Chapter 198


    Axel escorted Chloe and Ada Wang to the lounge backstage, where they enjoyed champagne and


    conversation.


    After chatting for a while, the manager approached Ada to invite her to an important interview.


    Once she had gone, only Chloe and Axel remained in the lounge.


    “It’s been three years since west saw each other. How have you been? Alexa.”


    Axel gazed at her tenderly, his eyes brimming with the affection of an elder, pure and untainted by the


    love between men and women.


    “As you can see,” Chloe said, gesturing with her hands, “it’s all the same.” She smiled brightly.


    “You’ve grown so much since three years ago. Your eyes have grown darker, as if you’ve seen the


    hardships of life. Where have you been for the past three years? Did you travel the world to find


    inspiration?” Axel noticed the sadness in her eyes and asked with concern.


    “I didn’t go on a holiday. I went to the market to ughter fish. I’ve been doing that for three years, and


    my heart’s no longer warm.” Chloe sighed, her eyes icy.


    “You are as witty as ever.”


    Axel clinked sses with her and asked with a smile, “When are you gonna let the world know you’re


    Alexa? Such a dazzling identity should be shared, not kept in the shadows.”


    “Let nature take its course, but I still have a lot of urgent things to do now. It is not bad to lose a vest,


    but it may attract unnecessary trouble at the moment.”


    “Since you wish to reveal your identity,” Chloe narrowed her beautiful eyes, “you must make it valuable


    and meaningful. You must create the most impactful impression at the most opportune moment.”


    “As expected of Alexa, the greatest benefit – you’ll never let yourself be at a disadvantage and do a


    business at a loss.”


    Axel looked at her with a smile. “We’ve been pals for a long time, so don’t be so formal with me. If you


    ever run into any problems or difficult people, don’t forget to let me know.”


    “This ain’t Puplen,” Chloe heard the hidden message in his words and responded nonchntly. “The


    Duke’s power is hard to show.”


    “Miss Anderson has always aspired to join AX. Initially, the audit department had her in their sights.


    However, it appears that she is not up to the mark to be a senior member of the AX brand today.”


    Axel smiled widely. “Furthermore, just a few days ago, Madam Anderson from the Anderson Group and


    the Third Miss from the Xavier family were vying for me to attend their charity event.”


    “I was initially undecided between the two options, but now it appears there’s no need to contemte it


    further.”


    “As long as the duke is content, I’m not concerned,” Chloe said nonchntly.


    The Young Miss said it didn’t matter, implying the other party could do this.


    In short, anyone who dared toy a finger on her, no matter their gender, age or status, would not have


    a good ending!


    Axel and Chloe were about to watch the show, so he took her out of the lounge.


    No sooner had they walked a short distance than a cold, maic voice pierced the air.


    “Chloe.”


    Chloe’s heart skipped a beat. She raised her eyebrows and looked back.


    Joseph walked towards her with a gloomy face.


    ,”We need to get out of here.”Axel saw the man approaching, his unfriendly gaze fixed on him.


    Realizing something, he quickly whispered to Chloe beside him, “We have to leave now,”


    “Miss Thorp, is this your friend?”


    “Friend?” Chloe’s lips curled up coldly, but she was left wondering, “Is he worthy?”


    Joseph, being noble and lofty, detested attending this kind of event, unlike Vincent who enjoyed joining


    in the fun.


    Why did he has a brave heart today ande to take part in the jewelry exhibition?


    Ah, maybe it has to do with his stupid, bad, and clingy sister.


    Joseph strode ahead of them, his gaze


    fixed on Chloe.


    “Miss Thorp, wouldn’t you like to introduce me to this gentleman here?”


    “Is it necessary, Mr. Sawle?” Chloe asked coldly, not even attempting to feign politeness. “Your Sawle


    Group has no connection to jewelry, so I don’t think you stand a chance of dealing with President Axel.”


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Joseph pursed his lips tightly..


    Despite suffering a setback at her ce, he refused to retreat and instead politely offered his hand to


    Axel.


    “Mr. Axel, nice to meet you.”


    “Mr. Sawle, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m surprised you know Miss Thorp; it’s beyond my


    expectations.” Axel shook hands with him calmly.


    “It appears that Mr. Axel and Miss Thorp are not acquainted with one another.”


    “If you two are familiar with each other, you should be aware of the nature of my connection with Miss


    Thorp,” Joseph said, narrowing his eyes.


    He could distinctly feel the man’s hands pushing and pulling against each other.


