"I’m really sorry about what happened last time. I must have scared you," Preston Vance said, a guilty look on his face.

"It definitely scared me," Chloe Reed said. "But who were those people? Have you taken care of everything?"

"Yeah," Preston Vance replied. "It’s pretty much resolved. You don’t have to be afraid around me anymore."

His tone was light and teasing, naturally steering the conversation elsewhere.

"When I came in, I thought you were meeting someone. I didn’t expect you to be eating by yourself." Preston Vance looked at her quizzically. "Is there anything you need help with?"

Chloe Reed thought for a moment before shaking her head. "Not right now. But don’t worry, I’ll call you if I do."

"Right, you’ve never called me," Preston Vance said, taking out his phone. "Why don’t you call me now? That way I can save your number."

Chloe Reed was a little surprised, but she thought, ’We’re friends, after all. And what if I really do need to ask him for a favor someday?’ 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

’He’d probably hang up on an unknown number.’

So, she nodded, took out her phone, and dialed his number.

His phone rang. Preston Vance glanced at the screen and saved her number.

A smile touched his lips. "Now this is more like it."

Chloe Reed was confused. "Why do you say that?"

"Well... I guess I just felt there was still some distance between us. This feels much better," he admitted.

Chloe Reed nodded slowly, then asked, "Do you want to order anything else?"

"No, I’m good. This is plenty."

The food at the restaurant was, in fact, excellent. Preston Vance couldn’t stop praising it, saying he would definitely be back.

The two of them left the restaurant together. By now, the sky had grown completely dark.

Standing by the side of the road, Preston Vance offered, "Let me take you home. I don’t feel right about you going back by yourself."

Chloe Reed gave a wry smile. "You really don’t have to worry. We’re in our own country; it’s very safe here."

Preston Vance fell silent for a moment. "Is that right? But you were just attacked last time."

"Er..." Chloe Reed paused. "That was just a freak accident."

She stepped closer to the curb as a motorcycle sped past from behind her.

As it passed, the rider reached out and tried to snatch her purse.

With lightning-fast reflexes, Preston Vance yanked her into his arms, foiling the motorcyclist’s attempt.

The motorcycle roared off into the distance.

Chloe Reed jumped, startled.

Preston Vance’s voice, laced with a wry tone, reached her. "See? Not so safe after all."

Chloe Reed was speechless.

’That was actually terrifying.’

She didn’t refuse his kind offer and got into his car.

Preston Vance watched her for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "The Reed Group has been through a lot of turmoil lately. You... are you doing all right?"

At his words, her long lashes fluttered as she thought of Walker Grant’s tactics.

’The Reed Group had nearly gone bankrupt, and it was all Walker Grant’s doing.’

’Now that he’s achieved his goal, has he let the Reed Group off the hook?’

’I’m supposed to inherit the Reed Group one day. If it went bankrupt, wouldn’t I have nothing left?’

Her heart sank.

"I’m fine," Chloe Reed said, looking at him with a faint smile. "And the Reed Group should be recovering soon."

Preston Vance added, "It’s no secret that the Grant Group is the one targeting the Reed Group. That’s why I’m so worried about you, Chloe. If Mr. Grant is using this to threaten or pressure you, I can help."