Chapter 5
The smugness overwhelmed Charles after hearing Megan's words, and he waved his hand.
He kept going. "Alright. Go keep an eye on them. Don't let things get out of hand. I don't want Chloe to know about it."
For a man like Charles, bedding a woman was just another victory.
As for the woman he slept with? Just something ought to be discarded.
Once he was done with Chloe, he could make it up to Sylvia.
Megan was confused. "You're still worried about her?
"If you want her to give up, you can't give her hope again. Just let them humiliate her. Or she won't leave you—"
"That's it!"
The words "give up" grated on his nerves.
"Just do as I say!"
It was just that Sylvia had always been around him ever since he was a kid.
It was annoying.
Years ago, Sylvia was a cute, round-cheeked little thing.
And she'd follow him everywhere. So many kids were jealous of him.
He didn't always find her this irritating.
When did it all begin?
It was after they started high school.
He grew tall, and suddenly, it wasn't just boys around him anymore—girls started noticing him.
The first was the head of the art group in the class—tall, flawless-skinned, and always a bit aloof.
But he was the only guy she ever let get close.
His friends were green with jealousy.
And Sylvia?
In high school, she was still short with a baby face.
Always grinned at him, tagging along like a puppy he couldn't shake off.
Then came the school sports meet.
Charles took first place in the two-mile race.
The head of the art group handed him a bottle of water in front of people.
All eyes on the field were fixed on the two of them.
At this glorious moment, Sylvia showed up.
Clad in an oversized wolf costume, she clambered onto the podium.
Right in front of the whole school, she smacked him over the head with a cheap frying pan.
The crowd roared with laughter.
But Sylvia just blinked with innocence.
Even the head of the art group cracked up.
She laughed, "Charles, you're such a baby.
"Do this silly thing with Sylvia?"
*****
Charles shook his head.
He didn't know why he thought about that humiliating memory again.
He realized Megan was still watching him.
Then Charles snapped in a fit of rage.
"Just make sure she's gone by tomorrow," he ordered.
*****
I had just finished signing the contract with my client.
And when I was about to leave, Chloe and her lackeys came to corner me.
One of Chloe's friends snapped, "Sylvia, how can you be so shameless?
"Trying to ruin the proposal? You're just so wicked!"
I racked my brain.
But I just couldn't remember the address Megan had mentioned.
Now, it seemed okay even if I didn't remember.
Chloe stood at the center of the group in a white dress, her eyes red-rimmed.
"Don't say that," Chloe said sweetly. "Maybe Sylvia just came here in goodwill. After all, she and Charles are childhood friends."
One of them went furious. "Childhood friends? More like a crazy woman clinging to him.
"Charles said it himself—he doesn't want her ruining the proposal. She never even mattered to him."
The accusation just made it sound like I was some villain trying to ruin this perfect love story.
I unfolded the documents in my hand.
"I had no idea you'd be here," I said coolly, "nor do I care."
I tried to leave, but they blocked my path.
One of them sneered, "Still acting tough? Just as Charles said, no dignity at all.
"Don't go soft on her, Chloe. Who knows what this scheming woman is plotting? Get her."
Chloe pretended to hesitate, while her lackeys couldn't wait to act.
They shoved me back into the private room. I stumbled, and my phone slipped from my pocket.
Before I could reach my phone, someone kicked it away.
My expression hardened as I intended to call the police.
"Get away from me!" I snapped.
But in their eyes, I just looked furious with humiliation.
That only made them even more thrilled.
I was completely surrounded—there was no way out.
The moment I was locked in the closet, I saw Chloe standing at the back of the crowd through the crack.
She looked at me with her arms crossed and chin lifted.
I clenched my fists and steadied my breath.
I tried to talk reason with them. "This is illegal! I will hold every single one of you accountable.
"For the last time, I don't care about who Charles marries.
"Let me out."
Maybe my tone startled them.
But behind the crowd, Chloe started sniffling.
She seemed afraid. "Why did you do this? Let me call Charles—please, don't make things out of the hands."
The call connected after three seconds.
Chloe used her typical voice. "Charles, we've found Miss Chapman, but she's quite upset and things are getting a little out of hand."
His reply was instant. "Throwing another fit? I don't wanna hear anything about her. Just tell her to get lost."
"Charles, that's too harsh."
"She deserves it."
The call ended.
And I heard every word.
Good.
Call logs meant evidence.
Charles could be held accountable, too.
What a joke.
I wasn't even surprised when I heard what he said.
Then one of her friends said, "Did you hear that? Charles wants her gone.
"Lock her in. We'll let her out after tomorrow's proposal. No way she's ruining this."
The click of the lock plunged me into darkness.
Only a thin sliver of light remained.
They swaggered off without a second glance.
But moments later, someone returned.
A phone slid through the crack and its charger was still plugged in.
The screen was lit with a livestream.
Flowers, balloons, and three words—"Chloe, marry me."
I snorted.
I really couldn't help it.
I raised my voice. "Is this really necessary, Chloe?
"How many times do I have to say it? I don't care about you."
The footsteps outside paused for a second.
Without a word, Chloe turned the key in the lock.