CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 32: I MISS YOU

In the hospital, they all advised him to forget her.

Donovan Xavier just stared out the window without a word, showing no reaction.

After that, he drank less. He started working day and night, running himself ragged.

Later, he went to Southel and became a narcotics officer.

Whenever they met, he talked a bit more and was even willing to smile, but he never mentioned that woman again.

Adrian Rhodes and Leo Sterling both believed he had completely forgotten her.

After all, he was the esteemed heir of the Kryton Elite, admired by countless women. How could he possibly spare a thought for someone like Chloe Preston?

At the bar, Ivy Lane leaned into Chloe Preston’s embrace, still crying. "Chloe, how could Adam Jenson do this? How could he betray me?"

"He slept with another woman while wearing the watch I gave him!"

Chloe Preston couldn’t understand it either. "I know, he clearly loved you so much..."

"That bastard! I hope he gets hit by a car tomorrow!" Ivy cursed. Then, she handed her drink to Chloe. "Come on, Chloe, drink with me!"

Chloe Preston frowned. "I... I’d better not. You know I can’t hold my liquor."

Everyone knew she had a notoriously low tolerance for alcohol; two glasses would get her drunk, three would make her incoherent, and four would put her right to sleep.

"But I’m so upset," Ivy Lane pleaded, her eyes welling with tears. "Please, just have a little with me..."

Chloe relented. "Okay!"

A while later, with two drinks in her, Chloe Preston rested her chin on her hand. Her face was slightly flushed as the alcohol began to take hold.

At that moment, a tall, blond man with a wild style sauntered over, holding his phone. "Hey, beautiful, care to add me on WeChat?"

Chloe Preston glanced back and shook her head. "No, thanks."

She was wearing a vintage, waist-cinching little black dress, her thick, dark hair pinned up in an elegant bun. She looked poised and graceful, her features stunningly beautiful, yet with a hint of innocent sensuality.

She was utterly captivating, the kind of woman you couldn’t look away from.

The blond man persisted, refusing to give up. "Come on, just as friends?"

Chloe, dizzy from the alcohol, just waved him away.

He was about to say more when Ivy Lane tapped the table. "Hey, are you deaf or something? She said no, so why are you still pestering her!"

The blond man paused for a few seconds before turning to Ivy. "Then how about you add me?"

Ivy was speechless. "Seriously? Can’t you read the room? I’m obviously nursing a broken heart!"

Seeing that the woman before him was too fierce and irritable to mess with, the blond pursed his lips and walked away.

Ivy turned back to her friend, resting her chin on her hand. "Our Chloe is so charming. Someone’s always interested wherever you go."

"By the way, how are things with that bastard Donovan?"

Chloe’s face was red from the drink. She frowned. "Don’t call him a bastard."

Ivy was stunned for a moment, then a grin spread across her face. "Oh? Getting defensive, are we?"

"Chloe Preston, just why do you love him so much? Is it because he’s so good in bed that you can’t get him out of your head?"

Chloe immediately got flustered. "Of course not! He’s... he’s just average in that department!"

Ivy pouted. "Who are you kidding? Your Donovan Xavier looks like he knows exactly what he’s doing!"

A nearby waiter’s eyes lit up when he heard the name Donovan Xavier, and he silently started to eavesdrop.

This was a huge deal! A man no one in all of Kryton dared to provoke!

Chloe’s face turned beet red, though it was unclear if it was from the alcohol or embarrassment. "I... I’m not lying! He’s just average! Lousy, even! Not good at all!"

As she spoke, she grabbed her glass and downed the rest of its contents in one gulp.

The waiter’s eyes widened as he listened, as if he’d stumbled upon some earth-shattering secret.

Ivy reached out and patted her back. "Drink slowly."

「Outside the bar.」

Donovan Xavier’s car pulled up to the entrance. As he got out, he immediately spotted Leo Sterling and Adrian Rhodes leaning against a nearby wall.

He walked over, his expression grim. "Where is she?"

"I’ll take you inside," Leo Sterling said lazily.

As they walked, Adrian Rhodes glanced at him. "Xavier, why are you getting involved with that woman again?"

"It’s been four years. How have you not forgotten her?"

"Xavier, you need to be careful. That woman had the guts to break up with you and disappear back then. This time..."

Before he could finish, Donovan Xavier cut him off coldly. "Shut up!"

Once inside, Leo Sterling gestured toward the bar with his chin. "Over there!"

Donovan followed his gaze, and his expression darkened instantly.

She’s still drinking! I clearly told her to wait at home for me, to be good, yet she ran off to a place like this to get wasted. How dare she!

At that moment, Chloe Preston was resting her chin in her hands, completely drunk.

It was her third glass. She shook her dizzy head, her thoughts growing hazy.

Suddenly, she heard a light cough from behind her and instinctively stiffened.

"Chloe Preston!"

Upon hearing her name, Chloe trembled again.

That voice, that powerful presence... why did it feel so familiar? It was practically on par with Donovan Xavier’s! But how could that be? He went to Southel. How could he possibly be here?

Chloe took another small sip of her drink and smacked her lips. Her cheeks were flushed, giving her a look that was both radiant and pure. Unconsciously, she was incredibly alluring.

She kind of missed him...

She pulled out her phone and sent him a message.

[I miss you.]

It was very direct. When drunk, her words and actions were much bolder than usual.

When Donovan Xavier received the message, the coldness in his eyes softened almost imperceptibly.

Standing behind her, he replied.

[Where are you now?]

[At home.]

Donovan Xavier let out a cold chuckle.

[What are you doing?]

[Reading.]

Donovan Xavier looked up. The woman was holding a glass, her head turned to stare at the various men dancing wildly on the dance floor, a look of infatuation on her face.

The air around him turned icy. He gritted his teeth and clenched his phone, desperately reining in the rage that threatened to boil over.

[I’m behind you. Be a good girl and come have a drink with me!]

Chloe saw the message and froze for a moment before looking back.

What the hell! How does this man in front of me look so much like Donovan Xavier? It’s not just a resemblance; they’re practically identical! But... wasn’t he supposed to be in Southel?

The next second, her wrist was seized in a tight grip.

Chloe winced, her pretty face scrunching up in pain. "Ouch, that hurts! Let... let go of me!"

Donovan Xavier sneered. "Let go? So you can keep drinking?"

"Chloe Preston, how dare you come to a bar behind my back! Who gave you the nerve?"

Startled by his sharp tone, Chloe’s eyelashes fluttered as a shiver ran through her.

Seeing this, Ivy Lane glared at the man. "You’re scaring her!"

Realizing she was genuinely frightened, Donovan Xavier wrapped an arm around her slender waist and pulled her against him. "Chloe Preston, I told you to wait for me at home. Why did you disobey me and come here?" he asked again, his voice softening slightly.

By now, Chloe was too drunk to think straight.

She leaned into his warm, strong embrace, inhaling the pleasant, faint scent of sandalwood on him. "You’re so warm," she giggled.

She reached out a soft, delicate hand and began to instinctively grope his chest.

A vein throbbed on Donovan Xavier’s temple.

His breath hitched.

He grabbed her restless hand to stop her. His voice was low and hoarse with anger. "Chloe Preston, answer my question. And stop getting handsy with me!"

Chloe’s face was flushed from the alcohol. She wrapped her arms around his firm waist and pouted. "I’m going to touch you. You’re always touching me, so why can’t I touch you back?"

Normally, she wouldn’t have dared say such a thing, even with a knife to her throat.

Donovan Xavier looked down at her. "Are you drunk?"