CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: CLEARLY SWEET AND OBEDIENT

Upon hearing this, Donovan Xavier’s eyebrow twitched.

Is she fierce? She’s clearly obedient and soft, like a little kitten. Every time she’s in my arms, her eyes are red and she’s biting her lip, crying so pitifully and wretchedly... my heart melts just looking at her.

Donovan Xavier didn’t say another word. He glanced at his wristwatch, frowned, and walked out the door.

At six-thirty, Chloe Preston was still in her shop, standing by a table and diligently restoring an ancient painting.

The next second, CLICK. The door was pushed open.

"Chloe..." Ivy Lane poked her head in and looked around.

Hearing the voice, Chloe Preston turned to look and smiled gently. "Why did you suddenly come over?"

Ivy Lane entered and chuckled. "It wasn’t my idea. Someone else couldn’t wait to see you."

Chloe Preston was slightly startled.

Ivy Lane glanced at the doorway. "Aren’t you coming in?"

The next moment, a tall man walked in. He wore a black parka, had sharp, handsome features, and naturally exuded an air of nobility.

Ivy Lane hugged Chloe Preston’s arm. "Surprised, aren’t you? Evan is back!"

Chloe Preston looked at the man, dazed at first, then delighted. "I thought your flight was tomorrow? How are you back today?"

Evan York walked in and smiled lightly. "I wanted to give you all a surprise!"

"So, how have you been these past few months while I was on my business trip?"

Chloe Preston smiled softly. "I’ve been good."

Ivy Lane stood to the side and pouted. "Young Master Yates, you’re being biased. Why don’t you ask how I’m doing?"

Evan York chuckled, his eyes lazy, as he handed them two bags. "I’m not biased. Here are gifts, one for each of you."

Ivy Lane cheerily accepted hers. "That’s more like it."

Evan York walked to Chloe Preston’s side. His thin lips pressed together as he asked with anticipation, "Chloe, the day after tomorrow is my mom’s birthday. She’d like you to come over. Would you be willing? You can bring Ivy along too."

Chloe Preston nodded. "Of course. Mrs. Yates has looked after me for so many years. I should absolutely go to congratulate her on her birthday."

As she spoke, she casually glanced up at the clock on the wall.

Chloe Preston was instantly terrified.

It’s almost seven o’clock! At seven, that man will call to check on me! I have to hurry back!

With no time to think, Chloe Preston turned back to the table, grabbed her bag, and looked at them anxiously. "Sorry, I have to go back now."

Ivy Lane frowned. "It’s still early. Why are you in such a hurry to go back?"

Chloe Preston pressed her lips together, stepped closer, and whispered in her friend’s ear, "The man at home requires a check-in. If I’m not back by seven, he’ll get furious."

When he gets angry, he’s like a madman—wild and vicious. I can’t handle him at all.

Ivy Lane put her hands on her hips, immediately fuming. "That bastard has even set a curfew for you! That’s going too far!"

Chloe Preston shrugged helplessly and sighed. "There’s nothing I can do. He’s just that overbearing and controlling. I can’t afford to provoke him."

"I have to go. You two have fun."

With that, she hurried out the door.

Evan York stood in place, his gaze deepening as he watched her slender figure run off into the distance. "Chloe seems to have changed somehow."

"Hmm?" Ivy Lane responded.

"She seems a lot happier," Evan York said. "Did something good happen?"

Ivy Lane’s eyes lit up, and she gave him a thumbs-up. "Impressive. You could even tell that."

"Evan, I’m telling you, if you don’t pursue Chloe now, you’re going to completely lose your chance!"

For all these years, only Ivy Lane knew that Evan York secretly had a crush on Chloe Preston.

Evan York turned his head and glanced at her. "What do you mean by that?"

Ivy Lane paused for a second before speaking solemnly. "Chloe’s ex-boyfriend is back."

"You have no idea. Her ex is so good at flirting and coaxing her that he has her completely captivated."

"They’ve even been living together for the past few days."

Hearing that last sentence, Evan York stiffened slightly, and a trace of loneliness flickered in his eyes.

Ivy Lane moved closer to him and asked softly, "Are you really not going to consider fighting for her?"

Evan York forced a smile and looked down, laughing bitterly. "How can I compete? She doesn’t like me."

"Forget it. As long as she’s happy, I’ll be content watching from afar."

「The Xavier Residence」

When Chloe Preston hurried back, Housekeeper Wallace immediately greeted her with a smile. "Miss, you’re back. I’ve prepared dinner for you. Would you like to eat something?"

"Yes." Chloe Preston walked to the dining table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

She took out her phone and checked the time. It was 7:15.

He hadn’t called.

He must still be busy, right?

She thought for a moment before opening their chat and sending him a message. "I’m back at The Xavier Residence, so don’t worry."

「Meanwhile, in Portdrey.」

A gaunt, cold-looking woman sat in a wheelchair, her hair disheveled. She was holding a fruit knife, poised to slit her wrist.

Donovan Xavier entered the room with a glass of water and, seeing the scene, immediately rushed forward to stop her. "Mom, please stop this!"

Wendy Chandler’s eyes were hollow and vacant. Her emotions were extremely volatile as she spoke frenziedly, "He cheated on me... I... I can’t live anymore..."

"Mom, it’s been so many years," Donovan Xavier said. "Can’t you let it go?"

Wendy Chandler seemed not to hear him. She stared blankly out the window, repeatedly mumbling the same thing, "He doesn’t want me anymore. I want to die... I... I don’t want to live!"

Donovan Xavier’s expression turned frigid, and he reached out to snatch the fruit knife from her hand.

"Don’t touch my knife!"

In the struggle, the panicked woman’s knife accidentally slashed the man’s forearm, and blood gushed out instantly.

The pain was sharp and intense.

Seeing the dripping blood, Wendy Chandler suddenly regained some clarity, and panic washed over her. "Do... Donovan, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to."

The wound was long and deep. Donovan Xavier winced slightly from the pain, his face gradually paling. He didn’t make a sound as he reached out and took the knife from her hand.

Wendy Chandler’s eyes reddened. She was beside herself with anxiety and asked worriedly, "Do... Donovan, let Mom take you to the doctor, okay?"

Donovan Xavier stood up, enduring the pain. He kept his expression neutral and said in a low voice, "There’s no need. Now that you’re lucid, don’t torment yourself like this anymore."

Then, he turned and walked out of the room, holding the blood-stained fruit knife.

「The next morning.」

Chloe Preston lay on the soft, comfortable bed. Her eyelids fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.

She instinctively reached over to the other side of the bed. The pillow was cold.

He wasn’t there, and she was suddenly unaccustomed to the feeling.

Then, she sat up, picked up the phone from the table, and glanced at it.

He hadn’t replied to her message, nor had he called.

Chloe Preston gently pressed her lips together. She couldn’t quite articulate how she felt. Maybe... just a little bit disappointed.

She got out of bed and went to the bathroom to freshen up.

As she stepped out of her room and was about to head downstairs, she ran right into Housekeeper Wallace.

"Miss, you’re awake!"

Chloe Preston nodded. Noticing the bowl of noodles in the housekeeper’s hand, she frowned slightly. "This is..."

"It’s for the master," Housekeeper Wallace said.

"Donovan Xavier is back?" Chloe Preston’s eyes instantly lit up.