As she spoke, Jennifer glanced meaningfully toward Robert, who sat quietly observing the exchange.
Chloe nearly laughed aloud at the performance.
Reflecting inwardly, she marveled at her own past naivety. How had she ever been deceived by such transparent tactics?
“Ms. Williams, is it?” Chloe raised a skeptical eyebrow. “You keep insisting you and Arthur are just friends. Are you truly claiming you have no ulterior motives whatsoever?”
“W-What? Ms. Lewis, I don’t understand what you mean.” Jennifer feigned innocence.
“Spare me the act. I’m leaving Arthur, clearing the path for you both. Shouldn’t you be thrilled? Why try to persuade me to stay? If I actually clung to him, how would you ever get your opportunity? Am I wrong?” Chloe’s tone was laced with sarcasm, her expression impassive.
“Ms. Lewis, Arthur and I are completely innocent. He’s always taken care of me, but we’re merely friends…” Jennifer glanced tearfully toward Arthur, her eyes glistening.
“You sound so certain. Then swear to heaven you’ll never become involved with Arthur. If you do, may lightning strike you dead five times over.” Chloe raised an eyebrow challengingly, throwing Jennifer’s own words back at her.
“You… I…” Jennifer stammered, leaning into Arthur and whimpering, “Arthur, this is all my fault…”
“Enough!” Arthur snapped. “Chloe, that’s going too far. I never knew you could be so vicious, saying such terrible things.”
“Funny, I never realized you could be so blind,” Chloe shot back, her tone frosty. She had zero patience left for him.
“You – “
Just as Arthur was about to explode, Jennifer took his hand. “Arthur, let’s just go eat. Jenarth keeps saying he’s hungry. We shouldn’t disturb Ms. Lewis any longer.”
“Fine.” Hearing that Jenarth was hungry, Arthur turned and looked toward Jenarth, who sat at their table watching them with a worried, tearful expression.
Arthur’s gaze shifted from Jenarth to Robert, who sat beside Chloe looking utterly entertained by the drama. The comparison angered him further. His son was being corrupted by Chloe’s influence, and he would have to address that with her later.
“Jennifer, let’s eat.” Arthur pointedly ignored Chloe and returned to his table with Jennifer.
He summoned the waiter and proceeded to order the most extravagant dishes on the menu, along with Eve Restaurant’s famous chef-special cake – specifically because Jenarth had expressed a desire for it. He even arranged for the chef to prepare the cake tableside.
Arthur made sure his voice carried, ensuring everyone in the vicinity – including Chloe and Robert – could hear his lavish orders.
Watching Arthur proudly show the menu to Jenarth, Robert couldn’t suppress a snicker. “What a complete fool!”
“Robert, eat your food. We’ll leave when we’re finished,” Chloe said, placing more food in his bowl.
They had come here to enjoy a meal, and she wouldn’t let some insignificant people ruin their mood.
Unbeknownst to Chloe, the entire scene had been observed from a private room on the upper level.
By the window, a man lounged casually in his chair, his gaze fixed on Chloe with interest.
“You know what they say – when rivals meet, the sparks fly. These people certainly know how to put on a show. Two women fighting over one man, and they’re so composed in public. Eugene, do you think she genuinely doesn’t care, or is she just putting on a brave front?”
“Landon, did your company collapse and leave you with nothing better to do than gossip?” Eugene didn’t bother looking up, merely swirling the wine in his glass.
“Come on, who doesn’t enjoy good drama? That man is Arthur Myers!” Landon Voss raised an eyebrow significantly. “The current CEO of Myers Group, the rising star of the business world. Since you’re expanding operations here, aren’t you considering a partnership with Myers Group?”
Eugene’s eyes darkened at the mention of Myers Group. He followed Landon’s gaze downward, his eyes settling on Chloe and Robert.
“Damn, Arthur’s living the dream. Two women, both with children in tow. If this gets out, it’ll cause quite the scandal – might even trend online,” Landon remarked, unable to contain his curiosity. “So, what’s your guess? Who’s the wife, and who’s the mistress?”
Who was the legitimate wife, and who was the mistress?
