The elevator doors opened, and Nathaniel Monroe helped Chloe Reed to her apartment door.

Chloe Reed pushed him away. "Okay, I’m home. You... can go now."

Nathaniel Monroe let go of her and said, "Alright, I’ll be going then."

He turned to get into the elevator, but after a moment’s thought, he couldn’t stop himself from asking, "Sister-in-law, do you really not love Walker anymore?"

Chloe Reed had already opened her door. She didn’t answer his question at all, simply shutting the door in his face.

Nathaniel Monroe was thoroughly rebuffed. He sulked back into the elevator.

He immediately took out his phone and sent a text message.

Nathaniel Monroe: [Walker, I’ve dropped her off at home.]

He didn’t get a response, but he was used to it and left directly.

...

Chloe Reed took a shower. The effects of the alcohol had subsided a bit, but her mind was still foggy. She made herself a glass of honey water.

Just then, her phone vibrated.

Preston Vance: [I made some hangover soup. Do you want some? It’ll keep you from having a headache tomorrow.]

Chloe Reed: [No, thank you. I’m not feeling bad anymore.]

Preston Vance: [That’s good.]

Chloe Reed placed her phone face down on the table, propped her head in her hand, and massaged her temples with her fingers.

She was still thinking about the familiar figure she had seen at the tavern.

Just then, Daniel Hayes called her.

"Miss Reed, I did some digging. A few days ago, Walker Grant sent Judith Pierce abroad. He originally planned to send Sunny Reed out of the country with her, but who knew that Sunny would run away at the airport. They still haven’t found her."

Chloe Reed lifted her gaze slightly. "Could that figure in the tavern have been her?"

Daniel Hayes paused in thought for a moment. "It’s possible. But I haven’t found out who picked her up and is hiding her."

A sense of unease inexplicably surfaced in Chloe Reed’s heart.

’Sunny Reed is missing. What is she going to do?’

Her muddled head was making her thoughts sluggish.

She sighed and said, "Protect me from the shadows. I’m probably the person she hates most right now."

Daniel Hayes’s tone became more solemn. "Rest assured."

...

After a few busy days, the final work on the recording was nearly complete.

Her grandmother’s condition improved steadily, so she was discharged from the hospital and returned to Maplewood Gardens to recuperate.

Chloe Reed kept the same caregivers on and also hired a cook.

The old lady actually wanted to go back to her own home.

So Chloe Reed said, "Grandma, you haven’t fully recovered yet. Who will take care of you if you go back? Just rest here and recuperate. When you’re all better, I won’t stop you."

The old lady could only nod obediently. "Alright, I’ll listen to you."

Chloe Reed’s lips curved into a smile as she watched TV with her grandmother.

In the blink of an eye, seven days passed.

Walker Grant returned from his business trip.

Chloe Reed had been counting the days. As soon as she learned he was back today, she called him immediately.

After three rings, the call connected.

"Hello?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

The man’s voice was cold and magnetic.

Chloe Reed said, "Let’s file for divorce tomorrow."

The man on the other end of the line fell silent, then let out a sneer. "Chloe Reed, tell me, are you in a rush to get remarried?"

Chloe Reed’s brow furrowed. "That’s my business. What’s it got to do with you? All you need to do right now is file for divorce with me. You promised me that."

Walker Grant sneered again, then said, "I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I’m not back yet."

"You’re not back?!" Chloe Reed’s voice rose. "Walker Grant, are you playing games with me?"