A Billion-Rich Woman Was Chased by Her EX-Husband
Chapter 146

Chapter 146

The two sides stood in confrontation, tension hanging in the air.

“Mr. Sawle, I’m not sure whether to call it a coincidence or bad luck.” Jordan grinned, his words far from respectful.

“Chloe, is she inside?” Joseph’s eyebrows sharpened, his voice low.

The moment he heard that name, Grace felt a shiver down her spine, her heart pounding.

“Why? Is it not allowed?”

Jordan sneered, every word carrying a sting. “Mr. Sawle hasn’t taken ownership of this place, has he?”

“Hiss… Mr. Sawle hasn’t done anything, just asking! Are you trying to provoke us?” Max retorted, unable to contain his irritation.

“Hasn’t done anything? Well, you can say that, but I can’t even bear to listen.” Jordan’s thick brows furrowed, dripping with disdain.

“You!”

“That’s enough, Max.”

Joseph scolded softly, his gaze devoid of warmth. “Chloe, what are you doing here?”

Jordan’s cold gaze swept over the delicate and charming Grace, smirking as he raised an eyebrow. “Mr. Sawle is here for what? Our young lady is here for the same reason.”

Joseph’s brows furrowed even more.

Indeed, Chloe had taken an interest in the Rose Manor, but this time, he wouldn’t let her succeed!

At this moment, Chloe had already lifted her dress and stepped into the midst of the rose garden. Bathed in the brilliant sunset, she moved gracefully like a floral goddess.

She squatted down in the muddy flower bed without any affectation, kneading the soil with delicate hands, carefully observing the rose stems and petals, and taking detailed notes on her phone while snapping pictures.

Other girls came to admire and take photos.

The young lady, however, seemed to be here to unearth treasures, to strike gold.

Who would have thought that such a beautiful woman would go against the grain of romanticism, wearing “practicality” and “business acumen” like a badge on her face. She was all about building her career and making money.

Ambitious women were quite charming-

Jerome stood with his hands behind his back, patiently waiting for her.

He lowered his gaze slightly, a tender and affectionate smile playing on his lips as he muttered to himself, “Chloe, you’re still the same as you were when you were a child, and it’s wonderful.”

At that moment, his secretary called, disrupting his thoughts.

Jerome’s brows furrowed suddenly as he answered, “What is it?”

“Director Xavier, Joseph has arrived.”

The secretary spoke in a hushed tone. “Previously, people from the Sawle Group had contacted me about discussing a cooperation project for the Rose Manor. But as per your instructions, I didn’t give them a clear response.”

“I didn’t expect them to move so quickly, they brought the project inspection team here today. It seems they’re determined to cooperate with us.”

Jerome stared at the busy Chloe, his voice deep and full of questions. “Besides the Sawle Group, who else is here?”

“And Joseph’s rumored fiancée is here too. Bringing that woman to an occasion like this shows how deeply they’re in love, doesn’t it?” The secretary’s words were tinged with sarcasm.

Chloe, still unaware of all this, was lost in her own world.

Chloe, was this the man you once loved?

Was this the man for whom you were willing to change your name

far three whole years?

Chloe, you were truly naive.

identity, to marry reluctantly, just to stay by his side

A spark of anger ignited within Jerome. His lips, usually indifferent, curled slightly. “Is everything I asked you to prepare

“It’s all ready, Director Xavier!” The secretary responded promptly.

“Bring it over, and send someone to lead the Sawle Group’s people over here.” Jerome pushed up his golden-rimmed glasses and a barely noticeable smirk flashed in his eyes.

Chloe had been crouching for too long, and her waist was starting to ache. She slowly stood up from amidst the flower bushes, panting, and wiped the sweat from her brow with her hand.

She was the kind of person who, when she encountered something she liked, would become exceptionally focused, completely immersed, and forget about space and time.

At this moment, Chloe suddenly remembered that Jerome was still waiting for her in the same spot.

She turned around in a hurry and was surprised to see him still patiently standing there. In his hands, he held a woven flower basket filled with exquisite yet subtle pink flowers.

It was truly beautiful, and it made her think of the line from Rilke: “Only the rose can unfold like a rose.”

“Miss Thorp.” Jerome called to her as he approached with the flower basket.

“Oh, please don’t come in! Be careful not to dirty your clothes!” Chloe noticed how impeccably clean he was dressed and hurriedly warned him.

But the man paid no attention and continued to walk through the thorny bushes, single-mindedly wanting to be by her side. Chloe bit her petal-like vermilion lips, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

“Miss Thorp, this is for you. Jerome’s deep eyes glowed with the soft hues of sunset as he offered the flower basket to her.

“Fourth Young Master, thank you for your kindness. But these flowers… I can’t accept them. Chloe smiled gently as she declined.

Although it was just a flower basket, it was filled with roses, symbolizing ambiguity. Accepting it would be inappropriate.

Jerome anticipated her refusal and switched his approach, smiling, ‘Flowers complement the beauty of a lady, but that’s just one aspect. More importantly, I’ve noticed that Miss Thorp has a keen interest in the roses I’ve been cultivating. So, I’d like to give you this basket to take back and study.”

“Underneath the flowers, there’s soil from here that you can also take home, transplant into your own garden, and care for it attentively. They will bloom continuously.”

With this, Chloe had no reason to refuse anymore. She hesitated for a moment, then reached out and accepted the flower basket. “Well, thank you, Fourth Young Master, for your gift.

Suddenly, Jerome furrowed his brows and leaned towards her, his hands behind his back.

A face as exquisite as jade gradually enlarged in Chloe’s startled crystal eyes. She held her breath, and her long eyelashes blinked rapidly.

“Fourth Young Master, what’s wrong? Is there something on my

“Hmm.” Jerome nodded seriously.

“Where?” Chloe was bewildered as she wiped her face, but

This time, she truly looked like a “muddy Thorp.”

Jerome was full of tenderness as he took out a pure white from her cheek and forehead with natural grace.

face!”

streak of mud smeared onto her cheek.

khandkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped away the dirt

He moved quickly, and Chloe only snapped back to reality at that moment, flustered as she said, “I can do it myself, it’s fine.” “It’s okay, it’s already clean.” Jerome said, looking deeply into her eyes, then withdrew his hand swiftly.

He was always like this, stopping just at the right moment when she felt their interaction was becoming too intimate.

For some inexplicable reason, a provocative phrase crossed Chloe’s mind, “yielding to desire.”

However, she quickly dismissed the thought. Perhaps Jerome’s attentiveness was due to his gentle nature, or maybe it was the bond from their childhood.

At this moment, a series of footsteps approached them.

Chloe suddenly raised her eyes, then froze in shock.

Just a few steps away.

Joseph stood like an unyielding mountain, his figure stiff and cold as he stood before them. He didn’t seem excited or angry his astonishing peach-blossom eyes faintly glowed with fiery red.

The sea, when brewing a tsunami, was just as calm.

Just now. Joseph had witnessed all the interactions between Chloe and this man. His fists clenched tightly under his refined sleeves, and the veins on his forehead throbbed.

He watched as she accepted the roses from Jerome, saw her smile beautifully at him, watched as he gently wiped away the dirt from her cheeks…

They were in sync, intimate, like a harmonious couple.

Joseph’s back stiffened, and his teeth ground audibly. In his mind, there was a sudden, thundering pain like a plane engine roaring.

So. Chloe didn’t come here to compete for the project, she came here to enjoy the blossoms with her new love.

But he was willing to believe that she had come to compete, to fight, to torment him, to willingly hand over everything to her.

He also didn’t want to see that everything that had once belonged to him was now being given away to this man…