Breaking Mr. Cold (Giselle and Donovan) novel Chapter 700

The caller ID showed a woman's name—Gloria.

The sight of it made Giselle's breath catch. That name was the very one Anne had used during her years studying abroad.

Chris must have seen her reaction in the rearview mirror. His expression tightened, a flicker of something unnatural crossing his face. One hand stayed on the wheel while the other immediately declined the call.

"Who was that? Why didn't you answer?" Giselle asked.

After a few seconds of silence, he said flatly, "My girlfriend. Ex-girlfriend."

"Your ex?" she repeated. "Her name is Gloria? Is she a foreigner or Valantian?"

"Valantian."

"Oh." Her heartbeat stuttered for a moment. She tried to sound casual but couldn't help asking, "What does she do? Have you really broken up?"

Chris stiffened. The question seemed difficult for him to answer, as though the truth lodged somewhere he didn't want to be touched.

"It's fine if you don't want to talk about it," Giselle said. "I was only asking."

It was, after all, just a name. Gloria wasn't common like Kelly, Anna, or Jenny, but it wasn't unique either. She had met several women by that name when she lived abroad. There was no reason to jump to conclusions. She was only sensitive because of Anne's past.

"She's a married woman," Chris said suddenly, his voice low as he kept his eyes on the road.

"What?" Giselle blinked. "Your ex was married?"

…

Over the next few days, Donovan had to travel to Nihoro for an important project.

While he was away, he video-called Giselle almost every night and phoned her throughout the day. He was terrified something would happen in his absence.

Giselle was just as busy. With a pregnancy to manage and a company full of work, plus occasional emergencies from her pet shop, she barely had time to breathe.

Fortunately, Chris had become proficient at handling most similar, time-consuming tasks. He met unimportant clients on her behalf, attended trivial meetings, and filtered out noise so she could focus on what mattered.

After days of nonstop work, Anson Pharmaceuticals had finally completed its nationwide rebranding. Every signboard had been replaced with Sweetson Pharmaceuticals, accompanied by a new logo.