ps of humiliation in Curtis¡® face, but there was nothing he could do to fight back right now. ¡°In this case, do you intend to continue discussing Green Tech¡¯s proposal, Mr. Walker?¡± Brian piped up. Edward gave an awkwardugh. It was obvious to anyone watching that there was no reason to continue with Green Tech¡¯s proposal, so he announced, ¡°Let¡¯s move on to the next representative.¡± Curtis stood frozen in ce until the host gently reminded him to step down. Only then did he force himself to leave the stage, his steps stiff and rigid. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Curtis. We can think of a better n. I have faith in you!¡± Sonya stepped forward to soothe him, but her words offort made him feel as though a heavy boulder were crushing his chest, forcing all the air out of his lungs. If he were capable of devising a better n, he would never have used Chloe¡¯s proposal in the first ce. He¡¯d resorted to it only after both his team¡¯s and his own ideas had been rejected. ?????? ???? f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l? Worse, he¡¯d intended to leverage Chloe¡¯s patent to help Green Tech achieve greater heights and swiftly dominate themercial drone market. But Chloe¡¯s words sent a chill through him. What would be of Green Tech if the patent were truly unusable? Dominating themercial drone market was nearly impossible now, and not only would they miss out on the ind development project, but they might also face bankruptcy due to cash flow issues. Chapter 101 Don¡¯t Even Think About Using Her Patent That was an oue he would not ept under any circumstances. His head snapped up, and his eyes fixed intently on Chloe as if he were deep in thought. That night, the investment conference ended with a charity g, which was the final activity before they left the ind. Its proceeds would benefit children in orphanages. Many of the children were brought in, including the child who¡¯d fallen into the sea. Chloe smiled and waved, relieved to see Maisie in much better spirits than when she¡¯d visited her in the medical room. As the charity g began, many of the wealthy attendees contributed substantial sums, eager to bolster their reputations through charity. Willow, who was representing the Qualls, donated three million dors. On her way down from the stage, she taunted Chloe, ¡°Great¨CGrandpa has always praised the fifth branch as a family of heroes. ¡°Now that you¡¯re the sole heir of the fifth branch¡¯s fortune, aren¡¯t you being too stingy by not donating even a little?¡± Chloe retorted, ¡°Didn¡¯t you just donate three million dors on behalf of the Qualls? Or are you suggesting that the fifth branch is no longer part of the Quall family?¡± Willow faltered. If she ever had the guts to deny the fifth branch of their rightful ce among the Qulls, not only would Geoffrey give her a thorough lecture, but Wade, who was present today, would also severely chastise her. ¡°Of course that¡¯s not what I meant,¡± Willow replied, forcing a smile while silently cursing Chloe. Just then, the content on the gigantic screen, which had been disying orphanage videos, switched to show something else. Surprised gasps rippled through the banquet hall, and Sonya, who was standing beside Curtis, turned pale as the new footage began to y. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! X After Divorce 102 Chapter 102 Suspicious Video As the gigantic screen flickered, it began ying an old news report about a fire at the border five years ago. Chloe¡¯s heart clenched at the sight. The fire had broken out near Cloudrion¡¯s borders. The mes had raged so fiercely that all the local firefighters were brought in, and even reinforcements from neighboring cities came to help. They had battled for a full day and night before the fire was finally contained. Chloe had paid close attention to the fire back then because Daniel had vanished at Cloudrion¡¯s borders. Yet in the aftermath, his name hadn¡¯t been mentioned at all, neither on the list of casualties nor in any records from nearby hospitals. She¡¯d joined the military investigators at the border and questioned those involved in putting the fire out, but no one had seen him. To this day, Chloe had no idea if the fire had anything to do with his disappearance. Perhaps he¡¯d gone missing even before the fire had started, but if he was still alive, why hadn¡¯t he ever shown up? What could possibly be holding him back? ¡°Why do you look so pale, Sonya? Are you feeling unwell?¡± Curtis¡® voice suddenly cut through her thoughts. All around them, heads turned to look at Sonya. Chloe followed their gaze, only to see that Sonya¡¯s face was as white as a sheet, with beads of sweat forming on her forehead and rolling down her cheeks. The banquet hall wasfortably cool, so no one should be sweating. To Chloe, Sonya looked more terrified than unwell. But being frightened by a simple news clip about a fire just didn¡¯t make sense. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Maybe¡­ just a little tired,¡± Sonya replied, struggling to suppress her shock. Who¡¯d yed that video? Was it a coincidence or¡­ ¡°Sonya, isn¡¯t this the fire you helped fight?¡± Willow suddenly asked. Sonya stiffened, while Willow boastfully continued as if she¡¯d found a chance to show off, ¡°I remember this was the massive fire at Cloudrion¡¯s borders five years ago. You were still an intern at AeroQuest back then. ¡°Instead of running away, you rushed forward to pull people out of danger and help put the fire out. You even coordinated with the police and the local authorities. Not many could stay so calm and brave in a crisis like that.¡± She then shot Chloe a provocative nce and added, ¡°No wonder Mr. Green adores you. If I were a man, I¡¯d fall for a woman as righteous and self¨Csacrificing as you are too!¡± As Sonya¡¯s expression grew more strained, people around her began topliment her. ¡°I never knew Ms. Miller was that brave!¡± Chapter 12 suspicious video ¡°That¡¯s a true heroine right there! Many men might not even be as brave as her.¡± ¡°A toast to Ms. Miller¡¯s courage!¡± Wine sses lifted around the hall. For a moment, Sonya was showered with praise, but her face didn¡¯t show the slightest hint of pride. Instead, sorrow shadowed her features. ¡°Please turn it off. So many died that day, and firefighters sacrificed their lives to put out the fire. It pains me to see that news report.¡± The staff members hurriedly switched off the news report, though they were equally confused about who could have tampered with the feed on the screen¨Cand that too to show a news report about a tragedy from five years ago. But Willow wasn¡¯t done. She turned to Chloe and said, ¡°Sonya is a true hero, unlike some people who just put on an act, talk big, and probably shrink away in real danger.¡± Though she never mentioned names, everyone could tell she was referring to Chloe. Chloe met her eyes and calmly said, ¡°Are you saying that if something like that happens, you¡¯d courageously step forward too? That¡¯s admirable, and the Quall family can be really proud of you. I hope you aren¡¯t one of those who only know how to talk big, Willow.¡± The retort rendered Willow speechless. Now that Chloe had said that, if a fire ever broke out in front of Willow, she would be expected to charge right in to save people. But she knew perfectly well that she¡¯d only been boasting. If a fire did break out, she would be the first to flee. She would never risk herself to save anyone. ¡°I¡¯m not feeling well, Curtis. I need to leave,¡± Sonya suddenly said. ¡°Let mee with you.¡± Curtis offered. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I just need to get some rest in the hotel room,¡± she replied. She was already walking away before he could respond. Chloe watched her leave hurriedly and frowned. Something about Sonya¡¯s reaction struck her as odd. For a woman who thrived on apuse andpliments, Sonya seemed almost desperate to escape it tonight. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Brian¡¯s voice rang in Chloe¡¯s ear. ¡°Sonya¡¯s acting a little strange,¡± she replied honestly. ¡°Why do you care so much about her?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just strange, but it doesn¡¯t really concern me.¡± Whether Sonya had been a hero during the fire or not made no difference to Chloe, but¡­ ¡°I once suspected that the fire at the border might be connected to Daniel¡¯s disappearance, but when I looked through all the reports and footage from that time, I didn¡¯t find any trace of him. His name wasn¡¯t Chapter 102 Suspicious Video on the list of deceased people either. ¡°I just never expected that Sonya was also there to help with the firefighters.¡± ¡°That is quite a coincidence,¡± Brian murmured softly, lowering his eyes in thought. Sonya stumbled into her hotel room and uncorked a bottle of wine with trembling hands. She chugged it down, trying to steady herself. The fire five years ago had been the turning point of her life. Back then, she was just an intern at AeroQuest Airlines¨Ca position she¡¯d secured through the Miller family connections. Her supposed bravery in that fire had earned her a government rmendation and helped her stand out at AeroQuest Airlines. Soon after, they sent her abroad for advanced training. How else would she have risen to be their first female captain in such a short time? But that fire¡­ Her hand tightened around the wine bottle. It couldn¡¯t be. Today must have been just a coincidence, and no one would know the secret from back then. She tried to reassure herself, but her hands wouldn¡¯t stop shaking. Back in the banquet hall, Chloe had just stepped out of the restroom when Curtis stopped her. ¡°I need to talk to you, Chloe.¡± This text is hosted at find[f]ovel ¡°I have nothing to say to you,¡± she coldly replied. ¡°I know you resent me for the divorce. You can hate me all you want, but don¡¯t take it out on thepany! Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! im Chapter 103 No Shame After Divorce 103 Chapter 103 No Shame ¡°What?¡± Chloe blinked at Curtis, stunned, only to hear him continue. ¡°We founded Green Tech together, and there are so many employees you know well. How could you bear to see it copse and watch your colleagues getid off?¡± Chloe didn¡¯t hold back and snapped, ¡°If thepany copses and people getid off, that¡¯s on you, not me. Don¡¯t try to stand on some moral high ground and dump the me on my shoulders. ¡°Besides, I remember you¡¯ve always told the press that you built Green Tech entirely on your own. Howe you¡¯re suddenly saying ¡®we¡® founded it?¡± Curtis¡® face burned in embarrassment. He¡¯d always believed he¡¯d founded Green Tech and led it to sess through his own brilliance and that Chloe¡¯s work was no different from what any project manager could do. But now, he wasn¡¯t so sure anymore. If he wanted any chance at the ind development project, he absolutely needed the upgraded version of her patent. ¡°I understand that it¡¯s all my fault, but don¡¯t punish thepany for my mistakes. We need that ind development project, so you¡¯ll ruin everything if you sabotage it just to get back at me.¡± ¡°Get back at you?¡± Chloe echoed and almostughed. ¡°How exactly am I getting back at you? You used my patent and proposal, and I just pointed it out at the conference. How is that considered me taking revenge?¡± Curtis froze before he stubbornly insisted. ¡°If you¡¯re not trying to get revenge, just give me the upgraded patent!