My Rise and My Ex's Fall (Chloe and Arthur) novel Chapter 603

Chloe hesitated, uncertain what her next move should be.

Just then, Nance's voice carried in from the hallway once more.

"Suite Two is perfectly fine—I have a high-profile guest staying there. No disturbances, understood? Everyone falls back. There's nothing to see here. Go on."

"Yes, Mr. Hawk."

The guards' voices were edged with tension. Soon, scattered footsteps receded down the hall, and quiet settled over the corridor again.

Chloe heard the distinct click of Nance's door closing. By all logic, the danger had passed—she should have been relieved. Yet Nance's words echoed clearly in her mind: an important guest in Suite Two.

Someone was staying here?

The room was pitch-dark, and she'd noticed no signs of occupancy when she slipped inside. Could she have missed something?

The thought had barely formed when Chloe's instincts sharpened. She wasn't alone.

She spun around, already moving to conceal herself, but the other person was quicker—far quicker. Like a shadow, they closed the distance behind her. Before she could react, strong hands seized her, shoving her hard against the door.

"Hmph—"

Her back struck the solid wood, a dull ache spreading through her shoulders. His grip was overpowering, charged with what felt like fury.

Who the hell was this, attacking her like this?

She tried to twist free, but he anticipated the move, pinning her wrist effortlessly. Then a large hand settled firmly against her waist.

His presence enveloped her—intense, familiar, undeniable—and in that instant, Chloe went still.

She knew that aura better than anyone.

Eugene.

It was him.

Her heart stuttered. Eugene—here? Was he the "important guest" Nance mentioned?

Did that mean Eugene and Nance had been connected all along?

"Click." The room flooded with light.

Her heart clenched. He'd seen right through her—he'd figured that much out.

For a moment, she felt tears threaten, warmth stinging behind her eyes. She forced the feeling down, careful not to let anything show.

"I really don't know what you're talking about. We're not close, Mr. Rosewood. And for the record—my name is Claire."

"Still keeping up the charade?" His anger seemed to burn hotter. He stared at the woman he'd thought about relentlessly, day and night. The urge to lay her down right there and make her admit everything—with words, with touch—was almost overwhelming.

"What's your goal here?" he pressed, voice dropping lower. "First you show up at the research conference gala, clearly looking for something. Now you're sneaking around dressed as hotel staff. Why?"

Chloe held his gaze, surprised he'd pieced so much together so quickly. He was sharp—always had been. Just standing this close to him made her want to step back, to retreat.

Maybe it was guilt that made her feel so exposed.

"Is Nance your target?" Eugene's eyes darkened when she glanced away.

Chloe said nothing.

"What's so important about him? Why go to all this trouble to get close?" He leaned in even nearer, his face just inches from hers. If he tilted his head slightly, their lips would almost touch.