The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 63

Chloe instinctively lunged for the door, but her legs gave out, completely devoid of strength. Preston shot out a long arm, firmly wrapping it around her waist and anchoring her against his chest.

"Let me go!

Why are you stopping me?

What do you want from me?!"

Her eyes were bloodshot, her sanity teetering on the edge of collapse as her mind dissolved into pure panic.

Preston gripped her shoulders, forcing her to meet his gaze. His voice was deep and steadying.

"Chloe, calm down. Take a breath. I will take you there right now."

Chloe sucked in a harsh breath, her head ringing as she forced herself to focus.

Why?

Her father had died a hero so many years ago, yet these people still refused to let him rest in peace.

He had suffered so much in life, and now they wouldn't even grant him peace in death!

A piercing wave of hatred and despair exploded in her chest.

The world spun, and a high-pitched ringing in her left ear threatened to split her head open.

Wasting no time, Preston made a quick phone call, then half-carried, half-supported her toward the parking garage.

Jenna was already waiting by his car, waving enthusiastically from a distance.

"Preston! Over here!"

When she realized Chloe was with him, her bright smile instantly dissolved into a scowl.

"Ugh, why are you here?"

She tugged on Preston's sleeve.

"Preston, didn't we agree you were going to take me shopping?"

Preston was equally anxious now and spoke hurriedly. "Jenna, head back on your own. I'll make it up to you later."

Jenna pouted, crossing her arms.

At the foot of a desolate hill, a mob of men had surrounded a lone, frail old man. They vastly outnumbered him, their arrogance sickening. Mr. Lynch was shoved to the dirt, fresh bruises blooming on his weathered face, yet he stubbornly used his own body to shield the grave.

The modest headstone had been kicked over, and a large portion of the earth had already been dug up.

"If you want to dig up this grave, you'll have to bury me first! You heartless monsters, I'll never move!"

The thug leader, Gus Gordon, wore a thick gold chain around his neck. He sneered, radiating hostility.

"Listen here, old man. We offered you cash and you refused. You want to die over this useless pile of dirt?"

Behind him stood over a dozen men gripping shovels and iron pipes, while a massive excavator idled nearby, its presence a brazen threat. Chloe felt the blood rush to her head. She sprinted toward them like a woman possessed.

"Mr. Lynch! Mr. Lynch! Are you okay?"

When the old man saw her, his taut nerves finally snapped, and his voice trembled.

"Chloe, you finally made it! It's them... they're trying to bulldoze your father's resting place!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, watch your mouth," Gus drawled. "What do you mean, bulldoze his grave? This is urban development.

It's your own fault for burying someone right in the middle of our construction path."