Chapter 144

Chapter 144 “Why is it you” Chloe was stunned.

Combined with her freckles and the disheveled chicken nest atop her head, she exuded a certain cuteness.

“Can’t I be your blind date” Jerome lightly curved his lily-shaped thin lips, his eyes curved into two enchanting crescents as he asked Chloe purses her lips, unsure of how to reply.

The question was very straightforward.

The gentle smile on his face softened the awkward atmosphere, making Chloe feel that this was just a harmless joke.

“May I take a seat Jerome inquired politely.

“Please have a seat,” Chloe responded in an effortless and elegant way.

The Fourth Young Master Xavier who had come to visit her today was just as refined and elegant as the first time they had met.

He was wearing a navy blue striped, high-definition suit and gold-rimmed glasses, exuding an air of sophistication without compromising on the gentlemanly charm.

“Miss Thorp, your look today is very chic and has a lot of character.”

“However.” Jerome narrowed his eyes, “in my presence, you don’t have to put on an act. Just be yourself.”

“I recall that you’re not my blind date,” Chloe coughed awkwardly, so why are you here?”

“I know you want to see me again, and I feel the same way, Jerome said, adjusting his glasses and smiling calmly.

It was an inconceivable sentence, like a secret wind and moon.

“It’s not too shabby. After our last encounter, I was really intrigued by who you are, so I’m really looking forward to seeing you again Suddenly, Chloe raised her piercing gaze and fixed it on him. Jerome Xavier, Fourth Young Master Xavier.”

Jerome’s deep eyes narrowed, and his hands, trembling slightly on his knees, betrayed his strong joy. Softly, he spoke.

“Chloe, it’s been a while.”

Chloe was taken aback for a moment and courteously responded, “It’s been a while.

Having spent a period of time together when they were young and getting along quite well, it had been over ten years since then.

When they reunited. Chloe felt a sense of unfamiliarity from the man.

When she was young, she vaguely remembered Jerome being short and thin, with delicate facial features and skin as white as jade. He was often ridiculed and isolated by other children due to his reserved personality, as he looked more like a girl than a boy.

When Chloe was in primary school, she was a powerful presence in the school. A kind-hearted person had even given her the nickname “Little Devil”. When Jerome was being bullied, she immediately stepped in and without saying a word, she managed to take down three senior boys who were a head taller than her. From then on, Jerome had the protection of a brave sister, and no one dared to mess with him again.

Chloe could no longer recall any further past events.

She was unaware that the man standing before her, despite having spent years abroad and gone through countless transformations and tumultuous storms, had never forgotten that it was this girl who had given him the first glimmer of hope in his bleak life.

She was not merely a dream girl, such a description was too meager and did not do her justice.

In his eyes, she was like the sun, shining brightly and dazzlingly “So, when I was inebriated at the KTV that night and inadvertently collided with you, you identified me.”

“Yes”

“That night when I was in peril, did you not rescue me by chance, but rather tracked me the whole time?” ‘Yes.

“Why?”

“Since you recognised me, why didn’t you just come out and tell me who you were?” Chloe frowned. “Since I was waiting.”

Jerome inhaled deeply and spoke in a slightly raspy tone, “I didn’t say it because I was hoping you’d think of me.

Chloe’s eyebrows furrowed, and a trace of guilt surged in her heart, as if she had failed him and caused his ruin.

“Have you selected the location for the meeting?”

“Yes, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it immensely, as this place has a Tong Garden-like ambience.”

Jerome’s deep eyes sparkled with crushed stars. “Do you recall? When we were young, we’d often play hide-and-seek in your garden. You always enjoyed hiding in the bushes.”

When they were young, they greatly enjoyed playing hide-and-seek.

Whenever he closed his eyes, he could always intuit where she was at that time.

He always acted as if he was unaware and anxious, purposely not going to her secret spot to locate her and fulfill her simple wish to triumph.

He enjoyed being defeated by her, but only when it was just the two of them.

“Wow... you still remember this kind of thing.” Chloe said, scratching her head like a sponge and feeling a little embarrassed.

Jerome smiled gently and, with the grace of a young master from a painting, sipped the tea.

