[86]
Meanwhile, Chloe was left with two extensive menus, which she used to observe Josh at the other end. Although she couldn’t hear anything, their conversation seemed quite intense.
Josh’s face looked serious, with occasional nods and a faint smile. Then he would busy himself with the reports brought by his assistant.
Chloe sighed softly. She needed clarification about why she willingly complied with Josh’s request. Despite his apology, there was still much doubt in Chloe’s heart.
Chloe’s concentration was interrupted by the ringing of her phone, which demanded her attention. She quickly glanced at her phone in the pocket of her cardigan. Darren’s name appeared on the screen.
Unconsciously, Chloe smiled. “Yes?”
“Do I disturb you?”
“No. I’m just waiting for dinner to be served.”
On the other end, Darren laughed. “That’s bothersome, Chloe.”
“I don’t consider your call a bother. What’s up?”
“I don’t know why, but yesterday I wanted to drop by but couldn’t leave my patient. Are you okay?”
Chloe couldn’t possibly tell him what had happened to her yesterday. Who was Darren, anyway?
“I’m fine.” Chloe tried to maintain a steady tone. “There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“Do you still experience frequent headaches?”
“Not at all. Everything is fine. The headaches and occasional blurry vision have become very rare.”
There was a sigh of relief on the other end. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“You provided the best care. I owe you a lot of thanks.”
“Is that necessary?”
They both chuckled lightly. At least having a casual conversation with Darren slightly reduced Chloe’s fear and anxiety.
“Oh, by the way, Chloe, do you have any free time tomorrow?”
Chloe thought for a moment. “I don’t think so.”
“Would you help me for a bit? My mother’s birthday is in a week. You know, I always need to improve at finding gifts. I hope your help can be a way out.”
Naturally, Chloe laughed. “Are you sure you’re asking for my help? Our tastes could be different.” The invitation to spend time together was lovely. Whether it involved buying a gift or spending time together, Darren’s words sounded different.
“I have no other view except for you, Chloe.”
The woman still maintained her laughter.
“I hope you can help me.”
“Alright, alright. You’ve got my attention. Pick me up at eleven in the morning.”
A wide smile spread across Darren’s face. “Thank you.”
“I hope you won’t be disappointed in asking me to choose a gift for your mother.”
“I’m sure my mother will love it.”
Chloe’s eyes caught sight of Josh getting up from his seat in the corner. She felt the need to end the call with Darren for some reason. “Hopefully. Oh, Darren, let’s end this call. My dinner is served.”
“Alright. Can I call you back? Maybe in three hours?”
Chloe chuckled. “Sure.”
It didn’t take long for the call to be disconnected. Josh was now sitting right in front of Chloe. His eyes had been closely watching her all this time. Who called Chloe? Until her face appeared more relaxed and cheerful.
“Is there something delightful?” Josh asked as he took a sip of his drink.
“Nothing. Just a conversation between friends.”
Josh nodded slowly. “I hope you enjoy your dinner, Chloe.”
There was nothing Chloe could do except nod. Shortly after, the dishes Josh ordered for their dinner started to arrive. The aroma of perfectly grilled meat, drizzled with delicious sauce, wafted through the air and tantalized Chloe’s appetite. But as her eyes lifted slightly and met Josh’s gaze, doubt and worry slowly enveloped her again.
“Please enjoy, Chloe.”
Everything Josh had said that night echoed in her mind-especially his intention to retaliate for Chloe’s hurt caused by Leonel’s actions. Even as someone mistreated by her ex-husband, she hadn’t considered seeking revenge. Simply freeing herself from Grisham was already a tremendous step forward from the attitude she had held onto for so long.
But why would someone else go so far as to destroy someone else’s business? And collaborate with a woman she despised? And now she had just discovered one significant fact-that woman had cunningly caused her accident.
“Chloe?”
The knife Chloe used to cut her meat portion slipped from her hand. She was lost in thought, and Josh’s call startled her. “Ah!” She yelped in surprise. “I’m sorry.”
Josh smirked. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.” Chloe quickly shook her head. “I’m fine.”
Soon, a waiter came to replace the fallen knife. Chloe tried to maintain a composed and calm demeanor. But how could she relax when the man’s face occasionally displayed a menacing grin before her? She wondered how many faces Josh had. But honestly, there was a vast, terrifying shadow lurking there.
“What will you do after hearing all my confessions, Sa?” Josh casually asked. Was there any remorse in his words? None. Josh seemed somewhat satisfied with intimidating Chloe.
“Me?” Chloe gave a small smile. “What am I supposed to do?”
