Chapter 174
Chapter 174
Chloe didn't say a word, just allowed Alexander to lead her by the hand to a corner of the elevator. As
he pressed the button for the second floor, she still felt a twinge of nervousness.
Alexander explained again, “My butler called to say Hazel has been waiting outside the elevator. So, I
need your help. Only then will she believe we are together.”
Chloe nodded, “Sure, I'll play along.”
“Thank you.” Alexander nodded back.
As the elevator doors slid open, even before Hazel came fully into view, Alexander could already smell
the familiar scent of her perfume. It was her favorite, a limited-edition luxury perfume. In all of Seraphim
Haven, few could afford such a costly scent. Once, to please Hazel, Alexander had made a specific trip
to the Parisian perfume master who created it.
The perfume was not up for sale, and it was all custom-made. Even if you had the money, it depended
on the mood of the perfume master.
It took him a month, promising to provide rare ingredients before the perfume master agreed to sell him
this limited-edition dreamy perfume.
The scent wasn't strong, nor too light. It was dreamy, like a dream that seemed natural and unreal
simultaneously.
Just like his marriage with Hazel - it seemed both real and unreal.
Alexander took it seriously.
Hazel treated it like a game.
He began to realize that you could tell a person's sincerity from their daily behavior and personal
preferences. What kind of woman could one who liked such a dreamy scent be?
As he stepped out of the elevator, the scent hit him. Hazel rushed towards him, delighted. “Darling,
you're back. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Her words were cut off as she noticed Alexander and Chloe hand in hand. Her joyful expression turned
to one of shock and pain. She stared at their clasped hands, growing angrier by the second.
“Alexander, what is the meaning of this?” She demanded, fuming.
“Isn't it obvious?” Alexander's voice was cold. He held Chloe's hand even tighter, his face turning stony,
his brows furrowing.
“I should formally introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Chloe. Remember her? You’ve met.” He
deliberately called Chloe by name, emphasizing their closeness.
Hazel barely recognized Chloe. Today's Chloe was all dolled up. Her usually pale complexion was now
delicate, all blemishes hidden, making her look like a beauty who seemed years younger. Could this
divorcee scrub up so well?
“So, it’s Chloe, the second-hand woman?” Hazel was green with envy but feigned disdain.
Hazel scoffed at Chloe. “You think that putting on makeup can erase all your flaws? Take off that
makeup, and you’re still full of freckles, a divorced woman with a kid, and second-hand goods.”
Her words only confirmed Alexander's suspicions.
Hazel's former gentleness, elegance, and manners were all an act. She had fooled him for eight years.
He was such a fool.
Before he could retort, Chloe stood tall, returning the insult with grace.
“Hazel, are you talking about yourself? I'm a divorced woman. I'm not perfect, but aren't you worse than
me? At least I was faithful to my ex-husband. What about you? You threw away a man like Alexander
to sleep with others. How greedy can you be? If Alexander respects me, it means that you, the self-
proclaimed elite, are worse than secondhand goods.”
With that, she lifted her chin defiantly, turning to Alexander, “Right, darling?”
Thinking about how much Alexander had helped her, Chloe was determined to make this act
convincing, to infuriate Hazel and make her leave Alexander willingly.
Chloe put on her best acting skills. She wrapped her hands around Alexander's arm, gazing admiringly
at him.
“Absolutely.” Alexander reached up to ruffle her hair. “You're kinder and more beautiful than anyone
else. If I had met you earlier, I wouldn’t have wasted eight years on someone undeserving.”
Chloe replied, “No worries, we have plenty of time ahead. I'll be with you, completely devoted to you.”
“Good girl!”
Alexander affectionately tapped her nose.
Their act was so convincing, that even Hazel couldn't tell if it was real or not.
Did Alexander really fall for this secondhand woman?
“Why?” Hazel was aggrieved. “Alexander, how could you like such a woman?”
In front of Chloe, Hazel started crying, “What does she have that I don't?”
