Chapter 2

Joren took a quick step forward and killed the TV.

He turned around with a sheepish smile.

"It's all just rumors. Don't even look at it."

He walked over and gently wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder. "Don't be mad. I'll make you your favorite carbonara, okay? Just like when we first got together."

His breath was warm, carrying the familiar scent of his cologne.

Carbonara.

It was my favorite. When Joren found out, he specifically tracked down a Michelin-star chef to learn the recipe.

The first time I had it, I was so happy I almost cried.

Seeing my red eyes, Joren didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Dummy, it's just a plate of pasta."

"I'll learn to make more for you in the future."

But even now, it was still the only dish he knew.

I silently shoved a bite of pasta into my mouth.

I don't know why, but it somehow tasted worse than before.

That night, we lay in bed as usual.

Joren rolled over, instinctively trying to pull me against his chest from behind.

But I subconsciously pulled away.

He frowned and was about to say something when his phone lit up on the nightstand.

In the dark, the faint glow was especially glaring.

I caught a glimpse of the notification. It was from Chloe: I miss you so much, baby.

There was also a picture of her in a sheer lace slip, striking a seductive pose.

Joren picked up the phone, a small, unconscious smile tugging at his lips, and his fingers tapped rapidly on the screen.

I saw his reply: You really are an insatiable wildcat.

I turned my head away, not wanting to see anymore, and simply shifted further away from him.

That night, an invisible abyss lay between us.

The next morning, I was woken by my phone ringing frantically.

It was my lawyer.

"Miss, there's a situation at the villa," his voice was anxious. "When I got here, I found someone has been living here for a while. She's got armed guards with her, and she's refusing to leave."

My stomach dropped to the floor.

That was a top-tier safe house I personally funded. The security system was flawless. How could some random person just break in?

"I'm on my way."

I grabbed my keys and sped straight to Beverly Hills.

As soon as I walked into the grand foyer, my lawyer rushed up to me, looking entirely helpless.

"Miss, she brought armed guards and took over the property. The security system was disabled with an internal passcode."

I frowned and marched deeper inside.

When I crossed into the main living room, I froze in my tracks.

Chloe, wearing a sheer silk slip dress, was lounging comfortably on the priceless Italian leather sofa. A few guards stood around her, serving her expensive drinks like she was the lady of the manor.

I recognized them instantly. They were Joren’s men.

It hit me like a freight train.

Joren played the proud, independent man to my face, refusing to live in the house I bought. But behind my back, he fully enjoyed the luxury and turned my property into a secret love nest for his mistress.

My manicured nails dug painfully into my palms. The anger rushed straight to my head.

Before I could demand answers, Chloe spotted me.

She placed her wine glass on the table and looked me up and down with absolute disgust.

"Where did this cheap hooker come from?" she sneered. "That’s a handmade Persian rug. If you ruin it, you couldn’t pay for it even if you sold yourself on the corner."

I marched right up to her and slapped away her pointing finger.

"I’ve already sold this house," I stated coldly. "Take your men and get the hell out. Now."

Chloe looked like she just heard the funniest joke in the world.

She stood up, mocked my plain outfit with her eyes, and laughed loudly for her guards to hear.

"Do you hear this? This broke bitch came all the way here to play boss!"

Her clueless guards instantly crowded around, echoing her vile insults.

"Who is this crazy bitch? The Boss gave this estate to Miss Chloe years ago!"

"Exactly. We all know Miss Chloe is the Don's ride-or-die. This place is hers."

"She probably saw the news about the Boss and Miss Chloe today and lost her damn mind trying to get a payout."

Listening to their trash talk, I forced down my boiling rage. I pulled a thick folder out of my bag, the deed and transfer papers my lawyer had just prepped.

"Look closely. I am the legal owner of this property," I said with lethal calm. "You have exactly five minutes to clear out, or I’m calling the cops."

Chloe took a step forward. Without even glancing at the pages, she snatched the folder from my hands and tossed it straight into the roaring fireplace.