They engaged in conversation for a period of time.

Jerome had accompanied his mother to Stoeyae over the years to help her recuperate from Alzheimer’s, as she was increasingly unable to care for herself. Despite having many chances to go back to Medo, he chose to remain in Stoeyae and pursue his own career, all for his mother’s sake.

Chloe recalled that the Xavy Group’s family dynamics were quite intricate.

The Xavier family had four children, with Jerome being the youngest. His two older brothers and one older sister were born from Director Xavier’s first wife, while Jerome was born from his second wife.

She knew very little about Madam Xavier, even though her family had been close to the Xavier family when she was young and she had visited the Navy Group’s manor. Nonetheless, she still had no impression of her.

“Why did you return abruptly this year?” Chloe inquired once more.

“The fallen leaves have returned to their roots, and I. Jerome, am a son of the Xavier family. I wish to come back and reclaim some of my belongings. Jerome lowered his cold, white eyelids, his slender fingers curling into a small fist.

Chloe gave a slight nod, comprehending his meaning.

Children born into noble families, if they did not gain access to the core of power, were likely to be exploited by the powerful, leaving them with nothing A wealthy and close-knit family like the Thorps should only exist in novels.

“It’s still a bit before dinner time, Jerome said with a smile. “What should we do?”

“Ah?” Taken aback, Chloe was unprepared to cope with it.

“Tll take you to witness the beauty of the roses at sunset.”

“I have a personal rose garden. Today is the day of the open show. Let’s go and appreciate the blossoms together.” Jerome gently inclined towards her.

Rose?

Chloe’s mind raced and her eyes glittered with excitement.

Chloe had a special fondness for the flower in Tong Garden’s backyard, which she had planted with roses. Over the years, Helena and the others had taken turns tending to it, making sure it was well-cared for.

Thus, she did not hesitate and joyfully responded, “Absolutely! Let’s go for a walk!”

Chloe, on her way to Rose Manor, sat in Jerome’s Bentley.

The two elders, being old acquaintances, had a personal relationship, so it seemed a bit hypocritical when they each took their own cars to meet at their destination.

Jordan followed closely behind the Bentley, gripping the steering wheel firmly as it drove steadily ahead.

He had just sent off a surnamed Anderson, and now there was a Xavier, clearly of a higher stature.

He had made sufficient preparations each time; last time, he had followed the First Miss to the neighborhood of the villa are, and this time, he had used his connections to meet her in person. It was clear that he was a very calculating individual. Jordan inhaled deeply and fixed his gaze on the rear of the car.

The First Miss had been hurt by Joseph once, and he would never again permit any man to inflict such pain upon her.

He endeavored to do all he could to safeguard her.

On the opposite side of the car, the atmosphere was very pleasant.

At this moment, Chloe had already taken off her ugly-yet-cute disguise. She had come without any extra cosmetics, simply looking up at the sky and tying her long, black hair like a waterfall into a loose bun with a single word. She paid no mind to her appearance.

Jerome didn’t flinch and covertly glanced at her from the corner of his eyes.

Her face was as clear and pristine as a flower petal basking in the morning sun, perfect and lovely, serene and composed.

He forced himself to calm down and asked gently, “Do you still recall what you dubbed me that evening when we first met?”

“Ah?” Chloe was taken aback for a moment. She blinked her luminous eyes and uttered, “I... honestly can’t recall.”

“You call me little scoundrel.“

This man either rendered her speechless or caused her demise.

“In the past, when my dad taught me a lesson, he would often scold me like that. You heard it. At that time, you’d sometimes tease me like that too.””

“Cough, cough... I’m sorry for my immature and impolite behavior before. A child’s words can’t do any harm. Chloe felt embarrassed, her cheeks turning pink.

“It doesn’t matter. You can call me that now.” Jerome bent his eyes and smiled charmingly.

“Oh my god...”

Chloe mumbled quietly and waved her hand in embarrassment. “I’ll just refer to you as Fourth Young Master Xavier. We’re not kids anymore. You have a certain standing now. It’s not proper to be so informal.”

Jerome narrowed his eyes and leaned closer to her. His clear voice was gentle and soft.

“Alright, I’ll do as you say.”