Chapter 33
When Joseph came back from work, he found Chloe in the kitchen, chopping potatoes with a knife. She looked as if she had a
deep grudge against the potatoes, for she was smashing instead of chopping them.
“Who upset you?”
Chloe paused and turned around to look at him, knife in hand.
“A moron,” she said begrudgingly.
‘Yes, a moron. And that nutjob of a moron is your nephew!’
After a look of confusion, Joseph went upstairs to clean up.
For dinner tonight, they had beef potato stew, oven-roasted vegetables, and Greek salad.
“I took a crash course on cooking today. Want to try the result of my learning?” Chloe asked.
Joseph took a bite of the beef and said, “Well, there isn’t much difference from the previous days.”
“Today’s only the first day, okay?” Chloe replied. “Give me a month and I’ll surprise you.”
“We’ll see,” Joseph said.
Although he said the food was not great, he enjoyed the meal very much.
Chloe retired to her room to continue her work after dinner. Shortly after, Emily called and said that Jake had come to her house
looking for Chloe.
“He’s still waiting outside my door. He’s going on about some heirloom bracelet that
gave you and claims that it must be at my place,” Emily said.
he
Chloe narrowed her eyes and said, “Put him on the phone.”
“Chloe, I understand that you’re attached to the bracelet, but please, you have to return it to me. It’s a precious family heirloom
that I had planned to give to my future wife,” Jake pleaded, as though he had exhausted all other options.
“That’s enough. Meet me at the coffee shop in the middle of Dixie Street in an hour and I’ll return the bracelet,” Chloe sald firmly,
“Stop bothering Em or I’ll report you for
trespassing on private property.” novelxo.com fast update
Chloe was familiar with the family heirloom that Jake was referring to. During their time together, he had presented her with the
bracelet with great enthusiasm. She had been over the moon, believing that she had gained not only Jake’s approval but also
that of his family.
However, all her illusions were shattered the day she caught him cheating on her. Consumed by her fury, she had discarded
most of his belongings, including the bracelet. She could not recall if she had disposed of it or if it was still tucked away in her
jewelry box or if it was somewhere back in her room at the family home.
The last option seemed unlikely. Given Ava’s personality, she probably already rummaged through Chloe’s room in search of it.
That was why Jake had contacted her.
As expected, Chloe found the bracelet in the jewelry box stuffed inside her suitcase. She did not feel like changing clothes. Jake
was not worth the effort of her dressing up anyway. Without even bothering to change out of her pajamas, she lazily slipped on a
coat and swung open the bedroom door, only to run into Joseph who was carrying a cup of water down the stairs.
“I’m going out for a bit. I’ll be back soon, don’t worry,” she said sweetly, voluntarily reporting her plans to Joseph.
Chloe was wearing a plain nightgown, and her black hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall. Her face had a healthy
hint of pink, and her long legs were hidden by the nightgown, revealing only a pair of dainty, slippered feet. Her oversized coat
covered her delicate figure, and her innocent-looking eyes and brows lent her an air of purity. She was not wearing any makeup,
yet she appeared more stunning and captivating than if she had.
Joseph’s gaze remained steady as he asked, “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to Dixie Street.”
Since her relationship with Joseph was not yet stable, she could not let Jake know about them. Dixie Street was about two miles
away, so it was unlikely for them to run into
each other.
Joseph glanced at the darkening sky outside and put down his cup on the table. “I’ll take you ther