Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 193

"Emilia, I always thought you'd inherited some of your father's character. But I never imagined you'd turn out like this—so desperate for reputation, willing to swallow anything just to keep your comfortable life."

Chloe's voice dripped with disdain. "People like you really get under my skin, you know that?"

Emilia closed her eyes for a moment.

"So, go on hating me, Chloe. But I have to ask—why the sudden change? Why start looking at me differently now?" Emilia's voice was steady as she opened her eyes again.

She stared straight ahead. "Is it because of Kaufman? Or is there something else?"

"I won't deny I like him," Chloe replied, "but if you think I'm targeting you just because of him, you're seriously underestimating me."

"It's a lot of things, honestly." Chloe met Emilia's gaze. "I spent years at Cerulion studying, and even now, Dennis is a legend in our field. That makes me curious, maybe even a little envious."

"But above all, I just can't stand the idea of someone like you—someone who's all about appearances—being hailed as the hero of the Erickson family's transformation. It's an insult, not just to me, but to Tyler and the whole family!"

"The truth is, it was Erickson Group's hard work and real breakthroughs that got us here. So why does everyone act like you're the missing piece? And you're Tyler's wife, yet the rumors about you and Kaufman are everywhere. I can't take it!"

Emilia met Chloe's resentful glare, then let out an amused breath.

"Those rumors didn't start with me," Emilia said quietly. "I've never claimed to be the linchpin everyone thinks I am. Last time at Lunar Manor, I thought I made that clear."

Maybe Chloe would never understand that every gift fate bestows comes with a hidden price tag.

If you want something, you pay for it.

And sometimes, that price is more than you're willing—or even able—to bear.

Emilia herself was once Ms. Dennis; she understood what family pride meant to Chloe.

"Why call it ‘Miss'?"

Emilia regarded Chloe for a long moment. "I don't know about the wine. As for Cerulion… it was nothing special, really. A messy story, a little bit dramatic. But it involved some of Kaufman's secrets. If you want answers, you'll have to ask him yourself."

"I want you to tell me!" Chloe leaned in, her jeweled necklace catching the light as her chest heaved with emotion.

Emilia could only sigh.

"He has every right to decide whether or not to tell you."

Looking back, risking everything like that had been pure recklessness—youthful arrogance.

But that boy was gone. Kaufman was no longer just a reckless kid with a mean streak; he was now the man in charge, a force she couldn't afford to cross.