The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 238

"Preston, if you actually care about me, just stay far away from me!"

Chloe was completely and utterly exhausted.

Preston didn't say another word, turning around and walking out.

The second the door clicked shut, Chloe slowly sank to the floor, wrapping her arms tightly around her knees.

...

Belle had just strolled into the hotel lobby when she nearly collided with Preston, with Jenna trailing closely behind him.

Her face instantly soured. Biting back the intense urge to roll her eyes, she pretended she hadn't even noticed them.

What a massive stroke of bad luck!

How did they all end up booking the same damn hotel?

But Preston called out, stopping her in her tracks. "Have you been with Chloe all day?"

Belle snapped back, "Why on earth would I tell you?"

So she wasn't.

Preston's eyes darkened noticeably as he pressed further. "Did Chloe seem off tonight?"

Belle was just about to bite his head off again, but the suffocating pressure radiating from his dark eyes sent a tiny chill down her spine.

"Ms. Evans, think very carefully before you answer."

Recalling her editor-in-chief's explicit warning not to make unnecessary enemies, Belle's fists clenched tightly at her sides.

She replied coldly, "If she was acting off, what would you even do about it? Would you actually care? You've only got eyes for that pathetic pick-me girl anyway!"

Jenna was already furious about not getting to switch hotels. Being openly insulted was the final straw. She completely lost it.

"Who are you calling a pick-me?! Didn't you get slapped hard enough last time?!"

Preston shot Jenna a look. "Head upstairs."

Jenna didn't dare push her luck. Swallowing her rage, she sulked over to a nearby couch to wait, playing the victim.

Preston turned his attention back to Belle. "How was she acting off? Where exactly did you two go?"

"The Boundless?"

The moment that name dropped, Jenna shot up from the couch like she'd been electrocuted.

She whipped her head around, glaring viciously at Belle. A truly terrifying, chaotic mix of emotions swirled in her eyes.

Belle's internal alarms immediately started blaring.

She absolutely couldn't let Jenna find out they had been on The Boundless, otherwise, they'd completely blow their cover.

Preston merely curled his lip into a dry smile, responding flatly.

"If she wants to throw a tantrum, I'm perfectly happy to play along."

Jenna's face completely froze. Her hands, resting by her sides, balled into tight fists.

"Preston, you're indulging her so much... Are you genuinely falling in love with her?"

She probed cautiously, "I mean, they do say that proximity breeds affection over time..."

Preston completely ignored the bait. "You're tired too. Get some rest. I'll have someone take you sightseeing tomorrow."

Jenna pouted prettily. "Preston, we came all this way together. Aren't you going to spend time with me?"

"I'm spending time with Chloe," he answered coldly.

He paused for a second before dropping the final blow. "From now on, if you need anything, go to Ken. Don't come to me. Chloe doesn't like it."

With that, he turned on his heel and walked away.

Jenna stood glued to the floor. Staring at his retreating back, the fragile facade of composure she had desperately maintained finally shattered into a million pieces.

The memory of his frantic, desperate panic when he couldn't reach Chloe slammed into her brain. Her nails dug into her palms so hard she nearly broke the skin.

She wasn't blind. Even if Preston refused to admit it out loud, it was painstakingly obvious. His feelings for Chloe had long evolved past a mere sense of duty and obligation!