Chapter 51

Chapter 51
"You!" Owen's features twisted with restrained fury.

He knew perfectly well that Matteo's last remark was nothing short of a naked threat.

But this was Matteo's territory, and even if he made a scene, Owen stood no chance of winning. He'd probably just end up being the laughingstock.

Meanwhile, Chloe approached Avery with fake sincerity dripping from her every move.

"Avery, if you hate me and want me gone, that's fine. But how can you let Mr. Ferrari throw Owen out like this?"

She didn't dare direct her hostility toward Matteo. Instead, she deliberately tried to get under Avery's skin.

"Have you really lost all feelings for your husband? Are you just going to stand there while he's humiliated?"

"Or maybe," she emphasized the next words with venom, "you've already betrayed your marriage."

Chloe wanted everyone around to hear the implication that Avery was having an inappropriate relationship with Matteo.

Avery let out a cold laugh.

"Chloe, you really do lack basic manners."

She approached Chloe step by step.

"Since you still consider me your sister, I don't mind giving you the discipline your mother clearly failed to provide."

When Chloe heard those words, a sense of foreboding crept up her spine.

"What are you going to do?"

She instinctively tried to back away.

But before she could react, a sharp crack echoed through the room as Avery's palm connected hard with Chloe's cheek.

"Ouch!"

Chloe saw stars. Her smooth, delicate skin instantly bloomed with an angry red handprint.

Chloe clutched her face, staring at Avery in disbelief.

"You actually hit me?"

"I don't need a reason to hit you."

Avery dusted off her hands as if removing invisible dirt.

"And I should probably mention that Owen and I are in divorce proceedings. If you're so concerned about him, why not marry him yourself?"

She looked down at Chloe with contempt. Avery could see right through her schemes.

"After all the drama surrounding Owen over the years, I'm completely done. Once I'm finished with a man, I never look back—so feel free to take my leftovers."

Chloe was already dizzy from the slap. Hearing these humiliating words made her so angry she could barely stand.

"What are you talking about?"

Chloe wanted to retaliate physically.

But when she met Avery's ice-cold eyes, Chloe couldn't help but feel intimidated. For a moment, Avery seemed as dangerous as a hired killer.

She hadn't expected Avery to slap her in front of everyone, and with such force!

Chloe finally broke down in tears.

"Avery, I know you've never liked me as your sister. If hitting me makes you feel better, then so be it."

Her eyes were red with tears.

"Just please don't take your anger out on Owen. He truly cares about you."

Owen couldn't stand by any longer.

He glared at Avery, his face flushed with anger.

"You've gone too far!"

Owen knew Avery had been tough in fights when she was younger. But she'd been so ladylike after they married—now she'd turned into some kind of violent monster!

The thought made him feel like his dignity as a husband was being trampled underfoot.

"Avery, even if you are Mr. Ferrari's assistant, you can't just hit people."

Owen demanded, "Apologize to Chloe right now!"

But his words meant nothing to Avery.

She gave him a cool, dismissive glance.

"I really don't know where you get the confidence to think I have to listen to you."

Owen clenched his fists tightly.

"Avery, don't make me lose my temper, or else—"

"Or else what? You'll step in for Chloe?"

Avery gave a cold laugh.

She was about to slap Owen too when a silver flash caught her eye.

Before anyone could react, Owen let out a scream.

"My face!"

He clutched his cheek, stumbling backward. Blood seeped through his fingers from a thin, long cut on his face.

The wound had clearly been made by the tip of a fountain pen!

Avery looked up at Matteo. As the perpetrator, he lazily lifted his eyelids.

"Sorry, Owen. My hand slipped."

Matteo spoke casually.

"I'm sure you don't mind."

There wasn't a hint of apology in his tone—only obvious mockery.

In this, he was exactly like Avery.

Avery couldn't help but smile.

The two seemed to share an unspoken understanding, especially when it came to dealing with trash like this.

"You both—"

Owen was shocked and furious, his hand trembling as he covered his face.

"You've gone too far!"