¡± For the first time, Chloe realized the man in front of her was more shameless than she¡¯d thought. ¡°Why should I?¡± ¡°For the sake of our marriage-¡± ¡°And what did that marriage ever give me?¡± Chloe cut in with a sharp question. ¡°I worked endless nights and countless overtime hours building thatpany, but when we achieved sess, I got none of the credit or even a single share of the profits. ¡°When your mother, sister, and friends mocked me, you never once stood up for me. And now you want to bring up our marriage?¡± Curtis¡® face flushed. Hearing those words from Chloe filled him with shame because he knew that he¡¯d failed her during their three years of marriage. ¡°I¡¯ll make it up to you,¡± he dered. Chapter 103 No Shame ¡°I don¡¯t need it!¡± she coldly replied before turning to leave. ¡°Wait-¡± He reached out to grab her, but another hand was faster and mped firmly around his wrist. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing, Mr. Green?¡± Brian¡¯s cool voice, paired with his detached expression, radiated intense pressure. ¡°That should be my question, Mr. Steele. What are you doing?¡± Curtis hissed through gritted teeth, wincing in pain. It felt like his wrist might break under Brian¡¯s grip. ¡°Nothing. I just don¡¯t like you touching Chloe,¡± Brian said calmly. The casual intimacy in his words stung Curtis. ¡°And what gives you the right to stop me, Mr. Steele? Who are you to her?¡± ¡°Her boyfriend. Is that enough?¡± Brian replied. ¡°What?¡± His answer left Curtis stunned, and even Chloe looked at him in surprise. She only remembered agreeing to give him a chance; she¡¯d never said anything about officially dating. But with Curtis there, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to correct Brian. So, she pressed her lips together, which was as good as agreeing to it. Seeing her silent agreement, Curtis¡® expression darkened. He¡¯d always believed Chloe had feelings for him no matter how close she seemed to Brian. But now, she was actually dating Brian, and that too, so soon after their divorce? An ache twisted painfully in his chest as he asked, ¡°Chloe, are the two of you dating?¡± ¡°And what if we are?¡± Chloe shrugged indifferently before turning to Brian. ¡°Let him go. I have something to ask you.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± For once, the cold, unshakeable Brianpliantly released his grip. Chloe took his hand and led him away. Watching them leave, Curtis felt a sense of panic and unease he couldn¡¯t exin. Why did he feel this way? He and Chloe were divorced, and if she¡¯d moved on so quickly, didn¡¯t that just prove she didn¡¯t value rtionships and was fickle? Shouldn¡¯t he be d to be rid of a woman like that? Then why did he feel so¡­ unsettled? Chloe led Brian to a quiet spot and asked, ¡°Why did you tell Curtis that you¡¯re my boyfriend?¡± ¡°Because one day, I will be,¡± he answered in a firm, confident voice. ¡°What if I feel nothing for you when my mission to protect you is over? I told you that we¡¯d go our Chapter 103 No Shame separate ways when it¡¯s over and not bother each other. You agreed, didn¡¯t you?¡± ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? Brian¡¯sshes fluttered a little before he leaned closer and fixed his eyes intently on hers. ¡°So, am I not allowed to make you fall for me?¡± His handsome face was suddenly so close that Chloe couldn¡¯t help swallowing hard. Was he seducing her? And could she promise not to develop feelings for him? She couldn¡¯t even be sure herself, especially when he looked at her with those eyes. Gone was the usual cool detachment in his eyes, reced instead by raw yearning. This version of Brian could easily move any woman¡¯s heart. ¡°Forget it. Just don¡¯t say that again,¡± she said. The light in Brian¡¯s eyes dimmed, but he nodded and went along with her wishes. ¡°Alright. I understand.¡± Once the investment conference and charity g came to an end, the attendees began to leave the ind. Chloe and Brian left by boat the next day. When they returned to Brian¡¯s vi in Yarfdale, they were weed by an unexpected guest¨CLiam. Though Chloe had never met him in person, she¡¯d seen his photos online and immediately recognized him. After all, the Steeles¡® striking looks were almost impossible to forget. The moment Brian saw Liam, his expression hardened. ¡°What are you doing here? I told you not to show your face in front of her.¡± He moved protectively in front of Chloe, as if shielding her from harm. Liam chuckled. ¡°So defensive, huh? Are you afraid I¡¯ll hurt your beloved? I heard that you dove into the sea after her to save a child on the ind. It left me so intrigued that I had to see her for myself.¡± Brian¡¯s expression remained tense, and he frantically tried to hold Chloe back when she stepped out from behind him. But she gave him a reassuring look and walked right up to Liam. ¡°Well, have you seen enough?¡± Liam arched a brow. ¡°Not bad.¡± ¡°Good. Since you¡¯re done looking, it¡¯s my turn then.¡± As the words left her mouth, she swung her fist straight at Liam. After Divorce 104 Chapter 104 Because You Deserve a Beating Chloe¡¯s unexpected punch was swift and hard, her fist driving straight into Liam¡¯s gut. If he hadn¡¯t been trained, her blow would have sent him flying across the room. Even so, he staggered a few steps back before catching his bnce, one hand instinctively clutching his abdomen. The sharp, tugging pain was a reminder that Chloe, who was still standing straight, had just punched him. He suddenly burst into a fit ofughter, and his eyes locked on her, cold and glinting with menace. ¡°Youngdies these days don¡¯t know their ce. Do you even realize what that punch will cost you?¡± Chloe arched a brow before turning to Brian. ¡°You promised me that your legal team would protect me, right?¡± Brian was still frozen in ce as he tried to process what had just happened. Chloe had told him that she would beat Liam up every time she saw him, but Brian hadn¡¯t thought that she would actually do it, not to mention with such a clean and decisive move. ¡°¡­Yes,¡± he replied after a long pause. Turning back to face Liam again, Chloe asked, ¡°So, does punching you once cost the same as beating you up?¡± ¡°What?¡± A rare look of surprise surfaced on Liam¡¯s face before Chloe lunged forward again, raising her fists andunching a flurry of punches at him. He quickly reacted to block the blows, but Chloe¡¯s attacks were clearly beyond anything he¡¯d imagined. In terms of skill, she was better than many of the male bodyguards he kept around. Every punch was fast, vicious, and precise, targeting spots that wouldn¡¯t inflict a fatal injury but would hurt most. In just a matter of seconds, he¡¯d taken hit after hit. It had been years since anyone had daredy a hand on him like this. Just as Chloe¡¯s fist was about tond another heavy blow, Liam moved to throw a punch at her too. But before he could strike, Brian darted between them and caught his fist in an iron grip, stopping the fight. ¡°Why would you do that?¡± Brian demanded in a low growl as he snapped his head to Chloe. ¡°Couldn¡¯t you see that if you¡¯d gone with that punch, he would have struck you too?¡± If he hadn¡¯t stopped Liam, thetter¡¯s punch would havended squarely on Chloe¡¯s face. ¡°I know, but I still wanted to do it,¡± Chloe replied calmly without so much as flinching. She wanted tond every strike, even if it meant trading blow for blow. ¡°You¡­¡± Brian stared at her, clearly stunned. Liam, however,ughed harder. ¡°Why are you so desperate to hurt me, kid?¡± Newest update provided by f?ndnovel Chapter 104 Because You Deserve a Beating ¡°No reason. I just think you deserve it,¡± Chloe shot back. ¡°Is it for Brian¡¯s sake?¡± Liam asked, narrowing his eyes. ¡°What if it is?¡± ¡°What if I told you not even Steele Group¡¯s legal team could protect you? Brian may be the head of the Steele family now, but never forget that I¡¯m his father. His position isn¡¯t as secure as you might think,¡± Liam said threateningly. Brian¡¯s expression was grim as he warned, ¡°I¡¯ll make you pay if youy a single finger on her.¡± It was such a simple statement, but Liam understood that those words spoke volumes about Brian¡¯s unwavering resolve. ¡°Is she worth it?¡± he asked, raising a brow. ¡°Yes,¡± Brian answered without a hint of hesitation. For a moment, Liam saw his younger self in Brian and burst outughing. ¡°You are my son, after all. But Brian, since we share the same blood, have you ever considered that you¡¯ll end up sharing the same fate as I did? Even if you love her, one day she¡¯ll discard you like trash!¡± Brian¡¯s expression hardened as Liam continued rambling, his words like a curse. ¡°Even if she cares about you now, do you think she¡¯ll still love you after seeing the real you? She¡¯ll run away in disgust once she sees your dark, twisted side. ¡°You¡¯ll never be loved, and you never should¡¯ve caught feelings for her. All your hopes and longing for her are just a fantasy, and that in itself is a sin.¡± ¡°Enough! You¡¯re his father. How could you say that to your son?¡± Chloe rushed forward again, grabbing Liam by the cor. A twisted, sinister grin spread across Liam¡¯s face. ¡°As his father, I know better than anyone that a man like him doesn¡¯t deserve love. Even if you care for him now, you¡¯ll cast him aside one day. He¡¯s destined to be abandoned.¡± Brian stood rigid, each word from Liam piercing his ears like a sharp needle, making his stomach churn. But it didn¡¯t matter anymore. He was long past the age of caring what Liam said, and thetter¡¯s words couldn¡¯t hurt him anymore, no matter how harsh. What terrified him was how Chloe would react to Liam¡¯s words. What would she think after hearing all. that? Would her eyes be full of disgust when she looked at him? The possibility of seeing revulsion in her eyes made Brian¡¯s heart tremble and filled him with a deep unease. ¡°I won¡¯t abandon him, so could you please shut up?¡± Chloe snapped. ¡°What do you mean that he doesn¡¯t deserve love? He¡¯s a far better person than you¡¯ll ever be!¡± Chapter 104 Because You Deserve a Beating Brian shuddered. His eyes widened in disbelief as he turned to look at Chloe. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous. Are you saying that you¡¯ll always love him?¡± Liam retorted. ¡°Yes, I will. So what about it?¡± The words spilled out of Chloe¡¯s mouth before she could stop them, and she only btedly realized what she¡¯d said. Still, it wasn¡¯t the time to back down, so she lifted her chin and stared Liam down. ¡°I love Brian, and I¡¯ll show you he¡¯s worth loving. And you, you¡¯re not even fit to call yourself his father. Aren¡¯t you afraid of facing retribution for abusing and belittling your own son?¡± ¡°Retribution?¡± Liam¡¯s lips twitched. If losing Emily was his punishment, he¡¯d long paid the price of his sins and burned in hell. Jerking free of her grip, he stepped back and smirked. ¡°Let¡¯s make a bet then. I say you¡¯ll leave him one day and walk away.¡± With that, he burst into maniacalughter and walked out. Chloe frowned, then turned around to meet Brian¡¯s eyes. He was staring at her. His dark eyes were full of delight, anxiety, and vulnerability as he tentatively asked, ¡± Chloe, will you really love me and never leave me?