Chapter 327
Chapter 327
The employees were shaken, and with the studio in disarray, normal work was impossible. After a call with Lana, Serena decided to give everyone the rest of the day off. “Alright, everyone, go home and rest. I’m so sorry about today.”
Chloe saw her colleagues out. Watching several girls break down in tears deepened have been terrified like this. The studio wouldn’t have suffered such damage.’
her guilt. She thought, ‘If it weren’t for me, they wouldn’t
Serena, noticing Chloe’s expression, stepped forward and gently ruffled her hair. “This isn’t your fault. No one here blames you. Don’t overthink it.” Her eyes gleamed under the soft light, warm and reassuring.
Chloe’s composure shattered. She buried her face in Serena’s shoulder and sobbed, “I’m sorry, Seri. I’ve let everyone down. I never thought I would bring so much trouble. Maybe I shouldn’t have come back or sought out Keith. It’s all my fault!”
Her voice cracked. “Maybe I should leave the studio. If I’m not here, no one else will get hurt. I’ll take all the blame. I deserve it.”
Serena knew Chloe had reached her breaking point. No amount of comforting words would help now. Chloe needed to let it all out.
With a soft sigh, Serena gently patted Chloe’s back, sitently reassuring her that she had never blamed her.
Chloe cried freely, washing away weeks of pent–up frustration and guilt with her tears.
Once she had calmed down, Serena spoke, “Alright, Chloe, I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear you say you’d leave. Like I said, no one blames you. Here. Check the group chat.” She handed Chloe her phone, where a flood of messages–Thanks, Chloe.
Confused, Chloe blinked. She thought, ‘Why would they thank me after this accident?‘
Serena chuckled, “The compensation process will take time, so we can’t work right now. Lana decided to give everyone three days of paid leave. All thanks to you.”
Chloe was overwhelmed. Despite the trouble she had caused, her colleagues still comforted her.
Serena said softly, “Things might seem bleak now, but because of today, everyone gets a break. Chloe, I know you’ll grow from this. And when it’s all over, you’ll find your happiness.”
Chloe’s tear–filled eyes finally flickered with a faint smile.
Soon, Lana rushed back to the studio after finishing her errands, only to find the place in ruins. Though Serena had told her, seeing the damage firsthand still ignited her fury.
She spat, “Ashton sure knows how to pick his moments. Attacking when I’m not around. If I’d been here, I’d have beaten him to a pulp!”
Serena handed her a glass of water, prepared earlier. “Easy. At least no one got hurt. And the Kingsley family will pay for the damages. Just consider it a free studio renovation.”
Lana took the water just as a male voice sounded from the doorway. “Ms. Gray is right, you know. Lana, you’re always so fiery and impatient.”
Serena was a bit surprised, and Chloe looked confused. They looked up, squinting against the backlight to see a young man stepping inside. Though his features were shadowed, his presence alone screamed handsome.
Chloe blinked, momentarily stunned. “And you are…” she asked, glancing at Lana.
“Don’t get any funny ideas. He’s my brother.” Lana clarified. She had mentioned him before–a sibling she never got along with, their personalities polar opposites. After he left for studies abroad, their contact dwindled. So even Serena, her closest friend, had never met him.
Chapter 327
“Simon Quinn.” Simon introduced himself, extending his hand with a charming smile. Noticing Chloe’s tear streaked face he plucked a siss from a nearby desk and offered it. “Such a lovely young lady shouldn’t cry. It’d break someone’s heart.”
Lana kicked Simon’s shin. “Ugh, you’re so corny. Chloe’s my friend. Keep your flirting to yourself.”
From the moment Simon laid eyes on Chloe, he had found her utterly endearing, even with her tear–streaked face and disheveled
appearance.
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