The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 283

"Okay."

On the other end of the line, Preston's voice sounded dark and strained.

Chloe hung up the phone and walked slowly through the grounds of The Crestwood Estates.

She used to love this neighborhood. It was early spring, and the flower buds on the branches were beginning to bloom, painting the landscape with vibrant life.

Once upon a time, she had considered this place her true home. She had genuinely believed she would grow old with Preston right here.

She never imagined that in just three short years, everything would be reduced to ashes.

Less than half an hour later, Preston's name flashed on her screen again.

"Chloe, Wendy said you haven't gone inside yet? It's cold out there. Go inside and rest, okay? How about I have someone take you shopping, or to a spa, or whatever you want..."

Chloe's frown deepened. "Preston, what exactly is going on?"

Preston fell silent for a long moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was tight. "Nothing. I just don't want you waiting out in the cold. Chloe, just go inside..."

"Preston," Chloe cut him off sharply. "You have ten minutes left. Are you going to tell me the truth or not?"

He had almost never acted this erratic. A dark sense of foreboding suddenly coiled in her chest.

"Did something happen to Yuri?"

"Chloe, go inside and rest. I promise you, the moment you open your eyes tomorrow morning, he will be there."

Preston's voice grew even more hoarse, thick with exhaustion.

Chloe's heart dropped.

At that exact moment, a notification popped up on her screen. It was an alert for her early morning flight tomorrow.

There was no 'tomorrow' for them anymore.

"Preston, do not lie to me."

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at Cloudrest Manor was suffocatingly tense. The estate was in total chaos.

Preston didn't say a word.

She continued, "It ran off on its own. If anyone's to blame, it's the dog for not behaving. Besides, you're the one who saved it in the first place. Chloe has absolutely no right to blame you."

Preston slowly lifted his gaze. The predatory darkness in his eyes made Jenna freeze, instinctively breaking eye contact.

"Jenna, did you see Yuri today?"

"No, I didn't." Her eyes went wide with exaggerated innocence. "Preston, why would you even ask me that? You don't actually think I did something to it, do you?"

Percival Hayes walked over just then, frowning at the massive commotion among the staff. "What is going on here?"

When he heard it was just a missing dog, he scoffed dismissively. "Preston, we're surrounded by mountains. The dog probably just ran off to play. It'll come back when it's tired."

No one else cared. No one else thought it was a big deal.

But Preston's palms were slick with cold sweat. He had faced down ruthless corporate rivals and carried millions of dollars in pressure without flinching.

But right now, he felt true, paralyzing terror.