On Thursday, Chloe received a WhatsApp message from Donovan: "Take Monday off, come pick up Samuel."
Chloe disliked the frequent absences and specifically asked, "Monday?"
"Is there a problem?" came Donovan's reply, carrying a tone that left Chloe without a rebuttal.
"What time?"
"Three in the afternoon. Coming back Tuesday morning."
Chloe was initially pleased at the thought of needing just two hours off when another message came through: "Chloe, Andrew has another journal. Do you want it?"
The message was from Emerson, Andrew Price's mother.
Chloe was thrilled: "Of course I want it. Where is it?"
"It's at the school where Andrew used to teach. We've picked up all of Andrew's belongings before, but this journal was found later. I thought you might want it. You should reach out to Andrew's elementary school principal."
After Emerson spoke, he sent Chloe the principal's business card.
The principal said their town was too poor for courier services, so Chloe would have to go there to pick up the package herself.
Chloe had previously made plans with Dr. Johnson to visit her mother over the weekend, and she definitely wouldn't be available.
Knowing that Donovan asked her to return to the Samuel household by 3 p.m. on Monday, Chloe decided to just take the whole day off and head to Elmrest Springs in the morning.
She had thought it would be easy to take time off as it had been before, but this time, her boss, James Turner, wasn't in such a good mood.
"Chloe, you just got permanent status, and you're already taking time off too often. Does that seem right to you? Monday's a busy day, and you always want to be off. Do you have any idea how much work others cover for you?" he challenged.
Chloe thought to herself, 'Ever since Paisley showed up, even James Turner's attitude has changed.'
It looked like she wouldn't get the time off, so Chloe played her last card: "Mr. Blake asked me to take the day."
After a long pause, James Turner replied, "Make it quick."
Indeed, mentioning Donovan's name worked wonders.
Just these past few days, Chloe actually ran into Donovan. It was quite a coincidence at the first training conference for the "Stars of New East International Group."
Chloe's close friend Sofia had been selected as a "Star" of the New East International Group and was scheduled to attend an hour-long employee training session after work on Friday.
After her shift, Chloe waited next door to the training room, scrolling through her phone while waiting for Sofia.
Donovan came in to retrieve some documents he'd forgotten.
He seemed surprised to see Chloe, and she felt the same.
"Aren't you leaving?" Donovan asked her.
Chloe quickly stood up, adopting the respectful demeanor of an employee in the presence of a superior, "Yes, I am."
The "Stars of New East International Group" was a program to train the management team, and it was the first session Donovan was supposed to attend.
"About last time, I need a clear explanation from you," Donovan suddenly turned back to say to Chloe just as he was about to leave.
After all, the previous incident had been left unresolved, and Donovan had been too angry at the time to listen.
"Then, Mr. Blake, don't you think you owe me an explanation about you and Paisley?" Chloe looked up, meeting Donovan's gaze.
Donovan's lips curved into a slight, sarcastic smile, "To you?"
His implication was clear: 'What do I have to explain to you?'
"Spouses are supposed to be faithful to each other, Mr. Blake. What we had was real, too! Why do we double standards when it comes to this? If anyone should be giving explanations, it should be you first," Chloe asserted.
Donovan simply wanted to remind Chloe not to flirt around, but unexpectedly, she turned the tables on him.
"Jealous?" Donovan asked, looking down and smoothly rolling up his sleeves.
Chloe laughed, "I wouldn't go that far. But ever since Paisley showed up, my position at the company has changed, and I'm just speaking up for myself. Let's not have our marriage go public and have everyone saying I've been cuckolded. It could also affect your reputation. Any hint of you being more than friendly with an ex-girlfriend during our marriage is tied to the company's stock prices. You'd better be careful."
Donovan's action of adjusting his cufflinks halted.
Chloe's words hit the mark.
However, Donovan's expression didn't linger for too long. "So, how about we refrain from wrapping up in other men's clothing outside the hotel in the future?"
Thinking back to that day's incident, Donovan felt a surge of anger, and his tone grew heavier.
"I believe I have conducted myself with integrity. I wouldn't embarrass you, Mr. Blake."
Donovan left, his face tinged with anger.
Chloe must have forgotten just how much Donovan had invested in her—five million.