1/4 Chapter 11 The Accident on Horseback With those words , Curtis meant to draw a line between him and Chloe . After all , she'd boldly held a table knife to Brian's throat and had probably offended him . At the same time , Skyline Tech was now competing with Green Tech for the Steele family's investments in the drone sector . By implying that Skyline Tech was unreliable and making false claims about Chloe's credibility , he was undermining a rival . Chloe watched him coldly . After three years of marriage and countless sleepless nights working tirelessly to grow Green Tech , all she'd received in return was being dismissed as just an " ordinary employee " . " Is that so ? " Brian said mildly , his expression giving nothing away . That was when Sonya stepped forward . " Ms. Hansen , I know you and Chloe are friends . It's understandable that you would want to make her look good in front of Mr. Steele , but inventing credentials and spreading falsehoods about her qualifications are unnecessary . " Lena impatiently snapped , " Inventing credentials ? When Chloe was working on drone research , you were probably still playing with toy airplanes . " " What patents does she hold then ? Or what projects has she completed ? " Sonya challenged . Lena opened her mouth but couldn't respond . Chloe's drone research had been conducted in the military under strict confidentiality agreements , so she couldn't openly discuss it . " So , nothing then ? " Sonya asked with a raised brow . " You should know better than to lie in a setting like this . " Those with ties to the Miller family joined in with mocking laughter . While Lena fumed , Chloe calmly said , " You'll know whether it's a lie or not soon enough . " " You're still being stubborn , huh ? It'll cost you sooner or later , " Sonya mocked . Just then , a staff member led a magnificent black stallion with four hooves tipped in white over to them . " Mr. Steele , the Millers would like to gift this stallion to you , " Wayne said with a fawning smile . " He's fierce in spirit but has been professionally tamed by our best riders . If you'd like , you can take him for a ride . " Brian only regarded the stallion with cool indifference and made no move to mount it . The atmosphere grew awkward . Seizing the chance to show off , Sonya eagerly offered , " Then allow me to test this fine horse for you , Mr. Steele . " Since Chloe had managed to win Brian's attention at the restaurant , Sonya thought she could do the Chapter 11 The Accident on Horseback same here . Wayne quickly agreed . " Excellent ! Sonya is an accomplished rider with international certification . Go ahead and take him for a few rounds , Sonya . " Seeing that Brian didn't object , Sonya swung herself onto the saddle in one graceful moment . After digging her heels into the stallion's sides , she set off at a gallop . Those friendly with the Miller family showered her with praise . " As expected of the Millers ' daughter . She flies planes and rides horses like a natural . " " She could compete professionally with skills like that . " " Such confidence and grace ... She would've been hailed a heroine in wartime ! " Lena muttered to Chloe , " Heroine ? Please ... She's just putting on a show . " She'd seen what a truly skilled and confident woman on horseback looked like . 2/4 Overhearing , Curtis approached them and said sharply , " Sonya is genuinely free - spirited and independent , unlike you people who waste time tearing others down . Chloe , maybe instead of telling your friend to insult Sonya , you should focus on improving yourself . " " All I know is that a truly independent woman wouldn't flirt with a married man , " Chloe shot back . Curtis flushed with anger but couldn't make a scene in front of everyone . On the stallion , Sonya felt she'd shown off enough and began riding back toward the group . As she got closer , she tightened the reins . She expected the stallion to slow down to a trot gracefully . But the powerful black stallion showed no signs of stopping at all . If anything , its pace quickened as it charged faster . Panicking as they neared the crowd , Sonya pulled on the reins harder and shouted commands , but nothing made the stallion slow down . Amidst her desperate and clumsy attempts , one of Sonya's boots slipped free of the stirrup , leaving her struggling awkwardly in the saddle . " Ah ! " she screamed , totally losing control of the stallion . She could do nothing to stop it now . The black stallion barreled straight toward the onlookers as those who'd been praising Sonya's riding skills just moments earlier now scattered in alarm . Chloe yanked Lena aside to steer clear of the charging stallion . But out of the corner of her eye , she noticed Brian still standing motionless in place , with Sonya's out - of - control stallion heading straight toward him . If he didn't move , he would get crushed . If he was hit by a horse at that speed , he could break some bones or even die . Chapter 11 The Accident on Horseback 3/4 Before Chloe could think , she sprinted toward Brian . With remarkable strength and speed , she grabbed him and dragged him into a rolling dive across the grass . Gasps tore through the onlookers as hooves thundered past them , missing them by inches . Wayne exhaled sharply . If Brian had been injured by the stallion , the entire Miller family would have had to pay for it . Chloe lay there , panting for breath as the heavy weight pinning her down reminded her what she'd just done . " Mr. Steele , are you hurt ? " she asked . Brian remained on top of her , silent . Had he been kicked by a hoof during the roll ? As that thought crossed Chloe's mind , she tried to push herself up to check him for any wounds , but a firm hand suddenly pressed down on her shoulder and held her in place . His cool voice rang in her ear . " Why did you save me ? " " No reason . It was just reflex , " she replied flatly . Seeing that lives were at risk , her military training had kicked in , and she'd instinctively rushed over to save him . " Reflex ? " Brian slowly pushed himself up , looking down at her beneath him . As they stayed in that position , a faint ripple of emotion stirred in the calm depths of his eyes for the first time . All Chloe could see was her own reflection in those dark eyes - her sharp , clear features and her determined expression . " Yes . I would've done the same if it were someone else ! " Chloe firmly announced , and Brian seemed slightly taken aback . Growing impatient , she said , " If you're not hurt , get off . " Something flickered in his gaze . Few people had the guts to talk to him with such impatience . When he still didn't move , she shoved him off and got to her feet . Across the field , the black stallion was still galloping in wild circles . Sonya clung desperately to the saddle and bounced helplessly as she screamed , " Help ! Somebody stop this horse ! " But no one dared approach the frenzied animal . It didn't take long for her grip on the reins to fail . With a violent jolt , the stallion reared as Sonya lost balance and was thrown off onto the grass . Even with a soft , grassy landing , she cried out in pain . Chapter 11 The Accident on Horseback 4/4 Curtis rushed to her side and worriedly said , " Hang on . The staff members have gone to get help . We'll get you to the hospital . " Suddenly , Lena's voice rang out . " Chloe , watch out ! " Alarmed , Curtis looked up just in time to see the black stallion charge straight toward Chloe . He instinctively scrambled onto his feet to run to her , but Sonya grabbed his wrist tightly . " Curtis , it hurts so much ! " Her cry made him freeze on the spot . And in the split second he faltered , the stallion had already reached within several feet of Chloe . A glint of malice shone in Sonya's eyes . If she was going down , she would make sure Chloe wouldn't have it her way and would look even worse . The crowd watched in horror as Chloe stood frozen to the spot . Everyone thought she'd been scared stiff and would end up getting crushed beneath the stallion's hooves . But at the last moment , her hand shot out to seize the stallion's reins . In one swift , practiced motion , she vaulted onto the stallion's back . Claim Bonus For Free Every Day >>