「Two weeks later.」
Chloe Preston was in the jade shop, having just completed the restoration of a previously damaged antique painting.
Her days had been quiet and uneventful, split between the shop and performing surgeries at the hospital. Afraid of making her man jealous, she’d made a point to avoid Evan York whenever he ca to The Xavier Residence to see her.
Noticing this, Donovan Xavier had praised her for being much more obedient and insisted on "rewarding" her. This often led to her being so exhausted that she overslept the next morning before her hospital shifts.
Just then, her phone rang.
Chloe glanced at the screen and answered, "Sir Sutton, yes, I know. I’m on my way to your ho now!"
She hung up, put away the painting on the table, carefully placed it into a camphor wood box, and headed out.
「An hour and a half later.」
At the Sutton Family villa.
The atmosphere was gloomy. A cold wind swept through as a torrential downpour began.
Chloe parked her car, got out, and opened a large black umbrella, carrying the box as she walked toward the entrance.
"Miss Quinn!"
Soone called out from behind her.
Chloe turned around to find herself looking into a pair of clear, cold eyes.
For a mont, she was stunned.
Connor Sutton seed pleasantly surprised by her arrival. He walked over and raised his eyebrows. "It really is you. I thought I was seeing things."
"What are you doing here?" Chloe asked.
Connor Sutton glanced around. "Uh... this is my ho."
Chloe paused for a few seconds. Without looking at him or saying another word, she started walking away.
Suddenly, her phone chid with a notification. She glanced down; it was a ssage from Donovan Xavier.
`Miss ?` he had written.
She typed back a quick, `Mhm.`
His reply was imdiate. `It’s pouring. Where are you? I’ll co get you.`
Chloe typed, `Get for what?`
`To go back to The Xavier Residence. For a date.`
Chloe stared at her phone, her cheeks flushing instantly.
Just then, Connor Sutton stepped to her side, tilting his umbrella as he raised an eyebrow. "Why are you at my house? Don’t tell you ca specifically to see ."
See him? How narcissistic.
Chloe ignored him, put her phone away, and continued walking under her umbrella.
Seeing that he was being ignored, Connor Sutton frowned, looking sowhat displeased. "Why are you ignoring ?"
Chloe remained silent.
"How can you be so impolite?" he pressed.
Chloe still kept silent.
Connor Sutton, who was known for his bad temper, scowled, a flicker of irritation in his eyes. "Are you this cold and ruthless in front of Donovan Xavier?"
"You don’t dare look at , you don’t dare speak to ... Are you afraid you’ll fall in love with ?"
A flicker of movent in Chloe’s eyes was the only warning before she looked up to et his gaze. A faint, cold smile touched her lips. "Fall in love with you? You’re overthinking things."
"On the other hand, President Sutton seems to be the one who’s had his eye on . Have you actually fallen for ?"
"Yes," Connor Sutton answered decisively.
Chloe paused for a few seconds, the corner of her eye twitching upward. "We’ve only t a few tis. Don’t tell it’s love at first sight, President Sutton?"
Connor Sutton’s eyebrows lifted slightly as he smiled. "More like... lust at first sight."
"At least you’re honest," Chloe said.
"But you should give up. I’m a married woman."
Connor Sutton’s eyes narrowed. "Married? If I rember correctly, you and Donovan Xavier aren’t married yet, are you?"
As he spoke, he leaned in, chuckling lightly. "What, so eager to be Mrs. Xavier? What’s so good about him?"
Chloe took a few steps back, putting so distance between them.
A smile played on her lips as she spoke. "That’s right. Everything about him is good."
"Be more specific," Connor Sutton demanded.
"He’s handso, tall, has an amazing body, is wealthy and powerful, and knows how to be charming and coax ."
Connor Sutton nodded. "Anything else?"
Chloe glanced at him and fell silent for a few seconds before a small smile curved her lips. "And he’s particularly... potent in *that* departnt."
"He makes lose control every ti. My heart pounds, and it’s left with an insatiable craving for more."
"My man, in two words, is... incredible!"
For people like them, all of whom have status and power, they are evenly matched in the business world. The only thing left to compare was their ability in *that* area.
Connor Sutton raised an eyebrow, a playful look in his eyes. "Do you praise him like this to his face?"
Chloe coughed lightly and said nothing.
Praise him like that to his face? She wouldn’t dare. If Donovan Xavier heard her praising him like this in front of another man, he’d be absolutely thrilled. His ego would probably soar to the heavens.
Connor Sutton stepped forward, leaning in so close that the edge of his umbrella brushed against hers. His eyes held a hint of a smile that didn’t quite reach them. "Miss Quinn, I believe I et all of those criteria you ntioned."
"If you’re willing, we could give it a try. I’m confident I won’t be any worse than Donovan Xavier."
"That won’t be necessary!" Chloe took several quick steps back, a detached, cold smile on her face. "I have absolutely no interest in getting to know President Sutton’s confidence. If you want to put it to the test, find soone else!"
Connor Sutton’s gaze deepened. "Are you that dead set on him?"
Chloe t his gaze, her own eyes shimring with a hint of amusent.
Her red lips parted, and she answered without a trace of hesitation, "Mhm."
"No matter how good anyone else is, my heart remains like withered wood to them."
"Among thousands of n, I would only ever choose him. It has to be him."
Connor Sutton’s dark eyes shifted, and he let out a sneer. "You’re this devoted to him, but Donovan Xavier might not treasure you in the sa way."
Chloe fell silent, the amusent in her eyes gradually fading.
For a long mont, she lowered her gaze before speaking softly. "That’s okay. It’s enough that I love him."
Her tone was naturally soft and gentle, like a warm breeze that could easily stir one’s heartstrings.
After she spoke, she turned and walked away under her large umbrella, her figure gradually shrinking in the distance.
The wind howled and the rain poured, turning the air bitterly cold.
Connor Sutton stood frozen in place, holding his umbrella and watching the slender back disappear from view. His expression was deep and unreadable as he remained silent.
The butler noticed and cautiously approached. "Young Master, why have you stopped?"
After a long silence, Connor Sutton said suddenly, "I’m suddenly quite envious of Donovan Xavier."
"Hmm?" the butler murmured.
"To have one woman love you so unwaveringly in this life."
...
「Half an hour later.」
Chloe handed the painting to Old Master Sutton, chatted with him briefly, and then left the room, intending to head ho.
She was scrolling through her phone as she walked down the hallway.
Suddenly, a loud CRASH erupted from a room beside her, sounding like a vase smashing on the floor.
Angry shouts followed from within. "Get out! Get out!"
"What do you think you are, daring to sche against ? You’re not even qualified to climb into my bed!"
"Get out!"
Chloe jumped, and a shiver ran down her spine, causing her to drop her phone.
That sounded like Connor Sutton. What’s wrong with him? He sounds like he’s having a manic episode!
Chloe quietly picked up her phone and, without a mont’s hesitation, turned to leave. She didn’t want to get involved in other people’s business.
A woman’s sixth sense told her that nothing good would co from staying here. She’d better leave as soon as possible!
Suddenly, the door was thrown open.
A maid ran out crying, two bright red handprints emblazoned on her cheeks.
Connor Sutton erged as well. His suit was in disarray, his eyes were bloodshot, his neck was flushed red, and veins bulged on his forehead. He looked agitated and overheated.
Chloe’s eyes narrowed at the sight. She forced a slight smile. "President Sutton, hello."
"And President Sutton, goodbye!"
A sudden sense of foreboding washed over her. She bit her lip, turned, and bolted.
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