Beaten Chloe

The restaurant patrons had originally been distracted by Chloe and Allison's altercation. However, upon Reginald's entrance, all eyes turned to admire this striking gentleman. His height was accentuated by the bespoke black suit that skimfully graced his frame. An air of refinement clung to him that bespoke quality and taste seldom witnessed nowadays. He compelled fascination – once glimpsed, he could not easily be ignored or dismissed from one's notice.

Upon seeing him, Chloe's eyes lit up, and she hurried over to him, choking back sobs, "Reggie!"

Reginald frowned, "What are you doing here?"

Chloe's eyes turned red. Pitifully, she explained, "I wanted to talk to Arabella and explain what happened last night, but before we could talk much, she insulted me, and Allison even slapped me."

She pointed to her swollen cheek, pouting, "It hurts so much."

Reginald glanced at Arabella, "Is what she's saying true?"

Arabella laughed. She hadn't expected Reginald's love interest to be such a guy—cold-hearted, accusing, and malicious.

Indeed, the favored ones are often the ones who are loved.

Before Arabella could speak, Allison interjected, "Bro, guess what? If it weren't for that Chloe bird attacking my sister-in-law first, would she curse her? When you feel uncomfortable and irritable, has she ever argued with you? I slapped Chloe because she tried to scratch my sister-in-law's face. I think I went easy on her."

Reginald looked at Chloe, "So, you provoked Arabella? Tried to scratch her face?"

Chloe's face turned pale. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she whimpered, "No, Arabella and Allison misunderstood me. Reggie, you have to believe me."

She reached out, holding Reginald's hand and leaning against him.

Allison stepped forward, grabbing Chloe's arm and forcefully pulling her aside. She scolded, "Are you spineless or crazy? My brother is a married man, and you dare to cling to him? Shameless wench!"

Chloe clutched her chest in pain. Her tears fell like a broken string of beads.

Reginald furrowed his brows slightly and told Allison, "Go easy on her, okay? Chloe suffers from severe depression. Don't provoke her."

Allison sneered, "Don't use depression as an excuse. I've seen many depression patients; they have dignity and kindness, unlike her. She could have been a good girl, but she always seeks trouble!"

Chloe cried loudly, covering her mouth in agony as she stumbled out.

The driver quickly grabbed her bag and followed suit.

Reginald turned to his bodyguard and instructed, "Follow her, make sure she won't attempt suicide again."

"Yes, Mr. Reginald," the bodyguard responded, hurrying to catch up.

Allison muttered, "If she really wants to die, she should find a secluded place and do it. Who is she trying to scare with this fake threat?"

Reginald's gaze turned icy. He scolded, "Allison, that's too much!"

Arabella stepped in front of Allison, "Blame me if you must speak. Allison is just expressing my anger."

Looking at Arabella, Reginald's expression softened slightly. He took out a bottle of imported scar removal cream from his bag and handed it to her. "I had this scar removal cream sent over from abroad. Apply it as instructed, don't let the neck wound leave a scar."

Arabella looked at the cream, her emotions complex.

Arabella knew he didn't love her, but sometimes, she still felt that he seemed to care about her.

Soon, she laughed self-deprecatingly. If he really cared, why was last night like that?

Last night was too painful.

So painful that it made her lose the courage to face him.

Allison took the scar removal cream from Reginald and handed it to Arabella. She glared at Reginald and said, "Brother, if you dare to upset my sister-in-law, I won't recognize you as my brother!"

Reginald gently said, "This is an adult matter, not suitable for children to intervene."

"I'm only a year younger than my sister-in-law, I'm not a child!"

Reginald ignored her, gently holding Arabella's hand. "Have you eaten? If not, let me take you out for a meal."

Arabella took a step back as if startled. She quickly withdrew her hand from his, saying, "I've already eaten."

Reginald looked at her, his gaze unusually gentle. "If I tell you that last night was a misunderstanding, would you believe me?"

Arabella nodded provocatively, her usually gentle voice now sharp, "I came in at an inappropriate time and disturbed you."

Reginald chuckled deeply, with a hint of helplessness. "Well, then let me take you home."

Arabella walked out with her handbag.

Reginald, with his long strides, followed closely behind her, while his assistant trailed from a distance.

After leaving the bar, they passed by a flower shop. Arabella pushed open the door.

Arabella looked around and pointed to a bouquet of white roses, saying, "I want one."

The shopkeeper asked, "How many would you like?"

Recalling the twenty roses Reginald had given to Chloe, Arabella said, "Make it two hundred."

The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment and smiled, "Please wait a moment."

After a long time, the flowers were finally wrapped up. Arabella then understood why the assistant had hesitated.

Two hundred roses, all wrapped up, had a diameter of nearly a meter. They were large and heavy.

She struggled to lift them, but she felt a sense of liberation. Why wait for someone else to deliver when she had the ability to buy them herself? She wasn't incapable.

Reginald took out his card to pay, but Arabella handed over her own card, stating firmly, "I have enough money on my own."

She sounded quite arrogant.

This money was from her own earnings.

Reginald just smiled faintly, realizing that she was simply angry.

After settling the bill, Arabella walked out carrying the huge bouquet of white roses.

The enormous arrangement made her petite figure appear even more delicate, like a slender bamboo, fragile yet resilient.

Reginald reached out to take them from her.

Arabella sidestepped, avoiding his hands.

Reginald's hands froze in mid-air for a second, then slowly withdrew.

They walked side by side.

Reginald looked at the thick bouquet of roses in Arabella's arms. "Do you also like white roses?"

"I don't like them," Arabella replied bluntly.

"If you don't like them, why did you buy so many?" Reginald asked with a furrowed brow.

"Hmm." Arabella made a noncommittal hum, her nose slightly wrinkled.

Reginald chuckled, seeing her usual sweet demeanor turn into an irritated pout. "I didn't take you for a flower lover. I thought painting was your only hobby."

"I'm still a woman!" Arabella retorted angrily.

Seeing her sweet demeanor turn into an irritated pout, Reginald laughed. "So, what flowers do you prefer? I'll make sure to send some next time."

Arabella pursed her lips, refusing to answer.