Chapter 387

Chapter 387 Your Darling Is Waiting for You, Isn’t He?

“Sir, it’s not what you think. The weather today is simply too hot, and I’ve been sweating a lot, “the staff

nervously explained.

“That’s your problem.”

“Y-Yes… I apologize, sir.”

Joseph firmly held onto Chloe’s hand and started walking away. Chloe glanced down at their

intertwined fingers, her confusion growing as she wondered, ‘He completely ignored me all afternoon,

and now he’s acting all strange again?’

Attempting to free her hand, Chloe pulled with all her strength, but Joseph’s grip remained unyielding.

“What are you doing?”

“Escorting you.”

“…I don’t need you to escort me.”

“Shut up.”

Chloe was on the verge of speaking, but suddenly her stomach churned, and she immediately covered

her mouth and began to retch.

Joseph’s face darkened instantly. “Do I disgust you?”

“No, it’s not that. I just feel a bit nauseous.”

His expression softened slightly, and he asked coldly, “Is it an upset stomach?”

“It’s not that. I’m not sure what’s wrong.”

After fully moving out of the Johnsons’ residence, Chloe found her life becoming much more relaxed.

Even during busy work days, she would indulge in snacks, and her stomach problems had significantly

improved. She rarely experienced any discomfort or pain since then.

“Should we go to the hospital for a check-up?” Joseph suggested.

“No, there’s no need. I’m fine,” Chloe replied. She did not consider the nauseating feeling to be a

serious issue. Perhaps she had simply eaten something that did not agree with her recently.

Joseph remained silent, gesturing for Chloe to fasten her seatbelt. Though she could not comprehend

his hot and cold behavior, she could not resist him in the end and obediently let him drive her.

During the journey, they passed by the jewelry store she had visited before, only to find it still

closed. It had been closed during her previous visit as well. If it were operating normally, it would not

remain closed for such an extended period.

As they continued driving onto Concord Avenue, they came across a road collapse that obstructed their

path. Chloe took the initiative, suggesting, “Let’s stop here. I’ll find an alternative route through a side

road.”

Joseph’s gaze fixated on the dark and dimly lit alley nearby. His brows furrowed ever so slightly, almost

unnoticeable, as he responded, “As you wish.” Having already accommodated. her by driving this far,

her safety was no longer of his concern.

Chloe blinked, her gaze drawn to the arrogant tilt of his chin and enticing Adam’s apple. Her palm

itched with the desire to touch him. Although he was an asshole, his appearance was unparalleled.

“I remember the matter of the note. Give me some time to think of a solution.”

Throughout the past year, she had been unable to do much to assist him. However, this one thing was

something she was determined to handle well.

“Do you think I wanted to discuss that matter with you and that’s the reason I volunteered to drive you

home?”

“Yes.”

He had maintained a furrowed brow throughout the drive, and his sudden offer to drive her home was

likely because he did not want to bring up the subject in front of Adam and the

others.

Joseph gazed steadily at Chloe and sneered. “You’re right.”

At the entrance of the alley, a group of delinquent youths emerged. Their arms displayed prominent

tattoos as they cast lewd glances at Chloe, assessing her figure and appearance.

Chloe felt a bit intimidated, but she swiftly composed herself. Taking out her phone, she held it to her

ear, projecting an air of indifference to their presence, and continued walking further into the alley.

“Darling, I’m out of the car. Are you coming out?”

“Oh, you’re waiting for me at the alley exit?”

“Yes, I’ll be there in a moment.”

Though Chloe did not believe they would dare to harm her, she took precautions nonetheless.

Inside the alley, darkness engulfed her, with no streetlights in sight. The feeble light from her phone

barely illuminated a meter ahead of her, rendering her surroundings shrouded in obscurity.

Unknowingly, she hastened her steps. As she reached the halfway point, the sound

of footsteps came from behind her.

Chloe turned around, her eyes straining to make out the figure standing in the darkness. Her scalp

prickled, and her immediate thought was that the masked woman and her gang had

returned.

A wave of intense fear surged through her, and her instinctive reaction was to flee. She sprinted as fast

as she could, but the person behind her matched her pace effortlessly. With a few long strides, they

closed the distance and unexpectedly grabbed her hand.

Chloe screamed in terror, “Help! Someone’s trying to kill me!”

“Chloe, it’s me.” Joseph’s eyebrows furrowed tightly. He looked at the woman before him, completely

disoriented and shaken. His heart tightened at the sight. He reached out and enveloped her in a

comforting embrace. His voice was instinctively gentle as he reassured her, “Don’t be afraid, it’s me.

You’re safe.”

One can only imagine the profound impact the kidnapping incident had left on her. She had concealed

her fears and put on a facade of strength, but deep down, the vulnerability that lay beneath remained.

Chloe found solace in the familiar embrace, her gaze meeting Joseph’s blurred features. The rush of

emotions, a mix of grievance and fear, washed over her like a tidal wave. Her small hands clung to his

waist, her voice trembling, “You scared me to death…”

Joseph gently raised his hand, using his fingertips to brush away her tears, his eyes locked onto hers.

“Your darling is waiting for you at the alley exit, isn’t he?