Chapter 357

Chapter 357 Joseph Is Angry

Joseph abruptly stopped in his tracks when he heard the ringing of a bell. He reached for Chloe’s wrist,

forcefully tearing off her bracelet. Precious gems and beads scattered across the floor, and his polished

shoes inadvertently crushed one nearby. His gaze turned cold and filled with disdain as he remarked,

“What a tasteless accessory. It’s absolutely hideous.”

Blushing with a mix of anger and embarrassment, Chloe spoke out, her voice trembling, “Why won’t

you leave Icarus alone? He didn’t provoke you. If you’re displeased with me, you can just come at me

directly!”

Joseph brushed his fingertips against her swollen lip. His voice was husky and magnetic. “It’s simple

really. I’ll spare him once you break up with him.”

Even if they had divorced, he would not allow any other man to touch the women he had once been

intimate with. It disgusted him.

“You have no right to interfere in my life!”

Joseph released his grip on Chloe, mocking her with a slight curl of his lips. “Well, then you can leave.”

Chloe’s eyes flickered with determination. Walking away would not solve anything. She adjusted her

disheveled bangs and caught sight of surveillance cameras in the hallway. Her face tensed

up, and she gestured toward the office. “Can we talk inside?”

Joseph observed her cautious demeanor but remained unfazed.

‘Becoming a brand ambassador has heightened her sense of privacy, hasn’t it?’

In reality, there were only two people on this floor-him and Lucas-and the surveillance cameras had

long been turned off. However, he had no intention of revealing that to her.

Chloe hesitated for a moment and tentatively reached out to grab Joseph’s shirt hem, slowing her tone

and speaking gently, “I believe we can sit down and have a calm discussion. Whatever grievances you

hold and whatever resentments I have, let’s lay them all out. Can we do that?”

Joseph could see through her little scheme, but he reluctantly agreed to her softened approach. As he

expected, as soon as they returned to the office, Chloe immediately let go of her grip.

With a disdainful chuckle, Joseph reclined lazily on the sofa, exuding an air of superiority.” Say what

you want to say,” he commanded.

“Can you please stop disrupting Icarus’ career? He’s innocent,” Chloe pleaded.

Small and medium-sized companies were particularly susceptible to setbacks, often facing the looming

threat of bankruptcy after a few blows.

“Is this the attitude you adopt when seeking someone’s help?” Joseph scoffed.

Chloe nervously bit her lip. “Then what do you want me to do?”

“Last time, you begged me for Icarus’ sake. I don’t need to instruct you on what to do this time, do I?”

Joseph’s words dripped with a mixture of condescension and amusement.

Chloe was stunned, her teeth clenched tightly as she said, “No way. If you want a woman, go ask

Nathan. I’m not a commodity for sale!”

‘Why does he always expect me to pay him with my body? Is he intentionally trying to humiliate me?

Was his previous facade of dignity and restraint merely a cover-up for his real self?’

Upon hearing this, Joseph narrowed his eyes and grinned. He preferred her refusal over her

compliance. After all, he did not want to see her compromise herself for the sake of Icarus.

“Come here.” Joseph beckoned with a crooked finger, a hint of amusement playing on his cold. and

inscrutable face.

Chloe could not decipher his intentions and hesitated and stood rooted to her spot.

Supporting his forehead with one hand, Joseph reassured, “I won’t force you to do anything.”

This time, Chloe hesitated for a moment before finally walking over to him. Seizing the opportunity,

Joseph embraced her waist and pulled her onto his lap.

Chloe lost her balance, and instinctively, wrapped her arms around Joseph’s neck. Just as she settled,

her phone in her bag started ringing-it was Icarus calling. She could not help but feel. guilty, wanting to

push Joseph away.

Expressionless, Joseph commanded, “Reject the call.”

Chloe knew she should reject the call, but instead of doing that, she thought it would be better to simply

turn off her phone. If she claimed her battery had died, it would suffice as an explanation if Icarus

asked any questions. In this kind of situation, she could not guarantee. that the man beside her would

not say something inappropriate.

Just as her fingertips were about to touch the screen of her phone, Joseph suddenly kissed her lips,

tightly intertwining them, leaving her no chance to speak.

This kiss was even more intense than the previous one, and Chloe’s intuition told her that Joseph was

angry.