¡± After Divorce 105 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¨Cspeech. ¡°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¨Cdo 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 of 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 in 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, 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¨Cinterference 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. Readplete version only at find{n}ovel 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¨Cups 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¨Cups 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¨Cups 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¨Cups hadn¡¯te for her and Curtis at all. Instead, they¡¯de to wee Brian and Chloe. Chapter 106 Reversed Rolen After Divorce 106 Chapter 106 Reversed Roles Curtis stared nkly as Chloe walked side by side with Brian, surrounded by higher¨Cups of Quall Group. The scene seemed to sting his eyes. Just then, Chloe nced in his direction, and their eyes met for a fleeting second. His chest tightened with sudden, inexplicable tension, but her gaze slid away from him almost immediately, as though he were no more than an irrelevant stranger. A wave of disappointment washed over Curtis. Chloe, who¡¯d once looked at him with admiration, now seemedpletely indifferent to his presence. After the group passed by, someone finally approached and greeted them. ¡°Sonya, Mr. Green, you¡¯re here.¡± It was Westin Quall. He was around Sonya¡¯s age and worked in the PR department under Willow. ¡°Yes. I didn¡¯t expect Brian and Chloe to be here too,¡± Sonya said, forcing a smile. ¡°Steele Group and Quall Group are working together on the ind development project, so it¡¯s no surprise that Mr. Steele is here. Still, I didn¡¯t expect him to bring Chloe here too,¡± Westin exined, his eyes filled with envy as he looked at Chloe walking into the elevator. ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought Mr. Steele would fall for a divorcee? She¡¯s really lucky¡­¡± He trailed off as he suddenly remembered that Curtis was Chloe¡¯s ex¨Chusband. He awkwardly rubbed his nose and managed augh. ¡°Anyway, let¡¯s head up.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Sonya said, though her smile had gone stiff. It gnawed at her that Chloe looked like she¡¯d won even though she¡¯d been dumped by Curtis, while Sonya and Curtis stood here like the defeated. Still, Sonya was reassured by the thought that a man like Brian wouldn¡¯t stay interested in Chloe for too long. Westin stopped them at the conference room¡¯s doors and said, ¡°Please wait here for now. The CEO and vice president are in talks with Mr. Steele regarding partnership matters. I¡¯ll let you know when it¡¯s your turn to enter.¡± ¡°We have to wait?¡± Sonya seemed surprised. ¡°Of course,¡± Westin replied. His tone carried a hint of disdain as he nced at Curtis. He¡¯d heard that the proposal Curtis had submitted at the investment conference for the ind development project had been written by Chloe just before she resigned and that the patent was hers too. He wondered how a man like Curtis had managed to build apany that had gone public in just three years. Was it just pure luck? Chapter 106 Reversed Roles Curtis¡® face flushed as he shifted ufortably upon noticing Westin¡¯s attitude and expression. Since his rise to sess, he¡¯d been met with praise and respect everywhere, and even major corporations treated him with courtesy. No one had ever had him wait outside a conference room. It felt like he¡¯d returned to his early days when he was still poor and unknown, clutching papers and humbly waiting for an opportunity. As the thought crossed his mind, his fingers tightened around the file in his hand. He¡¯d worked for days to reorganize everything. With Sonya¡¯s help, he was sure he could secure the project. After what felt like an eternity, Westin finally said, ¡°You may enter now.¡± Curtis got up and entered the conference room with Sonya. Besides Quall Group¡¯s higher¨Cups, Chloe and Brian were present as well. Just as Curtis and Sonya were about to take their seats, Brian suddenly said, ¡°I believe this meeting is for relevant personnel only. Ms. Miller doesn¡¯t seem to be involved in the ind development project.¡± Sonya froze before she replied, ¡°My mother is from the Quall family, so I can also be considered a Quall.¡± ¡°In that case, what¡¯s your role in the ind development project?¡± Brian asked. When she faltered, an employee stepped forward. ¡°Please leave, Ms. Miller.¡± Sonya¡¯s face paled with frustration. ¡°What about Chloe? Is she involved in the project? If she isn¡¯t, she should leave too!¡± ¡°Exactly! If Sonya has to go, so should Chloe! Chloe doesn¡¯t hold a position in Quall Group, so it¡¯s inappropriate for her to remain in this conference room,¡± Willow chimed in. Immediately, all eyes in the room fell on Chloe. Leonard cleared his throat and said, ¡°Maybe step out for now, Chloe.¡± Chloe frowned. She was at the meeting as Brian¡¯s bodyguard, so she couldn¡¯t leave. A smug look shed in Sonya¡¯s eyes. If she couldn¡¯t stay, she would make sure Chloe couldn¡¯t either. Just as the employee moved to escort Chloe out, Brian suddenly announced, ¡°Whether Steele Group continues its partnership with Quall Group will be decided by Chloe. If she leaves, there¡¯s no need to continue discussions.¡± ¡°What?¡± The room erupted in shock. He must be joking to leave the final say in such an important partnership with Chloe! Even Chloe was surprised, but Brian looked dead serious and didn¡¯t seem to be joking at all. At least, it was Wade, the current CEO of Quall Group, who broke the silence. ¡°Please step out, Sonya. The meeting will continue.¡± Chapter 106 Reversed Roles og dn Humiliated, Sonya had no choice but to leave under everyone¡¯s gaze. ¡°You may begin, Mr. Green,¡± Wade said. Curtis nervously adjusted his files. In the past, he¡¯d been the one seated at the head of the table at meetings, while Chloe sat in a lower position. Now, the roles were reversed. She sat in the superior seat, and he was the one pleading for an opportunity. After taking a deep breath, he braced himself to present his prepared materials and fight for the project. Though he¡¯d rehearsed countless times, he couldn¡¯t help but stumble over the materials he¡¯d repeatedly studied. ¡°In summary, if we coborate, Green Tech will bring in experts to upgrade the anti¨Cinterference system for the patent. Besides, we¡¯re willing to offer an extra five percent profit share beyond the original terms.¡± The offer caught the attention of several higher¨Cups from Quall Group. A five percent increase in profit share was significant for suchrge¨Cscale projects Though Green Tech had performed poorly in the government review, the ind development project- albeit a government¨Cled initiative¨Cwas being executed by Quall Group and Steele Group. So if Quall Group wanted to hand over the drone portion of the project to Green Tech, they could. Willow was the first to speak up. ¡°I think it¡¯s eptable. Green Tech has shown its sincerity.¡± ¡°I agree,¡± Leonard added. For original chapters go to FindN()vel Soon, others from Quall Group seconded the motion before Wade turned to Brian and asked, ¡°What do you think, Mr. Steele?¡± Bothpanies were involved in the ind development project. Although Quall Group seemed to be leading it, everyone knew perfectly well that it was all because of Steele Group¡¯s backing. Without Steele Group, Quall Group could never have taken on a project of this scale. Instead of responding, Brian turned to Chloe. ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t support handing the drone portion of the project to Green Tech,¡± Chloe bluntly dered. Curtis¡® head snapped in her direction as he stared at her in shock. Chapter 107 Chloe Loses Her Cool After Divorce 107 f Chapter 107 Chloe Loses Her Cool ¡°Chloe, could it be that you¡¯re sabotaging this rtionship out of spite just because Mr. Green divorced you and fell in love with Sonya? I never thought you¡¯d be so unprofessional as to mix business with personal feelings,¡± Willow said sharply. ¡°That¡¯s right, Chloe. Your personal conflicts with Mr. Green are between you two. This is a serious matter for Quall Group, and now¡¯s not the time for your petty games,¡± Leonard chided. Chloe looked up and shot back. ¡°So if I support Green Tech, that¡¯s professionalism, but if I oppose it, I¡¯m being petty? ¡°If that¡¯s your definition of not mixing business with personal feelings, you make it far too easy. Anyone might even think Curtis slipped you some kind of benefit under the table.¡± Her words struck Willow and Leonard¡¯s nerves, and their expressions fell instantly. ¡°That¡¯s nder!¡± Willow eximed. ¡°You sound awfully nervous. Did I hit too close to the truth?¡± Chloe mocked. Guilt flickered in Willow¡¯s eyes. It was true that Sonya had promised her a cut of the profits if she helped secure the deal for Green Tech, and that was why she¡¯d been pushing so hard for the partnership. Curtis angrily said, ¡°You can take it out on me for whatever went wrong between us, Chloe. But Green Tech isn¡¯t just me; it also concerns quite a number of employees, so you shouldn¡¯t target us like that. What will your former colleagues think if they learn about what you¡¯re doing?¡± Before Chloe could reply, Brian¡¯s cold voice cut across the room. ¡°What will they think? Of course, they¡¯ll talk about how their ipetent boss managed to turn a promisingpany into a disaster.¡± Curtis paled almost instantly. ¡°Even if you¡¯re the head of the Steele family, you have no right to insult me like that, Mr. Steele!¡± ¡°Insult? I¡¯m just stating facts. How did that sound like an insult to you?¡± Brian scoffed. ¡°I don¡¯t see any issue with my capabilities, seeing as how Green Tech went public in just three years!¡± Curtis argued. ¡°Was that really just because of your abilities?¡± Brian shot back, wearing a half¨Camused smile. While Curtis was too stunned for words, Chloe rose from her seat and exined, ¡°Green Tech can¡¯t guarantee it can upgrade its anti¨Cinterference program for now. They need Quall Group to inject funds before they can even attempt to work on the upgrade. ¡°Have you ever considered the risks for Quall Group should the upgrades fail? Not only would it fail to savebor costs and improve efficiency, but it could also dy the entire project. Besides¡­¡± She paused, then added, ¡°I¡¯ve heard Green Tech is facing cash flow problems. I believe Quall Group Chapter 107 Chloe Loses Her Cool should take that into ount.¡± Quall Group¡¯s higher¨Cups looked startled by the revtion. Wade sternly asked, ¡°Is this true, Chloe?¡± ¡°You can verify the ounts to check if I¡¯m telling the truth,¡± Chloe replied calmly. ¡°What right do you have to spread baseless rumors about Green Tech¡¯s cash flow problems? No matter what you do, you can¡¯t defame us like that!¡± Curtis shouted. ¡°If you had money, then when we divorced, howe you only gave me my parents¡® death gratuity, which was used as funds for the startup, and not a single penny more?¡± Chloe demanded. At the time of the divorce, she¡¯d known that Curtis had mortgaged all his properties to the bank and had no liquid assets. His shares were locked and unseble. As such, Green Tech was essentially a sinking ship now. Curtis¡® face flushed bright red as the other Qualls looked at him in shock. They¡¯d known about the divorce, but not that Curtis had only given Chloe a divorce settlement of 1.53 million dors¨CWalter and Jenna¡¯s death gratuity. Many who respected Walter¡¯s branch of the Quall family now looked at Curtis with disapproval. Wade sternly said, ¡°Mr. Green, I¡¯m afraid we¡¯ll have to reconsider our partnership with Green Tech.