The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 323

She clicked it open.

The profile picture was painfully generic.

Since this was her dedicated work number, she often added random event coordinators and clients, so she didn't overthink it and hit accept.

She immediately sent a polite, automated greeting.

The chat window displayed 'typing...' for a long time, but no message ever came through.

Chloe frowned slightly, brushed it off, and closed the app.

She spent the entire afternoon buried in paperwork.

Right before clocking out, she grabbed her phone and saw a message from the mysterious contact:

[Are you available for an assignment?]

Chloe double-checked Quentin's schedule and quickly typed back:

[I apologize, but my schedule is completely booked for the rest of the month.]

The reply was instantaneous: [You're that busy?]

Chloe wasn't in the mood for idle chat and ignored the message.

The stranger didn't double-text.

After work, Quentin was still tied up in a meeting, so Chloe and Lydia made plans to grab dinner at a nearby BBQ spot.

The moment they stepped out of the elevator in the lobby, they walked straight into two very familiar figures.

Chloe's footsteps instantly faltered.

Lydia, however, beamed with excitement and rushed forward to greet them.

"Good evening, Monica."

She then turned her glowing smile toward the strikingly handsome man standing next to her boss.

"Mr. Hayes, it is such an honor. I'm..."

Preston didn't even acknowledge Lydia's existence. His gaze shot right past her, locking onto Chloe standing a few feet away.

Chloe immediately pivoted, intent on walking back into the elevator.

"Chloe, wait a moment," Monica called out.

Chloe took a deep breath, steeling herself, and turned back around.

"Is there something you needed?"

Preston took a few purposeful strides toward her, cutting off Monica.

"Getting off work already, Ms. Reed? I thought you were swamped. Looks like your workload isn't quite as demanding as you claimed."

His words were laced with venom, but his eyes never once left her face.

Chloe replied coldly, "That is absolutely none of your business."

Preston's Adam's apple bobbed as he desperately tried to suppress the tidal wave of emotions threatening to drown him. "Then you do have the time. Why are you refusing to take my assignment?"

"It is my fundamental right to refuse any job I want."

Chloe kicked at his leg with everything she had. "I'll call the cops!"

"Call them, then."

Preston's voice cracked, the corners of his eyes burning crimson. "It's not like this is the first time you've treated me like garbage anyway. I can take it."

He had endured far worse pain from her.

The elevator suddenly chimed as the doors slid open to let a few people out.

Preston didn't waste a second. He dragged Chloe right into the empty cabin.

The doors slid shut behind them.

Chloe shoved him backward with all her strength and delivered a ringing slap across his cheek.

"Are you a complete psycho? If you've lost your mind, go check yourself into a hospital! Stop harassing me!"

The slap echoed loudly, leaving a stinging red mark on his skin.

Preston didn't even try to dodge.

He simply released her wrist, slamming both hands against the wall behind her, caging her in. His pitch-black eyes bore into her soul.

"Chloe, look at yourself. Do you have any idea what you're doing?"

"You ran out of the country without saying a word to anyone. If you were just throwing a tantrum, or if you desperately wanted to start working again, I could understand that! I would have supported you. I would have put up with your anger..."

His voice began to tremble violently.

"But never in my wildest dreams did I think you flew all the way out here just to be Quentin Shaw's little assistant!"