The atmosphere in the office was tense.
Chloe Reed had always kept to herself, her personality aloof. The others weren’t close to her and had thought they could push her around this ti, getting so payback for Sunny Reed. They hadn’t expected, however, that she wasn’t soone to be trifled with.
Her fierce gaze was enough to frighten anyone.
Now, no one dared to get near her.
Chloe Reed, however, was happy for the peace and quiet. She busied herself with her tasks and focused on getting her work done.
But that evening, Autumn Linton gave her a call.
Chloe Reed answered, her tone icy. "Hello? What is it?"
Autumn Linton’s voice was gentle. "Chloe, how about coming ho for dinner tonight?"
Chloe Reed refused flatly. "I can’t. I’m busy."
Autumn Linton sounded hurt. "Chloe, I miss you. I haven’t seen you in days. Please co ho."
Her mother’s voice was gentle, yet her tone was tinged with pleading.
Chloe Reed couldn’t bear that tone of voice, so she relented. "Alright, I’ll be back tonight."
Autumn Linton imdiately brightened up. "Wonderful! I’ll cook your favorite dishes. Be careful on the way ho."
"Okay, I know."
Chloe Reed hung up the phone and couldn’t help but let out a heavy sigh.
She packed her things, clocked out, and drove to the Reed Villa.
By the ti she arrived at the front door, the sky had already darkened. A pale afterglow still lingered on the horizon, casting a faint, golden halo.
Chloe Reed glanced at it before getting out of her car and walking into the villa.
"Mom, I’m ho."
She called out as she entered.
Autumn Linton, wearing an apron, was delighted to see her return. She grabbed her hand. "Chloe, have you lost weight again? Have you not been eating well? I heard you started work. How’s it going?"
Chloe Reed offered a small smile and said, "Everything’s fine."
But Autumn Linton pressed, "So, have you and Sunny been fighting recently?"
Chloe Reed looked at her. "Did you ask to co back because you missed , or because you thought I was bullying Sunny Reed again and wanted to call ho for a lecture?"
"Insolent!" A sharp rebuke ca from upstairs—it was Charles Reed. "Is that any way to speak to your mother? She just asked a simple question. Why must you read so much into it?"
The smile vanished from Chloe Reed’s lips. Looking at Charles Reed’s grim expression, she suddenly realized her suspicions might have been right all along.
’They called back to condemn .’
Chloe Reed pulled her hand from Autumn Linton’s grasp. Her expression was flat as she asked, "Just say it. What did Sunny Reed tell you this ti?"
"Your sister didn’t say a thing!" Charles Reed looked at her, his expression full of disappointnt. "It’s because we know you. We know you two are working together, and we know you’ll bully her. Chloe Reed, can’t you be a little more tolerant? A little more magnanimous? Can’t you just be a kind, decent person?"
Chloe Reed felt an overwhelming sense of weariness.
She looked at Autumn Linton, her gaze complex. "Mom, don’t call again. From now on, I’m not coming back."
Autumn Linton rushed forward, her face etched with anxiety. "No, that’s not it, Chloe. Your father and I just want to show our concern for you both. You’re sisters, after all. Why must there be such deep-seated hatred between you? Why can’t you just get along peacefully?"
Chloe Reed felt as if her heart had been plunged into ice water; the cold was piercing.
’They’re playing good cop, bad cop, treating like a fool.’
’It’s pointless.’
’Utterly pointless.’
Chloe Reed said, "How about this: just disown . Then you’ll only have one daughter, Sunny Reed, and you won’t have to worry about bullying her all the ti."
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