Chapter 45 This Umbrella is a Fake
Now alone in the bedroom with Samuel, Chloe asked, "Samuel, are you hungry? I could make you some porridge?" Chloe hadn't seen Samuel in a long time, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
"I’m not hungry. The thing is..." Samuel scooted closer on the bed to Chloe, murmuring, "I pretended to faint."
Chloe was taken aback, questioning, "Why?"
"To bring you back. I don't have many days left, and I want to see you as much as I can." Samuel commented.
Hearing this, tears streamed down Chloe’s face as she choked out, "Samuel."
"I heard what Paisley said earlier. I’ve disliked her since six years ago and always thought she was scheming. I'm on your side, but you have to stand up for yourself. If Donovan keeps pushing you away, Paisley will swoop in."
"Samuel, how did you know?" Tears and embarrassment mingled on Chloe’s face, surprised that Samuel had seen through it all.
"What can’t I see at my age?" Samuel declared.
A pang of fear struck Chloe.
‘Surely Samuel didn’t also know about their agreed marriage?’
‘What would she do if he knew?’ Chloe pondered.
"Listen to me, stand up for yourself. Donovan is a stubborn one. He'll yield to softness."
Chloe nodded, "I’m starting to see that."
"He's quite a bit older than you. He should be pampering you, but sometimes you need to go with the flow, right?" He said this tenderly.
"Okay. Samuel, have an orange," Chloe peeled a segment for Samuel.
When Paisley got into the car, she noticed the umbrella lying on the passenger seat.
A European brand, Mariotalarico.
Paisley remembered that Donovan didn't have a habit of using umbrellas.
He liked to walk in the rain alone, and there was never an umbrella in his car.
It was highly unlikely that his habits had suddenly changed.
So, this umbrella wasn't something he had purchased himself.
As for who bought it, it went without saying.
Paisley felt a pang of jealousy mixed with discomfort.
"Donovan, how could you buy a fake umbrella?" Paisley said, holding the umbrella, her tone teasing as she spoke to Donovan.
Donovan never used umbrellas, so naturally, he wouldn't be familiar with the brands or be able to judge their authenticity.
Donovan inquired, "What?" He had already started the car.
"This umbrella, it's a fake, you got scammed, huh?" Paisley pretended to examine the umbrella.
"Is that so?" Donovan frowned deeply, pondering.
"That's right, a genuine one would cost over nine thousand, but a knockoff, judging by the craftsmanship, would be less than one-twentieth the price of a real one." Paisley remarked sternly. "Donovan, carrying this umbrella would be beneath you. What if your clients saw it in your car? They'd think New East Group was all show. I'll throw it away for you."
"No need. Just leave it." Donovan responded. His voice was icy.
Paisley smirked and put down the umbrella.
She figured Donovan wouldn't bother verifying its authenticity. he didn't have the time for that and would just take out his frustration on Chloe.
Paisley was already quite pleased with the way Donovan had treated Chloe earlier that day, making her stand as a punishment.
In time, she was confident she could drive a wedge between them for good.
When Paisley got out of the car, she told Donovan, "Chloe comes from a simple background, she doesn't understand these things. Don't be too harsh on her. too much severity might backfire. You hear me, Donovan?"
"I'm leaving." With those words, Donovan's car sped away.
On the road, he glanced at the umbrella again.
Even if she didn't want to spend over nine thousand, she could have bought a cheaper one. What did she really think of him?
And the money she had, it all came from him, yet she wouldn't part with a cent for him!
When Donovan got home and was locking his car, his phone buzzed with a WhatsApp message from Logan.
[Big Bro, I don't think Chloe had any ulterior motives when buying that computer. She spent her own money—she told me she sold her dad's old house.]
Donovan clenched his jaw tightly. There sure were a lot of people trying to sway his judgment! It seemed that he wouldn't be doing justice to these mediators if he didn't give Chloe a hard time. He couldn't fathom why Logan was bringing up the computer purchase after all this time. Was he trying to challenge Donovan's patience and add fuel to his ire?
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