"What’s even more ridiculous is that to stop me from investigating, he deliberately bribed the people who knew what happened back then, telling them to say they’d never met me..."

Chloe Reed took a deep breath and looked at him. "How can a person be so despicable?"

Preston Vance’s brow furrowed. "What he did was indeed out of line. Chloe, if you need it, I can help you investigate."

Chloe Reed said, "I’ve already sent my own people to investigate, but there are no results yet."

Preston Vance then said, "Having another team investigating creates another possibility. My people are very discreet. They won’t reveal their purpose, and they’ll bring you results quickly."

Hearing his words, Chloe Reed’s eyes brightened a little, but she was still hesitant. "Won’t this be too much trouble for you?"

"Now you’re sounding like a stranger." Preston Vance sighed. "I wasn’t able to help you with your grandmother’s situation before, and I already feel terrible about it. Now that I finally have a chance to make it up to you, you absolutely can’t refuse me."

Chloe Reed picked up her wine glass. "Alright, then I’ll leave it to you."

Preston Vance clinked glasses with her. "I won’t let you down."

The two of them drank, and getting some of the frustration off her chest made her feel much more comfortable.

When the food was served, her appetite had improved as well.

At one point, she got up to go to the restroom. It was located near the end of a hallway, which featured a window overlooking the tavern’s backyard.

When Chloe Reed came out of the restroom, she stood by the window for some fresh air. Then, she saw a familiar figure pass by the entrance to the small courtyard.

In the flickering light, she saw Sunny Reed’s face.

’Why would Sunny Reed be here?’

Chloe Reed instinctively leaned forward, wanting to get a better look.

"Chloe."

But Preston Vance’s voice came from behind her. "What are you looking at?"

Chloe Reed pulled her gaze back and said, "Nothing, I’m just getting some air."

Preston Vance looked at her slightly flushed face and said, "You’ve had a bit too much to drink. We should get going."

Chloe Reed was also feeling dizzy as the alcohol started to hit. She knew she shouldn’t overdo it, so she nodded. "Okay."

Preston Vance said, "I’ve already called for a designated driver. We’ll wait a bit."

"Mm."

Back at their table, Chloe Reed took out her phone and sent a message to Daniel Hayes.

Chloe Reed: [I think I saw Sunny Reed. Go take a look around the area.]

Daniel Hayes: [Okay.]

A few minutes later, Daniel Hayes messaged back.

Daniel Hayes: [Miss Reed, I don’t see her.]

Chloe Reed stared at her phone, a flicker of doubt in her eyes. ’Did I see wrong?’

"Chloe, the designated driver is here."

Preston Vance’s voice came just then.

"Oh, okay."

Chloe Reed put away her phone and stood up to leave the tavern with him.

However, there was a step on the way out. Dizzy, she didn’t notice it and missed her footing.

She let out a cry of alarm. Preston Vance, who was beside her, quickly reached out and put an arm around her shoulders, steadying her.

"Can you walk on your own?" he asked with concern. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

After a brief moment of fear, Chloe Reed pushed him away and said, "I’m fine. Thanks for that."

She had just been lost in thought and hadn’t been watching her step. It wasn’t as if she was too drunk to walk.

Preston Vance opened the car door for her, and the two of them left the tavern together.

A bodyguard in the shadows snapped a photo of the scene and sent it off immediately. On the other side of the ocean, a man who had just checked into his hotel received the bodyguard’s message.

When he saw the intimately posed man and woman in the photo, his expressionless face instantly darkened.