“You're nothing compared to her.” Alexander held Chloe's hand tighter, responding firmly.
“I'm better than her in every way. I have a higher education, a better background, I'm prettier, and better
than her in everything.” Hazel was brimming with confidence.
In her eyes, Chloe was just a cheap woman. While she was a woman of class.
One was a discounted item, the other a high-end luxury brand.
Just when Alexander was about to defend Chloe, Chloe retorted once again, “Hazel, that's all
superficial. Without the title of the Dawson family's daughter, you're nothing more than a disloyal bitch.”
“You…” Hazel was so furious she was trembling, pointing at Chloe's nose, "Alexander, just look at your
new girlfriend. She's so crude and vulgar, and she has no manners at all."
Alexander extended his long arm, wrapped it around Chloe's waist, and pulled her close.
He was defending Chloe adamantly, "What did Chloe say wrong? You're nothing but a rotten apple with
shiny skin. The more elegant and noble you appear, the more you fall and degrade yourself on the
inside."
"Alexander, you..."
Hazel, with tears streaming down her face, looked pitiful and distressed.
She played the victim card, accusing him, "How could you do this? We've only been divorced for half a
month, and you already have a new love interest. Were you hooking up with this second-hand woman
all along? Is that why you were so eager to divorce me?"
Chloe couldn't take it anymore; she stepped forward and slapped Hazel across the face.
She was so angry, and she used too much force and her palm stung.
Chloe said, "Hazel, do you have no shame? You were the first to cheat. What's wrong with him finding
someone new after a divorce? Who says he has to stay single for a woman like you? Who do you think
you are?"
"You dare to hit me?" Hazel attempted to slap her back.
A slender, strong arm grabbed her raised hand, and Hazel was thrown a couple of meters away with a
forceful push.
Alexander warned, "Hazel, I still respect our past relationship, but don't push me."
Hazel was crying her eyes out, hoping for Alexander's pity.
However, Alexander took Chloe's hand, "Let's go in."
Chloe stuck to his side, not leaving him for a moment.
They didn't even look back at Hazel.
Seeing Alexander open the door, Hazel wiped away her tears and said, "Darling, you must be trying to
make me jealous by bringing this woman here to act, right?"
She suddenly realized, "I don't believe you'd actually fall for such a cheap woman. You must be doing
this to get back at me."
She pointed at Chloe with disdain, "Look at her, dressed in such cheap clothes. Would you let her
dress so shabbily if she's really your new girlfriend?"
Hazel had hit a nerve.
Chloe tightened her grip on Alexander's arm and quickly covered it up, "Alexander, it's true, I haven't
bought clothes in a long time. I saw a few outfits I liked, but they were a bit expensive. Can we go
shopping for new clothes after dinner?"
"Sure!"
Hand in hand, they walked in and closed the door.
Once the door was locked, Chloe quickly pulled her hand away from Alexander's arm. She stepped
back and asked politely, "Mr. Alexander, did I act okay?"
Alexander didn't answer right away.
His gaze fell like a sunset, full of melancholy and sorrow.
He had been deeply betrayed.
He laughed bitterly, "Chloe, don't you think I'm quite pathetic?"
Everyone knew he was the second-largest shareholder of Rodriguez Group.
He was in such a great position, yet no one knew how messed up his feelings and marriage were.
It was pretty ridiculous.
Chloe felt sympathy for him.
They stayed silent for a while.
Chloe gently patted Alexander's shoulder, trying to comfort him, "Mr. Alexander, even though you've
been divorced and betrayed, you're still successful. You still have your status and identity. Look at us
ordinary people. If we get divorced, we'll lose everything. In comparison, you're actually quite lucky."
"I didn't expect you to comfort me." Alexander laughed at himself.
He felt he was inferior to Chloe.
Chloe pointed outside, "I wonder how long Hazel will be out there."
"I bet she won't leave." Alexander frowned.