¡± Those words were no different from a rejection, and Curtis looked devastated. Outside, Sonya waited anxiously. When the door to the conference room opened, Willow stepped out and bitterlyined, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Chloe stirring trouble, Uncle Wade wouldn¡¯t have rejected the partnership.¡± ¡°What?¡± Sonya was stunned. She¡¯d put so much effort into this opportunity. Had Chloe ruined everything? Just then, she saw Chloe leaving the conference room and rushed over. ¡°Are you trying to ruin Curtis just because he divorced you? You¡¯re vile! How could parents who died as heroes have a daughter like you?¡± As Chloe¡¯s expression darkened, her hand whipped up, pping Sonya hard across the face. ¡°How could you!¡± Sonya stared in shock. Never would she have expected Chloe to p her outright. ¡°You have no right to insult my parents, Sonya. If you say another word about them, I won¡¯t show you any mercy,¡± Chloe coldly warned. ¡°Oh, really? Let¡¯s see what you can do! I¡¯ll say whatever I want! Your parents were-¡± Her words abruptly halted when Chloe kicked her chest, sending her flying backward. She crashed into the wall, and her phone fell out of her pocket. ¡°Sonya, do you want me to hit you the way I did at the airport and crush your ribs?¡± Chloe stepped out, her words cold and threatening. Chapter 107 Chine Low Her Cool A shiver ran down Sonya¡¯s spine. The memory of being pinned under Chloe¡¯s foot at the airport and her bones being on the verge of cracking still haunted her. That was when Curtis rushed out of the meeting room. ¡°Chloe, what are you doing to Sonya?¡± ¡°What does it look like?¡± Chloe snapped back in a cold, chilling voice. ¡°If she dares to insult my parents again, I¡¯ll break her bones for real.¡± Even Curtis was intimidated by the force of her presence. On the floor, Sonya¡¯s phone screen lit up with a new message. It was closest to her, and when she caught a glimpse of the words on the screen, her face paled in panic. She snatched up the phone and clutched it tight before turning to Curtis and panickedly saying, ¡°Curtis, I- let¡¯s just go.¡± Pressing his lips together, Curtis helped her up and led her away. After they entered the elevator, he murmured, ¡°You look terrible. Chloe went too far. She shouldn¡¯t have beaten you up like that, even if you mentioned her parents. Let me take you to the hospital.¡± Sonya stayed silent, clutching her phone tightly. Her mind raced over the single word she¡¯d glimpsed on the screen-¡°Murderer¡°. Meanwhile, Brian casually took the hand Chloe had struck Sonya with and gently asked, ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Everyone around them fell speechless. Shouldn¡¯t Sonya be the one in pain? #1 That evening, Brian was working in his study while Chloe lounged on the nearby couch, chatting with Lena over a voice call. ¡°It¡¯s an emergency, babe! You must log in and help me with the game tonight, or I¡¯ll fail this quest for sure! ¡®Lena anxiously begged. ¡°But I¡¯m still on my mission to protect Brian,¡± Chloe replied. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Brian asked. Somehow, he¡¯d walked over without her noticing. ¡°Lena wants me to log in and help her with her game, but I¡¯m not exactly free.¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing stopping you. Even if I prefer you by my side 24/7, there are other bodyguards in the vi. Someone else will cover while you y.¡± He paused, then asked, ¡°But when you log into the game, can someone join you?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Chloe asked, clearly confused. Ten minutester, Lena stared at the game interface. Standing next to Chloe¡¯s game avatar was another avatar dressed in fresh gear. It was clearly a newly registered yer. Chapter 107 Chloe Loses Her Cool Get full chapters from FindN0vel ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± Lena curiously asked. ¡°Brian,¡± Chloe replied. For a moment, Lena was at a loss for words. After Divorce 108 Chapter 108 I Don¡¯t Want to See You Die Even in a Game Surprised to see Chloe dragging Brian into the game, Lena asked, ¡°Why did you bring him here?¡± Chloe sighed helplessly. ¡°He insisted.¡± ¡°But I need to finish a quest today. Can he even keep up?¡± After all, Brian looked like the greenest newbie there was. ¡°It¡¯ll be fine¡­ I guess? He¡¯ll just stick to me in the game and won¡¯t get in the way while youplete your quest,¡± Chloe said, ncing at Brian beside her. Lena exhaled. ¡°That¡¯s a relief, but why does he want to y a game with you? That sounds weird.¡± Brian was the head of the Steele family and Steele Group. Since when did he have so much free time? ¡°Is it strange for a boyfriend to join his girlfriend in a game?¡± Brian¡¯s cold voice suddenly sounded out of nowhere. Lena, who was both in the game and on a voice call with Chloe, nearly dropped her phone when she heard his voice. ¡°Is he with you?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Chloe didn¡¯t deny it. ¡°And when exactly did he be your boyfriend?¡± Lena pressed. ¡°A few days ago.¡± A high¨Cpitched squeal came through the voice call. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me this huge piece of news, Chloe? Back in school, I even dragged you along when I went bar¨Chopping to meet cute guys!¡± Sensing Brian¡¯s intense stare from beside her, Chloe cleared her throat and exined, ¡°I was going to tell you in person when we met. Didn¡¯t you say you had a quest? Focus on that first.¡± Lena finally calmed down and got back to business. It was a tactical shooter game where squadspleted quests and gathered resources while fending off ambushes from rival yers. Lena had failed this quest several times because she¡¯d been wiped out by other squads, so she¡¯d begged Chloe for help tonight. Chloe and Lena had yed the game before, and tonight¡¯s squad of six included three familiar old teammates. They instantly fell into rhythm. Chloe only gave Brian a single instruction. ¡°Just stick close to me and don¡¯t fall behind.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± he replied. One of the teammates asked Brian, ¡°Hey man, is this your first time ying?¡± Chapter 1081Don¡¯t Want to See You Die Even in a Game Brian gave a quiet hum in response. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°Brian Steele.¡± At that, the three other teammates of the squad fell into shocked silence before someone said, ¡°Wow! You¡¯ve got the same name as the famous Mr. Steele of Corvessia!¡± Anotherughed and chimed in, ¡°This feels like we¡¯re ying with the richest guy in Corvessia!¡± ¡°No way Mr. Steele would have time to y games with us, so stop dreaming! But that¡¯s a cool name, man. Maybe you¡¯ll get rich sometime in the future too!¡± Lena almost rolled her eyes speechlessly. She wanted to scream. ¡°This is the richest man, Brian Steele, that you¡¯re ying a game with. And yes, he does have the time for a game!¡± As the squad of six advanced, Brian stayed glued to Chloe¡¯s side. He watched as she controlled her avatar to lift a rifle with practiced ease and took down enemies with ruthless precision. Her movements were smooth and efficient, and she was even able to assist her teammates when needed. Right now, she was like an unstoppable, fearless goddess of war on the battlefield. Brian found his eyes drifting from the game interface to Chloe¡¯s face. As she sat next to him, her fingers moved deftly across her phone, skillfullymanding her avatar. Her confidence in the game made him wonder if she¡¯d been just as impressive when she¡¯d led the special forces in the military. It felt as though she¡¯d never belonged in small, ordinary spaces but in a muchrger world. ¡°Don¡¯t get distracted. Stay close!¡± Chloe called out. As Brian snapped back to reality, he shifted his gaze away from Chloe and maneuvered his avatar to follow hers closely. As the squad neared the target, several enemy squads suddenly swarmed them. It was clear that the other squads had joined forces to take down the strongest squad first. ¡°Damn it! How is anyone supposed to finish the quest like this?¡± Lena cursed in rage, ducking her avatar into cover. The rest of the squad followed suit and scrambled to hide from the attacks. Chloe turned to Brian and instructed, ¡°Don¡¯t follow me. Find a ce to hide!¡± Without waiting for an answer, she charged toward the enemy under the protection of cover. Brian watched her avatar on the screen. Even in a game, he didn¡¯t want to be apart from her. If there was one regret he had, it was not enlisting when Chloe had joined the military. He hadn¡¯t been there to stand beside her, to share the risk, and to be the one she could count on with her life. But even if he couldn¡¯t change the past, he could, at the very least, stand by her side in this game. Chapter 108 (Don¡¯t Want to See You Dir Lynn in a time He charged after her, just as enemies closed in from all sides. Chloe yelled into the squad voice channel at Lena, ¡°Lena, you guysplete the mission, and I¡¯ll hold them off!¡± Since she wasn¡¯t on a quest herself, it didn¡¯t matter if she sacrificed her avatar to take out the enemies in the game. ¡°Got it!¡± Lena promptly responded. While Chloe took on the enemy fire, Lena and the other three teammates cut around the fireline and headed straight for the quest target. Chloe went all out, facing wave after wave of enemy yers alone with her ultimate skills. But the enemies pressed harder, bullets and grenades forming a deadly closing in around her. She fought hard to buy time until finally, Lena¡¯s voice came through. ¡°Alright! Questplete!¡± Chloe let out a breath of relief. She was almost out of ammo, and it seemed almost inevitable now that she would go down in a ze and take her enemies with her. Suddenly, the enemies closest to her dropped one by one. While she was too stunned to react, she heard her teammates¡® voices erupt in the voice channel. ¡°Chloe, is Brian really a newbie who¡¯s never yed this game?¡± ¡°This guy¡¯s insane!¡± ¡°No way he¡¯s human!¡± Chloe looked over at Brian. He was using a beginner¨Cfriendly rifle she¡¯d handed him earlier, firing shot after shot with deadly uracy. Each shot hit a critical spot. She¡¯d seen his shooting skills at the shooting range and knew he was a dead¨Ceye, but this was his first time ying the game. The fact that he was defeating enemies like a pro shocked Chloe. When thest of the enemies fell, Chloe watched the screen as Brian moved his avatar so that it slowly approached hers. Then, his voice rang in her ears. ¡°Even in a game, I don¡¯t want to see you in danger.¡± In that moment, Chloe¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Her cheeks still felt warm even after they¡¯d logged out. She said, ¡°Well, it¡¯s gettingte. You should get some rest, and I¡¯ll return to my room now.¡± Official source is F?ndNovel ¡°Wait.¡± He caught her hand. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked, puzzled. He leaned back on the couch and tilted his head to look her straight in the eyes. ¡°Is it true that you went bar¨Chopping with Lena for cute guys?¡± After Divorce 109 Chapter 109 The Charmer Gets Charmed Chloe¡¯s cheeks flushed. ¡°Why¡¯d you ask that? Lena was just talking nonsense.¡± ¡°Oh, really? So you two never went to bars to check out cute guys?