fantishu
Chapter 376
Now, he was utterly paralyzed, his hands and feet freezing cold. Despite being surrounded by lush greenery and the fresh scent of nature, it felt like he was being held underwater, unable to breathe.
Connor clung to a sliver of hope. Maybe, just maybe, at the last moment, Chloe would leap off the horse to save herself. But he knew that even such a desperate move carried its own risks.
Fear surged within him like an unstoppable tide, eventually becoming a flood that threatened to overwhelm his will and reason. He finally reached the edge of the cliff, his heart pounding as if suspended by a thread, teetering on the brink of life and death.
And then he saw her. Chloe stood there, unharmed. The horse had been calmed by a man in a suit and was now quiet. Nearby, a stone table and several wicker chairs were arranged, and seated in one of them was a familiar figure.
The woman, dressed head to toe in haute couture, exuded an air of timeless elegance. Despite nearing fifty, her skin was smooth and wrinkle-free, making her look like she was in her early thirties. She sat there with a porcelain teacup, leisurely sipping her tea with a calm and graceful demeanor.
As Connor rode up, she remained serene. He dismounted and ran to Chloe, finally standing beside her. Grasping her shoulders, he frantically checked her over. "Are you alright? Did you get hurt?"
Chloe's expression was complex, but she shook her head. "I'm fine."
Connor let out a breath of relief. He then turned, his gaze cold and stern, locking eyes with the woman sipping her tea. "Claire, it's been a long time." Claire finally set down her antique porcelain cup, her eyes twinkling with a smile. "Indeed, it has. You didn't come home the last time you were in Eldridge City. Dad was quite disappointed."NôvelDrama.Org owns this text.
Connor had anticipated her answer but still asked, "Why are you here?"
Maintaining her composed posture, Claire replied, "This island is mine. I suddenly felt like coming over today, and just as my plane landed, I saw Ms. Chloe's horse running wild. It was my bodyguard who saved her."
Claire always had her two bodyguards with her, top mercenaries trained by a secret international organization-also top-notch assassins. Connor couldn't believe her appearance was just a coincidence.
They had only arrived on the island yesterday, Diana had almost been assaulted, and now both Diana and Chloe's horses had gone mad. Claire was definitely behind it all. And now he realized the island belonged to Claire, meaning they were like fish on a chopping board.
Claire turned to Chloe. "Ms. Chloe, you haven't thanked me for saving your life."
It was Chloe's first time seeing
someone demand a favor in return for a good deed. She knew her horse's madness wasn't an accident, likely all orchestrated by Claire. Almost expressionless, Chloe said, "Madam, for saving my life, I
can only offer my service in the next life to repay your kindness."
Claire easily caught the underlying meaning. Repayment in this life was out of the question. With a gentle smile, Claire said, "Don't worry, Ms. Chloe. I have plenty of opportunities for you to repay me."
Chloe's brows furrowed as she warily watched the wealthy and graceful woman before her.
"Mom!" A shout from not too far away shattered the stillness in the air.