On the Day I Was Kicked Out of the Wealthy Family, I Had a Flash Marriage with a Tycoon-Chapter 44: Waking Up Together

Chloe met his gaze, words caught in her throat.

Jasper whispered, "I won’t touch you. We’ll just sleep."

Chloe pressed her lips together. She said nothing and stilled, resting obediently in his embrace.

A quiet stillness fell over the room, the only sound the clear, distinct beating of their hearts.

She lost track of time before a wave of drowsiness washed over her, and she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Hearing her soft, even breaths, Jasper glanced down at her. Seeing she was asleep, he allowed a faint smile to grace his lips before closing his eyes again.

Chloe was a quiet sleeper, not the restless thrasher she claimed to be. In fact, far from hitting him, she was quite clingy. She started the night nestled obediently in Jasper’s arms, but later, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight and still in a grip that was almost possessive.

A wash of morning sunlight streamed into the room.

Chloe slowly opened her eyes to the sight of a sharply defined jaw. Her head rested on the man’s arm, and her own arms were wrapped tightly around his waist.

She pulled back slightly. Jasper turned to face her, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You’re awake."

Chloe: "...When did you wake up?"

"Just a little while ago."

This was the second time they had woken up in the same bed.

Chloe was at a loss. After a long pause, she scrambled out of bed. "I’m going to go wash up."

"Okay."

Without a backward glance, Chloe walked into the bathroom. A moment later, Jasper came in as well, and they got ready for the day together.

This was his bedroom, so all his toiletries were already there. Now, her things were there too, sharing space on the counter.

They looked just like any other married couple, getting up and preparing for the day together.

It was a strange feeling.

After they finished, they went downstairs together.

Henry Chamberlain was waiting in the first-floor living room. Seeing them descend, he immediately stepped forward. "Sir. Madam. Good morning." He hesitated for a moment before adding, "Sir, should this morning’s meeting be postponed or canceled?"

Jasper said, "No need."

"Understood."

Henry Chamberlain cautiously sized them up. It seemed they were fine, not fighting or giving each other the cold shoulder.

In fact, his boss seemed to be in a rather good mood.

After breakfast, Jasper left for the office, and Chloe headed to The Medical College.

「The afternoon arrived quickly.」

Chloe arrived at the hotel where Silas Coldwell was staying.

Even though she’d asked Jean Kensington to keep an eye on Silas, she was still uneasy. Silas had already lost to Jasper twice, and knowing his personality, he wouldn’t just let it go.

So, after mulling it over all morning, she decided to talk to Silas.

In his hotel suite, Silas wasn’t the least bit surprised to get Chloe’s call. He knew she would contact him eventually.

"Darling, I’ve been waiting for your call for a long time."

"I’m at your hotel, Silas. We need to talk."

"What do you want to talk about?" Silas scoffed. "About me letting Jasper Lockwood go?"

Chloe’s voice was even. "Silas, do you really think you can take on Jasper in Crestfall? Are you willing to engage in a mutually destructive fight?"

Silas laughed. "I am. Of course, I am."

Chloe: "You don’t want to hear my terms?"

After a moment of silence, Silas said, "Where are you? I’ll send someone down to get you."

"No need. I’m not going to your room. Meet me at the coffee shop on the top floor."

"What? Scared to come to my room?"

"I just don’t want to. I’ll be waiting for you in the coffee shop on the top floor."

With that, Chloe hung up and walked across the lobby toward the elevators.

Just then, Esther Sterling and her driver emerged from the elevators.

The three of them came face to face. Upon seeing Chloe, Esther’s expression soured. "What are you doing here? Who told you to come?"

Chloe scoffed. "Did you book out the entire hotel?"

Esther’s expression flickered, but then she smiled. "Not the whole thing, no. Mom and Dad just booked a banquet hall for my birthday party. You’ve never had a proper birthday party, have you? Want to come take a look? Oh, that’s right, you can’t. Mom and Dad said you’re never to show your face in front of them again. Such a pity you can’t visit."

"Esther, why are you just standing here?"

From behind them, Ruby Lynch approached with her own driver and bodyguards.

Esther’s face lit up. "Auntie, you’re here! I came down to get you." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"I told you not to bother. I can get up there myself."

As she drew closer, Ruby finally noticed Chloe standing off to the side. Her eyes filled with undisguised contempt. "Why is *she* here? Didn’t your parents say she’s no longer part of the Sterling Family?"

Having married into the Rivers Family, Ruby felt herself superior and looked down even more on Chloe’s rural upbringing. She had never once acknowledged Chloe as her niece.

Esther replied, "I didn’t invite her. She came on her own. I have no idea how she even knew about the party."

Ruby snorted and glared at Chloe. "You’re certainly resourceful! What are you trying to pull? Today’s guests are all prominent figures. If you dare cause a scene, I won’t let you off easy."

Chloe gave the woman a cool glance. "And you are? Do I know you?"

Ruby Lynch: "..."

The elevator finally arrived, and Chloe stepped inside.

Seeing this, Ruby’s face darkened. "Did you not hear what I said to you? Get out of there, now!"

’I’ve invited so many distinguished guests today. I can’t let this country bumpkin ruin things!’

The female attendant in the elevator was confused by the situation, but she recognized Ruby. "Ms. Lynch," she asked, "is there anything I can help you with?"

Ruby glanced at Chloe in the elevator and ordered the attendant, "Get her out of there. She is not allowed to go to the banquet hall."

Chloe said to the attendant, "Top floor."

The banquet hall was on the third floor.

After a moment’s thought, the attendant said, "Ms. Lynch, this lady is going to the top floor, not the banquet hall."

Ruby said icily, "And you just believe her word for it?"

"Well..." The attendant was in a difficult position. She couldn’t just kick a guest out of the elevator, and Chloe looked like someone not to be crossed. She didn’t dare offend any of these wealthy people.

Chloe simply pressed the button for her floor, followed by the ’door close’ button. The doors slid shut.

Ruby’s face turned ashen with rage.

Just then, the doors to the adjacent elevator opened. Esther said, "Auntie, let’s take this one."

As they stepped into the elevator, Ruby ordered her two bodyguards, "You two, go to the third floor. If you see that woman enter the banquet hall, throw her out immediately!"

"Yes, Madam."

Esther linked her arm with Ruby’s. "There, there, Auntie. Don’t be angry. She’s not worth it."

"Hmph, you’re right. She’s not worth it!" Ruby’s expression softened slightly as she patted Esther’s hand. "I made a special point of inviting Fourth Young Master Rivers today. He seems to like you quite a bit. You should talk with him more later."

At this, Esther’s eyes dimmed. "Auntie, I don’t like Fourth Young Master Rivers."

"Hm?" Ruby looked confused. "You don’t like him? I thought you two got along so well last time."

"But I don’t like him. The one I like is Damian Rivers, the Heir of the Rivers."