Chapter 7: Chapter 7: She Became an Outsider

"Chloe Reed."

Walker strode over. He first helped Sunny and Noah to their feet.

Then he grabbed Chloe Reed’s arm and demanded sharply, "What are you doing?"

The pull made Chloe Reed stumble.

She ignored Walker Grant’s anger, instead asking quizzically, "What are you doing here? Didn’t they tell you they weren’t planning on having a birthday party this year?"

After speaking, she looked at Autumn Linton and Charles Reed. Their eyes shifted evasively.

"Oh, so they just told *me* it was canceled, is that it?"

Chloe Reed understood. "I always said Sunny was the real daughter. You two are a match made in heaven."

"A secret birthday party, just for you and her."

With that, she grinned and once again raised her leg toward Sunny Reed.

"Can’t you tell? I’m bullying someone."

"Ah!" Chloe Reed cried out as Walker Grant shoved her away.

She stumbled back, her back hitting a tree trunk hard. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Chloe," Walker Grant’s expression shifted, his demeanor softening slightly.

"Today is Dad’s birthday. Even if you have something you want to say, wait until after today."

Chloe Reed just said, "Oh."

"I have nothing to say. You guys are celebrating a family birthday. What does that have to do with me, an outsider?"

She straightened up, adjusted her clothes, and spoke again.

"After the birthday party’s over, remember to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau. It would be better for you to visit after we get our divorce certificate."

"Chloe!"

Hearing her words, Autumn Linton panicked and immediately stepped forward. "You can’t just talk about divorce so casually! You and Walker have been together for so many years. How can you just get a divorce on a whim?"

Chloe Reed retorted, "If we don’t get a divorce, how will your precious Sunny Reed move up?"

"Or is she going to be a homewrecker while holding a baby?"

After saying this, she tilted her chin up to look at Walker Grant.

"If you don’t agree to the divorce, I’ll beat them up every time I see them. I’ll even shout it through a megaphone that she’s a homewrecker!"

She pointed at Sunny Reed and Noah Grant.

"Sunny, take the child upstairs. You don’t have to leave today. You’re the daughter I acknowledge, and no one can make you leave!" Charles Reed stood up and said with a grim expression.

Sunny Reed carried Noah Grant upstairs.

"Bring me my whip!"

Charles Reed shouted at the butler.

The butler trotted off to get the whip and handed it to him.

Charles Reed pointed at Chloe Reed. "All these years, I’ve truly spoiled you rotten, making you more and more arrogant and willful. You’re fighting with your own sister out of jealousy and even frightening a small child! I’m asking you, do you admit you’re wrong?!"

Chloe Reed looked at him coldly, her face showing not a hint of remorse.

"Fine. Very good. If you won’t admit you’re wrong, I’ll beat you until you do!" Charles Reed was furious. He swung the whip, bringing it down on Chloe Reed.

Autumn Linton covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

Chloe Reed instinctively shut her eyes, but the searing pain of flesh splitting open from her memory never came.

"Walker!"

Charles Reed cried out in alarm, "What are you doing?"

Chloe Reed’s eyes snapped open.

Walker Grant had blocked the whip with his back.