The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 320

Chloe was forced to take a few steps back.

By the time she realized it, she could already feel the radiating heat of the person standing right behind her.

Instinctively wanting to pull away, her foot slipped.

A strong hand shot out and gripped her arm to steady her. Preston's voice was entirely flat. "Stop moving around."

Chloe yanked her arm out of his grasp and stayed completely silent.

Monica glanced at Chloe, then shifted her attention to Preston.

"Mr. Hayes, the next time you visit, you're welcome to use the executive elevator."

"That won't be necessary. I'm not that high-maintenance."

He was so close that his warm breath brushed against Chloe's ear as he spoke. There was nowhere for her to escape.

Chloe's frown deepened.

Right on cue, her phone buzzed again.

She had taken too long to reply, and Belle was sending text after text.

Chloe didn't look at the screen, but Preston's dark voice suddenly drifted over her shoulder. "Ignoring people's messages isn't a very polite habit."

"After all, you have no idea what the other person is going through, or how incredibly anxious they might be."

"Especially suddenly cutting off all contact—that's just remarkably irresponsible."

The words were painfully out of context for anyone else.

The other employees exchanged utterly bewildered glances.

Chloe's brows pulled together so tightly they ached.

Pushed past her limit, she let out a freezing tone.

"Minding your own business is also an excellent habit to pick up."

"Everyone has their own lives. Strangers should know how to keep their distance."

"Strangers?" Preston repeated the word. A bitter smile curled his lips, though his jaw was clenched tight enough to snap.

Finally, the elevator chimed at the ground floor.

The other employees practically sprinted out, looking as though they had just survived a hostage situation.

Preston dropped the subject immediately. His gaze drifted past Chloe as he looked directly at Monica.

"Take some time to consider my proposal. Let me know the moment you have an answer."

"Glad to hear it."

Monica forwarded a second document to Chloe's phone. "Then get yourself prepared. I'm assigning you to accompany Mr. Hayes from Vantage Group to this event."

"What?" The smile on Chloe's face completely shattered.

Monica looked up. "Is there a problem?"

"Can I... attend the event on my own?"

"Do you really think you'd get past security without a proper invitation?" Monica's gaze sharpened into daggers. "Chloe, do you and Mr. Hayes have some sort of history?"

"We aren't close," Chloe said, lowering her gaze to the floor. "Thank you for the information, Monica. But I need to think about attending this event."

After walking away, she quickly fired off a message to Belle.

[I found John.]

She took a screenshot of the event's location and time, sending it over.

[Is there any way you can get me inside?]

Before Belle could even reply, the sound of rapid footsteps approached from behind.