Chloe took the bus to Baxon, her mind lost in a daze.It was a day before she started work again.The security guard and janitor on the ground floor were engrossed in idle chatter."How's your relative doing? Did she end up getting a divorce?""She did. Life has become challenging for her. Without proper education, she's now single-handedly raising two children. I remember advising her against leaving back then, but she chose not to listen. She regrets making that decision, but there's nothing she can do about it now.""Sigh, in my opinion, her husband makes well over 150 grand every year. Despite his bad temper, he hasn't made any significant mistakes that would undermine their relationship. If they hadn't got a divorce, they wouldn't be burdened with financial worries. It's a shame that it's the children who will bear the brunt of it.""It's just how it goes. Young folks tend to act on impulse. It's tough to convince them otherwise."As they carried on with their sporadic conv
"No, thank you. I’ve already found a job with a good salary," Chloe responded, taking a sip of water."So quickly? Which company?" Icarus expressed his surprise."It's a small company...""Your qualifications are remarkable. Why settle for a small company?" Harry interjected, “I can connect you with some great job opportunities. Don't let your prime years go to waste.""He's right. While small companies can serve as stepping stones, joining a larger corporation offers better prospects for long-term growth.""Yeah, Chloe. Don't be too impulsive in your decisions."Hearing their advice, Chloe’s heart warmed. However, deep down, she understood that it was her inability to act impulsively that led her to accept Joseph's arrangement. Nevertheless, she sincerely cherished their genuine concern."I will and I have indeed given it careful consideration. I won't make any impulsive moves," Chloe replied, a mischievous smile gracing her face as her eyes sparkled like stars. "I’m fully awar
Icarus let out a chuckle, feeling dazzled by the sight of Lucas and attributing it to a trick of the eyes.He took a deep breath, composed himself, and resumed walking toward the front desk."Hi, Table 8 just settled the payment," the staff informed Icarus, catching him off guard. His immediate thought was that it must be Chloe, but when he returned to his seat, she was nowhere to be found."Where’s Chloe?" Icarus asked, his voice thick with concern.Harry shrugged, indicating he did not know. "Lily’s finding out.""But weren’t you here earlier, Lily?""The heat was killing me, so I went to the nearby store to buy an ice cream. When I came back, Chloe was already gone," Lily explained, pulling out her phone. "I'll call and ask her. Maybe she went to the restroom."Icarus's eyes narrowed slightly. "Chloe has had quite a few drinks. The alcohol should be kicking in right now."*On the highway.Chloe nestled into the comfort of the car's back seat, her mind abuzz like a train z
Chloe braced herself against the discomfort in her stomach and sat up straight to examine the contract.However, the swift movements of the car hurtling through the darkness, coupled with an abrupt break from Lucas, nearly caused her to vomit right then and there.Chloe retracted her hand that was poised to switch on the overhead light. She hunched over, covering her mouth with one hand, while flipping the contract to the last page. Despite the dim light, she located the signature area and swiftly signed her name.As a solitary woman, she had nothing to offer to those with greedy intentions. Moreover, even if Joseph harbored any intentions of enforcing unjust conditions, he would find it futile. After all, the terms of her salary had been mutually agreed upon from the get-go.Chloe handed over the contract, immediately closing her eyes in an attempt to suppress her rising nausea. She moved swiftly as if purposefully avoiding any interaction with Joseph.His handsome face darkened,
Nephew?Joseph’s brows knitted together as he replied, "I don't have a nephew."At that moment, it felt as if a tightly wound string in Chloe's mind had snapped. Her mind went blank, leaving her with an empty stare and a vacant gaze, devoid of expression. She stood there in a daze, completely lost in her own confusion.Three months' worth of memories spun through her mind like a carousel. She became acutely aware that many things had left traces and evidence. It was her own eagerness that had led her to overlook them.‘So why did Jake mention an ambiguous relationship between me and his uncle?’As her thoughts slowly churned, the name Icarus flashed through her mind.‘Distant relatives...‘Senior…’Chloe's breath caught in her throat, and she wished she could slap herself hard for her foolishness.Joseph noticed Chloe's abnormality and grasped her shoulders with both hands. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?""I…I'm fine," she stammered."If you're feeling unwell, let’s
Joseph exuded an air of laziness as he lounged on the sofa, his face partially concealed by the angle of the photo.Yet, even with only half of his face visible, his captivating presence was enough to enchant anyone who laid eyes on him.Upon seeing the handsome guy, Emily's mind cleared up a bit. "Isn't this the handsome guy we encountered at the bar who was with Jake's uncle that day?"Chloe's anger was written all over her face. "What did you say?"Perplexed, Emily repeated, "What's the matter? He's the guy we met at the bar. I also met him at the class reunion the other day. Honestly, you could make a move on him if you weren't so fixated on seeking revenge against that despicable couple."Even during the short encounter at the bar, Joseph’s charisma remained undeniable. He emitted an aura of elegance and exceptional grace. While others might have been easily forgotten, he possessed the ability to leave a lasting impression."Stop it..." Chloe was on the verge of tears. She t
"Grandpa just had a heart attack. Come to the hospital now."Chloe's pupils instantly constricted. Without thinking about anything else, she immediately agreed, "Okay."Forty minutes later, she arrived at the hospital. Through the glass window, she could see Harold lying in the emergency room with an oxygen tube inserted into his nose and a pale face devoid of color.This sight made Chloe’s heart tighten. "Why did Grandpa suddenly have a heart attack?"Joseph remained expressionless and said, "He went to play an escape room with some friends, and he got frightened.""That's it?""Mm-hm.""Sigh…" Chloe touched her nose and replied, "Grandpa still has the heart of a child.""Where are the family members of the patient? The patient has awakened," a nurse said as she emerged from the ward.Joseph glanced at Chloe. "Let's go in.""Okay."The two of them entered the ward one after the other. When Harold saw them, a gentle smile graced his aging face. "I'm fine. Patrick was just be
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Chloe asked, unable to comprehend his gaze. "I believe I've warned you more than once to stay away from men of questionable character," Joseph said. "He's my friend," Chloe retorted, feeling a bit displeased. "You're not just an individual anymore. You're my wife, and you represent not only yourself but also the Whitmans and Fairlight," Joseph said sternly.Chloe felt a shiver run down her spine. She lowered her head and weakly responded, "You now acknowledge me as the Whitmans' daughter-in-law? Why didn't you tell me that before? Were you afraid I was after your family's wealth?" "Have I ever hidden anything from you or deliberately kept you uninformed?" Joseph replied with displeasure. 'It was your own stupidity for not realizing it.'"Well… You didn't…"Joseph snorted with an air of arrogance and said, "Act within your capabilities, and don't go overboard. Can you find a better place than Fairlight?"'Can you find a man better tha