The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 133

Preston ended the call and noticed Chloe had relocated to the backseat again. He offered a helpless smile.

"Chloe, are you free next week?"

"No," she replied flatly.

He frowned slightly. "What do you have going on?"

"None of your business."

"Chloe." His voice carried a hint of exhaustion, but he remained serious. "Do you have to use that attitude with me?"

"It's not an attitude," Chloe said softly, looking out the window. "I just don't want to talk to you at all."

Preston's eyes darkened. He stayed quiet for a few seconds before speaking.

"Fine. Then I'll invoke the terms of our agreement."

"Next week, you're accompanying me to Mrs. Shaw's 50th Birthday Gala."

Chloe let out a cold laugh. "Why don't you bring your beloved Jenna? Are you sure you want to bring me? Aren't you worried someone will snap a picture and post it online?"

In the past, he had always flown solo at these events, never letting her show her face.

Even on the rare occasions he brought her, he never introduced her publicly.

His excuse was always that he didn't want to bother her, didn't want to subject her to the public's judgment.

But Chloe knew the truth. He was just afraid people would ask questions. He was afraid that having her by his side would expose her ordinary background and her damaged hearing.

At the end of the day, he just felt she wasn't presentable enough, afraid she would embarrass him.

Now that he had chosen someone he actually wanted, why was he pulling this stunt?

Preston's tone left no room for argument. "You're my date. No one will dare say a word."

"Just because they don't say it to your face doesn't mean they aren't whispering behind your back."

"I don't care."

"But I do!"

"Since when do you care so much about what other people think? Does it matter? It's just a meaningless title."

Startled, Chloe instantly locked the screen and hid the phone behind her back. "What are you doing?"

Preston clearly saw her smile vanish the second she looked at him, and his expression instantly darkened.

"Is it Quentin?"

Who else could it be?

"It's none of your business!"

"How is it none of my business?" Preston's eyes turned unrecognizably cold as he reached around her to snatch the phone.

"Give it to me. You're deleting his number right now."

"Why should I?" Chloe demanded furiously. "Who gave you the right to control me? You don't have that power!"

"I have the right because we're not divorced yet, and I am still your husband!"

His grip was overpowering. Chloe couldn't break free, and he effortlessly ripped the phone from her grasp.