Chapter 6
Chloe's POV:
"I'd like to ask—do you still have backups of your initial drafts or related materials? We might need to reference them."
I held the phone to my ear. "Ryan, I've already resigned. When I left, that project was eighty percent complete. There shouldn't be any major issues."
"I know… but the new designer hasn't been able to keep up with the client's demands. Mr. Miller gave a direct order this afternoon—no matter what, we have to salvage this project."
I let out a cold laugh.
Ethan. So you're finally facing consequences.
"I'm sorry, but I can't help you. I signed my resignation agreement. I have no ties to Miller Group anymore. Maybe you should check the company archives."
After I hung up, my mind felt chaotic.
I was the one who'd brokered that project in the first place. The client's lead didn't even know that 'G' was the Reed family's eldest daughter.
But now…
I stared at the message I'd sent to my lawyer. Still no reply.
The divorce wasn't finalized yet. And now this.
I pressed my fingers to my temples. My thoughts were a mess.
The next morning, I was eating breakfast with Anna at the apartment when my phone rang again.
This time, it was Lydia. "Chloe! Have you seen the news?"
"What news?"
"Ethan's company is in trouble! Something about design plagiarism. Reed Group is threatening to terminate the contract and sue for thirty million!"
My hand froze.
Thirty million?
"Hold on. Let me check."
I opened the news app. The headline read:
#Miller Group Accused of Design Plagiarism—Reed Group May Terminate Partnership, Seeking $30 Million in Damages
Below the headline was a photo of Ethan standing outside the company building, his face grim, surrounded by a swarm of reporters.
As I scrolled, Lydia's voice came through again. "And there's more! Your rival, Vivian—she just joined Miller Group today. Guess what department? Design!"
"What?"
"It's in the news! Says Mr. Miller personally recommended her despite opposition. She's been appointed Assistant Design Director. They even posted a photo of her holding design sketches, calling her 'exceptionally talented' and 'gifted.'"
Lydia's tone dripped with sarcasm. "Please. She only got in because of connections. What talent could she possibly have?"
I didn't respond. I swiped to the photo.
In it, Vivian wore a white suit, holding a stack of design sketches and smiling at the camera.
Those sketches were my rough drafts from six months ago—early concept work for the Reed Group project.
I'd drawn them and decided I wasn't satisfied. I'd tossed them into a drawer in the study.
How did she get them?
I forced myself to think back. Around that time, Ethan had started bringing Vivian home frequently. He'd said something about how "it's inconvenient for her to live alone, so she's coming over occasionally."
I'd treated her like a patient. Made her tea. Cleaned up the guest room for her.
Had she gone through my things when I wasn't looking?
I gripped my phone tightly.
"Chloe? You still there?"
Lydia's voice pulled me back.
"Yeah."
"Why aren't you saying anything? Are you that upset?"
"No." I kept my voice as steady as I could. "Lydia, I have to go. I'll call you back later."
After hanging up, I sat on the sofa, my mind racing.
Vivian had taken my design sketches and joined Miller Group. And the client was satisfied?
That explained everything. They weren't looking at a new proposal. They were looking at my old drafts from six months ago.
But she didn't know I'd drawn them.
To her, they were just "anonymous sketches" she'd stolen.
I was about to call Ryan back when Anna woke up. She sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes. "Mommy? What's wrong?"
I walked over and hugged her. "Nothing, sweetheart. Mommy's fine."
Just then, my phone rang. It was my mother.
"Chloe, when are you coming home? Something's happened…"
Her voice sounded off. My chest tightened.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
Silence on the other end. Then her voice dropped to barely a whisper.
"Your father… he's sick. It's serious."
She paused. Her voice trembled. "And the company… there's been a problem."
My hand shook as I held the phone.
"I'm coming right now."
After I hung up, I scooped up Anna and started packing.
Ethan's mess. The divorce. None of it mattered right now. I had to get home.
Two hours later, I stood outside my parents' house.
I knew this mansion so well, but standing here now, it felt foreign.
Six years. Six whole years since I'd stepped through this door.
The door opened.
My mother stood in the doorway. Her hair had gone white in so many places. Wrinkles lined the corners of her eyes. But the way she looked at me—it was the same as six years ago.
"Chloe…"
She pulled me into her arms and sobbed.
"Mom…" My tears fell too. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry…"
"You're home. That's all that matters. You're home."
She wiped her tears and crouched down to look at Anna. "This is Anna, isn't it? She looks just like you when you were little."
Anna hid shyly behind me but still called out politely, "Hi, Grandma."
My mother smiled through her tears.
I took Anna's hand and walked into the living room.
My father sat on the sofa. His face was pale. He'd lost so much weight. He looked ten years older.
When he saw me, he just stared. He didn't say a word.
"Dad…" My voice trembled.
He didn't respond. He looked me over from head to toe, then turned his gaze to Anna.
"What's the child's name?"
"Anna," I said. "Anna Reed."
His expression softened slightly.
"Good that you're back." His voice came out dry and rough. Then he turned his face away and didn't look at me again.
Six years ago, I'd cut ties with my family for Ethan. I'd even said cruel things—"I don't need you to take care of me for the rest of my life."
My father had been so angry he ended up in the hospital. My mother had knelt and begged me not to leave. But I'd walked away without looking back.
Thinking about it now, I was a complete bastard.
"Dad, Mom…" I said quietly. "I need to know what happened."
My mother sat down beside me, holding my hand. Her voice was low.
"The year after you left, your father was diagnosed with liver cancer. He's been in treatment ever since. It's cost a lot of money… And the company—without anyone managing it properly, performance has been declining year after year. Your brother…"
She paused. "Your brother went abroad. Said he was chasing his dreams. But it's been four years, and he barely even calls."
