Chapter 18 This Marriage is Definitely Over Sonya's face twisted with disdain , her lips curling into a sharp , mocking smirk . " So now you're defending her ? Chloe can fly a plane ? You're not just insulting me , Curtis ; you're insulting every professional pilot out there ! " Curtis choked on his words . If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes , he would have found it hard to believe . " I was just- " " Enough , don't say another word ! " Sonya snapped , cutting him off . Her expression darkened . She had no desire to hear Curtis speak up for Chloe . Curtis pressed his lips together and didn't continue the topic . On the screen , the Zivko Edge 541 Chloe was flying executed one difficult aerial maneuver after another . The commentators of the live broadcast couldn't hold back their amazement , insisting that only a highly experienced pilot could pull off such breathtaking stunts . Sonya's eyes flicked toward Curtis , who was still watching the screen intently , and a flash of displeasure crossed her face . If she hadn't been injured , she would have been performing today , basking in the audience's admiration . Especially since she was AeroQuest Airlines ' first female captain , she would have stolen the spotlight . Thinking of the horseback accident that had left her sidelined while Chloe tamed a stallion and stole the show made Sonya's stomach twist with irritation . That day , it felt as if Chloe had used her as a stepping stone . But Chloe was unbearably arrogant . Just because she could ride a horse , she seemed to think flying a plane would be just as simple . To Sonya , the idea was laughable . She would make Chloe understand the real difference between them someday . After the flight demonstration ended , Lena still had business to attend to , so Chloe left first . As she exited the exhibition hall , a black Maybach pulled up right in front of her . She recognized the car immediately - it was Brian's . Milton Mack , Brian's driver , stepped out and opened the door for Chloe . " Mr. Steele asked me to give you a ride , Ms. Quall . " " No need , I can take a cab , " Chloe replied . " Are you saying you don't want me to give you a ride , Ms. Quall ? " A cool , even voice drifted from the back seat . Chloe bent down and met Brian's striking face . Chapter 18 This Marriage is Definitely Over 2/4 She exhaled quietly . There was no point in clashing with someone like him , and if Brian insisted on giving her a ride , she might as well treat it as saving herself the cab fare . " Alright , then . Thank you , Mr. Steele , " Chloe said , giving Milton her address . As she stepped into the car , Curtis walked out of the exhibition hall , his eyes locking on the Maybach pulling away . Disbelief flickered across his face . For a second , he almost thought he was seeing things , but there was no denying it - Chloe had gotten into Brian's car . Inside the car , Brian said , " Ms. Quall , as a former team leader of the Shadow Hawks Special Forces , your flight demonstration today was outstanding . " Chloe immediately realized that Brian had probably looked into her past . " You flatter me , " she said . The car fell silent again . Brian held a book , idly flipping through the pages , while Chloe's gaze drifted to his fingers . They were the kind of hands that could have belonged to an artist - elegant , clean , almost too perfect . Yet at the same time , they carried a darker edge , the kind of hands that had clearly known violence . She remembered the way he'd handled a gun at the restaurant before - his grip and precision when handling . There was no doubt in her mind - Brian definitely knew how to shoot . Just as Chloe was lost in thought , Brian's cool voice broke the silence beside her . " Ms. Quall , you've been staring at my hands for quite a while . If you like them that much , are you sure you don't want me to keep them for you someday ? " Chloe nearly choked on her own breath , breaking into a cough . " No - no , that's not it . I was just curious about the book you're reading , Mr. Steele . " " The Ornithological Manuscript of M , " Brian replied , tilting the cover so she could see . " Her eyes lit up . " That book is rare ! Even the city library doesn't have a copy - it's been out of print for years . The book was filled with exquisite illustrations of birds . Because of her love for birds , she had once heard about the book and hoped to borrow a copy . But when she learned that it had long been out of print , she had given up the idea . Now , unexpectedly , she saw it in Brian's hands . " The content is decent . Would you like to read it ? " he asked . " No , thank you . We're almost at my place anyway , " Chloe said . A few minutes later , the car rolled to a stop in front of the villa where Chloe and Curtis lived . Chapter 18 This Marriage is Definitely Over 3/4 Chloe stepped out of the car and had only taken a few steps when Milton hurriedly got out and walked toward her . " Ms. Quall , Mr. Steele instructed me to give this book to you , " Milton said , handing her the rare book , " The Ornithological Manuscript of M " , that Brian had been reading earlier . She froze , then quickly shook her head . " That won't be necessary . Please thank Mr. Steele for me , but this book is far too valuable . I shouldn't accept it , " she said . " Mr. Steele instructed me to leave it with you . If you don't want it , just throw it away , " Milton replied before turning and walking back to the car without waiting for her answer . Chloe started forward to stop him , but Joanne suddenly stepped out of nowhere , blocking her path . " Well , well , Chloe . I knew you weren't as innocent as you pretend to be . First , you let some other man drop you off at your place , and now he's giving you books ? Don't think I didn't record every bit of it . Let's see if that book is something decent - or something scandalous ! " As Joanne spoke , she suddenly reached out to snatch the book . Chloe slapped her hand away without hesitation , her expression cold . " Joanne , don't push your luck . " Joanne yelped , clutching her reddened hand . " You actually hit me ? Fine ! I recorded everything - how you got out of some other man's car . Just wait until Curtis gets home . I can't wait to see how you explain this ! " She stormed off , her phone already in her hand as she called Curtis . By the time Curtis returned , Joanne wasn't the only one waiting in the living room . Helen was there too , her expression dark . The moment she saw him step through the door , Helen stormed forward , her face tight with anger . " Chloe has been sneaking around with another man ! If Joanne hadn't caught her red - handed , we would've still been in the dark . " " I told you , Curtis . She's not the respectable wife she pretends to be . Otherwise , why would the project the company worked so hard to secure suddenly fall apart just because she left ? " Joanne spoke as she pulled out her phone and showed Curtis the video she'd recorded . On the screen , Curtis saw the license plate of the black Maybach - and his expression stiffened . It was Brian's car . Then he saw Chloe stepping out of the car , followed by Milton approaching her and handing her a book . So he hadn't been mistaken earlier . Chloe really had gotten into Brian's car . For a moment , suspicion rose in Curtis ' mind . " What's going on ? " he asked coldly , his expression dark as he turned to Chloe . " I happened to run into him on my way out of the aviation expo . He offered me a ride , that's all , " Chloe Chapter 18 This Marriage is Definitely Over said evenly . 4/4 Joanne sneered . " That sounds convenient . Chloe , you're a married woman . What kind of intentions do you have that you got into another man's car ? " Chloe shot back , " Then maybe you should ask Curtis the same question . He's a married man too , yet that hasn't stopped him from giving Sonya plenty of rides . " Joanne's expression froze , and before Chloe could react , Helen rushed forward , her hand raised , ready to slap her across the face . " I'll tell you this right now , " Helen spat , her voice dripping with fury . " Your marriage to my son is over ! " Enjoy Ad - Free Reading >>