Chloe Austin pretended not to hear anything, keeping her eyes fixed on Zara Miller.
“Oh, right.
I thought the resignation process would take a long time today, so I brought some food,” Chloe said, patting Zara’s arm.
“If you don’t mind, you can have it.
I bought it specifically—it tastes pretty good, so enjoy it.”
She then stood in front of her desk, staring at it for a long while before realizing there was nothing really worth taking home.
“Just find someone to clear all this out for me.
I won’t be taking it home; it’s too much of a hassle.”
Chloe smiled at Zara, then turned her attention to the remaining interns.
“I know what you all want to say.
Yes, this is my family’s company, and yes, I’m going on a trip while the company is dealing with issues.
I’m spending my family’s money, and even my parents haven’t said a word about it.
You guys seem to be reacting stronger than they are.
I suggest you focus more on working hard so you can become full-time employees sooner.” Flashing an elegant, unbothered smile, she picked up her bag and walked away.
Before she could even step out of the design department, a delivery man arrived carrying a bouquet.
“Excuse me, which of you is Chloe Austin?
I need a signature for these flowers.”
Chloe was puzzled but signed for them anyway.
There was a greeting card attached to the bouquet.
She flipped it over and saw it was signed with a single name: Paine.
Gritting her teeth, she ripped the card off and shoved it into her bag.
“Chloe, your flowers…” one of the interns started.
“Keep them in the office to freshen the air.
I have things to do, so I’m leaving.” Chloe quickly walked off in her high heels, leaving the people in the office murmuring in speculation.
“My goodness, flowers from this shop are incredibly expensive.
This bouquet alone must cost over two thousand, and I think they charge an extra five hundred just for delivery.
Did you see the guy who brought them?
He was wearing a full suit and tie.”
“I know this shop!
I heard their flowers are super fragrant and have a unique scent.
Quick, let me smell them.”
The group of interns crowded around the bouquet.
Meanwhile, Chloe waited until she was out of the building and in her car before reading what Ethan Paine had written.
“To celebrate your resignation.
These flowers suit you perfectly.”
Chloe looked around but didn’t spot anyone suspicious nearby.
Even so, her heart leaped into her throat.
How was Ethan always so well-informed?
She felt he was crossing the line, and a scowl of displeasure formed on her face.
“Where are you right now?” Chloe suppressed her rising anger as she called him.
“Waiting for your call.
And sure enough, here you are.” Ethan chuckled, snapping a fresh flower in his hand.
A rose thorn pierced his fingertip.
“You knew I was going to call you.
You clearly know everything.
How are you doing this?”
“Do you have time?
Let’s grab a meal and talk over food.
Business.” Ethan asked with a gentle smile on his face, though Chloe couldn’t see it.
Chloe hesitated before giving a nod.
She wanted to see exactly what kind of game he was playing.
“Send the address to my phone.
Forget the meal; let’s just get coffee.”
She hung up the moment she finished speaking, prompting a soft chuckle from Ethan.
“Ethan, don’t you have court today?
Why are you still at home?
Did something happen?” Wayne Paine asked, looking at his son in total confusion.
Ethan didn’t reply.
He just grabbed a document and headed for the door.
“Ethan, come home for dinner tonight,” Wayne offered.
“I learned how to cook a new dish.”
“No need.
I have to stay in the office reading documents tonight.
Maybe tomorrow.”
Unable to change Ethan’s mind, Wayne had no choice but to agree.
“Alright then.
I’ll make sticky cola-glazed wings for you tomorrow.
Wasn’t that your favorite when you were a kid?
You even used to run over to Chloe’s house to eat it.”
Ethan didn’t seem to be listening anymore.
He threw on a trench coat, grabbed his car keys, and headed out.
“You’re not actually going to court, are you, Ethan?
If you are, you’re dressing like that?” Normally, Ethan would be in a sharp suit for court, but today he dressed casually, hardly looking like a lawyer at all.
“I’m meeting someone to discuss a few things.” Ethan’s tone was growing impatient, so Wayne didn’t press the issue any further.
Wayne watched him drive off before returning inside the house alone.
He had specifically bought back their old house for Ethan’s sake, but Ethan no longer cherished the home the way he used to.
Sighing, Wayne began tidying up around the house before sitting down to fiddle with the TV.
When Ethan drove over to the coffee shop, Chloe had just arrived and hadn’t ordered anything yet.
“One slice of Black Forest cake, no almond garnish, a caramel macchiato, and an iced Americano.
Thank you.” Ethan started ordering without even glancing at the menu.
“Do you remember this café?
We’ve been here once before.”
“Brother Hank, I’m not here to catch up on old times,” Chloe said, meeting his gaze.
“I’m not in the mood for that lately.
I came to see you because you said you had business to discuss.
I want to know what this business is—does it have anything to do with my divorce, for instance?”
Ethan didn’t answer her directly.
“Didn’t you love the caramel macchiato here back in high school?
You said it had a unique taste.
And this Black Forest cake—they always sprinkle a layer of almonds on top.”
“Ethan Paine!” Chloe sighed in exasperation and lowered her head.
“After you went abroad, we lost touch.
Then I got married, and we had even less contact.
I don’t know what happened to you overseas, but you are completely different from how you used to be.” She shook her head, her eyes growing slightly red.
“After you got married, the only thing I could do was to stop bothering you.
Now that you’re divorced, I don’t want to miss this chance again.”
Chloe was bewildered.
She had a guess as to what he meant, but she didn’t dare say it out loud.
“Chloe, your child needs a father.
I can be that father.”
“What on earth are you spouting?
Who told you this child absolutely needs a father?” Chloe stood up, her face written with shock.
“This child isn’t even born yet.
Do you really want them to grow up fatherless?
Raising a kid all by yourself will make working difficult, and the child will lack companionship.
You know as well as I do that some things can never replace the presence of both parents.”
Ethan tried to appeal to both emotion and reason, but the more Chloe listened, the more ridiculous she found it.
“Ethan, there’s nothing left for us to discuss.
You’re no longer the person you used to be.
Quite frankly, I find you completely baffling right now.”
She grabbed her bag to leave, but Ethan caught her hand.
“Is there anything else you want to say?” she snapped.
“Chloe, I’m back in the country.
Look at me.
I’m being serious.
Please, think this over carefully.”