Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 194

Chloe narrowed her eyes at Emilia. "So, you've decided to turn your back on the Dennis family?"

Emilia took a step closer, closing the distance between them.

"Is that a threat?" Emilia's gaze was icy as she stared Chloe down.

"A threat? Haven't I been threatening you all along?" Chloe sneered.

Emilia's eyes narrowed. "I thought we were having a conversation."

Chloe let out a mocking laugh. "Emilia, you're a woman who survives on the charity of the Erickson family. What makes you think you have the right to negotiate with me?"

She waved her phone, flashing a message from Vivienne, then gestured toward the side door.

Standing there, half-hidden in the shadows, was Tyler, speaking quietly to someone.

Vivienne.

Even dressed plainly, she was unmistakable.

Emilia felt a cold wave of irony wash over her. Just minutes ago, Tyler had acted so defiant, refusing to take Vivienne's call in front of her. And yet now, he'd brought Vivienne here himself.

"Emilia, Tyler hasn't loved you for a long time," Chloe said. "And your days as Mrs. Erickson are numbered."

"Are you really waiting for Vivienne to die so you can just keep pretending nothing's happened and go on playing the perfect wife?"

"Let me tell you—that's never going to happen."

Chloe's voice rang out, but Emilia didn't look at her. Instead, she watched Tyler draw close to Vivienne, leaning in to examine something she held out to him. In the dim light, the two of them stood far too near each other.

"Have you seen enough?" Chloe's voice cut through the silence.

"I'm working with Vivienne now," she said. "If I want to take control of the old Dennis loyalists left in The Erickson Group, I can do it in a heartbeat."

Emilia finally looked away, catching the smug satisfaction on Chloe's face. Chloe smiled wider. "Besides, the Dennis family was only ever glorious when Dennis himself was alive. Now? It's nothing."

The proud, untouchable Miss Erickson she remembered would never have stooped to such cheap tricks.

What had happened over the years to twist Chloe into someone so unrecognizable?

"What's wrong? Afraid to bet?" Chloe's bravado sounded hollow.

But Emilia merely smiled.

"The vineyard in the southwest of Cerulion," she said softly.

"Kaufman's private estate. The wine is smooth, beautifully balanced, bursting with fruit. Four years ago, he bottled it himself—a red, with the color of a ruby."

As Chloe's smile slowly faded, Emilia continued, "You brought back a private reserve. Kaufman's estate never produces anything mediocre. This is your homecoming reception, your official entry into Alden City society, and everyone will soon know you brought back Kaufman's signature wine. You'd never risk serving a fake."

"Shall I go on, Chloe?"

Chloe stood frozen as Emilia walked slowly to the long table, carefully comparing each glass. At last, she made her choice, brought it to her lips, and tasted it, savoring the subtle notes, before returning with the glass in hand.