Brian kept his head lowered as he stood close to Chloe . His dark , beautiful eyes , once cold and lifeless , now flickered with something that almost seemed like a hint of longing . Longing ? Chloe almost laughed at the thought that flashed through her mind . She couldn't believe what she was imagining . No matter what , Brian wouldn't long for a bodyguard . " There are plenty of people in this world who wouldn't leave you behind , Mr. Steele . I'm not exactly indispensable , " Chloe said . The elevator chimed softly as it reached the first floor , and Chloe quickly stepped out as the doors slid open . " Mr. Steele , you should probably go to the hospital to get checked . It's safer . I'll head back first , " she said , turning to leave . Someone like Brian exuded an air of danger , and her instincts told her it was best to stay away . Brian quietly watched her retreating figure , then slowly turned to William and said , " How do you think I can win Chloe over ? " Standing beside him , William was momentarily taken aback . As Brian's personal secretary , he knew Brian was nearly a man without desires . For someone like Brian , getting whatever he wanted had always been effortless - things would come to him without him even lifting a finger . Yet now , William was surprised that Brian actually wanted Chloe . " Well ... from what I've seen of Ms. Quall's background , she's not the type to be easily swayed by money . Even though she's no longer in the military , she still carries a soldier's pride , " William said carefully . William had been the one to thoroughly investigate Chloe's background , so he knew her history very well . " Exactly ! She's not the type to be swayed by money . But if it were an order ... would she obey ? " Brian murmured thoughtfully . William froze . It seemed Brian really did want Chloe . Yet , he didn't know whether this would be a blessing or a curse for her . Chloe returned to the villa and dropped the blood - stained outfit she'd changed out of at the mall into the laundry , planning to clean it later . Chapter 21 How to Win Her 2/4 The clothes Brian had given her were from a luxury brand , and on the way home , she'd checked online and discovered that the set was worth 70 thousand dollars . Money truly meant nothing to the wealthy , especially someone like him . Once the clothes were dry - cleaned , Chloe planned on returning them . Just then , her phone rang with a call from Lena . As soon as she answered , Lena's anxious voice blared through the speaker . " Did you really face a bomb in the mall today ? Are you hurt ? " " No , " Chloe replied . " You sure get your information fast . How did you find out ? " " You called that guy , Ethan . Of course I'd know ! You ran into danger and called him first instead of me ! " Listening to the playful jealousy in Lena's voice , Chloe couldn't help but smile . " Ethan can evacuate the mall in record time . Could you have done that ? " Lena went silent instantly . Of course , she couldn't compare to Ethan . She knew his background -he was the scion of the Hughes family , his father was a military commander , his mother a renowned scientist , and his connections were extensive . " But speaking of which , back when you married Curtis without telling Ethan , you really drove him crazy . And now after just a call , he's willing to help you ? He's not mad at you anymore ? " Lena said . " Even if he's still a little upset , he knows how to prioritize what's important , " Chloe replied . " That's true . After all , he used to serve in the military , " Lena muttered . Back when Chloe had been in the special forces , Ethan had been one of her team members . They'd faced life - and - death situations together , forming a bond forged in combat . " Used to ? " Chloe blinked . " He's out of the military ? " " Yeah . Not long after you got married , he left the service and went abroad for three years . He just came back recently , " Lena explained . Chloe was surprised . She had always assumed the Hughes family would want him to stay in the military and gradually climb the ranks . " Whenever you're free , let's get together with Ethan and catch up , " Lena suggested . " He's been mad for three years . It's about time he got over it . " " Sure , " Chloe said with a small smile , remembering the young , spirited Ethan , who used to call her " Clo " with boundless energy and enthusiasm . She thought about how she'd gotten married quietly back then , without telling anyone , and admitted to herself that maybe she hadn't handled that properly . Chapter 21 How to Win Her 3/4 At that moment , Curtis entered the laundry room . Chloe frowned slightly and put her phone away . Curtis had come because he'd heard her voice , but when he saw the blood - stained clothes in the sink , he froze . " What happened ? Are you hurt ? " He looked at her with concern and reached for her hand , as if checking her for injuries . " Where are you injured ? Did you go to the hospital ? " Chloe studied him with surprise . At that moment , his expression reminded her of how he'd been three years ago . Back then , he'd worried about her just like this . It was partly because of that and partly because of Jenna and Walter's unfulfilled wishes that she ultimately chose to marry him . But after their marriage , his care and attention toward her gradually faded , replaced by constant thoughts of his first love . Perhaps for some men , what they could never have was always the best , and what came easily was never truly cherished . " I'm fine . The blood on my clothes is someone else's , " Chloe said calmly , withdrawing her hand . " Someone else's blood ? What happened ? " Curtis asked , puzzled . " Someone got hurt at the mall while I was there . My clothes just happened to get a little stained with blood , " she said , deliberately downplaying the bomb incident . She didn't intend on telling him what really happened . " Good , as long as you're okay , " Curtis said with a sigh of relief . " What about you ? Why are you back so early ? Weren't you supposed to be with Sonya ? " Chloe asked casually . Curtis ' expression shifted slightly . " Sonya and I are just friends . You're my wife . I know you've been through a lot lately . I'll spend more time with you from now on . " " From now on ? " Chloe thought bitterly . There would be no " from now on " for them . If he'd truly ever considered her his wife , he wouldn't have repeatedly left her for Sonya . " So , you came back early today just to spend time with me ? " she asked , staring at him . In that instant , Curtis felt a wave of awkwardness , as if Chloe could see right through him . " I ... of course , I came to spend time with you . I also wanted to discuss some company matters . I hope you'll consider returning to work at the company . " Chloe smiled knowingly . So that was the real reason he came back early . " I've already joined a friend's company . I don't plan to return to Green Tech . " " I know you're at Skyline Tech , but you're my wife . Isn't a husband supposed to come before a friend ? " he Chapter 21 How to Win Her said . 4/4 " But for you , your wife doesn't even come before your friend , Sonya , does she ? " Chloe said sarcastically . Curtis froze , then said after a moment , " Enough ! Let's not argue . I just want you to return to the company . " Chapter 22 Only to Repay a Favor