Chapter 3

3.

Chloe tried to talk her way out of it. "Holden, you really are something! You conspired with Wyatt to spread lies about me just to frame me as a cheater!"

"What do you even gain by doing this to me?!"

I looked at her in absolute disbelief. I couldn't understand how such psychotic words could come out of the mouth of a woman I had loved for seven years.

Just as I was about to bite back, Elena gently patted my hand.

She smiled and said, "Holden, let it go. Since Miss Thorne doesn't believe a word you say, any further explanation is pointless."

"Who the hell do you think you are? You have no right to speak here!" Chloe was furious and lunged forward to shove Elena.

I quickly pulled Elena into my arms and blocked Chloe's attack with my arm.

I said coldly, "She is my fiancée, and she can say whatever she wants. Chloe, please stop making a fool of yourself."

Seeing me carefully protect Elena while speaking to her with such icy hatred, Chloe's eyes instantly turned red.

She looked at me pitifully, and her tone softened. "Holden, I can forgive you for everything that happened today, but there's a limit to your tantrums."

"If you apologize to me right now, I'll let this slide."

Seeing this, our friends also started trying to smooth things over.

"Holden, let it go. Don't hold a grudge against Chloe."

"Yeah, man. We all grew up together. There's no need to make things this ugly. Just shake hands and make peace."

Wyatt tried to grab my hand and place it in Chloe's.

I aggressively shook him off. "Are you guys deaf to what she's implying? She still wants me to act like her obedient little dog! Why the hell should I?"

The atmosphere instantly became deadlocked.

Chloe choked back her tears, raised her hand, and stepped forward to slap me.

I tightly grabbed her wrist and viciously threw it to the side. "Chloe, do you really think I won't lay a hand on you?"

Chloe stumbled back and almost fell, but Wyatt quickly caught her.

Just before I could demand answers from them, Elena took my hand.

She gently shook my arm and said softly, "Holden, everyone is in a bad mood today. Let's just leave for now. We can host a dinner for everyone some other time, okay?"

I turned to look at her. Elena playfully raised an eyebrow at me, and I instantly cracked a smile.

Interlocking my fingers with hers, I looked down at her warmly. "Alright, whatever you say."

I nodded at my friends and was about to leave with Elena.

"Why are you kids hiding in the corner? The banquet has started, why aren't you going inside?" Professor Miller walked over, arm in arm with his wife.

I stopped in my tracks and apologized, "I'm so sorry, Professor. It's your big day, and I haven't even had the chance to congratulate you yet."

"It's never too late for good wishes. Thank you, my boy."

The professor smiled and said, "You guys were inseparable in college, and it's great to see you still sticking together after graduation."

"Holden, you and Chloe have been together for so many years. Don't forget to invite your old professor when you tie the knot!"

The atmosphere turned incredibly awkward again.

I generously pulled Elena forward and introduced her. "Professor, Chloe and I actually broke up a while ago. This is Elena, my fiancée."

The professor widened his eyes in surprise. After congratulating me and chatting for a bit, he guided us back to the banquet hall.

I couldn't really refuse, so I led Elena to our table.

Chloe shamelessly sat down right on my other side.

Elena smiled, signaling me not to worry about it.

Throughout the meal, I solely focused on taking care of Elena and barely ate anything myself.

Chloe watched us, loudly clanking her silverware against her plate.

As the banquet was ending, she finally couldn't hold back anymore. "Holden, you've taken this act too far. Don't be ungrateful. If you walk out that door without apologizing, don't ever expect me to forgive you!"

I ignored her entirely and gently asked Elena, "Are you full?"

Elena nodded her head.

"Then let's go." I stood up, grabbed Elena's purse, and took her small hand in mine.

Then, I looked down at Chloe with a commanding presence.

"Chloe, I hope today is the last time we ever cross paths."