Josh chuckled. “Maybe… disclose all the truth to Leonel now? Try to support him from another angle?”
“What’s the use for me?” Chloe placed down the fork she had been using. Dinner was over for her. However, she admitted that this steak restaurant was quite delicious. She wished she could continue savoring every bite.
Unfortunately, her appetite slowly faded because of Josh.Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.
“Maybe you still have compassion? Like the Chloe, I knew before. The one who forgave easily.”
“I’m confused, Josh,” Chloe wiped the corner of her lips with the tissue at hand, cleaning off any remaining food. “What is your real motive? Is it all just for me?”
Josh stared at Chloe intensely. “What else?”
“Truly for me, Josh? Not just for your gain?” Chloe tried not to tremble as she met Josh’s gaze, although she had to clench her fists tightly to display her strength in facing Josh. “I feel like this is not only for me. You have a personal vendetta against Leonel. Maybe Mountain Pte or whatever is related to Leonel.”
Josh burst into laughter. “You… think like that?”
Chloe enjoyed the laughter. She didn’t get carried away because she felt that Josh was hiding something even more prominent. Once the laughter subsided under Josh’s control, Chloe spoke again.
“I appreciate you opening my eyes to the accident that happened to me. Truly. I never expected Ester to do such a thing to me. You don’t have to worry; I’ve entrusted everything to the expert. I hope Ester is prepared for many legal demands from me.”
Josh fell silent, but then he gave a slight smile. “Go ahead.”
“Yes, I will. That’s what I’ll do. But for your motives, Josh, even my feeble mind can’t comprehend it until now. No matter how often you say everything you’re doing is for me, I still find it suspicious.”
“I’ve told you about my feelings for you, haven’t I?”
Chloe nodded softly. “I know.”
“And even now, you’ve never responded to them, have you?”
“What am I supposed to respond? Your frightening declaration of love? Do you think everything you’re doing will enchant me?”
Josh remained silent.
“No, Josh. I wouldn’t say I like anything you’re doing. It’s not about defending Leonel, either. What’s the point? I’m already relieved to be free from Grisham. Truly. I thought my days would go according to my plans, thinking about what else I would do after leaving there.”
Since Josh remained silent, Chloe continued her statement.
“I don’t care about anything Leonel did to me in the past. I’ve erased it all. I’ve thrown away my heartache, Josh. I don’t want to have any dealings with them at all. But because of your actions, a big question mark arises in my heart. What will happen to them in the end? While in that family, it’s only Leonel who has hurt me.”
“I know,” Josh quickly interjected. “Just calm down. Everything I’m doing has been carefully calculated.”
“What will you gain from it?”
Josh blinked and then chuckled. But before he could say what he was about to say, Chloe’s words cut him off.
“After you do all this, will I throw myself at you happily? Thankful for avenging all the heartaches I had?”
***
Chris stared at the green-painted room with a large glass window filled with sorrow. Fortunately, his son’s critical period passed smoothly. He couldn’t stop expressing gratitude for God’s miraculous hands. The blessings bestowed upon him by God.
Beside him, his wife still appeared shaken. She was terrified until her body’s tremors only subsided when her husband came to console her.
Stroke after stroke that she received on her shoulder, at least it could keep her conscious and utter as many prayers as possible for God to protect their son.
“Chris?” someone called, causing the couple to turn around. His wife immediately wiped her tears away, forcing a smile at the corner of her lips, albeit a heavy one.
But the visitor who approached her immediately drew the woman into a hug. Her tears flowed again in the warm embrace of a woman several years older.
“Mrs. Agatha,” she whispered with a soft sob.
Agatha and Robby had come to the hospital as quickly as possible. Robby postponed his meeting because of this news. Along the way, they prayed together, hoping that the son of their trusted friend would always be protected.
“Sir,” Chris briefly greeted the visitor.
“How is he doing?”
“Praise God, and he’s still protected. The critical period has passed. We’re just waiting for him to regain consciousness.”
Robby nodded slightly, patting Chris’s shoulder as a sign of his outstanding support. “Tian is a strong kid. I’m sure of it.”
“Thank you.” Chris needed support like this. He knew Robby and Agatha wouldn’t hesitate to offer their full support. They were both excellent people; Chris knew that.
“What’s the chronology?” Robby asked with an investigative gaze. “Any anomalies?”
“I can’t speculate in that direction yet. But I will investigate.”
“What can I do to help, Chris? Just tell me.”
With everything that had happened recently and numerous emerging speculations, Chris somehow said, “Can you do this, Mr. Robby?”