Owen Sterling didn’t refuse. He smiled and said, "Since you put it that way, I’d be happy to accept."
Chloe Reed drove, taking him directly to one of her favorite restaurants.
She ordered the house specialties, then turned to Owen Sterling. "Is there anything else you’d like?"
Owen Sterling said, "This should be enough, don’t you think? I’ll be stationed here for a while, so I can try everything gradually."
"Alright."
Chloe Reed nodded and dismissed the waiter.
She looked at him and asked, "Didn’t you want to talk to about Sunny Reed last night?"
The topic had been forgotten after what suddenly happened.
Asking about it was part of the reason she’d invited him to dinner today.
Owen Sterling said, "She told she wants to resign. You two are related, right? I was hoping you might know why she wants to quit."
Chloe Reed’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. ’After everything she did to get close to just to get under my skin, now she wants to resign?’
’I just don’t buy it.’
"We’re not close."
Chloe Reed stated bluntly.
Owen Sterling nodded. "Fair enough. I just thought you might know sothing."
Chloe Reed took a sip of water, her thoughts a ss.
"I have a question for you, but it’s fine if you don’t want to answer," Owen Sterling said, his expression turning inquisitive and hesitant. "What exactly is your relationship... with Mr. Grant?"
He’d seen Walker Grant earlier today.
And of course, he recognized him as the man who’d shown up so unexpectedly last night.
He was the one who’d taken Chloe Reed away.
It was obvious their relationship wasn’t a simple one.
Chloe Reed said, "My dying husband."
Owen Sterling drew in a sharp breath. His eyes filled with sympathy as he looked at her. "Does he... have an illness?"
"Yes. Terminal," Chloe Reed said, nodding with utmost seriousness.
Her expression was so earnest it was as if she truly wanted Walker Grant to die.
’Things would be so much quieter if he were dead.’
"I’m sorry, I didn’t an to bring up sothing so painful," Owen Sterling said apologetically.
"It’s fine." Chloe Reed managed a small smile. "I ca to terms with it a long ti ago. He’s the one who refuses to accept it."
Owen Sterling nodded grimly. "It’s a devastating blow. Of course it wouldn’t be easy to accept. Who wouldn’t want a few more years?"
Chloe Reed had to suppress a twitch in her lips as she asked, "Have you found a place yet?"
At the ntion of this, Owen Sterling’s expression beca difficult to read. "Chloe Reed, did I give you the mistaken impression that I’m rich? Why were all the places you recomnded so expensive? I’m just a departnt manager, you know."
"Sorry." Chloe Reed held up her hands in surrender. "I honestly don’t know much about it. You should probably contact a real estate agent to help you."
Owen Sterling nodded, his expression complex. "I’ve already found one."
The food arrived quickly, and the atmosphere between them was pleasant. Owen Sterling struck a good balance—maintaining a professional distance while still being easy to talk to, and his gaze was frank and open.
Chloe Reed was actually enjoying herself.
But her good mood didn’t last long.
"Auntie..."
A small, childish voice suddenly piped up. It was timid and fearful, as if the speaker was being forced to say hello.
Her hand, holding her chopsticks, tightened. She didn’t want to look up; she wanted to ignore it completely.
But the man had already carried the child over and sat down beside her.
"Noah is saying hello to you. When you always ignore him like this, it just makes him more afraid of you," Walker Grant said, his tone full of exasperation.
Chloe Reed put down her chopsticks and turned to face him. "Are you following ?"
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