Chapter 297
Chapter 297
"By the way," Teddy added, as if suddenly remembering something. "Griffin also visited Karen in the detention center. But as far as I know, they had no prior connection."
Although he couldn't figure out Griffin's game, Howard had a gut feeling that all of this was aimed at Chloe. "Keep a close watch on him."
"Understood, Mr. Miller."
At Remy's studio, Chloe knocked on the office door and entered. "Ms. Jenkins, you were looking for me?"
"A jewelry company wants to launch a limited-edition series of couple's bracelets for Valentine's Day. They've commissioned our studio for the design work."
Chloe looked troubled. "The timeline seems a bit tight." She had planned to wrap up her current projects and focus on her wedding preparations.
Remy saw through her hesitation and smiled. "I took the liberty of showing them one of your previous designs. They were very pleased. However, they're keen on having you and Mr. Miller be the endorsement models for this product."
"Howard and me?"
Remy nodded.
Chloe looked hesitant again. "I'm just not sure if Howard..."
"There's no rush. You can go back and discuss it with Mr. Miller." Remy said with a smile, handing Chloe a copy of the draft contract.
As Chloe took the contract, her eyes were inadvertently drawn to the bracelet on Remy's wrist. Noticing her gaze, Remy gently pulled back her hand, a flicker of unease on her face.
"That bracelet is beautiful." Chloe complimented with a smile.
Hearing her praise, Remy reached up and lightly touched the bracelet. "It was a gift from someone very important to me."
"It looks a little familiar, though." Chloe said, trying to place it.
"Does it?" Remy's smile froze for a second before she casually changed the subject. Fortunately, Chloe didn't seem to notice anything amiss.
That evening, at the Miller Villa, Chloe was chatting idly with Howard on the sofa, and naturally, the topic of the Valentine's Day jewelry endorsement came up.
Howard flipped through the contract she handed him, silent for a long moment.
"I'm sorry, I should have just refused on the spot. You're so busy, after all." Chloe said, a hint of disappointment in her voice. Even though they were getting married, maybe Howard didn't want their relationship to be public knowledge.
"What, are you disappointed?" Howard found her crestfallen expression rather amusing.
"No!" Chloe denied it.
"I was just worried I wouldn't do a good job and would disappoint you, Chloe..."
"So, you're saying yes?" Chloe's eyes lit up, and she sprang up from the sofa.
"What else?" Howard looked at her, amused. "I can use this opportunity to declare my sovereignty and stop others from coveting you." He gently nibbled on her ear.
Though she knew he was joking, Chloe retorted, "Clearly, Mr. Miller is the one being coveted by more people. You're always so quick to blame me."
"So, is Chloe jealous?" Howard wrapped his arms around her waist, his lips drawing closer.
Chloe slowly closed her eyes, letting him kiss her until she was breathless.
"Howard." she whispered, her arms wrapping around his neck.
In that instant, Howard felt a surge of heat rush through him, an unbearable fire. The next second, unable to contain the passion within, he swept her up into his arms and carried her toward the bedroom.
A dizzying, numbing sensation followed. Chloe's legs were wrapped tightly around his waist as Howard gently cradled her head, treating her like a fragile piece of porcelain, never daring to be rough.
After what felt like an eternity, Chloe, completely drained of strength, curled up in his arms like a kitten.
"Howard." she said, looking up at him.
"What is it?" His voice was hoarse, still wanting more.
"What if... what if we can never have a child?" Chloe asked, her expression serious.
"Chloe, haven't we discussed this? I don't need a child. I only need you."
Hearing his words, Chloe buried her head in his neck. The room was quiet for a long time, with only the faint moonlight filtering through the window, casting a pale glow on the floor.
The next morning, Howard went to the office as usual. Chloe decided to sort through a package Adeline had just sent her. She had come to Riverton in such a hurry that she'd had to leave many things behind, temporarily storing them with Adeline.
She opened the package to find it filled with a jumble of small items. As she sorted through them, one by one, a yellowed sketchbook at the bottom of the box caught her eye. She slowly opened it. On the title page was written the name "Edward". It was one of the few mementos of Edward that she had left.
In the new home Karen had taken her to, Edward's name had become a taboo, never to be mentioned. Karen had even thrown away most of his belongings.
Chloe flipped through the sketchbook, page after page filled with Edward's sketches. On the last page, the date was Valentine's Day. It was a bracelet, identical to the one on Remy's wrist.
Childhood memories slowly resurfaced. Edward had once told a young Chloe that this bracelet was designed for someone very special. At that age, she couldn't grasp the meaning of "important."
So, was the very important person Edward spoke of... Remy? Chloe felt a momentary daze.
Because of this, she was distracted for the rest of the afternoon. It wasn't until Howard came home from work that evening and found her sitting on the sofa, knees hugged to her chest, that he noticed.
"What's wrong, Chloe?" Howard keenly sensed the change in her mood.
"Howard." Chloe's voice sounded hoarse.
"What is it?" He gently wrapped his arms around her waist.
Chloe showed him the last page of Edward's sketchbook. "I saw a bracelet identical to this design on Ms. Jenkins's wrist today. She told me it was a gift from someone very important to her."
Howard was silent. After a long moment, he slowly nodded. "Yes. Mr. Brown and Ms. Jenkins were once in a relationship." He paused. "They had to separate because the Jenkins and Brown families were rivals back then."
"You already knew?" Chloe looked at him.
"About a month ago." Howard admitted frankly. "Chloe, that's all in the past."