He Cheated I Rose Making Him Regret Everything (Chloe and Arthur) novel Chapter 325

**A Promise Hidden in the Quiet Rain by Adrian Hale**

**Chapter 325: Countdown Begins**

“Damn it!”

Ernesto cursed under his breath, frustration coursing through him like a wildfire. Monique had chosen the most inconvenient moment to make her entrance. That other woman—how could he forget her? She was worth every penny he’d invested to keep her close, a treasure he couldn’t bear to lose.

As he recalled the fire she had ignited within him just moments ago, Ernesto felt a surge of urgency. Without a second thought, he made his way to the bathroom, his mind racing with thoughts of what had just transpired.

“Ernesto, what are you doing?” Monique’s voice called out, a blend of confusion and protest.

“Let’s go again,” he replied, his tone almost playful, yet laced with a hint of desperation.

“But aren’t we supposed to be heading to the company?” she questioned, her brow furrowing in concern.

“There’s still time,” he insisted, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. “It’s early—we can squeeze in one more round…”

“You…” she began, but her words trailed off as the sound of running water drowned out her protests.

The two of them rushed to freshen up, the clock ticking ominously. By the time they finally emerged, ready to depart for the Lewis Group, the hour had nearly struck nine.

At the company headquarters, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Senior executives and shareholders had already begun to gather, their expressions a mix of anticipation and anxiety. It wasn’t a celebration; it was the final countdown to Chloe’s partnership negotiation deadline—a moment that could alter the trajectory of the entire company.

Only one hour remained.

Sixty minutes—that was all they had left.

Thus far, the only lifeline thrown to Lewis Group had come from Myers Group, a fact that weighed heavily on everyone’s shoulders.

Early that morning, as the sun began to rise and the corporate offices opened their doors, representatives from Myers Group had arrived promptly, their demeanor exuding confidence.

Lawyers and journalists were already milling about, their presence a reminder of the stakes involved.

Just fifteen minutes earlier, Arthur had made his entrance, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit that spoke volumes of his authority. He settled into the negotiation venue, a picture of calm as he sipped his coffee, surveying the room with an air of quiet dominance.

“Do you think Chloe will make it in the next ten minutes?” one shareholder asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.

“She’s not here now—I doubt she’ll show up at all. When the public scrutiny intensifies, she’ll probably just take whatever money is left and vanish abroad. I remember how confident she sounded when she announced her plans to replace the partner and turn Lewis Group around in a month. Turns out she’s just another overconfident… arrogant… young woman,” another shareholder scoffed.

“By the way, where’s Mr. Lewis? Shouldn’t he be here? After all, Chloe is his daughter. If she can’t clean up this mess, he’ll be the one left to face the fallout,” a third chimed in, concern etched on his face.

“I suspect Mr. Lewis is in deep trouble! Otherwise, why hasn’t he shown up with time running out?”

“Only a few minutes left—Chloe must be hiding somewhere, too terrified to confront the consequences,” they murmured among themselves, their expressions a mix of amusement and schadenfreude.

Just then, a light, clear voice cut through the murmurs, silencing the crowd. “I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed.”

Chloe appeared before them, dressed sharply in a business suit that commanded attention.

By her side stood two figures—Zachary, looking dapper in a crisp suit, and Melinda, who radiated confidence. Melinda had intentionally chosen an outfit that mirrored Zachary’s, a silent show of solidarity with Chloe. This was a make-or-break battle, and if the assistant could turn heads this much, one could only imagine how dazzling the boss would shine.