Chapter 215
Chloe put down her phone, her furrowed brows relaxing as her mood instantly brightened. She turned up some music and continued applying her makeup.
Adeline couldn't help but notice the change. She edged closer. "Chloe, have you fallen in love again?"
"Just a minute ago, you were all irritated, and now one text message later, you're suddenly Miss Sunshine."
"Adeline, you're reading way too much into this. When did you become such a gossip queen?" Chloe sighed, catching Adeline's gaze in the mirror and raising an eyebrow. "You followed Kelvin all the way here, and for once, Howard and I aren't third-wheeling. Why aren't you out there having your date?"
Adeline's smile instantly vanished.
Ever since she'd "confessed" to Chloe last night, she felt like Chloe had dirt on her. Just the mention of Kelvin's name was enough to make Adeline clam up.
Chloe found her reaction amusing. After finishing her lipstick application, she suddenly snatched Adeline's phone.
"Chloe, what are you doing?!"
Adeline panicked, lunging to retrieve her phone.
Chloe was too quick, her fingers flying across the screen before handing it back with a mischievous grin.
"How's that for being your wingwoman?"
Adeline frantically checked her phone, finding her conversation with Kelvin displayed on screen.
[Want to grab drinks after work tonight?]
[Sure.]
The status showed he was typing, and seconds later, his reply came through.
[I'm getting off early tonight. I'll come pick you up. Wait for me at home.]
Adeline's face flamed with embarrassment and annoyance. "Chloe!"
Chloe checked the time, winked at Adeline, and flashed a sweet smile. "Advance congratulations on your date! I've got to run. See you tonight."
With that, she grabbed her purse and quickly left the room.
When Chloe reached downstairs, Howard was already waiting. He merely glanced up at her, rose from his seat, closed his laptop, slipped it into his bag, and strode purposefully toward the exit.
A driver took the wheel today with Teddy riding shotgun, while Howard and Chloe sat in the spacious back seat with enough room between them for another person.
During the ride, Teddy briefed Howard on work matters, mostly updates on ongoing collaborative projects between the Miller Group and the Jenkins family.
Howard listened attentively, his expression serious, occasionally asking clarifying questions.
Once the project updates were complete, Teddy checked his phone with visible relief. "Mr. Miller, Ms. Jenkins messaged that she's already at the restaurant."
"Noted," Howard replied coolly.
When they arrived at the Golden Crown Hotel ten minutes later, they entered one of the city's most prestigious seven-star establishments, top-ranked in all of Riverton.
Teddy had reserved a VIP private room. As he stepped forward to open the door, Chloe—with an impeccable sense of timing—slipped her hand through Howard's arm. They walked in together, side by side.
Remy, seated by the floor-to-ceiling windows, rose smoothly, smiling. "Mr. Miller, Ms. Brown, it's been a while."
The moment she saw Chloe, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.
After all, Remy had invited Howard and his new wife tonight. Though she'd met Chloe twice before, they clearly hadn't been a couple then.
Yet here was Chloe, suddenly transformed into Mrs. Miller.
Chloe's eyes softened as she nodded at Remy. "Ms. Jenkins, it's good to see you again."
For reasons she couldn't explain, Chloe always felt a strange sense of familiarity around Remy.
It was difficult to describe.
As if somehow, they were connected by fate.
Howard pulled out a chair for Chloe, waiting until she was seated before taking his own seat. "Ms. Jenkins, allow me to reintroduce my wife, Chloe."
Remy settled into her chair, nodding and smiling. "Should I be calling you Mrs. Miller now?"
"That's too formal, Ms. Jenkins. Please, just use my first name."
Looking at Remy's gentle face, Chloe couldn't summon any resentment, even though Amara had been the one to offend first, making Chloe the innocent victim.
Remy shook her head, her expression turning serious as she looked directly at Chloe. "Mrs. Miller, I deeply apologize for what happened. Please forgive Amara. I'm apologizing on her behalf."
Her apology seemed genuinely sincere.
Chloe pressed her lips together before finally nodding. "Alright, I understand."
Remy looked startled, clearly not expecting Chloe to acquiesce so easily. Her eyes brightened. "So, you're forgiving Amara?"
Even Howard turned to look, surprise evident in his gaze.
It was unexpected. Though Chloe appeared delicate on the outside, she possessed an incredibly strong inner core, and rarely forgave those who had hurt her.
What had gotten into her tonight?
Chloe's eyes briefly betrayed her complexity. Her earlier response had been automatic, almost instinctive. For some reason, she found it difficult to refuse Remy's requests. She hesitated. "Forgiving her isn't impossible. Everyone makes mistakes. As long as Ms. Amara Jenkins doesn't continue with such extreme behavior."
Remy exhaled with relief, nodding repeatedly. "You can rest assured, I'll keep Amara in check. She won't act out again."
She added sincerely, "Thank you, Chloe. May I call you that?"
Seeing Chloe nod obediently, Remy felt a surge of affection, her voice growing gentler. "I hear you've been designing jewelry. Would you consider coming to my studio? I'm always short on designers, and I've seen your previous work—it has such natural energy."
"Actually, I was hoping for exactly that—to have Ms. Jenkins offer some guidance on my designs."
Chloe agreed with a smile, remembering her design competition. She offered her draft designs for Remy's opinion.
Remy readily accepted, examining the designs carefully and providing thoughtful critiques as she and Chloe discussed the details.
Chloe found herself increasingly inspired. She took back her sketches, thanking Remy enthusiastically.
"Thank you so much, Ms. Jenkins!"
"It's nothing."
As Remy looked at Chloe's radiant smile, she experienced a moment of déjà vu before quickly recovering. She turned to Howard. "Mr. Miller, regarding our collaboration, do you have any other concerns? We might as well address everything tonight."
Howard studied her for several seconds before signaling to Teddy, who promptly retrieved a document from his briefcase and placed it before Remy.
"I have no objections. Here's the contract, Ms. Jenkins. Please review it."
Remy nodded, carefully reading through the document. Finding everything in order, she signed the final page and handed it to Teddy, then stood to shake Howard's hand.
"Mr. Miller, here's to a successful partnership."
The dinner not only finalized the collaboration between their companies but also resolved Chloe's design concerns. Howard even indulged in a few extra drinks with Remy before they concluded the evening.
Originally, Chloe had been supporting Howard, but as Remy passed by, she stumbled slightly. Chloe's quick reflexes caught Remy's hand, her eyes filled with concern.
"Ms. Jenkins, are you alright?"