The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1503

Chloe was looking pretty pale right now. She pushed Carolina away, covering her nose, and made a beeline for the reception desk. Leaning on the counter, she was desperately trying to keep it together, but couldn't fight back the wave of nausea. Her slender shoulders trembled, clearly showing how uncomfortable she was at the moment.
The receptionist was taken aback. "Ms. Summers, are you okay?"
Chloe felt another wave of nausea coming on, and muttered, "Get me a glass of water, and clean this up right now."
The receptionist rushed to do as she was told, several others quickly dividing up the tasks - one to fetch water, another to call maintenance.
Carolina was fuming. "Chloe! You're being ridiculous! I didn't force you to eat anything you didn't want to, so who are you trying to gross out here? Don't forget that you used to love those foods. Is this what makes you happy, doing this in front of me now?!"
Maintenance arrived promptly, equipped with their cleaning tools.
Chloe took a couple of sips from the paper cup, which helped to calm her stomach a bit. In the midst of all this chaos, she noticed her hand trembling slightly as she held the cup. She realized that pregnancy symptoms were no joke.
Carolina's words just made Chloe more annoyed. She turned to look at Carolina's tantrum, her heart growing colder. She glanced at her two bodyguards, who tensed up immediately. They exchanged a look, preparing to intervene, but Carolina waved them off. "Don't you dare touch me! Chloe is my granddaughter, and if you hurt me, it's like hurting her. You want to make her look like a terrible granddaughter? She's pissed at me, what's it to you?!"
A faint, refreshing scent wafted over. Chloe turned to see that maintenance had quickly cleaned up the mess, spraying the floor with a cleaning solution and air freshener. It was a chemical scent, but a welcome change from the greasy smell from before. Finally, she could focus on what Carolina was saying, which shocked her even more.
The people around them had long since grown tired of Carolina's antics and were not holding back their criticism.
"I've only heard about Carolina siding with Keira before, helping Keira oppose Ms. Summers, and even trying to betray Ms. Summers. Now she's trying to make nice and get forgiveness? More like she's forcing people to forgive her."
"Clearly, this is morally reprehensible. After all the dishonorable things she's done, why would anyone forgive her? Even if they don't, it's no skin off their nose. Having a grandmother like this is just unfortunate."
"Today, I can finally appreciate my own grandma. She's way better than this old hag."
"Carolina, you're getting on in years, I suggest you start acting like it. The things you've done to Ms. Summers, if it were anyone else, you and Keira, and your daughter-in-law would be rotting in jail by now. You should know that your time is running out. You should have started behaving yourself and praying for the granddaughter you once tormented. What gives you the audacity to show up at her office like this?" An older woman spoke up, clearly disapproving of Carolina's behavior.
But Carolina was never one to take advice. Especially from this woman, who had not minced her words. She was seething, glaring at the woman. "This is family business. Maybe you should mind your own. My granddaughter needs to be taught how to behave, and as her grandma, that's my job. Lady, you worry about your own stuff, and leave me alone."
The woman, clearly of high social standing, turned red with anger. "You're a troublesome old woman, and you don't want anyone to say anything about it. You've always said you wanted nothing to do with Ms. Summers. And now she's your granddaughter again? You flip flop back and forth, don't you have any shame?"
"This old bag must be really shameless, not a good elder and so loud in front of the younger ones. I really don't know what kind of person she is."
The patience of the crowd with Carolina had reached its limit. However, looking at Chloe's demeanor, she seemed even calmer than the rest of the onlookers. She was all too familiar with Carolina's antics. Once upon a time, she had some dignity, but now, she was on the verge of losing that too. Obviously, she didn't care. From domestic to international, her dignity was all but gone. What did she have left to lose?
At the end of the day, wasn't this all Chloe's fault?
Facing the accusations, she was angry, her face a grim mask, but she was used to it by now. Recently, she had become a target for public criticism. Not quite a public enemy, but the heckling and ridicule had become her new normal.
At first, Chloe had thought of Jonah, and found a peaceful place in the suburbs for him with woods and springs, knowing it was just his style.
But Jonah had refused outright, choosing instead to hole up in Sacred Heart Church. He rose early and retired early, chanting scriptures and praying all day, cutting himself off from the world. He hadn't announced plans to become a priest, but his lifestyle was not much different.
Jonah could live like this, but she couldn't. She had always lived in luxury, how could she suddenly adjust to this kind of life?
Choosing to ignore the unpleasant comments, she took a few steps towards Chloe. Taking a deep breath, her angry face softened into one of helpless frustration.