Startled by Joseph's touch, Chloe appeared taken aback by his sudden display of affection. Yet, when he reassured her that he would support her decisions, her heart quickened with a hint of delight."Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden?" she asked."I've already told you that you not only represent yourself but also the entire Whitman family.""But you also told me to keep our relationship a secret…""Yes. You can't expose our relationship in the office, but I didn't say you can't do it outside.""If the outside world knows of our relationship, it won't be long before the staff in the office finds out as well."In the era of big data, even the most secretive celebrity couples would be exposed, let alone theirs. Joseph grew quiet, recognizing that announcing their relationship publicly might not be the wisest decision. Furthermore, Chloe's defiant attitude made it necessary for him to evaluate her further.After all, he was not someone she could effortlessly charm or
Chloe walked over and took the document to take a look.Soon she put away all the displeasing affairs that had just happened.Her voice went a pitch higher and she appeared shell-shocked as she asked, "Is this evidence of Sebastian's tax evasion?""Mm-hm.""Do you want to report against the Foxes?" Chloe put both hands on the table. "Aren't they your family friends? Why do you want to do this?""Do you really believe in that superficial relationship?" Joseph’s lips twitched in an unfathomable manner and his expression filled with disdain.Jane's ambition was pretty obvious, so Mr. Harold never considered her when he was introducing women to Joseph. Of course, people cared about equal social ranks when it came to their marriages but they were also afraid that it might cause disaster instead.Chloe was slightly stunned but realized that he was right. Jane might really like Joseph, but she always talked about interests and profits. How sincere was her love for Joseph? What she care
Seeing as how Jake was awake in the middle of the night, it looked like he had not been having an easy time after breaking up with Ava.However, Chloe did not care about that. She shuddered at the thought of going back to her exes. Besides, she would never do that either.She was not moved by Jake’s midnight pretense of loyalty and passion.After washing up, Chloe went downstairs with Joseph.The weather was perfect today—bright and sunny. Chloe's work desk area was beside the window. She threw open the window and felt a light breeze which lifted her mood.She enthusiastically typed away on her keyboard, making rhythmic clicking sounds."Chloe, someone is looking for you downstairs."After an unknown period, the receptionist called her and interrupted her thoughts.Chloe took off her earphones and was stunned for a while. "Okay, I'll go down right now."When she arrived on the ground floor, she furrowed her brows when she saw Jake."What do you want?" she asked."Coco, congr
After Chloe exited the elevator, she gazed at the whole floor that Joseph occupied.A realization overcame her. Although he had a bad temper and vicious tongue, he was not a playboy. After spending such a long time with him, she found that he had good self-control.‘He is a pretty good man…’When Lucas came out, he saw Chloe standing at the entrance of the elevator, lost in thought. She even nodded to herself from time to time.He waved his hand in front of her and disrupted her thoughts. "Ms. Chloe, are you here to see Mr. Joseph?""Ah… Yes. Is he here?""Yes, he is."After saying that, Lucas deliberately added, "Mr. Joseph has left instructions that you may go straight in whenever you come by. It's more convenient that way."Chloe gave Lucas a weird look. She just needed to come here once to deliver lunch to him at noon every day. So, it had nothing to do with whether it was convenient or not.Still, she gave a courteous reply even though she fancied such a thought.Surpris
In the room, clothes were scattered all over the floor. An unknown woman was lying on the water bed, naked and screaming.It was irrefutable evidence. It was just like the day when Chloe walked in on Ava and Jake in bed together. Thinking that such things were behind her, she could not suppress her nausea upon seeing this same scene.In the next second, she started retching. At the same time, she heard people arguing.Lucas had worked for Joseph for a long time, so he acted resolutely and decisively. He immediately separated Emily from the scumbag. After affirming the truth, he took out his phone and took photographs of the scene to record the evidence. He then left with Chloe and Emily.When they got downstairs, Emily regained her wits. With a tear-filled face, she asked, "Why did you pull me away? I haven't beaten him up.""Don't waste your time on meaningless stuff."Chloe tilted her head. She found that Lucas’ resembled a certain person very much."Ms. Chloe, Mr. Joseph is w
