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Chapter 5
Tara was fuming. "Don't just look at Chloe. Someone snapped a photo of you two at the airport, and now it’s all over the news."
"Are you even aware that you're married? How could you do this to Chloe? In terms of looks, brains, and personality, Chloe is way better to that conniving woman?"
Lucas, irritated by the nagging, shot back, "Mom, stop calling her that. Linda is not like that."
Tara, now even angrier, retorted, "Still defending her? You're absolutely blind. I can't deal with you, but your grandfather will. Go to the study; he's waiting for you."
Lucas, with a cold face, stomped off to the study.
Tara clutched her chest in rage. "Why did I give birth to such a disappointment?"
Chloe tried to soothe her. "Don't get so worked up. You need to look after yourself." Text © owned by NôvelDrama.Org.
Tara felt a deep pang of heartache at Chloe's attempt to brush it off. "Chloe, don't worry. Even if I disown my own son, you’ll still be my daughter-in-law. Our whole family will stand by you."
Chloe was moved and held Tara's arm. "I'm okay."
After Lisa returned to the Meadows family, Leah's attitude towards Chloe had changed, leaving Tara as the only one who acted like a true mother to her. When Chloe had attempted suicide, Tara was beside herself with grief. Chloe had been in the hospital for a week, with Tara by her side day and night, while Leah hadn't visited once.
Three years had passed. Her feelings and obsession for Lucas had long since faded. She no longer harbored such hatred for Linda. What remained was just a bit of unwillingness to let go. So, she
decided to end the relationship herself. But she truly didn't want to leave the Moncada family. Where could she go if she left?
After talking to Tara for a while, Chloe went upstairs. She passed by the study and overheard Joshua reprimanding Lucas.
"If you want to divorce Chloe, fine, but twenty percent of the company's shares will be transferred to Chloe's name.
"If you marry that woman, you'll resign from Moncada International, and we won't give you a dime."
Lucas sounded angry, too. "Grandpa, how can you be so biased? Chloe is just an imposter from the Meadows family. I'm your real grandson. The Meadows family doesn't even acknowledge her anymore, so why do you care so much about her?"
Joshua sounded extremely disappointed. "I don't care about Chloe's status. All I know is I was the first to hold her when she was born, and I watched her grow up. The Meadows family may have their grievances with her, but we don't care about that. You should understand that the old grievances of the previous generation have nothing to do with Chloe. She's always been a victim. You don't have to care for her, but if you think of mistreating her along with others? I won't allow it!"
Lucas tried to argue, but Joshua cut him off. "Remember, you can give up being Chloe's husband, but you'll also be giving up your position as heir to the Moncada family. I won't stop you if you're willing to do that."
After listening for a while, Chloe returned to her room. The Moncada family had been too good to her. Since the incident with her family, the Moncadas had protected her at every turn. Forcing Lucas to marry her was also to provide a safe haven for her.
Half an hour later, Lucas returned to the room. He saw Chloe sitting at the vanity, removing her makeup, her posture lazy. With her exquisite makeup removed, the mirror reflected a delicate and ethereal face.
"Chloe, what magic potion have you given Grandpa to make him favor you over his own grandson?"
Chloe, applying a face mask, moved elegantly and spoke casually. "Maybe he just thinks I'm more reliable than his own grandson. You disappeared for three years over a woman. From their perspective, it's quite ungrateful."
"So you took advantage of the situation by winning their favor? Did you convince Grandpa to take away my shares if we split up?" Lucas scoffed, "Chloe, you're really going to great lengths to keep me."
Finally turning to face him, Chloe said calmly, "Don't blame me. I never did such a thing."