The neighborhood was quiet despite being in a bustling area. There were no people in the surrounding area, especially at night.To be honest, there was nothing she could do if the middle-aged man in front of her decided to do anything to her.Chloe's palms were sweating, but she did not back down. "What are you going to do to me if I say it again? I did nothing wrong. You were the one who failed to keep an eye on your dog, and now you have the audacity to shift the blame on me. The regulations in Aesper prohibit the ownership of German Shepherds. I have the right to report you."As soon as Chloe said she was going to report him, the man faltered and did not say anything more. He pulled his dog away and quickly left.Chloe let out a sigh of relief and called Joseph to come over.Five minutes later, Joseph arrived. He was wearing a cotton shirt, and his expression was gloomy and terrifying under the night sky."You didn't put Toto on a leash?" he asked."I did. I let it go for a f
Chloe's mind went blank for a few seconds, and when she came around to her senses, her first reaction was that there must have been a misunderstanding."I didn't plagiarize anything. Did you make a mistake, sir?""Even if I made a mistake, do you think Patterson would have made the same mistake? They called me this morning to inform me," her superior retorted."That's impossible, I didn't plagiarize. The latest version was revised according to their requirements. I didn't even have the chance to plagiarize," Chloe said."The proposal you submitted to Patterson has a fifty percent similarity to a proposal on the Internet. What do you have to say about that?" her superior said, clearly not believing in her."Submitted..." Chloe suddenly remembered something and picked up the folder stained with coffee to examine it. After scanning through it, she could not believe what she saw. "This isn't the proposal I revised.""It wasn't written by you, so it must be someone else who's framing
Chloe got into the cab and told the driver where to go."Oh, you're going to Patterson. I know that area well," the driver responded."Please drive faster. I have an urgent matter to attend to," Chloe requested."All right, I promise you'll be there in no time!" the driver replied.In the next second, another car came around the corner toward them. The driver's pupils contracted, and he quickly hit the brakes. Unfortunately, they were going too fast and could not stop in time.There was a loud crash as the two cars collided.Thankfully, both drivers' reactions were quick. Chloe's body flew forward a little, but she did not hit the window.'I thought this guy said he was a professional…'"Are you crazy?! Why were you driving so fast?! My employer has a heart condition. Can you afford the consequences if something happens?!" Mateo angrily questioned the driver as he got out of the car.The cab driver knew it was his fault. Just when he was about to apologize, his face turned pal
"Yes, ma'am," the secretary looked at Chloe and said, "Can you wait for a few minutes?"Although Chloe did not understand why, she nodded.The secretary pulled the project manager to the side and whispered something into his ear. He looked shocked and his expression changed, but he nodded repeatedly, indicating that he understood what he needed to do.After he and the secretary were finished talking, he approached Chloe and his attitude changed drastically."I'm so sorry for my attitude earlier, Ms. Chloe. Can you give me another chance to sit down and talk things out?"Chloe was stunned for a few seconds before exclaiming, "Of course, we can!"After taking about ten minutes to review the newly revised proposal, the project manager said earnestly, "It's very good. Let's go with this version.""A-Are you sure?" Chloe asked in disbelief."I have faith in your ability," he replied.Chloe was overjoyed, feeling incredibly grateful for the manager's trust in her. "Thank you. I’ll g
At first, David denied everything, claiming that he was only looking for some information. However, after he was pressured by their superior, he eventually confessed.He was envious of Chloe's promotion to team leader shortly after joining the company and had made a rash decision.Their superior was furious and scolded, "We need to cooperate with clients from Estre all year round, and with her top-notch Estrenian language skills and experience in leading a team, Chloe is more qualified and capable than you. There's no point in competing with her!"David was resentful, but there was nothing he could do. The evidence was clear, and the truth was out.Since David had been working at Baxon for five years, their superior just fired him. He left Baxon with his belongings in hand, his head hanging low and defeated.Chloe had proven her innocence, and her colleagues quickly gathered around her, showering her with compliments. She responded to them with a fake smile on her face. She had no
"What evidence do you have to prove that I lied to you?"Jake was silent for a few seconds before he spoke with confidence, "And what evidence do you have to prove that Ava took the money your mother left for you?""The diamond necklace on her neck and Miles Upshaw from Sterling Law Associates can prove it!”She found it ridiculous that she had to prove that something was rightfully hers.Jake was speechless. It went without saying that he would not go to the law firm to verify whether Ava was lying or not. What he cared about was when he and Ava would make up. His parents had been asking him for the start-up capital for a while now.Hearing silence from the other end of the line, Chloe hung up the phone.Jake stared at the disconnected call, his brow furrowed tightly. He took a deep breath, knowing that other than the Johnsons, the only person who could help him now was his uncle. But he was worried about the relationship between Chloe and his uncle.Jake gritted his teeth and
Joseph's face sank. He stretched out his hand, revealing his prominent knuckles as he pointed at Chloe. "Go cook for me."Chloe had a stomach ache and did not want to cook, so she said, "Let's order takeout.""Sure, you pay for it then. I want seafood from Floria," Joseph said, looking at her fixedly as he saw through her intentions with a glance.Floria was a famous seafood restaurant in Aesper. It carried a variety of fresh and cured seafood dishes, with oysters being its specialty. The prices were high, yet the portions were small.Chloe was stunned for a moment and said in disbelief, "How did you know I got paid today?""Really?" Joseph raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Then I should order more today."Chloe opened the takeout app and handed her phone to Joseph. "Order whatever you want."He casually ordered a few items. Chloe painfully paid for it and ordered a bowl of clam chowder as well. When the takeout arrived, Joseph realized that she had not ordered anything else for
A look of enlightenment appeared in Chloe's black eyes as she looked at Joseph's face.She asked carefully and tentatively, "Did Grandpa ask me to go to your company?""Pretty much.”“He mentioned this to me before, but I turned it down with an excuse."Her underlying meaning was that it was none of her business now.Joseph looked up at her coldly. "Well, you shirk responsibility pretty fast.""It doesn't concern me, so why can't I shirk responsibility?" Chloe retorted seriously.Harold was too enthusiastic, and she found it hard to accept. It was not that she could not handle it. She was just not a true granddaughter-in-law of the Whitman family.She was unwilling to lie to Harold every time she met him because he was very nice to her. Thus, she felt guilty. She was weighed down by her guilty conscience.Joseph retrieved a tissue and wiped his lips before he asked lightly, "Are you very busy at Baxon?""Yeah, I'm a little busy.""Do you get tired?""I can handle physical e
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