Chloe also frowned, disgusted, "Why is she like a clingy sticker? You can't get rid of her?"
No wonder Mr. Alexander had her pretend to be with him.
Hazel was the kind of woman who could make anyone sick.
She didn't cherish what she had when she should have.
All the drama she caused after losing him was just disgusting.
She confirmed Hazel was still outside, not going anywhere.
Chloe looked worried, "Mr. Alexander, do you have a back door? If she's still out there, how will I
leave?"
"There's no back door. Let's prepare some food first. I'll cook."
"What, I have to stay for dinner before going?"
She still had to go back and tutor Aria's homework.
"If you leave now, Hazel will know we were just acting."
So, she had no choice but to accept the situation.
Chloe brightened up, "Where's the kitchen? I'll cook."
"How can I let a guest cook?" Alexander headed towards the kitchen.
Chloe followed him, "This is your kitchen?"
"Yes." Alexander opened the hidden fridge and started looking for ingredients.
Looking at the spacious and bright kitchen, Chloe couldn't help but admire, "This kitchen must be about
50 square meters, right?"
Alexander replied, "About that."
All the appliances were cutting-edge.
Even the kitchen stove was voice-controlled.
Alexander said a few words, and the stove rose automatically. He put on an apron and started cooking. From NôvelDrama.Org.
Chloe walked over, "Do you cook often?"
"Of course!" Alexander laughed bitterly, "Hazel used to love my cooking. I once flew back from abroad
to cook escargot for her. She was very picky about her food, and she only liked what I cooked. She
didn't like what the home chefs cooked, saying it didn't taste right."
Chloe stayed silent.
How could such a good man be betrayed?
She just didn't understand the world of the rich.
She helped Alexander prepare the ingredients, thinking how great it would be if she could marry such a
good man.
What a pity!
She wasn't that lucky.
Bad women ruined good men.
And she, a good woman, never seemed to meet a good man.
After dinner, it was already 7:40 p.m.
Chloe praised him, "Mr. Alexander, your cooking skills are amazing, especially the Burgundy beef stew.
It tastes fantastic."
"Really?" Alexander smiled, "I'll cook it for you again next time."
Chloe asked, "There's a next time?"
Alexander replied, "Hazel's still out there, so I guess the show must go on. Probably going to need your
help for a bit longer."
Chloe said, "If it meant getting to eat your cooking, I'd gladly keep up the act for a lifetime."
Alexander went silent for a moment.
"Mr. Alexander, don't get the wrong idea. I don't have any special feelings for you. I mean, your cooking
skills are just top-notch. Every dish is delicious."
Alexander asked, "Speaking of delicious, I still remember the soup you made at your place. It was
really good. Could you make it again for me sometime?"
"What's so memorable about the soup?"
"It has a unique taste. It gives a warm feeling. It's not like the usual meals, just filling the belly."
Chloe seemed a bit puzzled by this comment.
Maybe those rich folks have their own set of issues, she thought, then cheerfully agreed, "Sure, I'll
make you some porridge next time."
Meanwhile, at East Adjacent Estates.
Roxanne's place.
Today, Harrison and Roxanne were looking after Chloe's two kids.
It was already past eight in the evening.
Usually, at this time, Harrison would be preparing for a bath.
After his bath, he would always be eager to get intimate with his wife.
But with the two kids around, all of Roxanne's attention was on them, leaving no time for him.
Feeling neglected, he sent a disgruntled message to Alexander, asking when he and Chloe would be
done.
At the moment, Alexander and Chloe were at the mall, so the reply was delayed.
Harrison told him, "Wrap it up soon so Chloe can come and pick up the kids. Roxanne and I need our
beauty sleep."
Alexander replied with a scornful emoji, then asked him if he was actually going to sleep or just wanted
to get frisky with his wife.
Harrison responded, "What's so weird about wanting to get intimate with my wife? It's perfectly normal
for a husband and wife to be together."
Alexander replied, "Who told me to hold my horses when I was still married to Hazel?"