The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 326

"Don't worry," Preston finally let out a dark, confident smile. "We're going to work this out. There's just a misunderstanding right now. Once we clear the air, everything will go back to normal."

"Good," William nodded. "I'll be waiting for the good news."

...

Chloe pulled the first-aid kit out from the cabinet.

Under the harsh glow of the living room lights, the dark, purple bruise blossoming at the corner of Quentin's mouth looked terrifyingly vibrant against his pale skin.

A sharp pang of guilt struck her chest.

"Let me clean that wound for you."

Quentin didn't even glance at the medical supplies. He stared straight into her eyes. "I have a good buddy who runs a luxury resort in Switzerland. You've been working yourself to the bone lately. Why don't you come with me and take some time to rest?"

Chloe wasn't an idiot; she knew exactly what he was offering.

She lowered her gaze. "I'm so sorry. I always seem to drag you into my messes..."

"You know perfectly well this is not your fault," Quentin cut her off sharply.

Three years ago, she never would have taken the blame for something that wasn't her doing.

Now, she was completely accustomed to swallowing all the guilt herself.

He couldn't stop himself from reaching out toward her.

But halfway through the air, his hand froze. He ultimately just took the cotton swab from her fingers.

"If Preston tries to harass you again, I will personally handle him," he said, his voice low but completely unshakable. "Do not let him become a psychological burden on you."

A dark, possessive thought began to crystalize in his mind.

He had spent his entire life striving to be a perfectly honorable gentleman.

But right now, being honorable was the absolute last thing on his mind.

"I'm going to hire a lawyer and file for a contested divorce. I will get that certificate as quickly as possible," Chloe promised. "Whatever his twisted reasons are for coming here, I'll end it quickly. It won't affect my work."

Quentin didn't push the issue. He simply cleaned his jaw and left for an emergency conference call.

Once he was gone, Chloe collapsed into the corner of her sofa in her empty apartment.

It felt like someone had siphoned every last drop of energy from her veins.

Dazed and utterly exhausted, she curled up and fell asleep right there in the living room.

By early evening, the sharp ping of a notification shocked her awake.

The sofa was far too plush, leaving her lower back screaming in protest as she forced herself to sit up.

Chloe's frown deepened into a scowl.

Just then, the rhythmic click of expensive leather shoes echoed from behind her.

She whipped around and came face-to-face with a man she desperately wanted to forget. Preston was dressed in a tailored, casual suit that perfectly highlighted his athletic frame. His dark hair was flawlessly styled, his insanely handsome face glowing with undeniable charm, and a faint trace of expensive cologne lingered in the air around him.

He looked down at Chloe, a devastatingly charming smile playing on his lips. "Good morning."

In less than twenty-four hours, he had completely reverted to his arrogant, untouchable billionaire persona.

It was as if his desperate, violent breakdown in the elevator the day before had just been a collective hallucination.

Chloe didn't waste a single second. She spun on her heel and marched toward the door.

Preston's smile vanished. He arched an eyebrow and called out:

"Ms. Reed, William was held up. I'm just here to fill in and formally introduce myself."

"Is this how you treat your corporate clients?"

He casually took a seat on the leather sofa, his tone dripping with mockery.

"I genuinely don't understand why seeing my face triggers such a violent reaction in you."