Eugene’s gaze traveled from Chloe to another table nearby, where Arthur sat with Jennifer.
“I couldn’t quite catch their conversation earlier, but I’d bet that woman found out Arthur was dining here and brought her child along just to get his attention!” Landon glanced at Chloe and clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “She’s got decent looks, but she doesn’t understand her position. If you want to win a man’s heart, you need to know how to play the vulnerable card. That’s what triggers a man’s protective instincts.”
Landon’s meaning was clear – he believed Chloe was the mistress, while the woman beside Arthur was the real wife. Unfortunately, the mistress didn’t know how to play her role properly, so Arthur simply ignored her.
Eugene observed the restaurant scene, a trace of amusement in his eyes.
Women pretending to be weak to elicit male protection – the woman beside Arthur had certainly mastered the act. In contrast, Chloe behaved as if Arthur didn’t exist. Since Arthur had sat down, Jennifer had been stealing glances at Chloe, but Chloe hadn’t looked their way even once.
Domestic dramas? Eugene couldn’t be less interested. Arthur, CEO of Myers Group, might be famous in Capaville, a prince in the public eye, but in reality…
Regardless of who was the mistress, it was clear Arthur didn’t handle his relationships well.
“Seems I need to reconsider partnering with Myers Group,” Eugene remarked slowly, taking a sip of wine with impeccable elegance.
Landon remained fixated on the restaurant scene as if watching a prime-time drama. He took a sip of his drink, then suddenly perked up as if he’d made a major discovery. “Eugene, look! Arthur just stepped out, and the wife is about to confront the mistress.”
Eugene raised an eyebrow and glanced downstairs.
Arthur had risen to take a phone call outside, leaving only Jennifer and Jenarth at the table. Unlike Chloe, who continued eating peacefully with her child, Jennifer glanced toward Chloe’s table, then stood and began walking in her direction.
Watching the scene unfold, Landon continued his commentary. “Looks like the wife isn’t to be trifled with. She held back while her man was here, but now she’s going in for the attack.”
Eugene’s eyes drifted to Chloe, who remained focused on her meal with her son, and commented coolly, “Seems the great romantic expert might have misjudged this one.”
“Huh?” Landon looked confused.
*****
“Mom, what if that jerk dad never signs the divorce papers?” Robert asked, concern evident in his voice. He’d called Arthur “Dad” for years, yet Arthur had always been distant with him. Now, watching Arthur play the doting father with Jenarth for all to see, Robert grew increasingly irritated. No wonder he thought Arthur was despicable.
“Whether he agrees or not is irrelevant. He will sign.” Chloe’s eyes turned cold at the mention of Arthur.
From this moment on, she and Arthur were finished forever.
“Ms. Lewis, could we talk?” Before Chloe could respond, a sweet voice interrupted.
Chloe looked up to see Jennifer standing by their table, her expression cold.
It seemed someone was craving attention again!
“I don’t believe we have anything to discuss,” Chloe replied coolly, meticulously removing fish bones before placing the cleaned fish into Robert’s bowl.
“Ms. Lewis, I’m begging you, please don’t be angry. I don’t want Arthur to be upset because of you. If this situation is my fault, I feel terribly guilty.” Jennifer lowered her head, adopting a remorseful expression. “Ms. Lewis, it’s because of my poor health that Arthur constantly worries about me. I should be the one apologizing to you.”
Jennifer’s voice was soft and gentle, dripping with apparent sincerity.
But Chloe’s face remained impassive, her demeanor radiating a “keep your distance” aura that made her appear cold and harsh.
Chloe wasn’t foolish. She could detect the subtle barbs in Jennifer’s words – implying she was petty, mocking her failure to win Arthur’s affection, and flaunting Arthur’s preference for Jennifer’s company.
In the past, Chloe might have retorted that she was Arthur’s lawful wife and he shouldn’t behave this way. But now? Arthur meant nothing to her.
“Ms. Williams, aren’t you tired?” Chloe raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Arthur isn’t here right now. There’s no need to maintain the act.”
“Ms. Lewis, you…” Jennifer feigned confusion. “How can you say that?”
“Mom!” Jenarth approached and stood beside Jennifer.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.