The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 145

"You think I'm out of my mind?"

Preston's brow furrowed in utter disbelief.

Chloe ignored him, forcing herself to turn and walk away.

But Preston grabbed her wrist again. His gaze darkened ominously, and his voice dropped to a terrifying chill.

"Chloe, did you come here with him tonight?"

His expression was pure murder. "Don't you owe me an explanation?"

"Why would I owe you anything?"

Preston's grip was like an iron vise. Chloe couldn't break free, and the pale skin of her wrist was already bruising red. "Are you psychotic? Let go of me!"

Quentin suddenly stepped in, violently shoving Preston back and shielding Chloe behind him.

Chloe rubbed her aching wrist. "Let's just go."

But Preston had no intention of letting her walk away.

His eyes blazed with violent hostility, completely stripped of his usual composed demeanor. He looked terrifyingly unfamiliar.

"Chloe. Come here."

Chloe instinctively stepped back, her anger finally boiling over. "Preston, stop acting like I've wronged you. First, I never agreed to anything. Second, your date—your 'Mrs. Hayes'—is standing right next to you! What the hell is your problem? You are completely unreasonable!"

Jenna had never seen Preston look so unhinged. Terrified, she carefully wrapped her arms around his sleeve and whispered:

"Preston, let's just go home and talk about this..."

Preston's eyes remained locked on Chloe.

He didn't know what was wrong with him. But seeing her stand beside another man was blinding him with rage, burning away the very last shreds of his sanity.

"Chloe, I can overlook you avoiding me. I can overlook the lies. But there is a limit to these tantrums. Do not keep testing my boundaries."

"Take your pathetic boundaries and go to hell!" Chloe laughed, her voice dripping with venom.

The words made even Jenna flinch.

Preston's face turned completely livid.

"Fine, Chloe. I hope you don't regret this."

"Why would I?"

The tension was suffocating. The bystanders who had been so eager to mock Chloe now cautiously backed away, terrified of getting caught in the crossfire.

Without giving Preston a single glance, she pulled Quentin down the stairs.

She knew Preston wouldn't start a brawl at a gala like this.

He didn't care if he humiliated her, but he would never risk embarrassing Jenna.

Preston stared at Chloe's retreating back, his eyes stormy and lethal.

"Find out who they got their invitations from."

His men quickly returned with a report.

"Sir, Ms. Reed and Mr. Shaw walked in together. We checked—they don't have invitations..."

Preston's eyes darkened, and a cruel smirk tugged at his lips.

...

"I'm sorry. Did I ruin things again?"

This was the second gala she had derailed. Chloe felt a deep wave of guilt.

"It's not your fault. What, are you supposed to just let people bully you without fighting back? That's not how the world works."