billion book
Chapter 3
Linda's face went ghostly pale in an instant. Unease was written all over her features. She quickly apologized, “Chloe, I’m sorry. It was just an accident.” Her eyes welled up with tears, hovering on the brink but never quite falling, as if she had been gravely wronged. It was almost comical.
Chloe’s expression didn't change much; she was still smiling as she said, “Well, congratulations to you both.” To an outsider, it might've looked like a sincere congratulations between friends, but Chloe knew how deeply ironic her words were. After three years, she was no longer the naive girl she once was.-
“Chloe, can I... keep the baby?” Linda’s voice was cautious, almost pleading. Predictably, it worked wonders on Lucas.
“Linda, you don’t need to explain anything to her. This child is ours. Do we really need her permission?” Lucas snapped, glaring at Chloe as if she’d done something terrible to Linda, when all Chloe had done was say congratulations.
“Not at all. We’re all family here. If this were the old days, having children to carry on the family legacy would be a noble deed. Once the kid is born, they should call me ‘mom,’ right?”
“Chloe, what are you talking about?” Lucas' anger was palpable. Chloe laughed even harder. “Oh, come on, it’s just a joke. Why so serious? Grandpa asked me to take you to the family estate. Are you coming with me or staying with her?”
Lucas hesitated for a few seconds, then loaded his suitcase into Chloe’s trunk. “Let’s go to the Eldridge Hotel first.”
Chloe complied and dropped the two off at the hotel entrance. It took Lucas about half an hour to get Linda settled. Then, he got back into Chloe’s car, choosing to sit in the backseat, keeping his distance.
As the car merged back into city traffic, Chloe couldn't help but throw another jab. “If you care so much about her, why make her stay in a hotel? Especially now that she’s pregnant. At least you could’ve offered a mansion.”
Lucas’ voice was cold, simmering with suppressed anger. “Chloe, are you doing this on purpose?”
Chloe’s laughter was uncontrollable. “Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot you don’t own any property to your name.”
The Moncada family had always seen Chloe as Lucas’ future wife. Since she was in kindergarten, they had been buying properties in her name. Chloe had no fewer than a hundred properties, including over a dozen mansions and countless storefronts. Lucas, on the other hand, owned nothing.
However, Lucas was still the Moncada family's sole heir, and all Moncada International shares were in his name. From the beginning, Lucas had been watching Chloe. Her smile never wavered. They had grown up together, and no one knew her better than he did. Despite her cheerful facade, she was very vindictive. Seeing Linda pregnant must have infuriated her, prompting her sarcastic tone and barbs. Or maybe she was using the Moncada family's wealth to manipulate him. Lucas watched Chloe with a mix of disdain and frustration.
“Chloe, stop bullying Linda. And don’t even think about me coming back to you. I won’t fight over the Moncada assets that were given to you. Consider it compensation. But if you expect more, don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’ll even take back the title of Mrs. Moncada from you.”
Chloe’s demeanor shifted, her face growing serious. “Lucas, let’s get a divorce.”
No, to be precise, it should be a breakup.