Loved You Once But He's My Forever (Chloe)
Billionaire Is 357

hapter 357 Men Are Really Cheap

Chapter 357 Men Are Really Cheap

1 nudged her in the waist playfully and jabbed, "Look that, your husband's here to take you home

She shot me a look of pure disgust. "Tusband, my foot)

"My husband is emotionally calm, adores his wife, and doesn't have taste that bad."

We giggled like silly teenagers as we shoved each other on our way down the stairs..

In the living room, Harlan stood with a dark expression clouding his face, though his eyes betrayed a fleeting look of astonishment when he saw Zoey in her elegant evening gown.

Rumor had it that Janice's background wasn't great. She had once been the caretaker of Harlan's grandfather, Mark Pearson,

After she saved Mark's life, the old man, touched by her kindness and devotion, insisted Harlan marry her.

Imagine that-in this day and age-an arranged marriage forced by the whims of a family elder. Of course, such a union was doomed from the start.

After their wedding, Harlan and Janice barely spent any time together, and even when they did, he treated her with cold indifference.

I had given Zoey a makeover, and as she stood at the top of the staircase, looking down with an air of confidence, she exuded a beauty that was as commanding as it was refined,

Janice had once been timid and meek, a caretaker more than a wife, never daring to even look her husband in the eye. She lived in the Pearson household for three years, blending into the background like one of the servants,

Zoey was different-she was from a family no less distinguished than the Pearsons. Even though Bill failed her emotionally, he had always ensured she and Philippa lived in material luxury.

Her troubles stemmed from family dysfunction, not money. She was every inch a proper, high-society lady, and it showed.

Zoey's tone was icy as she addressed him. "What are you doing here?"

shifted back to

Harlan's gaze its usual coldness. He said, "I'm here to take you home. Do you know how improper it looks for you to be living in someone else's house?"

Carter appeared at the top of the stairs, chiming in. "Mrs. Pearson, since Harlan came all this way, maybe you should go with him."

I was certain Harlan hadn't come on his own. It must've been Carter's doing.

That scheming man-always up to something.

But Carter underestimated the strength of our sisterhood. Zocy wasn't the meek and submissive Janice.

Zoey arched a brow, her sharp gaze cutting straight through Carter's pretense. "Harlan didn't come to get me: you're just trying to make me leave, aren't you?" 1/4

Chapter 357 Men Are Really Cheap

"No, of course not. You're welcome to stay as long as you like '

As Harlan watched their conversation unfold, he seemed utterly invisible to them he was mad. How date this woman ignore him?

Janice, you're being disrespectful. Carter's older than both of us. He tried to make his presence ones.

Zoey scoffed coldly, "And His age has nothing to do with me. His wife is my new friend. What's with me calling him by his name?"

"This is ridiculous! Since when did you and Ms. Gardner become best friend? Besides, when it comes to seniority, as my wife, you should be the same as mine

"Harlan, are you not hearing me? You don't love me, and I don't love you. Let's just call it quits. Don't worry. I'll handle your grandfather."

She said it so casually, as if not loving each other was the most natural thing in the world. For a m Harlan froze, but his expression soon darkened even more.

"If this is some sort of new tactic, let me tell you-it's not going to work on me. I came here to give you an easy way out. Refuse, and don't expect me to come back for you again." That condescending tone of his made my blood boil.

Just as I was about to step in, Zoey grabbed a slipper and hurled it at his head.

"Get lost! Only someone out of their mind would want to go back to that miserable place. I've never been happier than I am here!"

Harlan dodged the slipper with a quick tilt of his head-a move I had to admit was surprisingly cool. Turning to me, he asked, "Zoey, since when have you two been such close friends?"

"Oh, since the moment we met, I suppose. There's just something about Janice that feels familiar and warm. Don't worry, Mr. Pearson. Since she doesn't want to go home, she's welcome to stay here. I'll take good care of her. You, on the other hand, should go spend time with Ms. White."

Harlan's face twitched uncomfortably at the mention of Nina. He said, "Zoey, you've misunderstood. There's nothing romantic between me and her. She's like a sister to me."

I smiled sweetly, but my words had a sharp edge. "You don't have to explain your heart matters. Mr. Pearson. Everyone knows what's going on. Let me just say this: if Carter had a childhood sweetheart like that, one of them wouldn't live to see the next day."

I spoke in the softest voice, yet my words carried the sharpest edge. "In my marriage, there will never be room for another woman."

After everything I endured with Luke, I had sworn to close my heart forever. But it was Carter who pulled me into his world, and he absolutely cannot betray mel

Carter wrapped an arm around my waist, his voice low and soothing. "Relax. That's not going to happen."

Harlan's face twisted in disbelief as he watched Carter's tender affection. The ruthless tycoon, feared by all. was nothing but a doting husband at home. It was beyond his imagination.

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Chapter 357 Men Are Really Cheap

"Well," Carter, sensing the futility of Harlan's visit, spoke calmly. "You should go. She's safe here."

Harlan hesitated. Just like that? You're sending me away

Carter smirked. Unless you plan on staying the night.

Harlan paused, considering. Maybe I could-

Get out. This isn't a couples' hotel. Carter countered.

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After a brief exchange of silent glares, Carter looked at me tenderly. "You didn't eat much earlier. I had some dessert prepared for you and Mrs. Pearson. If you're still too excited to sleep, you can watch a movie in the theater room. I'll bring fruit and snacks over in a bit." With a husband like this, what more could I ask for?

I grabbed his arm and stood on tiptoe to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Sounds perfect."

Zoey, ever the cynic, looked disgusted. "Ugh, the stench of love! Carter, get me some chips-shrimp-flavored."

"Why not choke on them?" Harlan retorted.

Carter sighed deeply and said, "Let me show you out."

This straight-laced man is beyond help.

I grabbed Zoey's hand and said, "Let's go watch a movie before we go to bed."

"Okay! Sounds good to me."

As we left. Harlan stared at Zoey's retreating figure, which showed no sign of regret

After a moment, he touched his chin and turned to Carter. "Actually, I didn't need to go home. I've got some time. Maybe I'll join you for the movie."

Carter shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Men. They can be really cheap.

And that's how my first night in a foreign country-supposedly the start of my honeymoon with Carter- ended with me stuck watching an action-packed anime Zoey insisted on.

Not that there was anything wrong with anime, but I wasn't exactly in the mood for a teenage power fantasy.

Zoey was riveted. I, on the other hand, was half-asleep,

Carter gently stroked my hair and asked, "Sleepy?"

I nodded, too drowsy to respond properly. "Mhm."

"I'll carry you to bed."

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Chapter 357 Men Are Really Cheap

"No, stay with mel" Zoey protested, grabbing my arm.

Harlan cleared his throat and offered. "I'll stay."

Zoey shot him a glare. "Go away, you annoying man."

"Janice, don't push your luck." Harlan growled.

As their bickering escalated, Carter swept me into his arms and carried me off.

"Don't worry," he whispered. "Harlan doesn't hit women And he's not involved with his childhood sweetheart. If he ever falls for Zoey, he'll make a good match. Trust me."

I smiled. "How could I not trust you, Carter?"

My drowsiness evaporated as I pulled him into one of the guest rooms.

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With the lights off and the night shrouding us in darkness, I slipped my hands under his shirt and kissed my way up his Adam's apple, My voice laced with desire "Carter, no one's here to bother us now.