¡± Brian pressed. Well, technically, they had. Lena had even invited a few of the bar¡¯s popr male escorts into their private room for drinks and games. Of course, it was Lena who did most of the drinking and ying, while Chloe had just watched from the side. ¡°So it did happen,¡± Brian murmured, noting her silence. ¡°Did you like any of them? Were they better looking than me?¡± ¡°Of course not!¡± Chloe blurted out. ¡°Besides, that was years ago. I¡¯m going to bed.¡± But her wrist remained firmly in his grasp. He refused to let go. ¡°So you didn¡¯t like any of them, or were none of them better looking than me?¡± Chloe felt a headacheing. Clearly, he wouldn¡¯t let her leave unless she gave him a direct answer. ¡°I didn¡¯t like anyone, and yes¡­ you¡¯re better looking than them.¡± A grin spread across Brian¡¯s lips. ¡°Does that mean you think I¡¯m handsome?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± That was the truth. Honestly, she couldn¡¯t even remember the faces of those male escorts from the bar. Back then, Lena had just broken up with someone, so she¡¯d dragged Chloe along to the bar, dering they would find someone better. Chloe¡¯s focus had been on Lena the whole night. ¡°Does that mean you like me?¡± Brian pushed. Chloe stared at him, speechless. What kind of question was that? Who in Alverton would have the guts to im that they didn¡¯t like Brian? He raised a brow, waiting for her answer. As he was sitting and she was standing, his head was tilted upward, and she could see his facial features up close. His neck was exposed in a way that suddenly felt too striking and attractive. ¡°If I don¡¯t like you, why would I be dating you?¡± she replied. ¡°In that case¡­ would you mind if I did this?¡± His lips parted slightly as he drew her closer, leaning toward her. His other hand slid around her waist, holding her as if he were afraid that she would pull away. As his lips brushed gently against her jaw, she stiffened slightly. She could see the raw longing in his eyes. ¡°I want to kiss you, Chloe,¡± he whispered. His usually cool, refined voice now sounded raspy. Chloe blinked. They were dating now, and since she did feel something for him, a kiss didn¡¯t seem out of Chapter 109 The Charmer Gets Charmed ce. But still¡­ ¡°If you don¡¯t want me to, you can stop me. I¡¯d never force you.¡± He almost sounded like he was pleading. As his lips trailed slowly from her jaw toward her mouth, she didn¡¯t push him away. She could almost feel his hand tremble slightly against her waist. Was he actually nervous? Was the great head of the Steeles, one of the most powerful men in Corvessia, nervous about kissing a woman? His lips touched hers lightly in a cautious kiss, as if he were handling something precious. But that was all -just a soft touch, as if anything more would be disrespectful. Just as Brian ended the kiss and began to pull back, Chloe suddenly grabbed his cor and pressed her lips to his. ¡°Open your mouth!¡± she ordered. Brian froze for a second, then obeyed and parted his lips. And just like that, she kissed him deeply, taking the lead. When the kiss ended, Brian¡¯s ears were flushed red. He stared at Chloe, dazed, and murmured, ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re my boyfriend, and I want to kiss you. Is that enough of a reason?¡± Savoring the sweetness of her lips, his eyes lit up, and a stunning smile spread across his face. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s enough.¡± ¡°In that case, can I go to bed now?¡± she asked. Only then did Brian reluctantly release her. After she left, he gently touched his lips, where her warmth seemed to linger. ¡°What should I do, Chloe? The moment you give me a little, I only want more,¡± he whispered and slowly closed his eyes as if he were savoring the memory of what had just happened. Back in Chloe¡¯s room, she¡¯d just washed up when she received a call from Lena, who immediately asked, Is Brian with you right now?¡± ¡°No. I¡¯m in my room getting ready for bed,¡± Chloe replied. Relieved, Lena finally asked, ¡°So, are you really dating Brian?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°And he didn¡¯t threaten or force you into it?¡± ¡°No. It was my choice.¡± Lena still sounded doubtful. ¡°I mean, sure, he does look like a walking sin, but you¡¯re not the type to fall Chapter 109 The Chimes dels Charmed for just a face. What on earth do you see in him?¡± Chloe thought about it. ¡°He¡¯s not too bad.¡°. ¡°God. If you said that in public, people would think you were mocking him!¡± Lena eximed. All kinds of rumors circted about Brian in Corvessia, but ¡°not too bad¡± was never one of them. Chloe smiled. ¡°Sometimes the people you think are good turn out to be heartless, and sometimes you think people are bad, probably because their kindness goes unnoticed.¡± ¡°So have you seen his good side?¡± Lena teased. ¡°He¡¯s different from what I used to think. I might have said yes to dating him on impulse, but I don¡¯t regret it.¡± ¡°Good luck then. I hope he doesn¡¯t let you down,¡± Lena said sincerely. ¡°Thanks,¡± Chloe replied, but no one could predict the future, and no one knew what would happen between her and Brian. A few dayster, Sonya woke up from another nightmare in a cold sweat. ¡°Another nightmare?¡± Curtis worriedly asked. Since their return from Quall Group, she¡¯d been acting strangely and often had nightmares. ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? f¦É¦Ídn¦Ïvel ¡°Yes,¡± Sonya gasped. Her forehead was covered in sweat. ¡°It¡¯s probably because Chloe attacked you in front of everyone that day. You should see a therapist before it turns into trauma,¡± he suggested. ¡°Alright.¡± Sonya exhaled shakily, but she knew Chloe wasn¡¯t the reason. It was because of the message she¡¯d received that day¨Cthe one that called her a murderer. Who had sent it? She¡¯d tried to trace the number, only to find that it was a virtual number that had only been used once before it was disposed of. No one could trace the source at all. Wiping the cold sweat off her forehead, Curtis said, ¡°I¡¯ll get you some water. Wait here.¡± Sonya nodded, but as he left the room, his phone rang. He nced at the iing number, and his expression shifted before he quickly stepped outside. Sonya felt a pang of suspicion. Curtis never used to avoid taking calls in front of her, so what was going on? Quietly, she slipped out of bed and followed him out of the room. She heard Curtis answer the call outside. ¡°It¡¯s me¡­ Have you found a clue about who saved me when I nearly drowned eight years ago?¡± Chapter 100 The Charme: Gets Charmied Hiding behind a wall, Sonya immediately froze. Chapter 110 Dont You Want to Kiss Me After Divorce 110 Chapter 110 Don¡¯t You Want to Kiss Me Sonya was stunned. Was Curtis investigating who¡¯d saved him from drowning back then? He¡¯d always said he trusted her, yet he went behind her back to dig into the past. That meant he¡¯d never believed her at all. If he discovered that Chloe was the one who¡¯d saved him, Sonya would lose him! Along with that, her dreams of being the wife of a listedpany¡¯s CEO would be over, Curtis was her best choice among all the men around her right now. She had to make sure he never discovered the truth. With that thought, Sonya dropped to the floor on purpose and cried out, ¡°Ouch! That hurts!¡± Curtis, who¡¯d been on the phone, quickly ended his call and rushed back to the room to find her on the floor. He hurried over and urgently asked, ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°After you left, I felt a bit panicked and tried to find you, but I slipped and fell,¡± she said, then winced in pain. ¡°My leg hurts, Curtis. Could you carry me back to bed?¡± Curtis picked her up and gentlyid her on the bed. ¡°I still need to fetch you a ss of water. Wait here.¡± But just as he straightened up to leave, her hands wrapped around his neck. ¡°Don¡¯t go.¡± Curtis¡® body went rigid as he looked down at her biting her lips anxiously. As far as he could remember, Sonya had always been sharp and confident. But right now, she seemed vulnerable and utterly different. ¡°I¡¯m just getting water, and I¡¯ll be right back,¡± he softly said. In the next moment, Sonya kissed him. Curtis froze. Though they¡¯d been staying together in her apartment ever since they¡¯de to Yarfdale, nothing physical had happened between them. She¡¯d hinted at it several times, but he¡¯d never made a move. Somehow, whenever things nearly crossed the line, Chloe¡¯s face would pop into his mind. Why would he often think of Chloe even when they were divorced? Was it because she¡¯d kept showing up in front of him ever since he¡¯de to Yarfdale? When Sonya and Curtis pulled away, the former¡¯s clothes had slipped off her shoulders. Curtis quickly turned away, but she leaned in closer. ¡°Curtis, Chloe¡¯s the reason I¡¯ve been having nightmarestely. She must resent me for your divorce, and that¡¯s why she humiliated me in public. Please stay with me tonight.¡± She intentionally brought up Chloe, and as expected, a trace of guilt shed across Curtis¡® face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you got dragged into it because of my history with her.¡± Chapter 110 Don¡¯t You Want to Kiss Me ¡°It¡¯s fine. I can bear any humiliation from her as long as I can be with you,¡± Sonya murmured, leaning in to kiss him again. ¡°I¡¯ve liked you from the moment I saved you back then. But I took so long to understand my feelings that we ended up wasting so many years.¡± While she was rather eager, Curtis was hesitant. He hadn¡¯t had the chance to ask who exactly had saved him back then before he¡¯d hurriedly ended the call when Sonya fell. Now, before even rifying the truth, something was about to happen between him and Sonya¡­ Was this the way it should be? Just then, Sonya continued, ¡°If you can¡¯t forget Chloe, it¡¯s fine. I¡¯m willing to wait, so just pretend I never said anything tonight. You can return to your room. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not it! How could I not worry about you? Besides, I don¡¯t have feelings for Chloe anymore since the two of us divorced!¡± Curtis panickedly exined. At that, Sonya smiled and wrapped her arms around him. This time, Curtis didn¡¯t refuse. Even if he didn¡¯t get to ask who¡¯d saved him back then, it must have been Sonya, right? He¡¯d ordered the investigation just so he wouldn¡¯t be affected by Chloe anymore. And with that thought, he lost himself in her arms. Muchter, when Curtis fell into a deep sleep after going at it, Sonya slowly got up and retrieved his phone from the pockets of his coat. With practiced ease, she unlocked it with his passcode. Though he¡¯d never told her what his passcode was, he¡¯d never been secretive about it either, so she¡¯d memorized thebination. She went through the call history and found thest iing number. After memorizing it, she slipped the phone back into the pocket as though nothing had happened. Then, shey back down beside him. Gazing at his sleeping face, she murmured, ¡°Don¡¯t me me, Curtis. Humans are selfish by nature, and only the selfish ones get to live better lives.¡± Yes, she just wanted a better life, and there was nothing wrong with that. The next morning, Chloe noticed that Brian seemed drained and asked, ¡°Did you not sleep wellst night?¡± ¡°Not really,¡± he replied. He¡¯d spent the night reying their kiss in his mind, feeling so restless and hot that he¡¯d gotten up multiple times to take cold showers. ¡°You can get a little nap in the carter.