He Cheated I Rose Making Him Regret Everything (Chloe and Arthur) novel Chapter 283

**TITLE: A Promise Hidden in the Quiet Rain by Adrian Hale**
**Chapter 283: The 48-Hour Bet**

Scott sat in the boardroom, his heart heavy with the weight of unspoken truths. If the world discovered that Chloe and Arthur had once been husband and wife, the fragile facade they had all maintained would shatter. The implications were dire; Scott’s own past decisions would be scrutinized, and whispers of him having sold his daughter for financial gain would echo through the halls of their lives. The Myers family had always been elusive, never providing a clear account of the events that had transpired.

What did this silence signify?

It revealed their reluctance to acknowledge that tangled web of relationships. If the connection between the Myers and Lewis families were severed, the Lewis family would find themselves without a safety net, left to tumble into the abyss.

Scott remained silent, lost in contemplation.

Chloe, sensing the turmoil within him, exhaled softly, her breath a gentle whisper in the tense atmosphere.

“You know, Scott,” she began, her voice steady yet tinged with vulnerability, “the rumors circulating online are quite unkind to me. But that’s my issue to resolve. I need to uncover the reason behind this and tackle it head-on. I owe it to myself to provide everyone with a definitive answer.”

A flicker of hope ignited in the eyes of those present. They had been waiting for Chloe to falter, to retreat into the shadows.

Yet, just as the corners of their mouths began to lift into smiles, Chloe’s demeanor shifted abruptly.

“But… I have one condition.”

A condition?

The audacity of her words hung in the air, leaving everyone momentarily stunned.

Sean couldn’t help himself; he burst into laughter, the sound ringing out like a bell in the stillness.

“Ms. Lewis, have you forgotten your place? Attempting to negotiate under these circumstances—surely you jest!”

“Right now, you should adhere to the board’s strategy. Negotiation is not on the agenda,” another voice chimed in, a hint of disdain lacing their words.

“Even as the largest shareholder, if your actions negatively impact the stock, you are fully accountable—and you should voluntarily step down.”

A chorus of agreement erupted among the shareholders, their voices rising in a cacophony of skepticism.

“Go on then—what’s your condition?”

From the back of the room, a low voice cut through the clamor, commanding attention.

As he spoke, an eerie silence fell, and all eyes turned towards Ernesto. He lounged in his chair, exuding an air of detachment, as if he were merely an observer to a play unfolding before him.

“Speak up. Let’s all hear what you have to say. We’ll see if it warrants any discussion,” he urged, his gaze fixed intently on Chloe.

Any one of those terms she had laid out could have served as a bargaining chip. Yet, here she was, placing all her cards face up on the table.

It was only due to her thirty percent stake in the company that she had even been considered for the vice presidency. She could have easily claimed indifference towards the title or argued against involving herself in the company’s management. Instead, she had chosen to expose her vulnerabilities, laying everything bare.

So naive. Utterly reckless. Perhaps she was merely a pretty face without the acumen to match.

If she was unaware of her own limitations, then so be it—push her right out of the Lewis Group. It would be her own pride that led to her downfall.

Even if she were to reveal her marriage to Arthur, what difference would it make? The online mob was relentless, and they would not forgive her that easily.

Chloe could stand up and declare her past with Arthur, but who would lend an ear to her claims? The disbelief would be palpable.

Ernesto regarded her with a sly grin. “Now that’s a wager. I find it quite appealing.”

He cast a glance at Monique, laughter spilling from his lips, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a knife. Even Scott, usually so composed, sat frozen in his chair, his mouth sealed shut, eyes wide with disbelief—he struggled to comprehend the audacity of Chloe’s words.

“Chloe, you said it yourself. Everyone in this room heard you. If you can’t deliver, don’t claim we pressured you,” Monique sneered, her tone dripping with contempt.

“Perfect,” Chloe replied lightly, her smile unwavering. “With so many witnesses present, no one can backtrack, no one can slither away from their words, and no one can pretend this conversation never took place.”