"Chloe, you look beautiful today."

Walker Grant put his arm around her shoulder. Her petite frame was enveloped in his oversized suit jacket, and her red dress was a breathtaking sight.

Her expression cold, Chloe Reed walked ahead and got into the car, where she immediately tossed the suit jacket out.

Walker Grant watched, bent down to pick it up, and asked, "Don’t you like this suit? I won’t wear it anymore, then."

Then, he tossed it straight into a trash can.

Chloe Reed looked at him. "I don’t like you, either. Can you just stay out of my sight from now on?"

"Don’t be silly." But Walker Grant’s lips curled into a smile, clearly not taking her words to heart.

He told the driver to go, then reached for Chloe Reed’s hand again.

But Chloe Reed pulled away, busying herself with a game on her phone.

Seeing this, Walker Grant’s gaze darkened. After the car had been moving for a while, he finally said, "Don’t get too close to Preston Vance. Don’t be fooled by his facade."

Chloe Reed didn’t even bat an eye, as if she hadn’t heard a word.

"Chloe."

Getting no response, Walker Grant grew displeased and repeated her name, his voice low and stern.

She lifted her gaze to look at him. "And I suppose you’re any better?"

Walker Grant’s chest tightened. Her icy gaze was a sharp sting, and it left him deeply unsettled.

"I would never hurt you. He’s not as harmless as he seems," Walker Grant said in a low voice.

Chloe Reed went back to her game, not bothering to grace him with a response.

A heavy silence descended upon the car, and a tense, chilling atmosphere began to permeate the space. Even the driver sat bolt upright, afraid to breathe too loudly.

The car soon arrived at her apartment complex.

Chloe Reed got out immediately, walking into the complex without a single glance back.

Walker Grant didn’t follow. Instead, he took out his phone and dialed Dylan Finch. "Keep an eye on the Vance Group. See if they’ve contacted my wife."

Dylan Finch responded, "Understood. And if they do?"

Walker Grant’s gaze lingered on the red dress as it vanished into the night. "Stop them."

"Understood," Dylan Finch replied.

...

Chloe Reed didn’t feel her tense body relax until she was finally home.

She took a shower, and just as she got out, her phone rang. It was a call from Iris Yates.

"Chloe, where are you?" Iris Yates was still at the banquet. She’d been looking all over for her and finally gave her a call when she couldn’t find her.

Chloe Reed smacked her forehead. "Oh, sorry, Iris. I’m already home."

Iris Yates was taken aback. "What? You’re home already? Did you meet the heir of the Vance family?"

"Mhm, I did." A small smile played on Chloe Reed’s lips as she recounted the recent events to her friend.

It was probably the highlight of her evening.

"Oh my God! My girl, you’re absolutely incredible!" Iris exclaimed after listening, praising her without reservation. "I’m so happy you won against that bitch! It feels so vindicating!"

Chloe Reed lay back on her bed. "I just hope the partnership with the Vance Group goes smoothly. That would be the real victory."

"It definitely will," Iris said. "From what you’ve told me, this Preston Vance seems like the grateful type. I’m sure he’ll repay your kindness."

"Let’s hope so."

Chloe Reed yawned. "Iris, I’m exhausted. I’m going to sleep now."

"Okay, sweet dreams."

Iris hung up.

Chloe Reed slept soundly that night, and she went to work the next day feeling refreshed and energized.

The first thing she saw upon entering the office was Sunny Reed, the dark circles under her eyes glaringly obvious.

The sight made Chloe Reed’s mood even better.