The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 179

Slap—

Chloe whipped around and slapped her hard across the face.

Penelope was completely stunned, her hand freezing mid-air.

Mrs. Rowan was the first to react. Her eyes bulged with rabid fury, and she lunged forward, shrieking at the top of her lungs.

"You hit my baby! I'm going to kill you!!"

Preston moved instantly, easily blocking the hysterical woman.

Chloe turned and walked away, never glancing back.

She left Penelope's wails, Mrs. Rowan's vicious curses, and Jenna's condescending remarks completely behind her.

Outside the gates of The Crestwood Estates, a sleek black Rolls-Royce idled quietly in the shade, as if waiting for someone.

The moment Chloe approached, the driver's side door swung open.

She cautiously took a few steps back as the driver stepped out and gave a polite bow. "Ms. Reed."

Chloe stared at him, confused for a few seconds before it clicked.

"You're... Mr. Lawson's driver!"

The driver looked mildly embarrassed that she actually remembered him. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"Ms. Reed... I..."

Before he could finish, the back door of the car was pushed open from the inside.

"Yeah, I poached him from Lawson."

Quentin stepped out of the car and draped a brand-new winter coat over Chloe's shoulders.

Meeting her bewildered gaze, he simply said, "Get in."

Chloe had a million questions, but all she managed to ask was, "Why do you always have a coat in your car?"

Quentin opened the door for her. "Force of habit."

She was always charging forward, braving every storm like a relentless warrior. Over time, it just became second nature to keep an extra jacket and a thermos of hot coffee handy.

"Oh," Chloe said as she slid into the seat. Then she asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Just passing through," Quentin replied.

His answer was incredibly simple, offering no further details. Chloe opened her mouth but found she didn't know what else to say.

It wasn't until they were quite a ways down the road that she finally remembered to ask.

The car soon arrived at the Shaw Manor.

The moment they walked into the grand foyer, the mouth-watering aroma of food drifted through the air.

A delayed pang of hunger twisted in Chloe's stomach, reminding her how long it had been since she last ate.

Mrs. Shaw came out to greet them with a beaming smile, naturally taking Chloe's hands in hers.

"Chloe! Hector dug up some random cookbook today and insisted on showing off. Thank goodness you're here, or I wouldn't have been able to handle him alone."

Her voice was incredibly warm and comforting, and she smelled of something deeply soothing.

Being held by her didn't feel awkward or stiff at all; instead, Chloe felt an uncontrollable urge to lean into her embrace.

"Thank you, Ma'am," she said softly.

Beyond the foyer was a bright, expansive dining room. The massive space was completely empty of staff. Only Hector Shaw stood there, wearing an apron, enthusiastically laying out plates of food on the table.

He looked exactly like an ordinary, doting father, completely stripping away the imposing aura of a corporate chairman.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up with a huge grin.

"You're here! Perfect timing! The last dish is ready. Garlic butter shrimp—give it a try, Chloe, and see if it hits the spot!"