Chapter 69
That afternoon, just as Chloe finished revising her designs, Nyla scooted over with her phone, looking secretive, "Chloe, quick, look at what's happening online."
"What is it?"
Nyla handed over her phone, showing Howard's social media post.
It displayed one of Chloe's old sketches with her signature still visible, directly tagging Avery: [Ms. Scott, perhaps you could explain why the sketch you released has the same signature as Sunnee's in the bottom right corner?]
This statement created waves of reaction.
Howard and Sunnee's designs had taken the world by storm five years ago, making them the brightest twin stars of the Seine coast.
Public opinion quickly turned against Avery, with people digging into her new works and comparing them with her previous designs.
This investigation caused an immediate explosion in public discourse.
Suddenly, many of Sunnee's former clients—including A-list actresses and numerous models—spoke up, questioning how Avery's sketching habits resembled Sunnee's so closely and demanding an explanation.
Though Chloe had maintained a low profile back then, there were still photos of her online. Moreover, these clients had all met her in person—Avery couldn't possibly claim to be Sunnee herself.
Chloe was stunned, not expecting Howard to have the same idea she did.
With him taking the lead, Avery was now completely in the hot seat.
Nyla remarked, "Chloe, I can't believe Avery was so bold. Even though Sunnee disappeared from the scene, many people still adore her work. For Avery to plagiarize Sunnee and deliberately try to drag you down is truly malicious."
"Chloe, she stole your marriage and now wants to suppress you. Just sit back and enjoy the show."
"I'm afraid the troubles won't end so easily."
Chloe wasn't so optimistic. She had arranged to meet Mason after work.
Mason had finished making the ring and wanted her to see the final product while helping boost his confidence.
Adeline had a business dinner that evening, and Chloe had nothing planned, so she agreed.
When they met, Mason was wearing a crisp white suit, visibly nervous.
"Chloe, do I look okay like this?"
Seeing how awkward he appeared, Chloe laughed softly.
"You look handsome."
"What about the ring I made based on your design? Is it good? Do you think she'll reject me?"
"She won't," Chloe smiled warmly, genuinely happy for him. "All girls are the same at heart—what matters most is the sincerity behind the gesture. If your heart is in the right place, she'll say yes."
Regardless of where a marriage eventually leads, everyone in this world needed to love and be loved.
Love made this imperfect world a little more beautiful.
Thinking back now, Chloe remembered wiping away tears while holding Arthur's hand as they ran toward city hall—one of the few truly beautiful moments in her memory.
Mason had reserved a table at Crystal Haven's most exclusive couples' restaurant. He'd brought a camera and asked Chloe to help record the moment.
He'd specially ordered flowers and arranged the table settings meticulously.
At 7:30, when the restaurant began filling with people.
Mason's girlfriend, Yvaine Baker, arrived.
Mason immediately stood up nervously, awkwardly facing the beautiful woman.
"Yvaine, you're here."
"Oh, who's this...?"
"Mason, let's break up." The woman called Yvaine suddenly announced.
Mason froze.
"Yvaine, what's wrong? Why break up out of nowhere?"
"Mason, look at yourself. You're ordinary-looking with a mediocre personality. What kind of wonderful future can you give me? To be honest, I've been seeing my company's general manager for a while now."
Yvaine looked at Mason, speaking without compassion.
Mason was completely stunned. He fumbled for the ring, forcing a smile.
"Yvaine, don't joke around. I made this ring for you myself. We've known each other for ten years, left our hometown together, and worked hard to get where we are. Are you really willing to throw away all these years of love?"
Yvaine snatched the ring from his hand and tossed it aside without hesitation.
"Mason, don't be naive. You can't give me the life I want. Life with you is too mundane—I want passion in my life. And don't bring up the past anymore. It's a stain for me."
The ring landed right by Chloe's feet.
Yvaine turned to leave. At the door, a well-dressed man approached and placed a kiss on her cheek before they left together.
Breakups weren't unusual.
Chloe bent down to pick up the fallen ring and looked at Mason.
"Mason."
Mason remained relatively composed. He had clean-cut, youthful features.
He sat down and smiled at Chloe.
"Chloe, sit down and join me."
"Sorry you had to witness that embarrassment."
Chloe sat across from him and pushed the ring toward him.
Mason picked up the ring and smiled gently.
"Actually, I've suspected this for a while. After so many years together, I remember what she was like when she loved me. I just wanted to give our relationship a proper ending, but I guess that's not possible now."
"We came from the same village. I remember when we first arrived in Crystal Haven for college. Back then, Yvaine wore cheap canvas shoes. I went to pick her up and heard the girls in her class gossiping about her."
"Yvaine hid in the bathroom crying, not wanting me to know because she didn't want me to worry."
"From that day on, I wanted to become stronger, so I worked multiple jobs and treated her like a princess. Finally, we both became more capable and earned more money, but her ambitions and desires grew too."
"I don't blame her. After all, nobody stays the same forever. Perhaps it's time I let go and focus on my own life. In the end, neither of us became the person to accompany the other until the very end. I proposed today because she once said that if I proposed on our tenth anniversary, her youth would have been worthwhile."
Mason kept smiling, his eyes calm.
He pointed to the custom cake in front of him.
"Today marks exactly ten years since we met. I just didn't expect she'd already forgotten."
Chloe listened quietly before pouring Mason a glass of red wine.
"Mason, here's to moving forward from now on—unafraid of the past, unafraid of the future."
Mason looked at her and smiled slowly.
"Chloe, I'll drink to that."
Chloe took just a small sip of the wine, letting its bitter taste spread through her mouth.