¡± They were heading to Steele Group¡¯spany in Yarfdale, which would be about a 30¨Cminute drive. ¡°Okay,¡± Brian obediently replied. Chapter 110 Dont You Want to King Me Watching from nearby, William had long since gone from feeling shocked to numb by now. Who would have thought the aloof and arrogant Brian would be this docile around Chloe? What had really shocked him was the fact that Brian and Chloe were dating. When he¡¯d found out a few days ago, the revtion had struck him like a bolt of lightning. He would probably remember how that felt for the rest of his life. From then on, nothing that happened between the couple could surprise him anymore. After breakfast, Brian and Chloe got into the car. ¡°Go ahead and nap for a bit,¡± she said. ¡°Can I lean on you?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± He slowly shifted his upper body to lean toward her, but instead of resting his head on her shoulder, he looked up and stared intently into her eyes. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± she asked, puzzled. For original chapters go to Find1Novel ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ you want to kiss me?¡± His cool voice rang in the car. Chloe was dumbstruck, while William, sitting in the front seat, waspletely aghast. He¡¯d thought he¡¯d seen it all, but apparently Brian was capable of saying such shocking words too! ¡°William¡¯s driving up front!¡± Chloe hissed. In the rearview mirror, William caught Brian¡¯s icy death re and hurriedly said, ¡°I¡¯m just driving. I don¡¯t see or hear a thing.¡± Turning back to Chloe, Brian murmured, ¡°So, do you want to?¡± Was he the only one who couldn¡¯t stop thinking aboutst night¡¯s kiss? After Divorce 111 It would melt anyone¡¯s heart if they heard a handsome man speaking in such a needy tone. And this man wasn¡¯t just anyone¨Che was Chloe¡¯s boyfriend. Chloe nced at William, who was focused on the road, then back at Brian. Noticing the pleading look on Brian¡¯s face, she sighed. Well, he was her boyfriend, and it was on her to pamper him. She tilted his chin and kissed him. He smelled good, and kissing him actually felt pleasant. Even though he seemed so aloof and distant, when he kissed her, she somehow felt as though she could have anything she wanted, for he would give her everything. When the kiss finally broke, Brian leaned against her shoulder, his mind still lingering on the taste of her lips. ¡°Chloe, if you ever want to kiss me again, just do it anytime.¡± Chloe was rendered speechless. Was that supposed to be an invitation? As they drove on, she gazed out at the scenery. She¡¯d thought this trip to Yarfdale would be about burying her parents and fulfilling her mission. She hadn¡¯t expected her rtionship with Brian to change like this. What would happen when they returned to Corvessia? Time flew by. Not long after, they arrived at Steele Group¡¯s branch office in Yarfdale. The car entered the underground parking lot. Just as Chloe turned to wake Brian, the car lurched to an abrupt stop. A dull thud sounded, sending a shiver down Chloe¡¯s spine. Brian, who¡¯d been napping, snapped his eyes open immediately as well. ¡°We scraped another car. I¡¯ll go out and check,¡± William said, getting out of the car. Through the windshield, Chloe saw a white sedan with a dented bumper. A woman stepped out of it, and William walked over to her. They quickly slipped into conversation. Chloe had assumed it was a minor ident until she noticed something odd about William¡¯s posture. With his back facing the car, she saw him suddenly stiffen. But just that alone was enough to alert Chloe. A secondter, William crumpled to the ground. The woman whipped toward them, aiming a pistol straight at their car. ¡°Get down!¡± Chloe shouted, yanking Brian down. With her arm raised high, the woman fired relentlessly. Chloe shoved the door open, dragged Brian out, Chapter 111 He Regrets it and hid behind a concrete pir. Bodyguards who should¡¯ve been in charge of Brian¡¯s safety had been following their car. Yet now, the bodyguards¡® car was nowhere in sight. Something must¡¯ve gone wrong. Gunfire cracked through the parking lot. Chloe¡¯s heart raced¨Cnot just because she had to protect Brian, but also because stray bullets could hit passersby. ¡°Stay hidden. I¡¯ll draw her off,¡± she whispered. Before Brian could answer, she darted off. He stared after her. Just like in the game yesterday, she told him to hide while she ran toward danger. He didn¡¯t want this to happen again. Another shot rang out, and a bullet grazed Chloe¡¯s arm. She kicked the half¨Copen car door, mming it into the approaching assassin and knocking her to the ground. The woman copsed to the ground, and her gun skittered across the floor. Just as the woman lunged for it, Chloe threw herself at her. They went for each other¡¯s fatal spots, using every brutal move they knew. Blood ran down Chloe¡¯s arm, but she didn¡¯t notice. Only one thought filled her mind¨Cshe had to stop this woman and keep her from reaching the gun. As their brawl grew more agitated, a voice rang out. ¡°It¡¯s over!¡± The woman froze. Chloe turned to see the pistol in Brian¡¯s hand. He¡¯d somehow managed to pick it up and was now aiming squarely at the back of the woman¡¯s head. Relief washed through Chloe. Brian¡¯s eyes, however, were fixed on Chloe¡¯s sleeve. The area that had been grazed by a bullet earlier was soaked in blood. ¡°Were you shot?¡± ¡°It just grazed me,¡± she said. In the next instant, the click of a round being loaded into the chamber startled her. Brian aimed the gun at the woman, his voice cold andced with fury. ¡°How dare you hurt her!¡± He¡¯d treated Chloe like a princess. The audacity of this woman to hurt Chloe was unbelievable. ¡°Don¡¯t shoot!¡± Chloe shouted, stepping forward. Thest thing she wanted was for him to kill someone and live with that burden. Chapter 111 He Regrets It na dn ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find{n}ovel Just then, Brian¡¯s bodyguards finally arrived. But only four emerged from the car instead of five. Their expressions immediately changed when they saw what had happened. In no time, they rushed forward and pinned the assassin to the floor. Still, Brian kept the gun trained on the woman, his eyes full of murderous intent. Only when Chloe grabbed his hand did he release the weapon. ¡°Give me the gun.¡± Once Chloe seized the gun, she handed it to a bodyguard and ordered, ¡°Give this to the policeter.¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± Brian tore off his tie and bound her arm to slow the bleeding. ¡°I¡¯m taking you to the hospital right now.¡± He scooped her into his arms and rushed her into the car with two bodyguards in front. Then, they sped off toward the hospital. ¡°I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s just a minor injury,¡± Chloe said, trying to reassure Brian. Brian¡¯s face was ashen, and his hands were trembling as he held her. He looked more like the wounded one. He pressed his lips into a thin line. She might¡¯ve dismissed it as a minor injury, but the blood had nearly soaked through half her sleeve. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he muttered. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡± ¡°What are you sorry for? Protecting you is my duty,¡± Chloe said. Regret filled Brian¡¯s eyes. Indeed, he¡¯d hired her as a bodyguard to keep her close to him. Even though he¡¯d known that she might get hurt protecting him, he hadn¡¯t cared at all. At the time, he¡¯d only found her interesting. Whether she ended up injured or not hadn¡¯t been any of his concern. Now he realized how wrong he¡¯d been. He should never have put her in danger. As soon as they reached the hospital, the doctor treated Chloe¡¯s wound. Outside the emergency room, Brian leaned against the wall, staring at his hands. They were covered in dried blood¨CChloe¡¯s blood. ¡°Mr. Steele, I¡¯m sorry. There was a traitor among the bodyguards,¡± the lead bodyguard reported. ¡°That¡¯s why we lost you. Mr. Vaughn was only knocked out. He¡¯s got two ribs broken, but no fatal injuries. Shall we hand the assassin over to the police?¡± ¡°Yes. But before that, break her right hand,¡± Brian said coldly. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°And get things ready. I have matters to settle,¡± he continued, his low voice carrying a lethal edge. Chapter 112 You Dont Have to Protect Me Anymore f After Divorce 112 Chapter 112 You Don¡¯t Have to Protect Me Anymore Chloe needed five stitches for her arm injury. For her, that barely counted as an injury. Back when she¡¯d served in the special forces, getting hurt had been part of the routine. Once the doctor finished stitching her up, she changed into a fresh set of clothes. ¡°You¡¯ll stay for observation today. If everything looks good, you can go home tomorrow,¡± the doctor said, handing over a prescription. The Steele family was one of the shareholders in the hospital, so Chloe was directly put in a VIP ward. She honestly thought this was nothing¨Ca bullet had only grazed her arm and hadn¡¯t even hit her. Yet, Brian treated her like a piece of fragile ss and was determined to shield her from the slightest harm. Staring at the row of doctors, nurses, and caretakers in front of her bed, she was at a loss for words. ¡°Send them out,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m not used to having so many people around me.¡± ¡°But your wound-¡± ¡°If I feel unwell, I¡¯ll ring for a nurse,¡± she said. ¡°Besides, you¡¯re here too.¡± Brian¡¯s expression softened. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m right here.¡± When everyone left the room, he asked, ¡°Do you want to eat something?¡± She nced at the fruit basket the hospital had sent. ¡°Some apple, maybe.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Brian washed an apple, picked up a small paring knife, and sat down by her bed to peel it. Chloe raised an eyebrow. She¡¯d never seen him peel fruit before. The knife turned easily in his slender fingers, curling off the skin in one smooth ribbon. Once again, she couldn¡¯t help but think about how elegant his hands looked. ¡°Still fascinated by my hands?¡± he suddenly asked. Startled, she nced up, locking eyes with him. ¡°I¡¯m d you like them,¡± he murmured. ¡°But I hope you¡¯ll like the rest of me too.¡± Her breath caught, and her cheeks warmed. Did he even realize how suggestive that sounded? Soon, Brian was done peeling the apple and passed it to her. She took it with her good hand. ¡°By the way, how¡¯s William?¡± she asked. ¡°He¡¯s fine. He just needs some rest,¡± Brian replied. Chloe let out a sigh of relief. Chapter 112 You Don¡¯t Have to Protect Me Anymore ¡°And also¡­¡± Brian paused. ¡°Don¡¯t protect me like that again.¡± She stopped just as she was about to take a bite. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to see you hurt anymore,¡± he said, his eyes lingering on the bandage on her arm, his eyes full of guilt. ¡°But it¡¯s my job to protect you,¡± Chloe said. ¡°And this is just a scratch. I¡¯ll be fine.¡± ¡°Scratch or not, it¡¯s not eptable,¡± he said firmly. ¡°From now on, you¡¯re off my security detail. I¡¯ll inform the army myself.¡± She hadn¡¯t expected him to be so resolute. ¡°But what about your safety?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll handle it,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯ll be taken care of¡­ soon.¡± Later that night, drowsy from her medicine, Chloe drifted off to sleep. Brian watched her, gently brushing stray strands of hair away from her cheek. His eyes were full of tenderness. Then he turned and left the room. Outside, two rows of bodyguards stood waiting. ¡°Keep Ms. Quall safe,¡± he ordered. ¡°If anything happens to her, you know what it means.