Chloe anxiously looked at Owen's face.

"Oh my God, are you trying to kill him?"

Tears streaked down her face.

"Owen is innocent. If you want to take out your anger on someone, take it out on me."

Chloe's voice grew louder.

She was deliberately trying to make a scene, hoping to draw attention and embarrass Avery and Matteo.

But Matteo remained completely unmoved.

"You two are too noisy."

He slowly walked toward them, his six-foot-seven frame towering over them, casting a shadow that enveloped them completely.

Matteo's Italian custom-made leather shoes tapped against the polished floor with steady, powerful steps.

Each step felt like it was landing directly on their hearts, making it hard to breathe.

"I wasn't trying to cause trouble," Chloe said, her voice dropping to a whisper.

She felt that the Matteo standing before her was extremely dangerous.

Matteo's piercing gaze swept over Owen and Chloe, his expression as cold as frost.

"If you don't want to disappear from this city, you'd better learn to shut up."

Matteo was utterly cold, as if the air around him might freeze solid.

"Security, from now on, these two are banned from entering the building."

"Yes, sir!" The security guards complied immediately.

Owen took a deep breath.

He knew he had completely lost today.

In this city, Matteo was untouchable, and Owen had no power to fight back.

"You don't need to throw us out. We'll leave on our own!"

He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms as he struggled to control his emotions.

Chloe was already pale with fear.

"Right, we can leave by ourselves. We don't need your security guards escorting us."

She clung tightly to Owen, as if only that could give her any sense of security.

Seeing the tall security guards following behind them, Chloe and Owen understood the message clearly.

They left the Ferrari Group Building like defeated roosters, tails between their legs.

Once they were completely out of the building, the fear on Chloe's face gradually transformed into hatred.

"Owen, Matteo and Avery are just awful."

"It's clear they don't respect you at all."

"You should have seen how Matteo acted in the reception room—like he was under some spell cast by Avery, doing whatever she wanted."

"They've probably been sleeping together behind your back!"

Owen grew increasingly agitated by Chloe's words.

Thinking about Avery's coldness earlier, he was certain that Avery had been seduced by Matteo's money!

Just then, Chloe caught sight of Jason standing miserably across the street.

Jason sat dejectedly on a trash can by the curb.

His hair was disheveled, looking like an abandoned dog, staring intently in their direction.

Chloe pretended to clutch her chest weakly.

"Owen, I suddenly don't feel well. Could you go to the convenience store across the street and get me some water?"

"Sure, I'll be right back."

Although Owen was still angry about what had happened, seeing Chloe's pale face softened his heart.

"Wait here for me."

"Okay."

As soon as Owen was out of sight, Chloe immediately signaled for Jason to come over.

"What happened to you? You look terrible!"

Chloe frowned as she looked at Jason.

"It's all because of Avery!" Jason angrily ran his fingers through his hair.

He bitterly recounted his experience.

"I tried to steal her designs to force her out of the company, but Avery discovered my plan early on and deliberately led me into a trap..."

He briefly explained what had happened.

"In the end, Matteo not only fired me, but blacklisted me in the design industry. I can't find a new job—I'm ruined!"

But that wasn't all.

Matteo had made everything public.

After Jason's landlord learned about his despicable character, he mercilessly evicted him.

Jason was used to living beyond his means and didn't have much savings.

In just a few days, his life had completely turned upside down.

He went from being an envied professional to a laughingstock.

His situation was worse than a beggar's!

"Useless. You really are worthless."

Chloe rolled her eyes.

"I told you Avery's secrets, and you still stupidly fell into her trap."

"How was I supposed to know that bitch would be so calculating!"

A vicious gleam flashed in Jason's eyes.

"I came to you because I need your help."

"Avery will definitely pass through the parking garage after work. I'll find the right moment to get my revenge."

"You can help by taking plenty of pictures."

Chloe immediately understood Jason's intentions.

She narrowed her eyes.

"You want to destroy her reputation?"

"Exactly!"

Jason's voice was filled with hatred.

"I want everyone to know what a slut she really is!"