Chapter 189


    Chapter 189 Are You Jealous?


    Chloe’s face registered astonishment as she responded, “No. What did you hear?”


    She had briefly worked alongside the janitor when she first joined Fairlight but had since transferred to


    the marketing department. They would asionally exchange a few words when they crossed paths in


    thepany, gradually bing acquainted with one another.


    “One of your department colleagues has been badmouthing you in the restroom for several days, and


    it’s the same person every time.”


    A shadow of concern crept over Chloe’s face as she inquired, Do you happen to know the name of that


    person?”


    “I heard others calling her Ms. Nelly or Kelly or something like that,” the janitor replied.


    Chloe’s mind quickly made the connection -the marketing department had only one person with a name


    that sounded like that, Ellie Miller.


    Coincidentally, as Chloe made her way to Joseph, she crossed paths with a high–level executive from


    another department who gave her a thumbs–up and a smile. “Good going, Chloe! On your way to see


    Mr. Joseph again?”


    She forced a smile, her body tensing slightly. “I’m just heading to the rooftop for some fresh air.”


    “Don’t be shy. Ellie already spilled the beans. You’re pursuing Mr. Joseph, always heading upstairs to


    find him after work.


    TI


    Your boldness is admirable but let me give you some friendly advice, there’s a limit to everything. Don’t


    bother Mr. Joseph too much and risk getting fired.”


    In Fairlight, there was no shortage of women who fancied Joseph, but only a few had the courage to


    take action. First, they were well aware of their worthiness, and second, they also knew that Joseph


    was not an easy person to deal with. While there were no explicit rules, the employees understood that


    office romances were not encouraged within thepany.


    Considering Ellie’s attitude toward Chloe, it was clear that the situation was far from being as


    euphemistic as it appeared on the surface. In the eyes of others, Chloe’s behavior was not seen as


    courageous, but rather a disy of herck of emotional intelligence.


    “To be honest with you, I recently had a minor conflict with Ellie. She has recently turned to making


    snide remarks about me. As a high–level leader such as yourself, it’s important to be cautious about


    attracting unwanted attention. If someone with ulterior motives were to hear these potentially fake


    rumors from you, it might reflect poorly on your reputation.”


    The executive pondered for a moment, lost in thought. Chloe remained silent after conveying her point.


    She chose not to borate any further. This time, she genuinely went to the rooftop, not in search of


    Joseph, but to gather her thoughts. and prepare to call him, arranging a meeting in the


    underground parking lot.


    When she dialed the number, it was Lucas who picked up the phone. He cast a nce at the woman


    conversing with Joseph not far away and felt a tinge of guilt as he responded, “Ms. Chloe, please head


    home first. Mr. Joseph is still in a meeting.”


    “Should I still head home for dinner?”


    A momentary silence ensued as if Lucas was consulting Joseph. Finally, the response came, “Mr.


    Joseph says he’ll join you home for dinner.”


    After hanging up the phone, Chloe frowned at her phone. Her woman’s intuition was telling her that


    something was about to happen.


    Upon arriving at the vi, dinner was already prepared,


    punctually served at eight o’clock. Chloe cast a nce at the darkening sky outside the window and


    furrowed her brows. Joseph had a good sense of time. They had known each other for some time now,


    and he had never beente before. This was the first time.


    It was not until ten o’clock that Joseph returned. Chloe keenly noticed the faint creases on his


    impably tailored suit, as though someone had been clinging tightly to his arm. Her eyes flickered


    with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, and the first person that came to her mind was Xavia Larson.


    “Let’s eat,” Joseph said as he tossed his suit onto the sofa. He closed his eyes and massaged his


    temples.


    “The food’s gotten cold. I’ll heat it up,” Chloe offered, making her way to the kitchen. “Did you have a lot


    to drink during your meeting? Would you like me to make you some hamburger soup?”


    “No need.”


    As they sat at the dining table, Chloe noticed Joseph ate very little, barely touching the dishes in front


    of him. Curiosity got the better of her and she asked, “Did you eat already?”


    “I don’t have much of an appetite today,” Joseph said lightly, setting down his cutlery.


    “In that case, you should go to bed early today. I’ll take Toto for his night walk.”


    Joseph looked at her with his charming eyes. “Are you showing me concern?”


    “Shouldn’t I? We share the same roof. What’s wrong with caring about each other?”


    A touch of mncholy graced Joseph’s handsome face as he extended hisrge hand, gently


    caressing Chloe’s head. “Good girl.”


    After Joseph headed upstairs, Chloe noticed that he had left his phone behind. She picked it up,


    intending to bring it to him. While making her way up the stairwell, the phone suddenly vibrated,


    indicating a new text message.


    Curiosity got the better of her, and she nced down,


    realizing that the phone was unlocked, granting her ess to the message. The sender’s name caught


    her attention – Xavia.


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    [Joseph, thank you for sending me home. The medicine. helped, and I’m feeling much better now.


    Goodnight.]


    Chloe froze, her long curledshes veiling the emotions in her eyes. Her beautiful face remained


    expressionless, giving no indication of what she was feeling. After a lengthy pause, a scoff escaped her


    lips. If it was a first love, then it was a first love. Why bother pretending to discuss business?


    She knocked on Joseph’s bedroom door and handed him his forgotten phone with a calm expression.


    “You left your phone


    downstairs. Oh, and Xavia sent you a message. Don’t forget to reply.”


    Joseph, wearing a white t–shirt after a refreshing cold shower, had slightly damp, neatly styled ck


    hair. He appeared rxed and approachable like he had shed some of his usual dignified, cold


    demeanor. If it were not for his eyes, he could almost pass for a male college student.


    Upon hearing Chloe’s words, Joseph’s eyebrows arched slightly. “We ended things a long time ago.”


    “If it’s truly over, then it’s over. But sometimes old mes can reignite, you know?” Chloe replied. Her


    intention was to speak kindly, but her tone could not help but carry a hint of sarcasm. “After all, first


    loves are often seen as rare and elusive, upying a special ce in our hearts.”


    Under the re of the lights, Joseph squinted, a hint of a smile ying on his lips as he pulled her


    confidently into his embrace. “Are you jealous?”