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Only then did he head toward the elevator. The warmth in his eyes vanished, reced by cold, murderous resolve. Discover more novels at find?novel t That night, the Steele family members who were coveting Brian¡¯s position as head of the family met their downfall. Some lost everything in a single night and fled. In the Steele family¡¯s main residence in Corvessia, several people who¡¯d opposed Brian now knelt before him, begging for mercy. ¡°It had nothing to do with us! We knew nothing!¡± ¡°Knew nothing?¡± He tossed a folder at them. Inside were records of their exchanges and deals with assassins. ¡°Beforeing here, I dealt with thest group of killers you hired,¡± he said. Back then, he¡¯d spared them because he simply didn¡¯t care. Whether he¡¯d lived or died hadn¡¯t really mattered to him at all. If someone had managed to kill him, so be it. But now, everything was different. He couldn¡¯t allow anyone to harm Chloe. Because of her, he¡¯d begun to care about his own life. He wanted to live and grow old alongside her. Chapter 112 You Don¡¯t Have to Protect Me Anymore The men turned pale as they stared at the evidence, realizing resisting was pointless now. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to show yourself?¡± Brian called toward a dark corner. He knew the ones before him weren¡¯t the real masterminds. The actual culprit was¡­. ¡°I thought you¡¯d let the game go on a bit longer,¡± Liam said, stepping out of the shadows with a chuckle. The smile on his face made Brian¡¯s stomach turn. ¡°Do you hate the idea of me being the head of the family that much?¡± he asked. He¡¯d long suspected that Liam wanted him dead. ¡°Of course. But you¡¯re my only son, so the position is yours by right. I only meant to test you to see if you¡¯re fit for the role,¡± Liam replied. ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried that I¡¯ll hand you over to the military? Our family works closely with them. If something were to happen to me, our project wouldn¡¯t be able to move forward. Do you think they¡¯ll spare you?¡± A triumphant smile crossed Liam¡¯s face. ¡°I never hired anyone to kill you myself. Can you find proof linking me to the murder attempt?¡± Brian pressed his lips together. Indeed, Liam was cautious, and there wasn¡¯t any solid evidence to arrest him. ¡°You never cared about these things before. Is this because of Chloe?¡± Liam suddenly asked. ¡°She took a bullet for you. That¡¯s why you¡¯re ending the game so quickly, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°What are you getting at?¡± Brian snapped, narrowing his eyes at him. ¡°If she were to get hurt worse, what would you do?¡± Liam shed him anguid smile. Brian stiffened. He lunged at Liam, his fingers tightening around thetter¡¯s neck. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± ¡°You¡¯ll find out,¡± Liam said, his smile only widening. There wasn¡¯t even a trace of fear on his face as he continued, ¡°Or you can kill me now and be done with it.¡± Brian¡¯s expression tensed, his grip around Liam¡¯s neck growing stronger. After Divorce 113 Chapter 113 Am I Dirty Liam was practically grinning now, as if he were looking forward to the moment Brian would strangle him. The scene sent a chill through everyone present. These two men had gone absolutely mad. People often said that the Steele family¡¯s main branch was full of madmen, and that seemed to be particrly true for Liam and Brian. They might just be the most unhinged of them all. ¡°Mr. Steele!¡± One of the bodyguards blurted out, unable to hold back. If Brian really killed Liam here, the entire Corvessia would be shaken. The shout snapped Brian back to his senses. As his grip loosened, Liam stumbled back, coughing violently. ¡°Why?¡± he rasped. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you finish me off? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re afraid of being branded as a son who killed his own father.¡± Brian stared at his hand, which was still stained with Chloe¡¯s blood. He wasn¡¯t afraid of the crime. What really deterred him was that if he killed Liam now, he would no longer be worthy of Chloe. She was pure and upright. If he crossed that line, how could he dream of spending the rest of his life with her? ¡°I¡¯m not going to kill you,¡± Brian said atst, his expression cold. ¡°But just like Grandpa did, I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re locked away where you can¡¯t touch her.¡± ¡°What?¡± Liam¡¯s expression changed. ¡°Guards!¡± The moment Brian¡¯s voice rang out, dozens of men suddenly appeared in the hall. Liam was stunned for a moment, but then realization dawned on him. Chuckling, he said, ¡°So that¡¯s it. You¡¯ve been nning this all along.¡± The secret guards of the Steele family were a force only the head of the family couldmand. Years ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? Find1Novel ago, when Emily died and Liam spiraled into madness, he¡¯d nearly beaten Brian to death. Martin had stepped in and ordered these same elite guards to keep Liam under watch. That order had naturally died with Martin when he passed, and Liam had returned once more. Brian had known all along that Liam was using the other branches of the family against him. He hadn¡¯t minded before, but now, things were different. ¡°From now on, this man isn¡¯t allowed to leave White Ind without my permission,¡± Brian ordered coldly. ¡°Yes, sir,¡± the secret guards boomed in unison. Liam, however, showed no signs of struggle. ¡°You really think locking me up on White Ind is the solution?¡± he said with a sneer. ¡°You think that makes you clean? Brian, you¡¯re my son¨Cyour hands are already dirty, and they¡¯ll only get dirtier. One day, that woman you hold so dear will only look at you with nothing but contempt!¡± Brian¡¯s expression hardened. Ignoring Liam, he turned toward the secret guards and ordered them to take Liam to White Ind. Only after they¡¯d taken Liam away did Brian lower his head again and stare at his hands. ¡°Say, do you think she¡¯ll reallye to despise me?¡± he murmured. The bodyguard beside him was stunned at first, then said quickly, ¡°Mr. Steele, you treat Ms. Quall so well. Why would she leave you? She even risked her life for you this time.¡± Brian¡¯s eyes flickered. Yes, she¡¯d risked everything to protect him. But if it had been someone else in danger, would she have done the same? Chloe woke the next morning to find Brian in her hospital room, asleep at her bedside. Her eyes lingered on his face. Below his strong brows, his longshes cast shadows across his skin. Even as he slept, there was a faint knot between his brows, as if he were constantly worrying about something. Instinctively, she reached out to smooth the crease on his forehead. But before she could touch him, his eyes snapped open, and he caught her hand. Realizing what he¡¯d done, Brian released her at once. ¡°Sorry. Did I hurt you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. I woke you, didn¡¯t I?¡± she asked. ¡°When did you get here?¡± ¡°This morning. Not long ago,¡± he responded. ¡°Did you have trouble sleepingst night?¡± she asked. He¡¯d fallen asleep at her side so quickly even though he¡¯d arrived just minutes ago. ¡°Yeah.¡± Brian didn¡¯t mention the trip he¡¯d taken to Corvessia and back to settle matters with his family overnight. ¡°How are you feeling? Did you sleep well? Does it still hurt?¡± he asked gently. ¡°I¡¯m fine. The wound doesn¡¯t really hurt,¡± Chloe replied. Just as she was about to go freshen up, he scooped her up and carried her to the bathroom. ¡°What are you doing?¡± she asked. After all, she¡¯d injured her arm, not her legs. ¡°You¡¯re injured. Let me help you.¡± Brian set her down carefully by the sink, poured some water into a cup for her, and then squeezed toothpaste onto her brush. If she hadn¡¯t insisted on brushing her own teeth, she felt like he would¡¯ve done that too. When she¡¯d finished, he wrung out a towel to wipe her face, then picked up ab to fix her hair. ¡°You know how to tie hair?¡± she asked, surprised. Most men could only manage a basic ponytail. Even if they could, it would most likely be crooked. But Brian was different. His movements were a bit awkward, but he clearly wasn¡¯t a novice. ¡°I used to help my mom with her hair,¡± he said. ¡°On her good days, she¡¯d let me do her hair.¡± He cherished those rare moments when Emily had been kind to him. He¡¯d always tried to make her happy by doing her hair well. ¡°You and your mother¡­¡± ¡°We weren¡¯t close,¡± he said evenly. ¡°Most of the time, she didn¡¯t even want to see me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have brought it up.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be. Even if you hadn¡¯t asked, I would¡¯ve told you someday.¡± After tying her hair, he bent down, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder. Their eyes met in the mirror. ¡°Chloe, you don¡¯t think I¡¯m dirty, do you?¡± ¡°Dirty? You¡¯re far from that!¡± She giggled. ¡°Yeah,¡± he murmured. ¡°I¡¯m not dirty.¡± He was different from his father. In a cafe downtown, Sonya sat across from a man in his 30s. ¡°So you¡¯re the one helping Curtis investigate what happened eight years ago at the river?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯m Peter Lawson, a private detective. I¡¯m an old friend of Mr. Green¡¯s. You can call me Peter,¡± he said with a sly smile, eyes roaming over her. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you¡¯d steal the credit for someone else¡¯s deeds and let Mr. Green believe you were the one who saved his life.¡± Sonya¡¯s expression shifted as her face immediately drained of color. After Divorce 114 Chapter 114 The One Who Knows the Truth Beforeing here, Sonya had already suspected that Peter might have uncovered something. But hearing it from his own mouth still made her heart skip a beat. ¡°Do you have proof?¡± she asked. ¡°Of course I do. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have said it,¡± Peter replied. ¡°I found the woman who helped Chloe look after Mr. Green back then.¡± The moment the words left his lips, Sonya knew she could no longer deny it. ¡°After Chloe pulled Mr. Green out of the river, she had an urgent matter to attend to and had to leave. She performed emergency treatment, called 911, and then asked a bystander to stay with him until the ambnce arrived. ¡°The woman remembers it clearly. She¡¯d never seen anyone so fearless as to dive right into that raging river to save someone. And what¡¯s more¡­¡± Peter¡¯s voice trailed off as he gave Sonya a meaningful look. ¡°She remembered the rescuer was wearing a military uniform and seemed to be rushing off on a mission.¡± Sonya¡¯s expression turned grim. ¡°Are you that sure it was Chloe?¡± ¡°Mr. Green was the one who mentioned Chloe. So when I tracked down the witness, I showed her Chloe¡¯s photo. She immediately recognized her as the one who saved Mr. Green from the river.¡± Silence filled the air. Back then, Sonya had also been at the riverside. But by the time she¡¯d seen what had happened, Chloe had already left. All Sonya had seen was a man lying on the shore. She¡¯d walked over out of curiosity, only to have the semiconscious Curtis grab her skirt. When the ambnce had arrived, she¡¯d gotten in with him. The woman who¡¯d actually stayed with Curtis only told the paramedics that he¡¯d fallen in and had been rescued. Since Sonya¡¯s clothes and hair were wet from standing by the shore, the paramedics had assumed she¡¯d saved him. And out of vanity, Sonya had let them believe it. Who would have thought that the one who¡¯d rescued Curtis was actually Chloe? ¡°How much does Curtis know?