[78]
Chloe trembled. The ongoing conversation deeply shook her, and she seemed still happening. She heard everything clearly, and it shook her to the core. So all this time, Josh was working with Ester? Creating the turmoil that made Leonel like this?
No. It wasn’t that Josh was sympathizing with Leonel. If everything was planned and organized as they were discussing, what else could be but a trap? To implicitly make Leonel follow their desires.
Furthermore, why was her name being dragged into this? What was the connection? Chloe didn’t understand any of this. Don’t ask her heart to function; it felt like she was seeing her organs on the floor and beating there strongly as she was overwhelmed with everything filling her mind.
But her body remained stiff. She dared not approach because perhaps her intuition told her to stay silent. Listen carefully, and maybe they were devising a new plan.
One thing she never expected. Josh’s involvement.
Josh William? Her friend? The one who accompanied her to Beverly Hills yesterday? Oh God! Could there be a worse joke than this?
“Are you threatening me, Ester?” Josh asked with a sarcastic chuckle. His eyes stared straight at the beautiful woman in front of him. He felt like crushing the woman entirely so she wouldn’t talk too much. “Before your steps approach Chloe, I’ll make sure you’re destroyed first.”
Ester laughed-underestimating, as usual. “I’m not afraid of your threats, Josh. I’m about to get what I want soon. Your trump card is also in my hands. I’ve done anything you wanted without hesitation. Do you think I’m stupid?”
Was Josh afraid? Not at all.
“Do whatever you want. I don’t care.”
Ester leaned in slightly. “Are you sure?” Her eyes also traced Josh’s handsome face. “If I speak up, you won’t be able to get close to Chloe again. The woman you love will surely realize how obsessed you are with her. Don’t think that you’ll immediately gain her sympathy with everything you’ve done to her.”
Josh still needs to respond. His eyes stared intensely at the woman speaking.
“Enjoy yourself. Unless you change your mind and assist again to make Leonel mine soon.”
Ester left the table. Her gentle perfume lingered in the air, filling his senses, but Josh didn’t care. Instead, he grinned slightly.
Meanwhile, in her position, Chloe held her breath and subtly shifted her body to avoid drawing too much attention while listening to them. She couldn’t let either Ester or Josh notice her.
Chloe had some knowledge of the rumors circulating, but she didn’t think Ester was working with Josh to set up a trap. She only believed that Ester was exposing her ex-husband’s wrongdoing to solidify further her determination to leave him.
But Josh?
If his connection to Leonel’s business was involved, wouldn’t there be an underlying motive there?Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
“Chloe?”
Chloe gasped in surprise. She jumped out of her seat, causing her drink to spill as her hand tried to protect herself. The sound of breaking glass, the liquid soaking part of the table, and her clothes shattered her concentration.
“T-Josh,” Chloe stuttered. Her eyes widened in fear when she realized the man she had been observing was standing before her. He smiled sweetly.
“Are you okay, ma’am?” one of the waiters asked. They quickly approached upon hearing the sound of the broken glass.
“Are you alright, Chloe?” This time, Josh spoke again. The smile still lingered on his lips. His eyes also looked at Chloe with the same sympathetic gaze as before.
“Y-yes. I’m fine.” Chloe immediately stood up and let the waiter tidy up her table. She repeatedly apologized and offered to compensate for the damages caused by her actions.
To some extent, communicating with the restaurant staff calmed Chloe’s nerves. She could control herself because she couldn’t let Josh know she had followed them all along.
“Since when have you been here?”
The question came shortly after the waiter replaced Chloe’s drink. She felt uneasy, but the situation was equally tense. Josh’s gaze was still the same, but Chloe thought he knew she had been at this table all along.
“Um… just now.” Chloe tried to appear calm. “I didn’t know you were here.”
Josh smiled again. “I have some business.”
Chloe adjusted the end of her blouse. “I… excuse me.”
“Have you not finished your drink? Your meal?” Josh asked with a slight chuckle. “Why are you so nervous? Is something wrong?”
Chloe immediately shook her head. “Nothing.” She also quickly shifted her seat as Josh began to approach her. The man’s gaze furrowed.
“Chloe?”
“I have to go, Josh. My driver is here.”
Josh grinned faintly. “Is that so? But there’s something I wanted to discuss.”
Chloe clenched her fist tightly, closing her eyes. She held onto the handle of her bag tightly. She was incredibly nervous.
“Can you sit?”
“I’m in a hurry, Josh.”
“I said… sit.”
***
Leonel massaged the bridge of his nose. He hadn’t had a good night’s sleep for several days. All the reports coming in, especially those related to Layson Group, had been his focus.
He delegated some internal affairs to Deborah and a few managers involved. He believed they could work together to handle other matters while he dealt with the Layson Group.
His phone rang loudly, causing him to furrow his brow.
“Yes, Chris. You just left my office, right?” Leonel shook his head softly. He leaned back against his oversized chair, feeling the softness of the foam. He closed his eyes slowly, enjoying some freedom to squeeze his thoughts further.
“I just obtained what we’ve been looking for. And everything is pointing in one direction. It can’t be ignored.”
“Josh?”
“Also, Ester?”
“For Ester, let me handle the calculations separately. Just gather the evidence.”
Chris sighed. “I’m sure your defense will weaken.”
Leonel laughed at Chris’ statement. “Are you back in the office?”
“Yes. I’ll be heading to your office soon.”
“I’ll wait for you.” Leonel didn’t need a response from Chris; he immediately hung up the phone. His hands intertwined on the table. Finally, the veil that had covered everything that had happened in the past few months was starting to lift.
Fortunately, once again, he didn’t rush to take action. He let Ester do whatever she wanted, even if it meant hurting her mother. He endured it all. For some reason, this time, he chose to follow his heart.
There was only one regret: divorcing Chloe.
Hopefully, after everything is uncovered, he still has a chance to redeem himself in front of his ex-wife. At least make amends for all the wrongs he had done to her.
Or, if God had indeed granted him another happiness besides his presence, Leonel tried to accept it graciously.
Hopefully, it won’t be like that.
***
Peni called Chloe’s phone multiple times, but there was no response. It just went to voicemail and was answered. Peni suddenly felt worried and a little scared, not because this mall was large and Chloe might have gotten lost. But for some reason, her fear was different.
“It’s not being answered, Miss?” Brad asked, looking confused. “I looked around this floor but didn’t see her.”
“Yes, Brad. She’s not answering her phone, but it’s still connected.”
“Maybe she’s in the restroom.”
Peni tried to think positively. “Maybe,” although her heart was still wrapped in anxiety and worry. “But you try looking on the lower floor. I’ll wait here while continuing to call her. Maybe she’ll come back here.”
“Alright, Miss.”
Peni let Brad leave. Her eyes scanned carefully, observing each person passing by before her. She looked more closely, just in case she mistook someone. What Peni feared was that Chloe might suddenly feel dizzy and faint.
Even though her employer could see quite clearly with the help of glasses, there was still a possibility.
“Where are you, Ma’am?” Peni whispered. Once again, she tried to contact Chloe’s phone. Still, I am waiting for a response…
“Ma’am,” Peni felt immense relief when Chloe’s phone was finally answered. “We’re are-”
“This is Josh.”
Peni immediately fell silent. Her mind immediately went to the handsome man who always wore elegant suits and was a close friend of her employer.
“You guys can go home first. I’ll take Chloe myself.”
A sense of relief appeared on Peni’s face. “Okay, sir.”