The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 223

Just then, a maid approached from behind to deliver a message.

"Mrs. Hayes, Grandma is asking for you."

Belle immediately took a step forward. "I'll go with you."

The maid hurriedly stopped her. "Grandma said she only wished to see Mrs. Hayes alone. Outsiders shouldn't intrude."

Chloe frowned slightly.

Grandma had always been gentle and polite. She would never utter such harsh words to drive away a guest.

"Belle, you go back and rest first. I'll find you later."

Chloe followed the maid toward the main building of Cloudrest Manor. The further they walked, the more something felt off.

She stopped in her tracks, her voice turning cold.

"Preston sent you to get me, didn't he?"

The maid froze, stammering, "Mrs. Hayes..."

The next second, a tall figure loomed over her from the shadows. Warm breath brushed against her neck before she could even react, and a pair of strong arms pulled her into an inescapable embrace.

"How did you know it was me?"

Preston chuckled softly, his breath tickling her ear. "A psychic connection?"

Chloe closed her eyes. She was just about to shove him away with all her strength when Grandma's voice echoed from inside the room.

"Is that Chloe?"

Chloe's movements halted.

Preston's smile deepened as he called out, "Grandma, it's us."

The moment the words left his mouth, he half-carried her inside.

Only then did Chloe clearly see what he was wearing. It was The Artisan Brocade Coat she had spent the afternoon making with Eleonora.

The exquisite silk fabric, adorned with elegant traditional motifs against a cool white background, perfectly accentuated his refined features. His dark eyes held a faint smile, looking so handsome it was almost blinding.

Preston noticed her staring. The curve of his lips grew more pronounced as he reached up and gently poked her cheek.

"Does it look good?"

But soon, he realized there was something wrong with the way Chloe was looking at him.

Was she... angry?

"What is it? Did you want to give me a surprise?"

"Chloe, let's have a proper talk today, right here in front of Grandma, alright?"

"You've been mad for so long. We can't keep going on like this. Are you planning on throwing a tantrum for the rest of our lives? Never speaking to me again?"

Chloe didn't even spare him a glance, her voice perfectly even.

"Grandma, since you don't need anything, I'll head back. I'll come over later tonight to read magazines with you."

With that, she turned to leave.

But a hand suddenly gripped her wrist. Preston looked toward Eleonora, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"Grandma, you see? I really don't know what to do with her right now."

Eleonora instantly frowned. "Let her go!"

As she reached out to guide Chloe to her side, she felt how tense and rigid the younger woman's body was, and her heart ached with sympathy.

"Preston, all you see is that Chloe is angry. Why don't you ever stop to think about why she's angry?"

"Can't you reflect on what you've actually done?"

Preston sighed softly. "I know. She's jealous of Jenna."