Chapter 5 I'm Done With You

"Stop causing a scene. They were just joking around and meant no harm," Curtis said. Disappointment flashed in Chloe's eyes. Even when she was being mocked and humiliated in public, Curtis never said a single word in her defense. "What counts as 'harm' to you then?" she sarcastically shot back. "Should I kneel right here, slap myself, and say that I should've never married you? Don't forget that you were the one who proposed, Curtis." Curtis' friends exchanged uneasy glances, and even Sonya shifted uncomfortably. Curtis clenched his jaw as he grabbed Chloe's wrist. "Let's talk about this at home." "No, we'll talk right here," she spat, yanking her hand free. "To be honest, you and Sonya actually make a good match—one's a cheater and the other's a mistress. I wish you both a long and happy life together." Curtis' expression darkened, while Sonya's face went pale. Off to the side, Luke sneered. "What right do you have to talk like that, Chloe? You're nothing compared to Sonya, and did you really think that Curtis would love an orphan from some no-name college over her?" "That's bullshit!" Lena snapped, stepping forward. "What no-name college? Chloe graduated from the National Defense Academy!" Laughter erupted around them. "You're claiming that the no-name college she attended is the National Defense Academy?" "Chloe, you and your friend are the same—shameless, pathetic liars!" Sonya regained her composure and got up, smirking. "If you're going to boast, at least have the credentials to back it up. Lying about your education will only make you a complete fool." "Lying?" Lena fumed. "All it takes is one search in the registry, and you'll see it's the truth!" Chloe held Lena back and fixed her cold, steady gaze on Sonya. "I don't need your opinion on my education." Sonya frowned. Why did Chloe still seem so confident even when she'd been caught in a lie? She was so calm that it was unnerving. Just then, she noticed a group that had entered the restaurant and was about to pass by their table. Recognizing one of them, she warmly called out with a wide smile, "Professor Ostling, what a coincidence to see you here!" Recognizing Sonya, Gerald Ostling smiled politely. "It's been a while, Ms. Miller." Gerald was acquainted with the Millers, so there were frequent interactions between both parties. "You're a professor at the National Defense Academy, and as it happens, someone here claims to have studied there. I wonder if you know her," Sonya said sweetly. The others joined in, eager to see Chloe humiliated. "Yeah, Chloe. Since you claim to be a graduate from the academy, surely you should know professors, right?" Chloe calmly stepped forward. "It's been a long time, Professor Ostling." Mocking whispers broke out around them. "Wow, she's really putting on a show!" "As if she actually went to the academy!" "There's no way Professor Ostling knows her!" But the taunts died abruptly when Gerald gently patted Chloe's shoulder and said, "I didn't expect to see you here either. It's been years since we last met." "Yes, it's been a while. How have you been, Professor Ostling?" "I'm well. I heard about your parents. My condolences," Gerald said with a soft sigh. The onlookers, who'd been looking forward to a show, stared in stunned silence. Even Sonya's eyes widened in disbelief. "Professor Ostling, d-do you actually know her?" "Of course! She was my student, so how could I not know her? She was the top science student in Corvessia that year. When she enrolled at the academy, it caused quite a stir." The people who'd been ridiculing Chloe now looked indescribably gloomy, their expressions turning ugly. The top science student in Corvessia… Anyone who'd ever studied knew how tough it was to earn such recognition. Someone with that title could even be labeled a genius. Besides, the National Defense Academy was said to be more difficult to get into than the top-tier universities. In order to get accepted, one needed to demonstrate excellence in both academics and physical fitness. Sonya's face flushed with humiliation. Just moments ago, she'd called Chloe a fool, but now, she looked more like one instead. Even Curtis looked astonished. He'd never known about any of this because Chloe had never once boasted about her achievements. Even though they'd been married for three years, she suddenly felt like a stranger to him. "Is this your student, Professor Ostling?" A cool, calm voice cut through the tension, drawing everyone's attention back to reality. "Yes," Gerald said, turning around to introduce Chloe. "This is my student, Chloe Quall. Chloe, this is Mr. Brian Steele from Steele Group." The name "Brian Steele" dropped like a bomb in the room, and everyone's expressions shifted. After all, everyone knew that Brian had been declared Martin's successor. Everyone's faces lit up with eagerness. If they could form even the slightest connection to Brian, it could bring them immense benefits. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Quall," Brian said politely, extending his hand. Chloe recognized him as the man she'd seen outside the funeral home. Now, without an umbrella hiding his face, she could clearly see his face. His hair was swept back, revealing more of his sharp, chiseled facial features and deep, penetrating eyes that seemed both calm and dangerous. Although he spoke gently, it was impossible to guess what he was really thinking. "Nice to meet you, too, Mr. Steele," Chloe replied, shaking his hand. His hand was clean, yet the moment she touched him, she instinctively sensed danger, as though his hands could kill at any moment. Their handshake only lasted a moment before they drew away. The others nearby were practically jumping with excitement, eager to speak with Brian, but he seemed uninterested. "Professor Ostling, shall we proceed to the private room?" Gerald nodded, said a few more words to Chloe, and then followed Brian away. Once they were gone, Curtis approached Chloe. Clearly displeased, he asked, "Why didn't you ever tell me that you were a top science student and a graduate from the National Defense Academy?" She gave him a calm look. As far as she could recall, he'd never asked either. "Did it matter?" she murmured. Just as Curtis was about to respond, gunshots suddenly rang out in the restaurant. Chaos erupted, and screams pierced the air as someone opened fire in Brian's direction. Chloe stumbled and nearly fell over as she was suddenly shoved aside. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Curtis holding Sonya tightly and shielding her behind a partition. He was the one who'd pushed her away! In that moment of danger, Curtis had chosen to save Sonya and not Chloe, his wife. Just how many times would he let her down? A cold numbness seeped into Chloe's heart as she stared at Curtis expressionlessly. Had he even considered that he might've exposed her to stray bullets when he shoved her aside? As if sensing her gaze, Curtis looked over, guilt flickering across his face. When he'd heard the fired shots, his first instinct had been to protect Sonya, and by the time he snapped back to his senses, he realized he'd pushed Chloe away. Still, he told himself he would make it right later. After all, Chloe was easy to coax. In the past, regardless of what he'd done wrong, a few gentle words had always been enough to calm her down. Just as he was reassuring himself with that thought, his eyes suddenly widened. He froze, watching as Chloe's lips moved slowly and clearly, forming words meant for him. "Curtis, I'm done with you."