Chloe clenched her fists beside her body and faked a smile. "Why?"Jane’s smile deepened as she leaned in closer to Chloe. "It's because the woman he loves is abroad. He remained unmarried for such a long time because he was waiting for her to come back. When she's back, it'll be time for you to get lost."He married you because he felt that you're obedient and easy to bully. It'll be easy for him to get rid of you in the future, and he won't get into trouble either."On the other hand, the Foxes and the Whitmans are family friends. If there's a marriage, it'll be an alliance. It won't be trifled with and we can't get a divorce so easily." Jane looked at Chloe and mocked her, "But you're different. Your mother died early, and your father hates you. Your family disowned you, so no one will step up for you. It won't cost much to make you disappear."Joseph is a businessman. He knows how to minimize losses."Chloe was stunned. She knew more than anyone the meaning of this marriage. S
Chloe jolted from her daydream and swiftly closed the web browser with a guilty conscience."Coming," she replied.On the first floor in the living room, Joseph had also changed into his home attire. His navy blue long-sleeved shirt and long pants softened his demeanor, making him appear less distant and more approachable. However, his scrutinizing gaze in his eyes seemed unfriendly."What were you doing holed up in your room?" he inquired."I was just changing," Chloe replied, her gaze on his clear but distant face. She recalled Jane’s remarks, but she suppressed the sudden surge of sourness and kept a composed smile. "Different rules for the mighty, right?"Chloe and Joseph shared something in common. Upon returning home, they would change, taking off the ones they had worn outside for the day. Wearing outside clothes indoors felt unclean to them.Joseph smirked and responded, "It only takes five minutes to change. You've been in there for forty-two minutes."His sarcastic and
Ava was dressed in a delicate white dress, laughing and joking with a stranger. Her enchanting demeanor made the man next to her blush."I'm relying on you for this case.""No problem. It's just a small matter. But can you handle your alcohol? You don’t look like a wild one...""I can handle some. Lawyers like you must have a challenging time in their daily work. Today is a good opportunity for you to unwind.""Then I'll follow your lead. Thanks to the timely rain outside, it has created this chance. It's an honor to have your company, Ms. Ava."In just a few sentences, Chloe grasped the situation at hand. Without hesitation, she boldly approached the pair, a sneer on her face.As soon as Ava caught sight of Chloe, her previously joyful expression turned serious. The man beside her observed the sudden change and inquired, "What's the matter?"Ava’s lips tightened into a line and whispered, "I just saw my sister."The man paused, following her gaze, and his eyes landed on Chloe,
After Chloe calmed herself, she realized that the place she was in resembled the villa she lived in while overseas five years ago. However, upon closer inspection, the exterior scenery was different. She realized something and froze."Did you build a villa identical to the one I stayed in five years ago?" she asked.Noah was busy bandaging himself. Upon hearing her question, he replied, "Yeah, doesn't it look almost identical?"Chloe's gaze swept over every item in the room, and she admitted that she was touched. She turned back to Noah and looked at him gently as if she had returned to the time when she simply treated him as a little brother."How did you convince Tiffany to cooperate with you?"Tiffany had made her move while Noah distracted Desmond."I just told her about it, and she agreed."Chloe asked, "Do you think you’re treating her fairly?"Noah said flatly, "I’ll compensate her."Compensate? How? Chloe thought that youth was the most precious thing in the world, but
