On the Day I Was Kicked Out of the Wealthy Family, I Had a Flash Marriage with a Tycoon-Chapter 150: A Hint of Cunning

Upon hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Chloe Sterling’s eyes—not because the woman was Charles Sterling’s wife, but because her surname was also Rhodes.

"You... your last name is Rhodes. Where are you from?"

"I’m from the Empire, but I grew up in Country A," Ava Rhodes answered. After a pause, she added, "Is there a problem?"

Chloe Sterling shook her head. "It’s nothing. Hello, Mrs. Sterling."

Ava Rhodes smiled faintly and said, "Your name is Chloe, right? I remember you were the first person I asked for directions when I came to The Medical College, but I never expected you to be the very person I was searching for."

"Are you here for President Sterling?" Chloe asked.

"That’s right, I’m here because of him, but he doesn’t know I came to see you. He’s run into some trouble recently, and I want to help, so I came to find you in secret. Chloe, can we talk?"

Ava Rhodes wasn’t lying. Charles Sterling had no intention of seeking out Chloe Sterling again. She had learned this from one of his subordinates and had decided to come to The Medical College on her own.

But Chloe Sterling refused again. "I’m sorry, Mrs. Sterling, but I can’t solve the problems Apex is facing."

"You know what problems Apex is facing?"

"I don’t, but I know my own limits."

Seeing that Chloe was genuinely unwilling to get involved with Apex, Ava Rhodes dropped the subject. "In that case, could we just be friends? Would you like to get a cup of coffee with me?"

"Sorry, I have to get back to the lab."

"When are you free, then? I can wait."

Chloe said coolly, "You should probably head back, Mrs. Sterling."

"Can you at least tell me why you’re so determined to refuse? I don’t believe it’s because you lack the ability. You haven’t even tried, so how can you be so sure you’ll fail?"

"Because I know myself very well."

Chloe clearly had no intention of revealing her true reasons, and her stance was firm.

"Alright, then." After a pause, Ava Rhodes took a slip of paper from her purse and handed it to Chloe, adding, "This is my contact information. If you change your mind, feel free to call me anytime. I’ll look forward to hearing from you."

Chloe glanced down at the paper and took it. "Okay."

Ava Rhodes smiled. "Well, I won’t keep you any longer. Go on, get back to your work."

"Goodbye, Mrs. Sterling."

As Ava Rhodes got in her car and drove away, Chloe turned and walked back into The Medical College, pulling out her phone to call Jean Kensington.

"Jean, can you do me a favor and look into Charles Sterling’s wife, Ava Rhodes?"

"Why are you looking into Charles Sterling’s wife?" Jean asked, puzzled.

"She looks a lot like my adoptive mother, and they both have the last name Rhodes."

"Don’t tell me you suspect your adoptive mother is related to Charles Sterling’s wife?"

"I do."

Chloe’s adoptive mother wasn’t originally from Silara Town; a local man had brought her back with him, and no one knew where she was from.

Jean understood. "Got it. I’ll let you know what I find."

Chloe returned to the lab building.

It wasn’t long before Jean called back.

"What did you find?" Chloe asked eagerly.

Jean said, "The Rhodeses moved their entire family to Country A over thirty years ago, but your adoptive mother arrived in Silara Town just over twenty years ago. The timeline doesn’t add up. Besides, the Rhodeses never filed any missing person reports or anything similar. It doesn’t look like they ever lost a child. Do you think you might be overthinking this?"

Chloe murmured to herself, "Could it really be such a coincidence? The same last name and such a strong resemblance."

"Hold on, let me dig a little deeper. I’m hanging up."

After hanging up, Chloe put her phone back in her pocket and picked up a leaf from the desk. ’Maybe I really am overthinking this. There’s no connection between my adoptive mother and Ava Rhodes.’

’It’s all just a coincidence.’

Her phone remained silent. Chloe threw herself into her research, and the afternoon flew by.

Beside her, Maya Jacobs stretched. "That’s it for me. I need to refuel." She turned to Chloe. "Chloe, are you leaving? We can head down together."

Chloe put down her equipment. "Yeah, I need to refuel too."

Maya smiled. "Want to grab a bite together then?"

"Ah... I can’t today."

"How come? Do you have plans?"

"Mhm, I do." Chloe stood up. "Another time, maybe. My treat next time."

’I promised Jasper Lockwood I’d be home early for dinner tonight.’

"Oh, okay then."

The two left the lab together.

Just as she reached the ground floor, Chloe’s phone buzzed with a text from Jasper Lockwood.

[Are you heading back?]

Chloe immediately replied, [Just got out of the lab. On my way.]

Jasper Lockwood: [I’m home already. Waiting for you.]

Chloe Sterling: [Okay, I’ll get back as fast as I can.]

Jasper Lockwood: [No rush. Don’t drive too fast.]

Chloe was speechless.

’Jasper never seems to trust my driving.’

Maya glanced at her, grinning. "Chloe, are you meeting your boyfriend?"

Chloe admitted calmly, "Mhm, I am."

"It really is your boyfriend!" Maya looked stunned. "So which lucky guy managed to capture your heart? Can you give me any details?"

A smile played on Chloe’s lips. "Nope."

Maya was at a loss for words.

「Nearly an hour and a half later.」

Chloe returned to the Lockwood Residence.

Jasper Lockwood was sitting on the sofa reading a book. He looked up at the sound of her arrival.

"I’m home," Chloe said.

Jasper glanced at the time on his phone. "What took you so long?"

Chloe retorted, "Didn’t you tell me to drive slowly?"

Jasper put down his book and leaned back languidly. "Since you’re so obedient, you can just drive at this speed from now on."

Chloe was speechless.

’It’s not like I drove this slowly on purpose,’ she thought. ’There was a car accident, and I was stuck in traffic for half an hour.’

Chloe walked over and sat down beside him. "How are you home so early? I thought you were busy."

"I’ve finished everything up. I won’t be so busy for a while. From now on, I’ll come home early every day... to be with you."

Chloe paused, slightly taken aback. "...Oh."

"Are you busy these days?" Jasper asked.

Chloe replied, "It’s been fine. Not too busy."

Jasper said, "That’s good."

’Maybe it’s just my imagination,’ Chloe thought, ’but I feel like there’s a glint of cunning in Jasper’s eyes.’

After a moment, she stood up. "I’m just going to pop upstairs for a minute."

"Mhm." Jasper picked up the book beside him again.

Chloe went up to her room, planning to take a shower and change before dinner.

Jasper was looking at his book when a ringing phone pulled his attention away. He realized Chloe had left her phone on the sofa.

He glanced at the unfamiliar number on the screen but recognized it instantly. His deep eyes darkened as he picked up the phone and answered, "Hello."

After a few seconds, Silas Coldwell’s disgusted voice came through the phone. "Why is it you?"