My Rise and My Ex's Fall (Chloe and Arthur) novel Chapter 626

When would his Clo ever truly come back to him?

She'd given up half her life to walk away from Silverash. The only card he had left to play was that he'd given her a second chance—he'd rebuilt her, shaped who she was now.

Three tasks, in exchange for her full freedom.

She'd already finished the first.

He thought the whole mess with Nance would've shaken her, maybe even made her pull back. But from where he stood, she wasn't backing down that easily.

So, what about the second task?

She kept pressing him, but truth was, he hadn't even thought of one yet.

Now he had to come up with something. And soon.

Charles' death was tied to Carolyn. She'd slipped into Myers Estate disguised as staff. When Charles recognized her, it set him off—triggered the attack that killed him.

His people had already dug that up. It was only a matter of time before Eugene found out, too. He needed to track down Carolyn first, bring her straight to Chloe, and let her handle it however she wanted.

*****

Chloe brought Robert over to Lewis Manor for a visit.

When Scott got the news, he rushed back from the office. The moment he saw Chloe, his voice shook.

"Dad."

She said it softly. Scott broke down right then, tears welling in his eyes.

"Sweetheart... all these years... what you must have gone through."

He'd transferred everything—the entire Lewis Group—into her name. She didn't need it, and she knew he was just trying to make up for the past.

Chloe studied her father, once so sharp and driven. So much had happened to the family lately, and it had taken its toll on him, too. The fact he was still standing said a lot.

Who doesn't make mistakes in life?

"What?" Scott stood up, face shifting from confusion to shock.

Chloe watched his reaction and laid out the facts calmly, like she was reading from a report.

"All this time, she was there posing as a maid. Charles recognized her. It set off his attack. When he was struggling to breathe, she could've helped. All she had to do was pick up his oxygen mask and put it back on him. That would've saved him."

Her voice was level, detached, as though she were talking about someone else's story. But inside, she was holding back a storm.

"She just stood there. Watched him fight for air, watched him die. Then she walked out quietly and disappeared somewhere in the city." Chloe's eyes chilled. "I'm going to find her. Make her answer for what she did. I'll deliver her to Charles myself."

No sugarcoating, no pretty words. She wanted Carolyn to pay. Simple as that.

Scott took it in, stunned. He never imagined Carolyn could do something like that. He'd raised her like his own—funded her acting classes, supported her career, gave her every chance. And this was how it ended.

He felt the weight of his own responsibility. His indulgence, his blindness... it had all led here.

"Carolyn made her choices," Scott said, voice thick with regret. "She has to face what comes. Do what you have to do. I'm behind you." He paused, sighing softly. "I gave her too many chances. She threw them all away. Whatever happens now... she brought it on herself."