**A Promise Hidden in the Quiet Rain**
**by Adrian Hale**
**Chapter 193: Revenge Served**
Before Chloe could utter another syllable, two officers clad in crisp uniforms approached with an air of authority. One of them extended a document toward Jennifer. “Ms. Jennifer Williams, we have reason to believe you have manipulated public opinion and defamed others. Please accompany us for questioning.”
The instant Jennifer laid eyes on the official-looking paperwork, a wave of genuine fear washed over her, gripping her heart.
“It wasn’t me! You’ve got the wrong person!” she stammered, her voice quaking as she desperately attempted to maintain her composure. “How… how could I possibly do something like that?” Her words fell from her lips like a fragile whisper, a perfect performance of innocence and despair.
The officer remained unmoved, his expression stern as he presented the evidence. “This private account transferred five million dollars to a marketing firm to create fabricated scandals that would go viral. The agency has already been shut down, and the individual in charge has confessed to everything.” His voice was unyielding, leaving no room for debate. “Ms. Williams, this isn’t a request. It’s a formal notice. You are required to cooperate with our investigation.”
“Is this really happening? Jennifer, what have you done?” Madilyn exclaimed, her shock palpable, her eyes wide with disbelief.
The realization hit Madilyn like a thunderclap; she couldn’t fathom that Jennifer could be so reckless, so foolish.
Confronted with undeniable evidence and the looming threat of legal repercussions, panic engulfed Jennifer.
“I… I… Chloe, it’s all a misunderstanding! Please, let me explain…” She edged closer to Chloe, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, adopting a demeanor of humility in an attempt to defuse the situation.
Her strategy was simple yet devious: if she portrayed herself as meek and vulnerable in front of the crowd, perhaps Chloe would lose her temper and lash out. Then, she could easily position herself as the victim—the innocent woman being bullied by the powerful Chloe. What did it matter that she had overstepped her bounds? She was merely expressing her frustrations, reacting to the photos she had seen. Was that truly a crime?
However, Jennifer’s fantasy shattered almost instantaneously.
Before she could even complete her thought, Chloe’s hand shot out, connecting with her face in a swift, brutal slap.
The unexpected blow took Jennifer by surprise, leaving her momentarily stunned. The force of the strike was shocking, so sharp that it stung and brought tears to her eyes.
Chloe had actually struck her. In public. In front of so many witnesses.
And right in front of Arthur.
For a fleeting moment, a flicker of excitement ignited in Jennifer’s chest. This was perfect. Chloe was unwittingly playing into her hands, and surely, public opinion would turn against her now.
But then, a troubling realization crept in. Why did that slap hurt so much? It felt more powerful than the blows most men could deliver. With seemingly little effort, Chloe had made her cry from sheer pain.
As he regained his senses, he instinctively touched his left cheek, feeling the fierce burn of the impact. He didn’t need to look in a mirror to know that the handprint was deep and angry.
It was the first time he had ever been hit, and the pain was excruciating. The force behind it was something he had never experienced before.
How could Chloe possess such strength? She had delivered two devastating slaps in quick succession, without even breaking a sweat.
Since when had Chloe become this powerful?
While Arthur and Jennifer reeled from the shock of the situation, Chloe remained unflinching, her expression calm and composed.
After striking Arthur, she nonchalantly blew on her fingertips as if brushing away the remnants of something filthy.
“Arthur, I’ve been far too lenient with you until now,” Chloe’s voice was icy, her eyes glinting with disdain. “I warned you before. If you dare to pull that nonsense in front of me again, I won’t hold back.”
“Chloe, how dare you!” Madilyn shouted, her maternal instincts kicking in as she rushed forward to confront Chloe. But she was halted in her tracks by Chloe’s piercing gaze, a look so cold it could freeze the air around them.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: He Cheated I Rose Making Him Regret Everything (Chloe and Arthur)