Chapter 1476 - 1466: Farewell Dinner, Three Missing One, Coming or Not?

"Mr. Taylor, our contractual lover relationship has been disadvantageous for you from the start. Now that you’re leaving the circle, and I also want to focus on my career, I’m really sorry."

"I initially sought a contractual lover thinking it could have some binding effect on Constantine, but it turns out to be completely ineffective, and your unusual concern for me made me a bit uncomfortable," Chloe Winston said sincerely.

She clearly knew she only admired and respected Charles Taylor, lacking any romantic feelings, so she didn’t want him to get more deeply involved.

Upon hearing this, Charles Taylor’s brow furrowed, and his five fingers clenched tightly on his knee. A sense of helplessness spread over him, realizing that his efforts from the start were misguided. He shouldn’t have tried to develop his career before building a relationship with Chloe Winston. The pressure felt due to Constantine Stewart as a rival led him to take over the family business, attempting to stand on the same level as Constantine Stewart.

Comparing his weaknesses to others’ strengths would inevitably lead to a miserable defeat.

Now, saying anything seems a bit late. Charles Taylor felt somewhat bleak and sorrowful, his voice hoarse as he said, "Chloe, if this is what you want, I can make an announcement saying we’ve broken up. But you’re currently in the limelight; I suggest you hold off for a while."

Chloe Winston exhaled in relief, smiled, and nodded, "Alright, thank you, Mr. Taylor."

Charles Taylor gave a slightly disappointed smile, then regained his spirits, laughing, "The simple meals at this café are quite good. Let’s have our meal before leaving."

Chloe Winston nodded, saying, "Then let me treat you this time. Thank you for taking care of me all along."

She felt it wasn’t quite right to leave immediately, as it would seem too cold-hearted. So she nodded, sat down, and had lunch with Charles Taylor.

The two ordered the café’s signature simple meal and chatted casually. Chloe had barely taken a few bites when her phone rang.

She gave it a glance—it was Constantine Stewart calling but didn’t answer. Then, the man called a second time.

"Hmm, what’s up?" Chloe Winston smiled awkwardly at Charles Taylor and asked softly.

"I think I saw your car. Are you near Jianzhang Road?" Constantine Stewart’s voice was exceptionally deep and sexy, as if he were speaking in a low voice.

Chloe Winston stiffened for a moment, suddenly feeling a strong urge to deny, "I’m not there, you got it wrong."

The man chuckled softly, nodded, and said, "Alright, I’m handling something nearby. Your car isn’t very safe; I have plenty of spare cars in the garage. How about I lend you one?"

"No need, thank you." Chloe ended the call, feeling quite embarrassed. She was driving the company’s car, so Constantine must be nearby, recognized her car, and knew she was lying?

"What happened?" Charles Taylor asked with a smile.

"Nothing, let’s continue our conversation." Chloe Winston muted her phone and smiled.

Meanwhile, in the upscale restaurant outside the café, Constantine Stewart looked at the double portion lunch he ordered and put his phone aside, eating with an expressionless face. After two bites, he found it tasteless, then coldly stared at the black Volkswagen parked outside the café, wondering if they had met and had lunch together out of coincidence?

Constantine Stewart felt he was being exceedingly patient; otherwise, he would have gone over and directly slapped a plate of meat onto Charles Taylor’s face. How dare this dog think of coveting his woman?

Chloe Winston spent half an hour eating her lunch, and Constantine Stewart also sat in the restaurant opposite the café for half an hour. The restaurant manager stood aside nervously for half an hour as well, so was the food delicious or awful?

Oddly enough, this gentleman didn’t eat a bite of the supposedly delicious food, and though it was bad, he sat there for half an hour with such low pressure that no one dared sit at nearby tables.

Finally, when the man thought the timing was right, he got up, wiped his hands, paid the bill, and left, relieving the restaurant manager who was delighted to see the plague gone.

Constantine Stewart went downstairs, sat inside his car, and awaited Chloe Winston to come out, his head drooping out of boredom.

Richard Shaw had been waiting downstairs all along and spoke softly upon seeing Constantine return, "Mr. Stewart, the countess visited Fulham Road again today."

"Hmm," the man responded faintly without raising his eyes, since he wasn’t planning to stay at home anyway.

"The countess also said that if Mr. Stewart continues to avoid her, she’ll visit Spring Prosperity Garden to meet you." Richard Shaw’s head almost buried into his chest, as the countess truly was terrifying. She had only been in Imperial City a few days but had already pinpointed Ms. Winston’s residence and Mr. Stewart’s haunt.

Constantine Stewart abruptly lifted his gaze, a flash of cold light in his eyes, "Using Chloe to threaten me?"

Constantine Stewart smirked coldly, said icily, "Not seeing."

His voice hadn’t quite faded when he saw Chloe Winston coming out fully equipped with a mask and sunglasses, looking like a cute little quail.

"Follow her," the man murmured lazily right before his phone rang. It was Ignatius Leclair calling.

"I’m bringing Delphine back to London tomorrow. Are you coming to the dinner tonight?"

"Not coming, no time," Constantine replied with an eyebrow raised.

Ignatius sneered, "As your wish. Delphine invited Chloe Winston over."

"Address." Constantine Stewart changed his tone instantly.

Ignatius stated the location and hung up. Tonight’s dinner was initiated by Leah Squire, and though the two women seemed clingy, it was merely a farewell dinner before returning to London, rather than something deeper.

Ignatius Leclair originally found it too much trouble and preferred spending quality time with Delphine, given that he had been abstinent for several months.

But unable to resist Delphine’s desire to gather with Leah Squire and the fact that Richard Shaw was coming, along with Alaric Howard and Balthazar Howard, the circle expanded, leading Ignatius to invite Constantine Stewart.

Constantine Stewart’s car refrained from trailing too closely for fear of being discovered by Chloe Winston, yet ended up losing track of her due to someone running a red light. Thus, he simply arrived at the venue Ignatius mentioned to wait for her.

Arriving at the club, Constantine Stewart surprisingly encountered quite a few people.

"None of you have work to do? All conspiring in corruption?" the man elegantly inserted both hands into his pockets, eyeing the presence of Alaric, Balthazar, and Richard Shaw, raising his eyebrows with a cold smile, "Once I finish eating, I’m reporting you."

"Old Constantine, we’re one short, hurry up and join, what are you rambling about," Drake Howard quickly beckoned with a smile.

"When it comes to corruption, you’re unmatched compared to you, Mr. Stewart. You’re undoubtedly the type to throw money around lavishly. We merely took half a day off to send off Ignatius and Delphine," Augustus Howard laughed from the side.

Constantine Stewart didn’t bother to expose them. Only with Ignatius Leclair and Richard Shaw present would the Howard brothers dare to act so liberally; otherwise, they’d be thoroughly beaten at home. What promise!

"Aren’t you already enough with four players?" Constantine Stewart remarked, less inclined to play cards seeing there were already four.

"Old Shaw can’t play—consider him non-existent. It’s often said that those unfortunate in love are lucky in gambling. Old Constantine, you’re destined to win tons today," Ignatius Leclair commented with a meaningful laugh.

"My utmost gratitude," Constantine snorted coldly. Bored anyway, he sat and joined them in the card game.