Chloe Reed shook her head. "It’s just a work thing. I’ll handle it."

’This whole thing is too dangerous,’ she thought. ’The fewer people involved, the better. I don’t want to drag anyone innocent into this.’

Preston Vance nodded. "Well, if you run into any trouble, you can always come to me. Trust me, we can solve it together."

Chloe Reed smiled at him. "Thank you, Mr. Vance."

"We know each other well enough now. Can we drop the ’Mr. Vance’? It feels so formal." Preston Vance looked at her with a helpless expression. "If calling me by my name feels awkward, you can just call me Preston."

"Preston?" Chloe Reed said tentatively.

"Yeah, that’s better." Preston Vance’s lips curved into a smile. "I wish my sister were as sensible as you."

Chloe Reed stood up. "Miss Vance is actually very nice when she isn’t having one of her episodes. Preston, I’m going to head back and clear my head. I’ll get out of your hair."

Preston Vance laughed. "Alright. I’ll walk you out."

The two of them walked toward the door, but when they opened it, they found Ivy Vance standing right outside, her hand raised as if to knock.

"Brother, what is she doing here?"

The moment Ivy Vance saw Chloe Reed, her expression darkened.

Preston Vance said, "Chloe is my guest. She came to visit. Is there a problem?"

"Just friends?" Ivy Vance looked unconvinced.

Chloe Reed looked at her coldly. "If you think there’s something wrong with your brain, you should just check into a hospital. I happen to know a neurosurgeon. Should I introduce you?"

Ivy Vance’s face fell. "Are you insulting me?"

Chloe Reed raised an eyebrow. "Just returning the favor. What, you’re allowed to be passive-aggressive with me, but I’m not allowed to insult you directly?"

"Ha!" Ivy Vance sneered. "Chloe Reed, did Walker Grant dump you or something? And now you’ve turned around and set your sights on my brother? Let me tell you, you can forget about it. Our family will never accept you!"

"Ivy!"

Preston Vance’s tone deepened. "You’re being way too hostile toward her. She’s never done anything to you."

Ivy Vance rolled her eyes. "I just don’t like her. So what?"

’No one knew she was in love with Walker Grant.’

’She and Walker Grant had been classmates in college, but Chloe Reed had used every trick in the book to seduce him away. She hated that bitch’s guts!’

’Now, she prayed every day that Walker Grant and Chloe Reed would get a divorce.’

’Chloe Reed was her rival.’

Preston Vance pulled Ivy Vance inside and then turned to Chloe Reed, his face full of apology. "I’m sorry. Let me apologize on her behalf."

But Chloe Reed said, "Why on her behalf? She’s an adult. She should apologize to me herself."

Her attitude was sharp, and her eyes were cold.

"Me, apologize to you? What a joke!" Ivy Vance sneered. "I just don’t like you. From now on, I’ll insult you every time I see you. If you’re smart, you’ll stay away from me, or else—"

SLAP!

A loud slap echoed through the room.

Chloe Reed shook out her hand. "Insult me again, and I’ll slap you. Try me if you don’t believe it."

Ivy Vance clutched her face in disbelief. "You actually dared to hit me?"

She immediately spun to face Preston Vance. "Brother, did you see that? She hit me! She actually dared to hit me! Teach her a lesson!"

But Preston Vance didn’t move. He just looked at her with a cold gaze. "So, you enjoy getting hit?"

"You..."

Ivy Vance hadn’t expected this reaction from him and immediately burst into tears. "I’m going to tell Mom! You won’t even protect your own sister because of this woman!"

She ran out, crying.