I Slept with My Boss and Ran Away

Chloe was visibly shaken by Meredith's words. Deep within, Chloe harbored a secret-a secret that now seemed exposed, as Bianca and Meredith appeared to be in the know, not to mention the questions Justin had raised earlier. Who could have possibly revealed her hidden child?

Recalling her visit to Mr. Oakley at the orphanage, Chloe wondered if he had betrayed her. This time, she didn't deny it, surrendering to her reality, "I had no choice; who could possibly bear to abandon their own child?"

Seeing Chloe's admission, Meredith pressed on without showing emotion, "What drove you to such extremity, to leave your own child?"

Chloe, aiming to stir Meredith's sympathy, shared a mix of truth and lies, "This secret has been buried in my heart for over twenty years. When I left the capital alone to do business in Europe, I met a man. Naïve and young, I was deceived. After I became pregnant, the man disappeared without a word. To be unmarried and pregnant over twenty years ago invited scorn and disgrace, which could tarnish our family's reputation..."

As Chloe spoke, her eyes welled up-it was the first time she had spoken of her youth's hardships. She harbored both resentment and regret, despising the man who had left her. "I couldn't bear to terminate the pregnancy, so I secretly gave birth to the child," Chloe added.

Meredith, tightening her grip, asked, "Then why didn't you raise the child?"

"My daughter was stolen by the nanny," Chloe half-lied. "By the time I realized, the nanny had also vanished. Back then, without today's means of communication, searching for someone was like finding a needle in a haystack."

Meredith studied Chloe intently, wishing she would acknowledge her true identity, but Chloe did not. As the conversation reached a critical juncture, Chloe changed the subject, "Meredith, just call Terrence Sterling. My sister adores you, cares for you in every way. Joy is her only daughter; you cannot repay kindness with malice."

"I have no obligation to help you. If there's nothing else, please leave," Meredith responded bluntly, giving Mrs. Wooten a nod, "Mrs. Wooten, please show her out."

Meredith had given Chloe a chance, but Chloe had chosen not to recognize her. As Meredith ascended the stairs, she heard Chloe plead, "Meredith, Meredith." Mrs. Wooten intervened, "Miss Chloe, please leave, our young lady needs to rest."

Furious, Chloe stormed to the door and spat in disdain.

From the upstairs balcony, Meredith watched Chloe's departing figure. She pondered Chloe's tearful recount of her past; though Chloe loved her daughter, why didn't she acknowledge her? Chloe was seeking her, wasn't she? Even if not acknowledging, why display such disdain?

Despite the distance, Meredith could guess from Chloe's demeanor that harsh words were exchanged, probably laden with curses. What kind of mother doesn't recognize her child and yet curses?

Meredith now harbored doubts about whether she truly was Chloe's daughter. If not, why would Chloe search for someone with a birthmark in an orphanage? Who was Chloe really looking for? Regardless of whether Chloe was her mother, Meredith believed Chloe knew her true identity.

**North District Villa**

Joy Chaucer, pale as a ghost from blood loss, sat with the blood on the floor slowly congealing. She still refused to admit to killing Ruby Kim or harming Fiona. Clenching her lips, she endured her mounting fear as a golden python circled nearby.

Terrence Sterling, losing patience, signaled to the python, "Popo, enjoy your dinner." At his command, the python's tail coiled around Joy Chaucer, lifting her and squeezing tightly, her face turning a deep red as her blood rushed to her head, her bones felt like they were crushing under the python's grip, her eyes bulging with the struggle to breathe.

"Boss..." Harvey Fieldmouse could hardly bear to watch, knowing the longstanding relationship between their families, this could end fatally.

Terrence Sterling glared at Joy Chaucer, "Debts must be paid."

With those words, he walked towards the door, his phone ringing the moment he stepped outside-it was Grandma Sterling calling. Frowning, Terrence picked up, "Grandma."

The aged voice of Grandma Sterling came through, "Terry, that's enough. Don't let this end in death."