After saying his piece, Nathaniel Monroe shot a glance at Owen Sterling beside him. His meaning couldn’t have been more obvious.

Owen Sterling’s expression remained placid, as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

Chloe Reed nodded. "Mm, you’re right. I get it."

Seeing she was unfazed, Nathaniel Monroe grew anxious. ’Why isn’t Walker here yet?’

He grinned and said, "Sister-in-law, a meal with just two people is so boring. Why don’t I stay and keep you company? It’ll be more lively with me here."

But to his surprise, Chloe Reed’s brows furrowed slightly. "I’m afraid that won’t work. My manager and I still have things to discuss."

Nathaniel Monroe’s eyes widened. "You two can have your discussion. I won’t tell anyone, I promise. Sister-in-law, don’t you trust me?"

"Mhm."

Chloe Reed nodded, her expression serious.

’He wouldn’t tell anyone?’

’He’d turn right around and tell Walker Grant everything!’

’How could she possibly believe him!’

Just as a stunned Nathaniel Monroe was wondering what to do, Owen Sterling, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly started laughing.

Nathaniel Monroe immediately scowled at him. "What’s so funny?"

Owen Sterling blinked innocently. "I just heard something amusing. Am I not allowed to laugh?"

Then, he looked at Chloe Reed and said with a sigh of resignation, "This friend of yours is quite bossy, isn’t he? Won’t even let a guy laugh."

Chloe Reed, however, replied seriously, "He’s not my friend."

"Sister-in-law!" Nathaniel Monroe cried out, agitated. "How could I not be your friend? I’m heartbroken that you’d say that."

Watching his exaggerated performance, Chloe Reed’s eyes remained exceptionally clear and her tone was mild. "Since the day we met, you’ve only ever called me ’Sister-in-law.’ You’ve never once used my name. What kind of friends are we?"

At her words, Nathaniel Monroe couldn’t help but rub his nose in embarrassment.

’Well, that’s just how it was.’

’He met Walker Grant first, and Chloe Reed second.’

’Of course he had to call her Sister-in-law.’

But now, looking into Chloe Reed’s clear eyes, he somehow found he couldn’t meet her gaze.

At that moment, Owen Sterling stood up. "I’m about finished. Shall we go?"

"Alright."

Chloe Reed nodded.

Nathaniel Monroe had no reason to follow them now. He watched the scene unfold with a complicated expression.

Owen Sterling paid the bill.

’Sister-in-law actually agreed to have a meal with another man!’

’Walker is in deep trouble!’

He scrambled to pull out his phone and call Walker Grant.

The phone rang three times before it was answered.

"Hey, Walker, listen, I just saw Sister-in-law, and she..."

"I already know."

Before he could finish, a man’s cool, even voice came through the line, and then the call was disconnected.

Nathaniel Monroe stared blankly at his phone. ’How did Walker know?’

He couldn’t help but scratch his head, troubled.

’Walker and Sister-in-law used to be so in love.’

’How did things get to this point?’

...

Sitting in the car, Owen Sterling glanced at Chloe Reed’s face. "He told you to be wary of me. What do you think about that?"

Chloe Reed started the car. "I am being wary," she said.

Owen Sterling was speechless.

’Talk about blunt.’

Chloe Reed glanced at him, the corners of her lips turning up in a smile. "But I’m sure Manager Owen isn’t the kind of person to have ulterior motives, like he suggested. Right?"

Owen Sterling’s lips twitched. "Right."

Chloe Reed looked away. "So, we don’t need to pay any mind to what he said. Manager Owen, where do you live?"

Owen Sterling gave her an address.

The car headed in that direction.

However, they hadn’t gotten far before Chloe Reed realized she was being followed.