Noah paused, then said, "Okay."With only the two of them left in the chess room, an unusual silence filled the air. Noah did not rush Chloe and waited patiently.After a long pause, Chloe said, "Zoelle asked me to bring you some medicine. I've already given it to the helper. Remember to take it on time."Noah nodded. "Okay.""Also," Chloe continued as she looked into his eyes." You should return to Exotic Star. I'll return your shares to you."Though he was at fault and had caused her irreparable harm, she wanted to make her grandfather happy. The success of the Sullivans in Docwood could be attributed to her grandfather's dedication and business expertise in handling Exotic Star during his youth. If it were not for him, they would not be able to have such a great life now. Noah was not part of the founding generation, but he had grown up alongside Exotic Star. He was part of Exotic Star’s success, making it challenging for Chloe to just sit back and reap the rewards.Noah sta
Chloe, not noticing the emotion in Noah's eyes, simply replied, "Okay." She turned around to head downstairs for dinner.Noah raised his head and gazed at Chloe's departing figure. There was a hint of possessiveness in the depths of his eyes.Just as Chloe was about to turn the doorknob, a strong force pushed against the door. She stepped back but was unable to avoid a collision between the door and her nose.Annoyed, she shouted to the intruder, "Who the hell?! Why didn't you knock?!""It's me, Chloe." Joseph stepped into the doorway with a concerned look on his face. "Are you okay? I didn't think you’d suddenly be at the door."Chloe was surprised to see him and asked, "Shouldn't you knock before entering?""Yes, yes, my mistake. Did I hurt you? Do you need to go to a clinic?" Joseph continued worriedly, ignoring Noah who was standing behind her. Chloe shot him an irritated look and said, "It's not that serious. Let's go downstairs for dinner. I'm hungry.""That's good," Jos
Joseph chuckled. "Who has breakfast at two in the morning?""A lot of people do. You're just out of touch." Taken aback by her sharp retort, Joseph raised an eyebrow and gave her a half-smile. "Out of touch? Weren't you just complaining about being tired?"Chloe's cheeks flushed and she said in annoyance, "Shut it, you scoundrel!"After ravaging her earlier, he had the gall to put his clothes back on and act the gentleman. "You say you want breakfast?" Joseph lifted her from the bed with ease. "Let's go. I know a place.""Intriguing. Where exactly?" Chloe could not contain her curiosity."A breakfast joint."*About half an hour later, Joseph parked in front of a quaint little diner. It was the only source of light on the dark street.As she got out of the car, Chloe looked skeptically at the tiny establishment. "You’ve actually eaten here?"Nestled in a space hardly bigger than a few square meters, the diner only had room for two tables. Most customers simply took their ord
"You seem to know quite a bit of gossip, Iris."Iris lifted her chin a little. "I don't know everything. It's just that Xavia’s pretty famous.""Well, she is a really good violinist.”"I used to go to her concerts, but she's been off the radar lately.""I think she's in some kind of legal trouble.""Really?"Iris' expression faltered for a moment, her gaze turning serious. "Let's focus on work instead of talking behind people's backs. We don't want to lose our jobs for no reason like before."Her colleagues paused, nodding at the wisdom of her words. They bowed their heads and resumed their work.At 10, everyone was summoned for a meeting. They filed into the meeting hall, finding Joseph missing and Chloe sitting in his usual spot. Eyebrows raised, and some shot looks at Iris.A couple of the sharper ones approached Chloe, jokingly saying, "Ah, Mrs. Whitman honors us with her presence today. What an honor."Chloe glanced up and spotted Iris in the crowd. With a knowing smile,
Iris felt a chill run through her as if she had just been plunged into an icy abyss. "X-Xavia? Wh-What? I-I have no idea what you're talking about," she stammered. Her eyes shifted nervously."Don't play dumb. You know exactly what I’m talking about. What's your game by getting plastic surgery and hovering around Joseph?" Chloe spoke in an even tone, but it carried an authority that made her words crystal clear to everyone nearby."I didn’t get any plastic surgery. Stop slandering me!" Iris' voice shook despite her attempts to appear calm. "Ms. Chloe, I know you don't like me, but there's no need for false accusations. If my presence bothers you that much, I'll resign." She swiftly unclipped her ID badge and threw it on the table, preparing to make her escape.Chloe's brows knitted together. "Security, stop her! Don't let her leave!"At Chloe's command, the security guards by the door swiftly blocked Iris' exit.Trapped with no way out, Iris shot Chloe a resentful glare. Fear flic
Everyone erupted into gasps. As a deafening crash came from below, the staff scattered. Some ran downstairs to try and rescue Iris. Some who had rushed to the windows shouted anxiously, "She's still alive!"Everyone around Chloe was running as her mind was filled with an endless ringing. The whole world became a blur. She never imagined that things would end like this. The meeting hall was on the third floor. It was not too high, but it could be fatal if one were to land on their head. Everyone's accusatory gaze fell on Chloe, and the crowd started to murmur."Damn, how could she do this to Iris? Do you think she’ll be haunted by nightmares tonight?""Yeah, why does she insist that Iris is Xavia?""What if Iris dies? Won’t Ms. Chloe indirectly become a murderer?""Do you think Iris will come for revenge in the middle of the night when she dies?"Something inside Chloe snapped, and she shouted, "It wasn't me! What she did has nothing to do with me!"Her outburst silenced the ro
Joseph frowned. "Of course not. Her death has nothing to do with you. Promise me you won’t think such thoughts."The unexpected turn of events caught both Chloe and him off guard. Xavia clearly wanted to haunt Chloe forever by killing herself in front of her. Although he felt shocked, he was not deeply shaken. After all, he had not witnessed Xavia's jump, and Xavia probably thought that the third floor was not enough to kill her. After all, being in the hospital for treatment was better than being detained by the police.Chloe looked at Joseph with vacant eyes and smiled bitterly. "You're right. It’s good that she's finally dead. She got what she deserved, and I should be happy," she said."Exactly. Even if she didn't jump, the police would’ve arrested her," Joseph said gently, "It's my fault for asking you to buy us some time. If she comes back as a ghost to haunt you, I'll stop her."Joseph, Tyson, and a few officers had arrived just moments after Xavia jumped. He had brought a g
Chloe did not know how to answer."Say something. You wanted her dead, right? Are you happy now that she is dead?!” Kenneth shouted angrily at her, his eyes bloodshot and his gaze piercing.He was so loud that it drew the attention of many nearby. Callum and Joseph rushed over, and Joseph shielded Chloe behind him. He pushed Kenneth back several steps and said sternly, "Never speak of that woman in front of Chloe again. Otherwise, there'll be consequences!""Hah! Are you protecting a murderer?" Kenneth laughed. "Oh yeah, you’re both responsible for Xavia's death after all."Smack!Callum slapped Kenneth across the face, instantly silencing him. "Get a grip, Ken! Xavia deserved to die. Stop embarrassing yourself in front of Chloe.”Kenneth held his face as he muttered, "Yeah, you're right… Xavia should’ve died. She was evil. She deceived and took advantage of me… She should die..."Then why was he so tormented over her death? He could not sleep or eat. He knew Xavia deserved th