The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 319

Preston Hayes could only watch helplessly as Chloe Reed left with Quentin Shaw, his knuckles turning white as a tremor wrecked his body.

He stood completely motionless until the car vanished at the end of the road.

Ken walked over, holding an umbrella over him. "Mr. Hayes, are you alright?"

Preston didn't turn around.

"I'm fine."

The freezing rain soaked him to the bone.

His mind constantly replayed the look Chloe had just given him—a gaze so terrifyingly cold, brimming with undeniable disgust.

Preston lowered his eyes. "She's just angry with me. I'll find a chance to clear the air with her tomorrow."

...

Chloe fell ill.

Quentin requested a few days off on her behalf.

She didn't try to push through it, opting to stay home and rest in bed all day.

But resting was all she did.

Whether her eyes were open or closed, sleep eluded her entirely.

Her mind was a chaotic mess.

The following day, Chloe forced herself up and returned to the Sterling Interpretation Institute.

Quentin was at his desk reviewing documents. When he saw her, he immediately stood up.

"Your fever hadn't broken last night. Why didn't you rest a few more days?"

"I'm fully recovered," Chloe said.

She stretched her arms with a light laugh. "Really, I bounce back quickly."

Quentin frowned, reaching out to press the back of his hand against her forehead.

Chloe froze.

It wasn't until her long eyelashes fluttered against his palm, sending a faint tickle up his arm, that he snapped out of his daze and quickly withdrew his hand.

"Yeah."

Quentin's voice was a little hoarse. "Your fever is gone."

Chloe offered a soft smile. "Don't worry about me. I'm not a child."

She turned her head, her gaze landing on a figure standing outside the glass wall without warning.

The smile on her face vanished.

Preston stood in the corridor, completely devoid of expression, while Ken stood beside him, eyes wide with shock.

After a prolonged, suffocating silence, Ken finally broke the tension.

"Mrs. Hayes..."

Preston spun on his heel and walked away.

Ken gave Chloe a hurried nod before rushing to catch up with his boss.

What kind of twisted game was Preston playing now?

Why wasn't he rushing back to rekindle his romance with Jenna Cameron? Why was he here?

Chloe was just typing out a reply when a soft ding echoed through the hall, and the elevator doors slid open.

She looked up, making eye contact, and froze.

Monica Sterling spoke first. "Chloe?"

Chloe took a few steps back. "I'll catch the next one."

Just then, Preston, who was standing right beside Monica, spoke up.

"Is the elevator not big enough for you?"

The mocking edge to his voice immediately made the air in the hallway thick with tension.

Monica stepped in. "Come on in, Chloe. I actually needed to speak with you."

Chloe didn't push it. She stepped into the elevator.

She intentionally pressed herself against the farthest wall, keeping as much distance as possible from the man in the center.

A faint, almost imperceptible scoff sounded from behind her.

Halfway down, the elevator stopped again.

A few more staff members filed in.

The once spacious elevator cabin instantly became uncomfortably crowded.