In the Whitman family home, Joseph went to deal with a bunch of urgent company matters after putting Jasper to sleep. By the time he finished, it was already past three in the morning. He contemplated calling Chloe to ask about Noah's situation, but thinking it might disrupt her sleep, he abandoned the idea.When Joseph woke up the next day, it was already half past six. He recalled Chloe mentioning that Exotic Star had a new product launching today and that she would have to wake up early. He reached for his phone on the table, intending to call her.However, his hand slipped and the phone fell to the floor. The loud thud caused his heart to tremble. He stared at the shattered phone screen as he got a bad feeling. He grabbed his spare phone and quickly dialed Chloe's number. After ringing for some time, a cold, mechanical voice informed him that there was no one available to answer at the moment. Without hesitation, he immediately headed to the Sullivan Manor. When Joseph got ther
“Yes, Grandpa, and I hope you won't stop me when the time comes," Noah said. "You're not discussing this with me. You're just informing me!" Desmond said exasperatedly. "I'm sorry, Grandpa.”Desmond hemmed and hawed for a long while, at a loss for words. He seemed to age ten years as he stared into the distance through the window. After a while, he said, "I've already had someone contact doctors abroad regarding your condition, so don't worry. All you have to do now is just focus on recovering. Don't give up so soon."Sensing Desmond's determination, Noah's eyes filled with tears. He too wished to spend a few more years with his grandfather.When they arrived at the Sullivan manor, the foreign doctors had replied. Upon learning that the renowned healer, Z, had treated Noah but only achieved limited success, they decided not to intervene.Noah was not discouraged by this. He comforted Desmond and said, "Grandpa, I would like to go abroad for a few days. It's been a long time sin
Half an hour later, Desmond and Noah walked out of the ward together.Desmond said, "The doctor told you to stay in the hospital for a few more days, so why don't you just listen? If something happens to you again, they can treat you immediately."Noah smiled warmly and said, "It's okay. The medical equipment at home is sufficient."Desmond sighed. It would be good if Noah stayed at home as well. At least there would be more pairs of eyes on him.Desmond instructed the driver to come to the hospital’s basement car park. When he hung up the phone, he looked around the corridor and wondered, "Wasn't Chloe just sitting here? Where is she?"Noah did not say anything and just lowered his head."And where's Tiffany too? Call her. We need to go home," Desmond said as he took his phone out to call Chloe.However, Chloe did not answer his call. Noah did not call Tiffany. Instead, he said, "Her brother had something to discuss with her, so he came by and brought her home. Maybe Chloe ha
Chloe looked at Tiffany and said sarcastically, "Not everyone is willing to contribute their entire life knowing that the other person doesn't like them."Tiffany had a heart problem. She might die at any moment, yet she chose to live around someone who did not love her back. Chloe often marveled at the greatness of love, but she would never possess such a sacrificial spirit.Tiffany laughed coldly. "It’s because I have compassion and you don't. When Xavia died before your eyes, you just coldly stared at her body."Chloe raised her head sharply, glared at Tiffany, and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Xavia took my child, stole my man, and wrecked my marriage! She nearly got me killed several times! If she hadn’t died, it might have been me! I should've celebrated her death with fireworks! None of you know what I've been through, so stop pointing fingers at me!"At first, she had felt responsible for Xavia's death, but she had since come to her senses. Xavia's death had nothing to
Desmond was taken aback that he even forgot his cane and almost tripped on the carpet. He quickly got back up and headed for the second floor. The butler immediately called for an ambulance while the other housekeepers guided the panicked guests away.Chloe furrowed her brows, following Desmond into Noah's bedroom. The curtains were drawn tightly, blocking out all light. But just standing at the door, one could detect the strong scent of rust from inside.A helper flipped a switch, and the room was flooded with light. The wooden furniture was neatly arranged while neatly folded clothes sat on the sofa.Chloe looked around but did not see Noah. She then looked toward the bathroom and her face sank.Tiffany pointed to the bathroom and said, "He's in there."Desmond trembled as he pushed open the bathroom door. Inside was a mess, with red stains covering the floor. Noah was in the bathtub, his wet clothes clinging to his body. His arms hung limply over the tub's edge, and his head sl
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
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
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