Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

Valeria's smile faltered for a moment. "I get along well with Chloe, so why do you have to make it sound so unpleasant?"

Though she kept smiling, Valeria was secretly grinding her teeth in frustration. Madison had a knack for undermining people, and she seemed to enjoy it a bit too much. But she wasn't wrong this time. The timing of Jeffery demoting Claire and handing over shares might indeed be a sign. It looked like Sartori Corporation's future was going to be in her younger brother's hands. She had always had a lukewarm relationship with him, but today seemed like the perfect chance to show some loyalty and cozy up.

By the end of the meal, Chloe felt a bit queasy. She had just witnessed firsthand what it meant to hide a dagger behind a smile. It was a relief when the meal finally ended.

"Chloe, come with me," Marian said.

Chloe followed Marian to her room, where Marian retrieved something from the safe. It was an exquisitely crafted velvet box. Chloe felt a strange sense of familiarity looking at it. "This is a family heirloom of the Sartori family," Marian said. "I had planned to give it to Connor eventually, but since you and Connor are getting married, I'll leave it in your care." Hearing the words "family heirloom" made Chloe's heart skip a beat. The box felt incredibly heavy in her hands.

"Ma'am..."

"Open it and see."

Chloe opened it to reveal a pink pendant, pure and beautiful without any impurities. Suddenly, she recalled why the velvet box felt so familiar. It was identical to the lock Tara had given her. The pink lock, the pink pendant... Their materials and craftsmanship seemed very similar. Tara had mentioned that the gemstone lock was a gift from a prominent figure to Jacob on the day of her birth, a tremendous stroke of luck. Could it be related to the Sartori family?

Chloe didn't dwell on it much. "Since it's a family heirloom, it doesn't seem right for me to have it before Connor and I are married."

Marian waved her off. "Keep it. It'll be yours sooner or later."

Chloe had no choice but to take the pendant home, planning to give it to Connor to decide what to do.

As she was descending the stairs,

she ran into Pax. He looked up at her, then pretended not to recognize her and walked past, continuing upstairs Chloe felt a pang of sadness. It wasn't because he pretended not to know her, but because of his lifeless, weary eyes. His despondent look made Chloe's heart ache.

Chloe couldn't help but call out to him. Pax paused for a moment but didn't turn around. Chloe approached him. "Pax, don't be like this. Your mother's actions have nothing to do with you. Don't punish yourself for her mistakes. That was her life, not yours." Pax still kept his head down. His tears began to fall uncontrollably. "But she almost killed you and Uncle..."

"Pax..."

Pax still couldn't accept that his mother was a cold-blooded lunatic. To think that his uncle had grown up in such a grim environment, with so many attempts on his life, even by his own mother. All these years, he had been blissfully ignorant. Pax's tears wouldn't stop. He had been suppressing his feelings for so long, as if wearing a mask. But now, in front of Chloe, he just couldn't pretend anymore.

Chloe reached out, gently touching

his soft blond hair. "Pax, the one who

should feel guilty, sad, and

vel.f

remorseful isn't you. Although she is your mother, she only brought you into this world. Everyone is an independent individual, and everyone must take responsibility for their actions. Your mother had her own life circumstances, and we just don't know why she became what she is now, but none of it is your fault."

"Connor once said you are the purest sunflower blooming under the sun, so continue to bloom brightly and cheerfully. Don't let down your uncle's lifelong effort to protect your innocence. He wanted to shield you from the family's dark side, hoping you'd remain happy."

Pax suddenly stepped forward, leaning on Chloe's shoulder, and began to cry out loud. "Chloe, I'll never be happy again."