Chapter 296


    Chapter 296 Stop Pretending to Be Innocent


    After the police took Benjamin away, the burden of managing the familypany fell squarely on


    Chloe’s shoulders.


    Previously, it was Benjamin who assigned tasks to her, and she never interfered in internal matters.


    Although she had been more involved in recent days, she did not have enough time to take care of it.


    After getting back from the hospital, Chloe locked herself in the office. She was taken aback by the


    shocking truth she discovered-Benjamin had not lied to her. The office had experienced consecutive


    losses for two quarters, and if things continued like this, there was a risk of bankruptcy.


    The only project that could potentially turn the tide was the coboration with the Graham Group. Chloe


    felt overwhelmed by the situation. If she and Joseph had not divorced, perhaps the Grahams would


    have been willing to lend a helping hand to the Johnsons. But now…


    Chloe busied herself into thete hours of the night, racking her brain for ways to turn the situation


    around. She dismissed Benjamin’s previous n as unfeasible and did not use it. As she was lost in


    thought, her phone that was ced on the edge of the table suddenly rang, startling her.


    She answered the call, and Joseph’s cold voice came from the other end. “How long do you expect me


    to wait for you?”


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    “…I’m sorry!” Chloe pped her forehead in frustration. “Ipletely forgot. I’lle over right away.”


    After ending the call, Chloe hurriedly went downstairs and hailed a cab to the vi. When she arrived,


    she saw Joseph standing in the courtyard, grooming Toto’s fur.


    Bathed in the soft moonlight, his silhouette possessed an elegance akin to a majestic pine tree. His


    countenance bore a cold and stern expression, while an aura of pride and nobility emanated from him


    as if he were a wless masterpiece brought to life.


    Chloe’s heart skipped a beat in an almost shameful manner.


    Joseph nced at her through the corner of his eye, his displeasure evident. “What are you. standing


    there foolishly for?”


    She blinked and obediently nodded. “I’ll get to work right away.”


    With that, she naturally took the brush from his hand and began grooming Toto’s fur. The dog seemed


    delighted to see her and wagged its tail vigorously, asionally emitting a few grumbles as if


    comining about her absence for the past couple of days.


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    A pang of sadness tugged at Chloe’s heart. Strangely enough, she found that she had grown attached


    to Toto. It was fascinating how humans could develop such peculiar emotions towards animals. It was


    pure and untainted. The precious affection she failed to experience with others of the same species as


    she was vividly manifested in her interactions with animals.


    Joseph narrowed his eyes, observing how Chloe’s attention waspletely focused on the dog. He


    lightly kicked Toto’s backside and ordered, “Go to sleep.”


    With a sharp turn of its head, Toto stared at him. But under the man’s overwhelming dominance, the


    dog gradually submitted. Its perky ears drooped, and with a dejected air, it retreated back to its kennel.


    Chloe did notment on this. It did not look like Joseph had used a lot of force, and it was time for


    the dog to go to sleep. Which dog would not sleep at night?


    Setting the brush down, Chloe went to the living room to find other tasks to upy herself. But Joseph


    would not let her dawdle. “Why are you bothering with these trivialities?”


    “You asked me to serve you, so I’m tidying up the house,” she innocently replied, her voice tinged with


    a hint of confusion.


    Joseph’s brows furrowed slightly, and he scoffed. “Those are tasks for a housekeeper. Your duty is to


    warm my bed.”


    Chloe’s eyes widened. “What? That’s why you called me here?”


    “Hah,” he scoffed as he looked at Chloe sarcastically. “Stop pretending to be innocent. Weren’t you the


    one who used to eagerly offer to share a bed?”


    “Fine, even if I misunderstood your intentions, could you please refrain from speaking so harshly?”


    Chloe responded.


    Joseph shrugged and replied, “What’s wrong? You did indeed strip naked and try to get me into bed.


    There were many instances like that. You’ve done it, so why are you afraid of being criticized?”


    Chloe raised her head, meeting his disdain-filled eyes. Her heart throbbed with pain, making each


    breath a struggle.


    “Yes, I’ve done such things in the past, and not just once. But now, I realize how cheap andcking in


    respect they were. So please, don’t bring up those matters anymore. If possible, forget about the series


    of submissive acts I’ve done before,” she said as her head drooped, her voice barely audible and filled


    with a profound sense of powerlessness.