Chapter 3

3.

The divorce would be final in a month.

Chloe handled the division of assets and made a call to arrange the final details.

That afternoon, while she was working at her art gallery, Leo burst in and grabbed her wrist.

"What did you do to Lily? She came home from school crying, saying you were spreading rumors that her mother is a homewrecker!"

Leo's eyes were fierce, his words sharp. "She's eight years old, Chloe. Did you really have to go that far?"

"What?"

Before Chloe could speak, Sara, who had followed him in, cut her off, her eyes red from crying.

"There's nothing between me and Leo! He just feels sorry for me, helping me with my divorce and letting me be his assistant for a while. Why would you slander me and make my child suffer?!"

She wept, looking haggard and distraught. Her age made her seem even more pitiable, and many onlookers started to think Chloe was the one causing trouble.

Whispers erupted among the gallery staff.

"Vance finally cleaned up his act, and she's still making drama?"

"She even goes after a little kid. That's cold."

"These socialites…"

The wave of accusations made Chloe laugh bitterly. "What proof do you have that I did any of this?"

"Who else could it be?" Leo’s voice was ice.

"Last time, you leaked that actress's scandal to the tabloids to force me into a divorce. This is the same move."

Chloe was stunned into silence. "That was different, I was trying to get away from you―"

"You're coming with me to the school to apologize. Now!" Leo cut off her explanation.

He practically dragged her out of the gallery and to the principal's office at Lily's elementary school.

Leo's voice was frigid. "Make a public statement. Admit you spread the rumors and apologize."

Chloe shook her head, her expression impassive. "No. I didn't do it, so I won't apologize." She would never back down.

At her refusal, Sara completely broke down. She lunged forward and slapped Chloe twice, hard.

"How dare you!" Sara shrieked.

Chloe’s cheeks burned, her head reeling from the blows. No one had ever dared to hit her, Chloe Linwood, the untouchable heiress. Especially not her husband's old flame.

"You―" Enraged, she raised her hand to strike back, but Leo caught her wrist in a vice grip.

Chloe stared at him in shock. "You're just going to watch her hit me?! Leo Vance, are you insane?!"

Perhaps the fury and pain in her eyes got to him, because he loosened his grip.

The moment she was free, Chloe lunged, kicking Sara squarely in the stomach and sending her staggering backward.

They were right at the top of a staircase. "Help me!" Sara’s voice was filled with terror.

She tumbled helplessly down the flight of stairs.

Chloe froze. Leo rushed past her like a madman. "Sara!"

"Aah! It hurts!" Sara lay at the bottom, bleeding from her head, looking utterly pathetic.

Leo gathered her into his arms as she trembled, tears streaming down her face.

"Leo, all I want is a normal life. Please, make Mrs. Vance clear my name. Please don't let her hurt me again."

She cried pitifully, a picture of misery.

Chloe stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at them with cold detachment.

In that moment, the scales in Leo’s heart tipped decisively. He held Sara securely, his gaze fixed on Chloe, colder and harder than steel.

"Chloe Linwood, this isn't over."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Behind his back, where he couldn't see, Sara shot Chloe a triumphant smirk and mouthed three words: 'You lose.'

Watching his retreating back, Chloe felt a hollowing pain in her chest, as if her heart had been carved out.

After a long time, she sank to the floor, her body weak. A sharp, piercing pain shot through her lower abdomen.

Chloe knew it was true. She had lost.

Leo would now completely turn on her, no longer caring about her status or the alliance between their families. The last time he had done that, a rival CEO ended up weeping in bankruptcy court.

And that was just because the man had tried to put an arm around her waist at a gala.