The Windfalls of Love (Roxanne and Harrison) novel Chapter 174

Chloe didn't say a word, just allowed Alexander to lead her by the hand to a corner of the elevator. As he pressed the button for the second floor, she still felt a twinge of nervousness.

Alexander explained again, “My butler called to say Hazel has been waiting outside the elevator. So, I need your help. Only then will she believe we are together.”

Chloe nodded, “Sure, I'll play along.”

“Thank you.” Alexander nodded back.

As the elevator doors slid open, even before Hazel came fully into view, Alexander could already smell the familiar scent of her perfume. It was her favorite, a limited-edition luxury perfume. In all of Seraphim Haven, few could afford such a costly scent. Once, to please Hazel, Alexander had made a specific trip to the Parisian perfume master who created it.

The perfume was not up for sale, and it was all custom-made. Even if you had the money, it depended on the mood of the perfume master.

It took him a month, promising to provide rare ingredients before the perfume master agreed to sell him this limited-edition dreamy perfume.

The scent wasn't strong, nor too light. It was dreamy, like a dream that seemed natural and unreal simultaneously.

Just like his marriage with Hazel - it seemed both real and unreal.

Alexander took it seriously.

Hazel treated it like a game.

He began to realize that you could tell a person's sincerity from their daily behavior and personal preferences. What kind of woman could one who liked such a dreamy scent be?

As he stepped out of the elevator, the scent hit him. Hazel rushed towards him, delighted. “Darling, you're back. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Her words were cut off as she noticed Alexander and Chloe hand in hand. Her joyful expression turned to one of shock and pain. She stared at their clasped hands, growing angrier by the second.

“Alexander, what is the meaning of this?” She demanded, fuming.

“Isn't it obvious?” Alexander's voice was cold. He held Chloe's hand even tighter, his face turning stony, his brows furrowing.

“I should formally introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Chloe. Remember her? You’ve met.” He deliberately called Chloe by name, emphasizing their closeness.

Hazel barely recognized Chloe. Today's Chloe was all dolled up. Her usually pale complexion was now delicate, all blemishes hidden, making her look like a beauty who seemed years younger. Could this divorcee scrub up so well?

“So, it’s Chloe, the second-hand woman?” Hazel was green with envy but feigned disdain.

Hazel scoffed at Chloe. “You think that putting on makeup can erase all your flaws? Take off that makeup, and you’re still full of freckles, a divorced woman with a kid, and second-hand goods.”

Her words only confirmed Alexander's suspicions.

Hazel's former gentleness, elegance, and manners were all an act. She had fooled him for eight years.

He was such a fool.

Before he could retort, Chloe stood tall, returning the insult with grace.

“Hazel, are you talking about yourself? I'm a divorced woman. I'm not perfect, but aren't you worse than me? At least I was faithful to my ex-husband. What about you? You threw away a man like Alexander to sleep with others. How greedy can you be? If Alexander respects me, it means that you, the self-proclaimed elite, are worse than secondhand goods.”

With that, she lifted her chin defiantly, turning to Alexander, “Right, darling?”

Thinking about how much Alexander had helped her, Chloe was determined to make this act convincing, to infuriate Hazel and make her leave Alexander willingly.

Chloe put on her best acting skills. She wrapped her hands around Alexander's arm, gazing admiringly at him.

“Absolutely.” Alexander reached up to ruffle her hair. “You're kinder and more beautiful than anyone else. If I had met you earlier, I wouldn’t have wasted eight years on someone undeserving.”

Chloe replied, “No worries, we have plenty of time ahead. I'll be with you, completely devoted to you.”

“Good girl!”

Alexander affectionately tapped her nose.

Their act was so convincing, that even Hazel couldn't tell if it was real or not.

Did Alexander really fall for this secondhand woman?

“Why?” Hazel was aggrieved. “Alexander, how could you like such a woman?”

In front of Chloe, Hazel started crying, “What does she have that I don't?”

“You're nothing compared to her.” Alexander held Chloe's hand tighter, responding firmly.

“I'm better than her in every way. I have a higher education, a better background, I'm prettier, and better than her in everything.” Hazel was brimming with confidence.

In her eyes, Chloe was just a cheap woman. While she was a woman of class.

One was a discounted item, the other a high-end luxury brand.

Just when Alexander was about to defend Chloe, Chloe retorted once again, “Hazel, that's all superficial. Without the title of the Dawson family's daughter, you're nothing more than a disloyal bitch.”

“You…” Hazel was so furious she was trembling, pointing at Chloe's nose, "Alexander, just look at your new girlfriend. She's so crude and vulgar, and she has no manners at all."

Alexander extended his long arm, wrapped it around Chloe's waist, and pulled her close.

He was defending Chloe adamantly, "What did Chloe say wrong? You're nothing but a rotten apple with shiny skin. The more elegant and noble you appear, the more you fall and degrade yourself on the inside."

"Alexander, you..."

Hazel, with tears streaming down her face, looked pitiful and distressed.

She played the victim card, accusing him, "How could you do this? We've only been divorced for half a month, and you already have a new love interest. Were you hooking up with this second-hand woman all along? Is that why you were so eager to divorce me?"

Chloe couldn't take it anymore; she stepped forward and slapped Hazel across the face.

She was so angry, and she used too much force and her palm stung.

Chloe said, "Hazel, do you have no shame? You were the first to cheat. What's wrong with him finding someone new after a divorce? Who says he has to stay single for a woman like you? Who do you think you are?"

"You dare to hit me?" Hazel attempted to slap her back.

A slender, strong arm grabbed her raised hand, and Hazel was thrown a couple of meters away with a forceful push.

Alexander warned, "Hazel, I still respect our past relationship, but don't push me."

Hazel was crying her eyes out, hoping for Alexander's pity.

However, Alexander took Chloe's hand, "Let's go in."

Chloe stuck to his side, not leaving him for a moment.

They didn't even look back at Hazel.

Seeing Alexander open the door, Hazel wiped away her tears and said, "Darling, you must be trying to make me jealous by bringing this woman here to act, right?"

She suddenly realized, "I don't believe you'd actually fall for such a cheap woman. You must be doing this to get back at me."

She pointed at Chloe with disdain, "Look at her, dressed in such cheap clothes. Would you let her dress so shabbily if she's really your new girlfriend?"

Hazel had hit a nerve.

Chloe tightened her grip on Alexander's arm and quickly covered it up, "Alexander, it's true, I haven't bought clothes in a long time. I saw a few outfits I liked, but they were a bit expensive. Can we go shopping for new clothes after dinner?"

"Sure!"

Hand in hand, they walked in and closed the door.

Once the door was locked, Chloe quickly pulled her hand away from Alexander's arm. She stepped back and asked politely, "Mr. Alexander, did I act okay?"

Alexander didn't answer right away.

His gaze fell like a sunset, full of melancholy and sorrow.

He had been deeply betrayed.