The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 81

"What is the meaning of this?" Preston demanded.

"What do you think it means, Mr. Hayes?"

Quentin stood firmly beside Chloe, his eyes full of undisguised hostility and mockery. Suppressing his fury, Preston looked at Chloe. "Come here. I'm taking you away. It's not safe here."

Chloe stared back, her eyes terrifyingly cold. "Not safe? Being near you is the real danger. Where are you trying to trap me this time? What are you going to force me into now?"

Preston stiffened. He hadn't expected such venom. Disbelief flashed in his eyes, accompanied by a sharp pang in his chest.

"What are you talking about? Is that really how you see me?"

"It's not about how I see you. It's about what you've done. You know exactly what you're guilty of."

Her heart ached, but her gaze grew even more cynical. Taking a deep breath, she looked away, exhausted by his mere presence.

"Whatever your reason for being here, the answer is no. Leave."

Preston stared at her, his expression freezing over.

Ken couldn't hold back anymore.

"Mrs. Hayes, you're misunderstanding him. Mr. Hayes just got his head wound treated at the hospital. He spent the entire afternoon picking out cemetery plots, and the second he heard about the online mob, he sped all the way here..."

Preston looked at Chloe's pale profile.

"Enough, Ken. Drop it."

Quentin scoffed, his tone cutting.

"Is this how you handle a crisis, Mr. Hayes? Instead of stopping the culprits who started this smear campaign, you come here to harass Chloe? What's your endgame?"

Preston's eyes narrowed.

"You have no right to lecture me."

"He has more right than you!"

Chloe snapped, her emotions finally boiling over.

"You are the last person who deserves to be here, Preston. Stop wasting your time. I am never dropping that lawsuit!"

The way she defended Quentin felt like a blade twisting in Preston's gut. Suddenly, a roar erupted from the remaining thugs.

"Stop talking! We're tearing down that cenotaph tonight!"

Someone charged forward, swinging a heavy wooden club.

The bodyguards rushed to intercept them. Shoving, cursing, and screaming erupted as the scene devolved into total chaos. Quentin immediately shielded Chloe behind him. But in the frenzy, a thug slipped past his flank and lunged at him.

"Watch out!" Chloe screamed.

Quentin wiped a smear of blood from his lip. His eyes turned murderous as he swung back.

"Do you even deserve to be her husband?"

Preston saw red, violence erupting in his gaze.

"That is none of your damn business!"

While the bodyguards wrestled the rioters to the ground, the two men engaged in a brutal brawl. Unable to take it anymore, Chloe shoved herself between them, glaring at Preston.

"Are you done?"

She immediately turned to Quentin.

"Are you hurt? Let me see."

Preston let out a dark, breathless laugh.

The numbness in his injured back was replaced by agonizing, sharp pain.

"Chloe, do you even remember who your husband is?"

"Not for much longer."