Chapter 481


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    Winston perked up at the sound of Cassie''s voice, turning his head in her direction. Cassie was loungingfortably on a leather sofa, her slicked- back hair and casually crossed legs giving off an air of effortless charm.


    As Winston made his way over, the dim lighting revealed Chloe sitting there, a surprise mirrored in her eyes as they met his. Cassie stood, poised to introduce them, "Sweetheart, this is..." she began, but Chloe cut in, rising to her feet. "Cassie, I already know him," she said with a hint of amusement. Cassie blinked in surprise.


    Chloe turned to Winston, "Dr. Winston, is this the ce you mentioned for our evening ns?" Winston chuckled at the coincidence, "And is this the bar you''ve been inviting me to all this time?" They exchanged a knowing smile, leaving Cassie utterly puzzled. "Wait, how do you two know each other?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.


    Winston settled into a seat, "Chloe and I go way back, we''re old friends," he exined. What he didn''t mention was that Chloe was also his patient, a detail kept under wraps as part of his professional ethics, regardless of Chloe''s connection with Cassie.Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Delighted by the unexpected reunion, Cassie poured out three sses of wine, "Well, isn''t this a small world? Let''s toast to that!" They clinked sses, echoing a cheerful "Cheers."


    Once they were seated, Winston


    casually inquired, "So, what''s the story between y


    you two?" Cassie and


    Chloe sat snugly close. Cassie


    l


    draped an arm around Chloe, drawing her in, "We''ve known each other since we were kids, best friends, really. She''s my ride-or-die, the woman I love most inthe world. I''d give her my life," Cassie dered with dramatic ir.


    Chloeughed, "Don''t be so dramatic, I don''t need your life," she teased. Winston watched their yful interaction, a flicker of confusion crossing his mind. How could Chloe be so at ease with another guy, even if they were childhood pals? Still, their bond seemed genuine, their closeness effortless.


    Soon, someone called for Cassie. "I''ll


    vel.ne


    be right back she said, excusing herself to greet more guests. Left alone, Winston and Chloe chatted away aimlessly until Winston, nursing his drink, asked with a teasing edge, "Aren''t you worried your fiancé, the famously jealous type, might not appreciate you being chummy with other guys?"


    Chloe almost choked on her drink, eyes wide with surprise. "Wait, what?" she sputtered. "Everyone knows Connor''s got a jealous streak. Aren''t you worried about him seeing this?" Winston asked, his tone light, purely as a concerned friend.


    Chloe''s expression turned to one of shock, "You mean you don''t know Cassie is..." she started, only to have her words abruptly silenced. Cassie, returning just in time to catch the tail end of the conversation, swooped in, covering Chloe''s mouth before she could finish. She practically enveloped Chloe in her embrace. Content belongs to