Chapter 160: Encountering Adrian Kane Again

Chapter 160: Chapter 160: Encountering Adrian Kane Again

Chloe’s eyes were cold as she stared right at him, her words utterly merciless. "Don’t forget, you were the one who despised me. You were the one who wanted to change the engagement, especially when Brooke York returned."

"Back then, you were my whole world. I dreamed of spending my life with you, of our future together. But what about you? You didn’t care in the slightest how much I was hurting. Why didn’t you stop to think that this day would come?"

Chloe was channeling the original owner’s past experiences and feelings.

’This will probably provoke Ethan Prescott even more,’ she thought. ’What was once so easily within his grasp is now so difficult to obtain. That should make him suffer all the more, filled with regret.’

Of course, if it had been her all along, she never would have fallen for a guy like Ethan Prescott.

’A man like him would only hold me back. He has no judgment whatsoever.’

Ethan Prescott’s face went deathly pale, his lips trembling. He wanted to defend himself but couldn’t utter a single word.

He knew Chloe was speaking the truth. His past actions were a transgression he could never erase, the biggest regret of his life.

’How could I have looked down on Chloe so much back then!’

"Yes, I know I was wrong. It’s all my fault. I was a fool then, a complete bastard." Ethan’s eyes grew red, his heart filled with self-reproach. "I’ve regretted it every single day. I truly know I was wrong now. Can’t you stop being so heartless?"

"I’m not being heartless. I’ve just woken up."

Chloe’s tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. "Now that your mother has accepted me as her goddaughter, it’s just a formal way for us to make a clean break. It forces you to face reality. Don’t you like Brooke York? This is the perfect chance for you to be with her. You can go after her."

"Ethan Prescott, accept it. For the rest of our lives, we can only be like brother and sister. That’s all."

Her last sentence sealed the fate of their relationship.

"I won’t accept it!" Ethan shouted, his voice choked with a mixture of regret and indignation. "I’ve never truly let you go! I can’t just see you as my sister. The thought of us being forced into that kind of relationship... it’s driving me insane! Chloe, please, just give me one more chance to make it up to you. Please?"

"It’s beyond repair," Chloe said flatly.

With that, Chloe stopped looking at him. She walked straight past the petrified Ethan Prescott and left without a single glance back.

Ethan stood rooted to the spot, his body rigid. As he watched her determined figure retreat, a sharp, suffocating pain seized his heart, and he was completely engulfed by a wave of regret.

’How could I have been so stupid!’

"Chloe!"

Just as she reached the school gate, she heard someone call her name. She turned to see Evan Shaw striding toward her, a smile in his eyes and a spring in his step. He was clearly in a good mood.

"Evan," Chloe said, stopping. Her tone had softened considerably.

Evan walked up to her and said with a smile, "Fancy running into you. I found this amazing little restaurant a few days ago. It’s a real hidden gem, and the food is to die for. It’s lunchtime, so I was wondering if you’d like me to take you to try it?"

Chloe didn’t refuse. She just nodded slightly. "Okay."

Evan expertly led her down a small side alley. Before long, they arrived at a simply decorated little restaurant. The place was bustling with customers, and the fragrant aroma of food washed over them.

They found a table and sat down. Evan skillfully ordered the restaurant’s signature dishes, and it wasn’t long before their food arrived.

"Go on, try it," Evan said, looking at Chloe expectantly. "See if it’s as good as I said."

"Alright, here I go!"

Chloe picked up her utensils and took a few bites. Her eyes lit up. Looking up at Evan, she said in pleasant surprise, "This is really good! It’s better than a lot of fancy restaurants."

Hearing her praise, the smile in Evan’s eyes deepened. Seeing the tension finally leave her face, he felt a weight lift from his own chest.

Chloe put down her chopsticks and stared at him in amazement. "Evan, I’m genuinely curious," she couldn’t help but ask. "How do you always manage to find these hidden gems? Desserts, snacks, full meals... everything you recommend is a hit. You’ve never missed. It’s incredible."

’It wasn’t just when I was visiting that he took me to amazing restaurants,’ she thought. ’Even the places we’ve found since... No, it seems like any place we eat at together has exceptionally good food.’

Seeing the look of astonished admiration on her face, Evan couldn’t help but chuckle. He leaned back slightly, a look of undisguised pride spreading across his face. "Well, of course! You have to consider who’s doing the searching. I’m a specialist in hunting down obscure, delicious little spots. My judgment is always on point. I guarantee I’ll only take you to the very best places."

Chloe chuckled at his smug expression, and the gloom that had been weighing on her heart dissipated. She picked up her chopsticks and took a few more bites, a faint, unconscious smile playing on her lips.

Evan watched her quietly, his gaze gentle. ’As long as it makes her happy,’ he thought, ’finding a thousand more places like this would be worth it.’

They had a very pleasant meal. Afterwards, as if by silent agreement, Chloe and Evan split the bill.

"Chloe."

Just as they left the restaurant, Chloe heard someone call her name. She followed the sound and, sure enough, saw Nora and Adrian Kane.

"Chloe!" Nora cried happily, running over to hug her.

"What a coincidence! Nora, fancy seeing you here." Chloe hadn’t expected to run into Adrian and Nora in this city.

’Leave it to the main cast,’ she thought wryly. ’No matter how far apart we are, the plot always seems to find a way to bring us all together.’

"My uncle’s on a business trip, so he brought me with him! We were just eating!"

While the adult and child were interacting, Evan and Adrian locked eyes, each seeing the wariness in the other.

They could both tell the other was interested in Chloe.

Adrian took the initiative to speak to Chloe. "What a coincidence. We just finished lunch ourselves when we ran into you."

Chloe didn’t reply to Adrian, but Evan jumped in, taking the opportunity to remind Adrian who he was. After all, he had saved the man’s life.

"Hello, Adrian. We meet again."

Adrian had no desire to engage with Evan, but Chloe was right there, and she seemed to get along quite well with him. "Hello, Evan."

"Chloe, my uncle said he’s taking me to a movie! Why don’t you come with us? Please?"

"I’d better not. You can just go with your uncle."

’Besides,’ Chloe thought, ’Evan is still here. And anyway, me and Adrian taking a child to the movies... it just feels a little strange.’

"It’s okay! Let’s all go together! Chloe, my uncle is super boring. I don’t even really want to go to the movies with him, but if you come with us, then I’ll go!"