The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 60

The staccato blast of camera shutters fired off incessantly. Instantly, the focus shifted from Jenna's disastrous blunder to Preston's fiercely protective declaration of devotion.

Standing at the very edge of the crowd, Chloe watched Preston shield Jenna with everything he had.

Her expression was so still it bordered on apathetic, but her chest felt like it was being ripped open. Her knuckles were bone-white from how hard she was clenching her fists.

From beginning to end, Jenna had been the only person he ever truly wanted to protect.

And the greatest mistake of her entire life was falling in love with a man who had never belonged to her.

But thankfully, it wasn't too late to fix it...

Seeing Preston defend her so adamantly, Jenna's confidence instantly surged. She even began to whine indignantly. "That woman was so evil! She stole so much of my money!"

Without a single word of hesitation, Preston wired a massive sum into her bank account. "Let the past stay in the past," he coaxed gently. "Don't be upset anymore."

When Jenna saw the notification pop up on her phone, her eyes widened in pure shock at the sheer number of zeros.

The reporters completely lost their minds. The camera flashes fired like strobe lights in a club.

The chaotic spectacle naturally drew the attention of Percival Hayes, who had stepped out specifically to meet Caroline.

Overhearing a few passing whispers, he instantly pieced together the disaster. His face darkened inch by inch, etched with heavy disappointment.

The moment Jenna saw him, she went deathly pale. She lowered her head timidly. "Percival, I'm so sorry..."

But against all expectations, the older man looked at her with surprising leniency. "Jenna, everyone makes mistakes. It's a necessary step in growing up. Just learn from it."

Jenna felt as if she had been granted a royal pardon. She nodded fervently, her voice thick with fake emotion. "I will! I promise I'll never do it again!"

Standing off to the side, Chloe literally couldn't believe her ears.

She knew Percival favored Jenna, but she never imagined that a man who prized profits above all else could be this terrifyingly forgiving.

She suddenly remembered the early days of Vantage Group. She had accompanied Preston to a business dinner, and an older executive had practically groped her at the table. He was absolutely vile.

Unable to endure it, she fought back. The man had flipped out on the spot, and a massive deal that was practically signed had blown up in their faces.

Preston had protected her that night. He had even shattered three of the man's ribs with his bare hands.

But when the news reached Percival, his first reaction wasn't concern for her well-being. It was blistering, screaming blame.

Quentin sensed Chloe's spiraling emotions.

The Imposter had been completely exposed, yet there wasn't an ounce of relief on Chloe's face. Instead, she was drowning in a suffocating wave of despair. Even the air around her felt chillingly hollow.

Without a word, he guided her down the emergency stairwell, avoiding the deafening chaos outside.

Chloe suddenly broke the silence. "When did you figure out my relationship with Preston?"

"I guessed it that day," Quentin replied.

Chloe kept her head lowered, offering no response. They fell into a quiet, heavy silence.

After a long pause, Quentin spoke again. "Chloe, a man like him is not worth trusting with the rest of your life."

"I know. I'm already finalizing the divorce."

The very second the words left her mouth, a slow, predatory set of footsteps echoed behind them. Click. Click. Click. The heavy rhythm violently shattered the silence of the dim, empty stairwell.

Preston emerged from the shadows, his face monstrously dark as his murderous gaze locked onto the two of them.