Chapter 3: They Went to a Hotel

Chloe’s POV

Trevor held me tenderly in his arms that night, showering me with love and kisses. It was a magical night, one I thought I’d always remember.

The next day, I decided to surprise him at his office, planning to wait for him to finish work so we could go to a nice restaurant for dinner.

Because I’d been busy with exams, I hadn’t yet visited his new office since he moved. When I walked in, I was immediately struck by the bright and spacious interior, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the bustling city below.

This was Trevor—an industry rising star within just a few years, managing his own independent business line. Everyone said he was a talented and promising young heir with a limitless future.

But I had never cared about any of that. I was focused on my own career, and our relationship was never about status or titles. It was simply about love.

Yet sitting here in his office, I couldn’t help but feel proud of him.

His secretary brought me a cup of coffee and softly asked if I wanted any snacks. I smiled and politely declined.

Trevor was still tied up with work, and I idly glanced around his office. It was decorated in a minimalist black, white, and gray palette, with occasional pops of bright color. It was an aesthetic that matched him perfectly: serious yet with a touch of playfulness.

Though he was polished and mature at work, there was always a boyish charm about him that was warm and sunny.

Around me, he could even be like a playful puppy, sometimes cuddling up and acting spoiled. The memory of it made my face flush and my heart race. Thank goodness I was alone in the room.

My gaze fell on the set of drawers behind his desk. The top drawer was slightly ajar, revealing the edge of a dark velvet box. Curiosity got the better of me, and I stepped closer, gently pulling the drawer open.

Inside lay a ring box, with a brilliant diamond ring nestled inside. The stone sparkled under the light, dazzling and breathtaking.

My heart skipped a beat. This was it—the ring my best friend had described in vivid detail. Its design was simple yet elegant, exuding both sophistication and luxury.

I picked up the ring and slipped it onto my finger. It felt a little snug, which was typical of Trevor to miss the sizing details.

Covering my mouth, I struggled to contain the overwhelming joy bubbling in my chest.

No, I needed to stay calm. I had to act like I hadn’t seen anything. I wanted to let him surprise me when the time came.

I quickly placed the ring back into the box, carefully returned it to its original position, and closed the drawer. Grabbing my phone, I pretended to scroll through social media to keep myself busy.

But my happiness was short-lived. My smile froze when my eyes landed on a resume sitting on his desk.

It was Rachel’s resume.

Her headshot was printed neatly at the top, her confident smile staring back at me.

Why was her resume on Trevor’s desk?

Before I could process the unsettling discovery, the secretary walked in.

“Miss, Mr. Skyler is still tied up. He’ll probably be back a little later,” she said with a polite smile.

"What’s the deal with this resume?" I asked the secretary, trying to keep my tone calm.

"Oh, this is for the new secretary Mr. Skyler just hired," she replied casually. "He said she’s someone very important to him and told us to take extra care of her. She’ll be starting here next week."

Her words hit me like a thunderclap. My mind went blank.

Trevor had just told me yesterday that Rachel was only staying for a few days.

What was going on?

Why would he hire her as his secretary?

This was ridiculous.

His lies came so easily to him.

If I hadn’t come to his office and seen this for myself, what excuse would he have made when Rachel inevitably didn’t leave after a few days?

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure. I looked at the secretary again and asked directly, "Where is Trevor now?"

She hesitated under my piercing gaze before answering meekly, "Mr. Skyler is at the Royal Garden Hotel meeting a client."

A hotel? What kind of business needed to be conducted at a hotel?

If it weren’t for Rachel’s sudden appearance, I would never have doubted Trevor’s loyalty to me. But Rachel was like a thorn lodged deep in my heart, and now, suspicion was my first instinct.

I quickly pulled out my phone and scrolled through Trevor’s social media.

It didn’t take long to find Rachel’s comments. She had liked and commented on nearly every one of his posts. The comments were vague yet suggestive, and the interactions stretched back a long time. Their exchanges were frequent and intimate, but I had been too busy with work and studies to ever pay attention.

I tapped on Rachel’s profile and saw her latest post:

"Feeling amazing! New job, fresh start. Looking forward to working with my boss. Let’s soar to new heights together!"

The accompanying photo showed her in a red, low-cut evening gown, posing provocatively on a staircase. In the corner of the picture, I spotted a man’s sleeve. It was Trevor’s.

I recognized it instantly. It was the shirt I bought him for his birthday last year, a luxury brand I had spent an entire month’s salary on.

And the location tag? The Royal Garden Hotel.

As the events of the past two days raced through my mind, anger and betrayal consumed me. I couldn’t stand waiting another second.

Grabbing my bag, I stormed out of the office and headed straight for the Royal Garden Hotel.