The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 96

"I have no idea. He's usually so composed, but today he's totally unhinged. Just keep walking, hurry..."

Chloe closed her laptop and stood up.

Only after every last employee had scurried away did Preston finally emerge.

He stopped in the doorway. His usually handsome, refined features were cast in dark shadows. His eyes were pure ice, and the oppressive aura radiating from him sucked the oxygen from the air.

"Chloe. You certainly are punctual."

He was the one who kept breaking his promises and changing the schedule at the last minute, yet he had the audacity to be sarcastic.

Chloe just wanted this nightmare of a divorce finalized. Refusing to take the bait, she replied coldly.

"I understand you are busy, but that doesn't mean I am at your beck and call. Regardless, are we talking now or not?"

Preston's dark eyes grew even colder as he checked his watch.

"Have you eaten?"

"No, but—"

"I'm starving," Preston interrupted smoothly. "What do you want?"

"I am not hungry." Chloe snapped, her patience wearing paper-thin. "I just need five minutes of your time. It won't delay your dinner..."

Preston completely ignored her and strode toward his private elevator.

Chloe was a fraction of a second away from screaming at him when Ken suddenly stepped closer, his voice low and urgent.

"Mrs. Hayes, the boss has been working non-stop since last night. He hasn't eaten a single thing all day..."

"He is a grown man. If he wants to destroy his own body, that's his problem."

Chloe snatched her bag and aggressively marched after him.

She assumed Preston would just have Ken order takeout to the office, but instead, he led her down to the parking garage to drive to a restaurant.

They were supposed to be finalizing their divorce, yet Chloe felt like she was being dragged along like a prop in a sick game.

Completely unbothered by her furious glare, Preston pulled open the passenger door. "If you don't get in, I can't guarantee I'll be free later tonight."

Without waiting for a response, he got in and started the engine.

Trapped, Chloe slid into the passenger seat.

The sleek Maserati glided silently through the dark city streets.

Preston let go, his tone heavy, his eyes dark with an unreadable, brooding intensity.

Chloe couldn't read him, nor did she want to. She marched straight toward the entrance.

The moment they walked in, the maître d' bowed respectfully and escorted them into a lavish, entirely private dining room.

Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the dark ocean. The room was dripping with elegant floral arrangements and warm candlelight, while the seductive notes of a live violinist drifted through the air.

But Chloe had zero interest in his romantic theatrics. The second she sat down, she whipped out her laptop.

"Tell me which parts of the agreement you don't agree with. I will revise them right now."

Preston's gaze turned dark and predatory. "Ms. Reed, I highly doubt anyone wants to discuss a divorce over dinner."

"Preston, what the hell is your game?!"

Time and time again, he had stonewalled her. Chloe finally snapped, slamming her hands onto the table as she stood up.

"You are the one who disrespected this marriage first! If you don't love me, why are you dragging this out?!"

"Let's get one thing straight. I am not begging you for anything. If you refuse to sign, I will sue you for a divorce!"