¡± Sonya finally asked after a long pause. ¡°Mr. Green doesn¡¯t know anything yet.¡± Peter smiled. ¡°Since you called me first, I told him I¡¯d talk to him face¨Cto¨Cface.¡± Of course Sonya understood his implication¨Che wanted something in return for his silence. ¡°What do you want?¡± she asked. ¡°You¡¯re from the Miller family, and soon, you¡¯ll be Mrs. Green,¡± Peter drawled out. ¡°Mr. Green¡¯s status is different now. If he finds out you deceived him about something this serious, he might not stay with you.¡± ¡°Name your price,¡± Sonya gritted out. ¡°50 million dors.¡± ¡°What?¡± Sonya¡¯s eyes widened. Peter was seriously pushing his luck. ¡°That¡¯s too much. I can¡¯t possibly give you that. I¡¯m only from the second branch of the Miller family. We only get one or two million a year in dividends. ¡°Besides, I¡¯ve just been promoted to captain. I don¡¯t have much savings.¡± ¡°But didn¡¯t Mr. Green spend a fortune on jewelry for you? At the press conference announcing their divorce, Chloe said those gifts were worth 50 million.¡± Clearly, Peter had done his research before meeting Sonya. Sonya clenched her jaw. This was about that damned jewelry again. Chloe had used them against her, and now Peter was resorting to the same trick too! ¡°I can¡¯t sell them,¡± she said atst. ¡°Curtis will get suspicious. But I can give you 500 thousand dors in cash now. After I marry him, you¡¯ll get the rest.¡± ¡°500 thousand dors? That¡¯s an insult!¡± Peter snapped. Swallowing her anger, Sonya maintained herposure and said coolly, ¡°Fine, tell him everything then. You won¡¯t get a cent. Even if he¡¯s furious, I¡¯ll find a way to win him back.¡± Fresh chapters posted on find[?]ovel Sure enough, Peter hesitated. ¡°Besides, as long as you have the evidence, you can always tell himter if I don¡¯t pay the rest,¡± she added. ¡°Deal,¡± Peter finally said. ¡°I want the money tomorrow. And after you marry Mr. Green, you must pay me the remaining 49.5 million.¡± ¡°Deal,¡± Sonya said without hesitation. What she needed now was time. As long as she could marry Curtis, she was sure she could keep him even if the truth came out. As for Peter, he was delusional to think he could even get the rest of the money. A smirk crossed Sonya¡¯s face. In the end, she would be the real winner. After being discharged from the hospital, Chloe returned to Brian¡¯s vi. But just as he¡¯d said before, she no longer had to be his bodyguard. ¡°Why? Because I got injured?¡± she asked. ¡°Because it¡¯s no longer necessary,¡± he said. ¡°The military sent you to protect me because some members of my family opposed my position as the head of the family. They feared something might happen to me and affect the projects. But now, those people are gone, and I¡¯m safe.¡± Chloe eyed him, not entirely convinced. ¡°I promised I wouldn¡¯t lie to you, remember?¡± he said. Just then, her phone rang. She nced at the screen and saw that it was a call from Allen. ¡°Commander Jackman,¡± she greeted. ¡°Chloe, I heard you were hurt. You¡¯ve already retired. It was my fault for dragging you back and letting you get hurt again,¡± Allen said sullenly, his voice thick with guilt. ¡°It¡¯s just a minor injury. I¡¯m fine,¡± she reassured him. ¡°No matter what, take care of yourself,¡± Allen said gravely. ¡°And as of now, your assignment is finished. You¡¯re no longer Mr. Steele¡¯s bodyguard.¡± Chloe froze. It was an order ending her mission. After hanging up, she turned toward Brian. ¡°Did you ask them to do this?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± he admitted. He knew that,pared to his words, a directmand from the military itself would convince Chloe more. ¡°Chloe, you no longer have to protect me. From now on, let me protect you.¡± He¡¯d liked the sense of security her presence gave him, but he would rather get hurt than see her wounded again. Chloe was about to say something when her phone rang again. This time, Ethan¡¯s name shed on the screen. Just as she was about to answer the call, Brian suddenly held her hand, stopping her from taking it. After Divorce 115 Chapter 115 Turning a Blind Eye ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Chloe asked, puzzled. Brian pressed his lips together and withdrew his hand. ¡°Nothing.¡± He just didn¡¯t want her to answer Ethan¡¯s call. Compared to Curtis, Ethan was the one who truly unsettled him. He¡¯d already pulled strings to have Ethan reassigned back to Corvessia, away from Yarfdale and Chloe. Now, a sudden call from Ethan had once again made him feel uneasy. As soon as Chloe answered the phone, Ethan¡¯s voice came through. ¡°Chloe, has your mission as Brian¡¯s bodyguard ended?¡± ¡°How did you know?¡± she asked, surprised. ¡°I stopped by the base and overheard it,¡± Ethan replied. ¡°Since your mission¡¯s over, when are youing back to Corvessia?¡± She froze for a second. Now that the job was done, she should be heading back. ¡°Do you want me to book your flight? I¡¯ll meet you at the airport,¡± Ethan added, his voice thick with excitement. ¡°Not just yet,¡± she said. ¡°I still have a few things to wrap up here first. I¡¯ll let you know when I¡¯ming.¡± Though Ethan was disappointed that he couldn¡¯t see Chloe right away, he figured he wouldn¡¯t have to wait too long. ¡°Then I¡¯ll wait for an update. Once you¡¯re back, let¡¯s meet up. There¡¯s so much I want to tell you.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± After the call ended, Brian asked, ¡°So you¡¯re leaving for Corvessia soon?¡± ¡°Once I finish some personal matters here, yes,¡± Chloe responded, pressing her lips together. ¡°There are things I need to handle there too.¡± ¡°How long will you stay in Yarfdale?¡± ¡°About ten days,¡± she replied. She still had to bid Geoffrey farewell. ¡°Can¡¯t you stay longer? For me?¡± Brian pleaded, not wanting her to rush back and meet Ethan. He thought that they should at least wait until her feelings for him had grown. Only then would he feel more at ease letting her return to Corvessia. Chloe pursed her lips and thought for a moment. ¡°I can stay a little longer, but not too long. And even after I¡¯m back in Corvessia, I won¡¯t stay put for long. ¡°I¡¯m nning to head to the border to look for clues about my brother. We may often be apart. If that¡¯s something you can¡¯t ept, tell me now.¡± Brian¡¯s heart lurched. She was giving him a way out, but he didn¡¯t want one. It made it feel like she could abandon him anytime. Was it because she was only fond of him and not in love with him? She could walk away anytime she wanted, but he couldn¡¯t. ¡°Chloe, it took so much for me to be with you. How could I break up with you just because of distance? Don¡¯t even think about it.¡± He lowered his head, brushing his lips against the bandage on her arm¨Cthe wound she bore because she¡¯d been protecting him. ¡°And besides¡­ if you¡¯re going to look for your brother, let me go with you.¡± ¡°What?¡± Chloe was taken aback. ¡°You¡¯ll go to the border with me?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°What about your work?¡± ¡°Given modern¨Cday technology, I can work from anywhere. And I have so many employees for a reason,* he said. It had been five years since Chloe had started searching for Daniel. She¡¯d already scoured every possible lead, both through the military and on her own. She¡¯d been to the border three times and had returned empty¨Chanded each time. Still, she believed Daniel was alive. She wanted to try a fourth time. ¡°Since you agreed to be with me, don¡¯t think about leaving me behind,¡± Brian said, meeting her gaze. His eyes, which were always cool and indifferent, were now full of warmth and intent. He looked particrly captivating, as if he were trying to lure her in. If seducing her was what he had to do to make her invest more feelings in him, then he would willingly do so. He would do anything as long as it meant her heart would belong to him in the end, Over the next few days, Chloe stayed at the Steele residence in Yarfdale, letting her arm heal. The injury meant nothing to her, but Brian fussed over her as if it were fatal. He adjusted her meals, changed her dressings himself, and even worked from home. His overprotectiveness made her a little exasperated, but it also filled her with warmth. She knew how much he cared about her. A weekter, the wound had scabbed over. Chloe still had to avoid heavy movement, but her arm was functional again. Around that time, she received an invitation from the orphanage she¡¯d visited on the ind. In a child¡¯s handwriting at the bottom, it said, ¡°Ms. Quall, I hope you cane see my performance.¡± It was from Maisie, the child Chloe had savedst time. ¡°Are you going?¡± Brian asked, ncing at the invitation in her hand. ¡°Of course!¡± She wanted to see how Maisie was doing too. ¡°Then I¡¯ll go too,¡± he replied, as if it werepletely natural for him to tag along. Wherever she went, he would be with her. That weekend, they arrived at the orphanage¡¯s event and unexpectedly ran into Sonya and Curtis. ¡°Chloe, why are you here?¡± Curtis frowned. ¡°If you¡¯re here, why can¡¯t I?¡± Chloe retorted, her voice thick with amusement. Curtis stiffened. ¡°I¡¯ve confirmed it now. The one who saved me back then was Sonya, not you. So stop repeating such absurd lies in front of me. It only makes you look worse.¡± Then he turned to Brian. ¡°Mr. Steele, I hope you see her for what she really is. Don¡¯t be deceived by her.¡± A smirk tugged at Brian¡¯s lips. ¡°I knew you were a fool, but I didn¡¯t expect you to be this stupid. Insult her again, and I¡¯ll rip off your tongue.¡± Chills crept down Curtis¡® spine. Chloe nced at Sonya, who¡¯d been silent, then turned back to Curtis. ¡°I told you¨Cif you¡¯re convinced that it was Sonya who saved you, then so be it. But you¡¯re in no ce to judge my character.¡± Th?s chapter is updated by ¡°You-¡± He wanted to retort but swiftly abandoned the idea since Brian was there. Several of the donors who¡¯d contributed during the charity g were also visiting the orphanage that day. Thus, the orphanage had put together different performances prepared by the children as a token of gratitude. Reporters were also present at the event. When the performances ended, the 16¨Cyear¨Cold host on stage said, ¡°A big thank you to all the guests who came to watch our show today! Thank you so much for your donationsst time. ¡°Besides, we¡¯re especially happy to wee Ms. Sonya Miller. We¡¯ve learned that not only is she a pilot, but she was also a hero who helped during the fire five years ago. Let¡¯s wee Ms. Miller to the stage to say a few words!¡± Though caught off guard by the sudden introduction, Sonya stepped onto the stage under the crowd¡¯s gaze. ¡°I¡¯m not a hero,¡± she said. ¡°I only did what any ordinary person would have done. I believe anyone with a conscience would try to put out a fire when they see one.¡± A warm round of apuse broke out at once. But then, a reporter suddenly called out, ¡°Ms. Miller, did you really help with putting out the fire? We heard that a colleague of yours died right in front of you during the fire, yet you didn¡¯t save him!¡± The Novel will be updated first on this website. 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