Ava bristled at Joseph's comment, feeling her nerves being rubbed raw. Indignantly, she hissed, "Is this how you train your employees?"Joseph did not even spare her a glance. He scanned the lobby, taking in the scene, and asked, "What’s going on here?"Lucas turned his head and quietly explained the situation."Remove them from the premises," Joseph commanded."But they’ve already paid for the location, and breaching the contract would require triple compensation...""Do we not have enough money to pay for it?" Joseph asked, his voice indifferent."Understood, Mr. Joseph."After giving the order, Joseph and Alexander entered the elevator together.Lucas called the security guards to disperse the crew."We've already paid for the location. You can't do this to us. It's against the rules," the producer objected.With a polite smile, Lucas responded, "Our company will compensate for the location fee according to the stipulated penalty in the contract.""But we haven't finished
Calvin was rendered speechless. "So I'm expected to educate Ava properly before introducing her to her grandparents?"Considering the circumstances, burdening the elderly couple once again would not be appropriate."I apologize for the trouble, Uncle Calvin," Noah said, rising from his chair and smoothing out the wrinkles on his white shirt as he prepared to leave.As he approached the door, Noah suddenly halted and turned his head toward Calvin. "During my journey to Aesper, I encountered a girl who bears a slight resemblance to Aunt Luciana.""There are plenty of people who resemble each other," Calvin said, casually brushing it off."Well, you're right." Noah paused a little before continuing, "I won't consider the arranged marriage between us. I'm only twenty this year while Ava is three years older than me. Besides, it appears she currently has a boyfriend."Calvin thought of Wyatt and felt a throbbing headache coming on. "Fine, fine. Just make sure you clarify the situation
Lucas hesitated for a moment before handing over the tea tray in his hands. "I made two cups of chamomile. It's good for soothing nerves."Chloe nodded, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door."Come in."Joseph's voice came from inside, causing a sense of security to wash over her. With him around, she did not need to be afraid.Chloe pushed open the door and stepped into the room. Joseph was seated behind his desk, wearing a sky-blue tie that complemented his youthful and attractive appearance. As he caught sight of Chloe, his eyebrows arched in surprise.Calvin also noticed Chloe and immediately straightened his posture, his eyes fixed on her without blinking as he muttered to himself, "You...You do look a bit like her."‘In terms of appearance, the two of them share some resemblance, but it’s mostly their temperament that’s alike.’Luciana was only slightly older than Chloe when she passed away. In Calvin's heart, his beloved woman had always retained a youthful and ench
Joseph enveloped Chloe in his arms and nestled his face near her neck. He then stated languidly, "I'll know after checking it out.""Hmm." Chloe found his hug a bit too tight, so she struggled briefly. "Let go. I can't breathe.""No. I won't let you go unless you kiss me."Chloe grasped his handsome face with both hands and gave him a peck on the lips before tilting her head and questioning exasperatingly, "Can you let go of me now?"Enjoying the moistness on his lips, Joseph's gaze darkened before he bent down and put his lips against hers again, kissing her deeply.After a while, Chloe pushed Joseph away, looking flushed. "Okay, that’s enough. We shouldn’t do such things in the office."Joseph's sharp, bewitching eyes lit up happily and passionately. "Okay, we'll continue when we get home tonight."Chloe knew what he meant, and her blush deepened. She stared at him bashfully. "We just started dating. You don't have to be in a rush to…""We're dating now, and you expect me to
Chloe asked Xavia what it was about and asked if they could just discuss it over text instead, but Xavia did not reply.The appointed time Xavia fixed was an hour before Chloe got off work. After dwelling on it for a while, she decided to get up and took the elevator downstairs.It was just downstairs and was a very short distance. It would not take up much time.Outside the building, Xavia was silently waiting while holding an umbrella. Her complexion was horrible. She was wearing a sweater so that one could only vaguely see her hospital gown underneath. It was clear she had come straight from the hospital.Chloe raised her brows. "What can I do for you?""I'm sorry to disturb you again.""Just get to the point.""I've been undergoing chemo in the hospital recently, so I have no time to take care of Oreo. I'm worried about putting Oreo in boarding long-term, so can you and Joe please take care of my dog for a while?"Chloe's first response was to turn Xavia down. If she let Or
"Of course not. That would be something a pervert does,” he teased before he explained seriously, "My friend lives here. I just had a meal at his place before coming out to get some fresh air. I also wanted to see if I’d have the chance to bump into you. Well, it's proved that we're destined to meet."Chloe nodded. She found that the dogs had had enough now and decided to head home. Unexpectedly, a stray cat ran out of the bush, exciting both Oreo and Toto. They excitedly pounced on the cat to play with it.Consequently, Chloe was dragged and, losing her balance, uncontrollably fell forward.Icarus reacted quickly and grabbed her before asking nervously, "Are you okay?""I'm fine." Chloe patted her chest to calm herself. After some difficulties, she struggled out of his arms. "Thank you. I would’ve fallen flat on my nose.""You're welcome."After that, Chloe lightly smacked Toto and Oreo's hips to punish them. Oreo seemed to have understood this. Its ears drooped as it looked at
Chloe’s eyes went wide. When she noticed the teasing smile in his, she relaxed and groaned, retorting, "You’re the one who had a tryst with another man."“I have no interest in men."After that, Joseph recalled the call he got from Lucas earlier, and his voice turned dull. "Calvin and Karen don't know each other."Chloe pursed her lips. "Then it's impossible that Calvin likes Ava because of Karen. Does it mean that he truly likes her?"Many old people would adopt a child if they had no children. Although Ava was not very outstanding, she was great at acting, and Calvin might have a thing for scheming young women."This clue ends here but I found another one.""You found other clues?" Chloe widened her charming eyes and looked at him expectantly.Joseph answered slowly, enunciating every word he said, keeping her in suspense. "I'll tell you if you do a good job."She blushed vehemently and choked on her saliva before she started coughing. He patted her back calmly and smiled lik
Joseph answered, "Pretty much."Lucas found out that the month Karen gave birth to Ava was also the same month that Luciana got pregnant. Benjamin stayed by Luciana’s side almost every day.The hospital staff recalled that a different man would come to visit Karen from time to time, and they would always argue with each other. Their topic of argument was quite sensitive, discussing the fact that the man who had impregnated Karen was a married man. Hence, the hospital staff had a deep impression of that incident."Wow…" Chloe drew in a cold breath. "Did you find out who that man was?""Not yet, but we may get the answer tomorrow."After learning about the affair, Chloe had a restless night. She was busy sorting out the current clues she had obtained.It was no wonder Karen chose to get back together with Benjamin that year. It was very likely that she wanted to find a father for her child. And it must be because of Karen's example that Ava was so cunning since childhood.Chloe wo