Chapter 153

Chapter 153 Phone Call

When Joseph called Laicas, Lucas was still waiting outside of the restaurant.

“Sir, Ms. Chloe hasn’t come out yet. Have you finished your business? Are you coming over?”

Lucas asked.

“Why aren’t you keeping an eye on her? What have you been doing?” Joseph’s cold voice cut through

the phone, carrying a palpable sense of oppression and undeniable anger.

“Sir…” Lucas keenly sensed Joseph’s anger, and it was particularly intense. The hairs on his arms

stood on end. “I’ve been waiting right outside the restaurant. I haven’t moved an inch.”

“Who told you to wait outside? What are you supposed to see by waiting there?”

Lucas was tongue-tied.

‘It was you who told me to wait outside!’ he shouted inwardly.

“Should I go in now?” he asked.

“Don’t let her stay inside for too long,” Joseph commanded.

He was annoyed seeing that woman talking to another man.

Ending the call, Joseph swiftly wrapped up the video conference, smoothly uttering a few sentences in

a foreign language before briskly ending the discussion.

As Lucas stepped into the restaurant, he witnessed the scene where Chloe and Icarus were

surrounded by the media Benjamin had summoned. The atmosphere was a frenzy of chaos and

confusion.

“Ms. Chloe, is it true that you came here today specifically to ask your father for money?”

“We’ve noticed that your relationship with your father doesn’t seem as terrible as you’ve portrayed it.

Why would you fabricate such lies?”

“Did your interference contribute to the end of Ava and Jake’s relationship? Why did you meddle in

their relationship?”

Amid the chaos, Chloe maintained a radiant smile, bravely facing the cameras, and confidently said,

“Whatever amount Ava paid you, I’ll double it.”

Her bold statement momentarily silenced the chattering paparazzi, their faces betraying a hint of guilt.

One of them cautiously asked, “Can we trust your words?”

“All of you came here voluntarily. I didn’t force you or pay you to do it!” Ava shouted, her face turning

pale. “Looking at your level of professional ethics, you wouldn’t receive a single

penny if I had invited you here!”

Upon hearing Ava’s words, a surge of renewed vigor and enthusiasm coursed through the paparazzi.

Like a well-coordinated swarm, they quickly thrust their microphones toward Chloe, while an incessant

storm of blinding flashes bathed the scene in dazzling light.

Icarus shielded Chloe behind him and calmly responded, “Firstly, it was the Johnsons who called Chloe

here to discuss the inheritance left by her mother.

“Secondly, the fact that Benjamin brings his family matters in front of the public suggests ulterior

motives.

“Lastly, I can confidently state that the reason the marriage between the Coopers and Johnsons was

called off was the result of Ava’s infidelity. It has nothing to do with Chloe.”

“And who are you to speak on Chloe’s behalf and provide explanations?” one reporter asked.

“I’m Jake’s uncle. As such, I’m authorized to handle the necessary procedures following the termination

of their engagement. Any further doubts?”

Ava gritted her teeth and whispered a few words to the closest paparazzi.

After listening to Ava’s words, the paparazzi immediately dashed forward, confronting Icarus. with a

question. “You said that you’re Jake’s uncle, so why are you helping Chloe?”

As soon as the question was posed, others in the crowd also began to sense that something was

amiss. Icarus’s eyes flickered with a peculiar gleam as he prepared to respond, but before he could

utter a word, Lucas stormed onto the scene, forcefully pushing his way through the throng of paparazzi

and guiding Chloe toward the exit with urgency.

Lucas quickened his steps, propelled by the fear of provoking Joseph’s anger even further. He had

caught the paparazzi off guard, and by the time they came to their senses, the pair had already

reached the entrance.

Ava’s view was obstructed by the dense crowd, and when she managed to break free and went after

them, all she caught was a fleeting glimpse of the retreating silhouette of a Rolls-Royce. Her pupils

contracted as a vivid memory surged back to her.

‘Chloe has ridden in that very car before. Looks like she hasn’t severed ties with that old man.’

A sinister expression crept across Ava’s face as she seethed with jealousy.

‘No wonder she had the audacity to take this to court. It turns out she has someone helping

her. What a shameless sl*t!!

“It seems like Mr. Joseph is angry. Let’s go back now, Ms. Chloe,” Lucas said urgently, pressing hard

on the accelerator.

Chloe frowned. “What happened?”

“Maybe he saw you with Mr. Icarus,” Lucas replied helplessly.

“But Icarus was here to help Jake get back his money.”

“Well… You can explain that to Mr. Joseph yourself,” he said carefully, “There’s something I’m not sure

if I should say, but I feel Mr. Icarus’ behavior toward you is a bit different…”

Chloe was speechless. It was true that Icarus treated her differently, but they had not done anything

inappropriate. They had maintained a normal friendship, and Chloe had taken great care not to bring

any shame upon the Whitmans. She could not understand why Joseph was so infuriated.

Though she harbored complaints, Chloe knew that confronting him head-on was not an option,

especially considering her own lack of courage.

As she stepped into the office, she immediately sensed the palpable tension in the air. Approaching

Joseph with a gentle smile, she reached out and tugged at his sleeve, asking, ‘ Why the glum face?”