    The two of them were like martial arts masters, silently vying with each other through their inner


    strength. If they kept it up, the chandelier and ss windows would soon be shattered.


    Joseph was perplexed as to what was causing his uncharacteristic childishness and impatience.


    When he saw Chloe close to another man, his heart felt like it was about to burst. He wanted to tear out


    all the flowers and nts around her!


    He grew increasingly strange, like a jilted wife left behind.


    He, having always kept himself in check, was unable to contain himself when confronted with Chloe.


    When Chloe heard this, a surge of rage surged through her. She sneered, “There is indeed some


    connection, a connection where we will never reunite.”


    “Chloe.” Joseph’s breathing suddenly ceased, and his voice became raspy.


    “Since when did a being such as my ex-husband deserve to be utilized to form connections? An


    appropriate ex-husband should be as silent as the grave. Hasn’t Mr. Sawle heard of this before?”


    Ex-husband?!


    Axel was taken aback; he had not anticipated that Alexa was married!


    Having been her friend for many years, he had never heard of this marriage; why had she married this


    man?


    Alexa was as perfect as a goddess, yet she chose to marry a petty person, leaving a better option


    behind.


    “Mr. Sawle, you can certainly make life difficult for me. After all, the instant I set eyes on you, I was


    already feeling pretty miserable. I’m not scared of making matters worse.”


    “But President Axel is a very important friend of mine. I don’t want you to cause him any trouble.”


    “If you, my ex-husband, still have any shred of dignity,” Chloe pressed her eyebrows together.


    Joseph’s jaw was clenched tightly, and his heart felt as if it were pierced by a sharp thorn. His fingers


    were firmly clenched into his damp palms.


    If Chloe were a person, she would have to protect and speak up for him, standing in opposition to him if


    necessary.


    It seemed that he, who had once been deeply loved by her, was only worthy of being buried in the soil.


    “The show is about to begin. Isn’t Mr. Sawle going to be with your sister? The young girl can’t locate


    you, so she must be


    worried.”


    Chloe, no longer paying attention to the frozen Joseph, prepared to depart with Axel.


    Panicking, the man’s big hand swiftly seized her arm, his five fingers tightening.


    “Hey, since you are divorced, you have nothing to do with each other. Please respect Miss Thorp!”


    Axel was about to intervene, but Chloe raised her hand to halt him.


    “Vincent, they’re still awaiting your address up front, so just head on over. I’m all set here.”


    “But…”


    “Don’t fret, I’m no longer married to him. What can he possibly do to me?”


    Joseph’s heart felt as if the softest flesh had been ripped away, causing his deep pupils to contract in


    pain. Unconsciously, he dragged her towards her demise.


    Axel was well aware that this was a historical problem left behind by their previous husband and wife,


    making it inconvenient for outsiders to interfere. Confident that no one would dare to cause trouble, he


    decided to leave first.


    The quietness in the corridor was palpable.


    Joseph heard his heart pounding and held his breath, to no avail.


    “Release,” Chloemanded through gritted teeth, her beautiful eyes cold and determined.


    –


    “I know who the sister you’re referring to – it’s Zoey, isn’t it?”


    Joseph was so anxious that his heart felt like it was burning. He pulled hard.


    Her body, soft and yielding, leaned into his strong and handsome waist, her breathing in heavy


    gasps.


    “Ah, I didn’t mention her first name or herst name. How do you know I’m referring to Miss


    Anderson?”


    Chloe sneered and gave him an icy look. “Looks like Second Brother’s got a thing for Sister Anderson.


    Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so touchy. When I said ‘sister’, you didn’t think of Skyler and Annie, but


    Miss Anderson.”


    Second Brother.


    She wanted to annoy him by following Zoey’s words.


    Joseph gave a bitter smile.


    Women had to defend themselves even when they didn’t want to.


    Rather than being angry, he was more curious as to what kind of standing he had in her eyes.


    So, he asked in a low voice, “Chloe… are you… jealous?”


    “Haha…”


    Chloe couldn’t help but burst intoughter. She shook her head incredulously. “Joseph, are you


    serious? How can you even


    ask me that?”


    “When I was your wife, you were entangled with Grace. When I went to Nialzuct for Christmas to


    witness the light ceremony with her, I also crafted a special piece of jewelry for her. I never felt envious


    of you treating me so harshly.”


    “Now that we are divorced, do you still have the audacity to ask me if I am jealous? Are you going to


    take the disgrace of being a widow to its conclusion?