Chapter 5

Chloe moved out the next day. Julian disappeared for several days as well, claiming he was scouting locations out of state.

During our FaceTime calls, I spotted Chloe lurking in the background multiple times. He rushed to explain:

"Chloe called to check on the progress. When she heard I was in the neighboring city, she flew over to help scout. Honestly, she saved me so much hassle. Even my dad praised me for moving so fast."

Trust-fund heirs spend their entire lives desperate to outshine their fathers, and Julian was no exception.

His father and grandfather were prominent tycoons. Julian wasn't untalented, but living in their shadows drove him crazy. He desperately needed a win.

Opening flagships across multiple cities in record time earned him high praise from his father and grandfather at the family dinner table.

Julian transferred thirty thousand dollars to my account, telling me to buy a designer handbag for Chloe in my name.

"I know she only helped out because of you. It's better coming from you. I know where the boundary is."

He added, "Pick something she likes. If thirty grand isn't enough, let me know."

I picked up my phone and dialed my contact list. The second it connected, I spoke:

"Thanks for helping my boyfriend. He wants to gift you a thirty-thousand-dollar bag. Any preference, or should I just wire you the cash?"

A pause stretched over the line before a deep, masculine voice answered:

"Nora? Why is your boyfriend buying gifts for Chloe?"

My heart stopped. Chloe and her ex-husband, Vincent, were saved next to each other in my contacts. I had called Vincent by mistake.

Vincent, Chloe, and I all went to the same Ivy League university. He was one year ahead of us, and we crossed paths in club activities.

I had once casually remarked that Vincent seemed considerate and gentle. The very next day, Chloe launched an aggressive, public campaign to chase him.

When a gorgeous girl pursues a guy, it takes almost no effort.

They were dating within two weeks. After breaking up and making up half a dozen times, they married right after graduation.

Three years later, they divorced.