On the Day I Was Kicked Out of the Wealthy Family, I Had a Flash Marriage with a Tycoon

Chapter 222: Digging a Hole for Myself

Jasper Lockwood called Chloe Sterling and, learning she was on her way back, quickened his pace.

Stella Morgan couldn’t keep up, and the distance between them grew. She suddenly stopped, quietly gazing at the man’s tall, slender back. ’It seems I can only ever watch him walk away.’

She gave a bitter smile. ’Loving a man who doesn’t love you back is torture.’ She had tried to move on, but she just couldn’t.

Jasper Lockwood had been the star of her youth; there was no room for anyone else in her heart.

After a moment of composing herself, Stella Morgan began walking again. A figure suddenly appeared at her side. She turned and saw it was Phoebe Sinclair.

Phoebe Sinclair smiled, her tone dripping with mockery. "Stella Morgan, you’re certainly patient. You’re obviously in love with Jasper Lockwood, yet you can only watch him from a distance. That must sting, doesn’t it?"

Stella Morgan looked away and kept walking. "Sounds like you’re talking about yourself."

Phoebe Sinclair sneered. "What? You think you’re special? That working with him gives you a shot? Dream on."

Stella Morgan shot her a cold glance. "Phoebe Sinclair, you’re the one who’s dreaming. I don’t like him. This is just a business partnership to make money."

Phoebe Sinclair snorted. "Tough words. But are you really okay with this? Losing to some country bumpkin? Stella Morgan, you’re a proud woman. You wouldn’t give up that easily, would you?"

"Hah..." Stella Morgan suddenly laughed, stopping to look at her. "Phoebe Sinclair, do you really think wasting your breath on me is going to work? Or that your pathetic little attempts at persuasion will convince me to go against Chloe Sterling with you? You should really learn some self-awareness."

Phoebe Sinclair’s expression changed dramatically.

Not wanting to hear any more of her nonsense, Stella Morgan quickened her pace and walked away.

Phoebe Sinclair stood rooted to the spot, her hands clenched into fists. A moment later, Owen Holt came over, smiling. "Trying to win over Stella Morgan with those little tricks of yours? Save your energy."

Phoebe Sinclair’s face was livid as she glared at him with furious eyes.

"Stella Morgan managed to partner with Jasper Lockwood for a reason. She’s got skills. You can’t outplay her." Owen Holt wrapped an arm around her slender waist, pulling her into his embrace. He smirked. "You’re much better suited to just being a pretty face."

Phoebe Sinclair shoved him away and stormed off.

Owen Holt chuckled and followed her. "So, where to tonight?"

Phoebe Sinclair said coldly, "I’m going home tonight. Do whatever you want."

"Your place works. I’ve never slept over before."

Phoebe Sinclair stopped dead in her tracks, staring at him coldly. "Owen Holt, I mean I’m going home *alone*. If you’re that desperate, go find another woman."

Owen Holt suddenly grabbed her chin, his gaze hardening. "You think you have the right to say no? Phoebe Sinclair, you’re the one begging me to help you get revenge, not the other way around. You’d better get that straight!"

The color drained from Phoebe Sinclair’s face, but in the end, she relented.

Chloe Sterling arrived at The Lockwood Residence first. After changing her clothes, she stood at the French doors, gazing into the courtyard. She watched as Jasper Lockwood’s car pulled in, as his tall, slender figure stepped out, and as he walked into the villa.

The image of the document from Silas Coldwell’s safe and his words inevitably resurfaced in her mind. ’He’s known your identity all along. He investigated you. He knew you were Lynn Chester from the very beginning. That’s why he married you. It was all a calculated plot. He’s been after you for a long time.’

The voice echoed in her mind, repeating itself over and over. Chloe Sterling shook her head, trying to dislodge the words, but the more she tried to forget, the more persistent they became.

She furrowed her brow. ’I’m angry,’ she thought, ’but what am I even angry about?’

She couldn’t control her emotions. Was it because of Silas Coldwell’s endless nonsense, or... because Jasper Lockwood had lied to her?

The voices in her head didn’t stop until she heard the door open.

A moment later, Jasper Lockwood came over and wrapped his arms around her from behind, murmuring, "Sorry I’m late."

Chloe Sterling’s body went rigid. She paused a moment before replying, "I just got back, too."

Jasper Lockwood let go and turned her around to face him. Noticing her expression, he asked, "What’s wrong? You look pale."

Chloe Sterling deliberately touched her face. "Do I?"

Jasper Lockwood: "Yes."

"I’m probably just a little tired from being at the lab all day. Nothing a little rest won’t fix."

"Then go in a little later tomorrow."

At his words, Chloe Sterling looked at him warily. "What... do you mean by that?"

Jasper Lockwood suddenly laughed. "I’m just telling you to get more rest. What’s on your mind?"

Chloe Sterling: "..."

Jasper Lockwood leaned in, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "Why are you always so on guard? I’m not that scary, am I?"

Chloe Sterling: "..."

Jasper Lockwood: "Besides... you seem to enjoy yourself, don’t you?"

Chloe Sterling struggled to keep her composure. "Who’s scared? Your technique is just subpar." With that, she turned to leave, not wanting to see the look on Jasper’s face.

But Jasper Lockwood grabbed her arm, his eyes fixed on hers. "My dear wife, that’s not what you said before."

She’d called him a master of romance before.

Chloe Sterling: "That was a lapse in judgment."

"Oh, I see." A slight smile played on Jasper Lockwood’s lips. "Then I’ll just have to get more practice."

Chloe Sterling: "..."

’Feels like I just dug my own grave.’

"I’m sure there are plenty of resources online you can study. I’m going to bed."

Jasper Lockwood: "Theory is no substitute for practice."

Chloe Sterling pulled her hand free. "I’m tired."

Watching her retreating figure, Jasper Lockwood’s lips curved into a smile, his eyes filled with adoration.

Chloe Sterling went into the bathroom, and the phone on the table began to ring. Jasper Lockwood glanced at the caller ID; his eyes went cold as he walked over and hung up.

But it rang again almost immediately. Jasper’s expression darkened. He picked up the phone and answered. Silas Coldwell’s lazy voice came through the receiver. "Baby, getting addicted to hanging up on me, are you?"

Hearing the word "Baby," Jasper’s face grew even darker.

Silas continued, "Are you home yet?"

Jasper Lockwood’s voice was frigid. "Silas Coldwell, you should worry more about staying alive."

After a brief silence, Silas’s voice came back, filled with utter disgust. "Jasper Lockwood! It’s you!"

The thought that he had just called Jasper Lockwood "baby" made Silas feel as sick as if he’d swallowed a fly.

"What are you doing answering Lynn Chester’s phone?! Where is she? I need to talk to her. Give her the phone!"

"She doesn’t want to talk to you!" Jasper snapped before hanging up and tossing the phone back on the table.

This time, Silas Coldwell didn’t call back. The phone remained silent.

Jasper Lockwood’s dark, almond-shaped eyes shifted toward the bathroom. After a moment’s pause, he strode over.