The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 196

She didn't say anything, just turned and continued downstairs.

Ken didn't press the issue and quietly drove the car.

He couldn't help but glance in the rearview mirror at the woman staring blankly out the window.

For some reason, he had the distinct feeling that Chloe wasn't just throwing a tantrum like Preston claimed.

The look in someone's eyes never lied. She genuinely seemed completely detached.

"We're almost at the intersection."

Ken snapped out of his thoughts and spoke up.

Before Chloe got out, he couldn't help but ask, "Could you please just give him a call?"

"He's still waiting for you on the hospital rooftop. It's raining tonight, and the cold is brutal. He's already..."

Chloe understood perfectly.

"Fine."

Without any trace of emotion, she simply turned on her old phone.

A flood of notifications and missed calls popped up.

She opened WhatsApp to text him, but a new message from Preston appeared right at that moment.

[Something came up. The trip is postponed for three days.]

Immediately after, a massive cash transfer notification popped up.

Chloe wasn't the least bit surprised.

She knew someone would never let Preston keep his promise. And besides, she never had any intention of going.

A second later, Ken's phone rang.

He saw the caller ID and hesitated for a few seconds before answering.

Preston's voice echoed through the car.

"Come to the hospital right now."

Jenna's voice could be heard in the background, sounding deliberately frail and brave.

"Preston, I'm fine. I just want to stay and keep your mother company... I don't want to leave..."

Ken instinctively shot a look at Chloe before replying stiffly,

Looking at her, Percival's grim and imposing expression softened slightly.

"Jenna, having such a loyal and compassionate girl like you around is a true blessing for the Hayes family."

Jenna waved her hand modestly. "Mr. Hayes, you flatter me! I didn't do much. It was nothing at all!"

"Your kindness is the most precious thing of all," Percival insisted. "When someone is on top, there are countless people trying to cling to them. But when someone hits rock bottom, finding people like you is practically impossible."

"After what happened all those years ago, everyone treated our family like a plague. We were lucky if they didn't kick us while we were down."

"But you, so young yet so fiercely loyal. We will never forget what you've done for us!"

He looked at his daughter on the hospital bed, his voice thick with emotion.

Jenna put on an earnest expression. "Mr. Hayes, I was just following my heart and doing what I felt was right. I didn't think too much about it."

"I guess it's just destiny tying me to the Hayes family."

Just then, a nurse walked past the open door. Seeing Preston, her eyes lit up.

"Oh, Mr. Hayes! I was just looking for you..."

Jenna recognized Brenda's face, and the blood instantly drained from her cheeks, panic flashing in her eyes.