Chapter 170

Chapter 170 A Ghost from the Past
You stay in the hotel and reflect. I’ve got things to take care of.”
Stanley murmured a quiet “okay,” eyes lowered, lost in thought.
Franklin snorted and turned to leave. Find the newest release on.net
Soon, he was back at the Lane estate–but at the rear entrance this time.
Finished
The banquet was still in full swing. Warm lights flickered from within, spilling laughter and music into the night. From where he stood in the shadows, the contrast was stark: brilliant celebration inside, cold darkness outside. Two worlds divided by light.
He stepped forward, just as hurried footsteps approached.
“You hid yourself well.”
His voice was low and menacing–like a creature from the shadows, a vampire emerging from the night. It was chilling.
The woman took two steps back.
“Had your baby and tossed her to me. Did you already have Eugene lined up back then?”
The light caught her face. It was Chloe–the same Chloe who’d been graciously greeting guests earlier at the banquet.
Hearing his words, feeling the fury radiating off him, Chloe instinctively backed away again.
“I used to think you left because you didn’t want to ruin my family. I raised Rebecca alone all these years while searching for you. And you? You moved on.”
Franklin’s voice rose, loud enough to startle the crows in the trees. Chloe flinched, bowing her head, silent.
“So that’s it, huh? You found someone better. Married into the Lane family and climbed the social ladder. You looked down on me.”
Her hands clenched into fists.
“I’ve held my tongue long enough. Yes, I was wrong to disappear and leave the baby. But let’s not pretend you’re the victim here. You were already married–with Oliver and Eugene–when you came after me. When I found out you had a family, I tried to end things. You kept promising you’d divorce. Then, while I was pregnant, your wife got pregnant too! You told me you had no interest in her, that it was just paperwork -but you kept sleeping with her, kept building your family. Franklin, if you could be that shameless, why couldn’t I disappear? I was the other woman! And if I had even a shred of decency, then yes, I had to leave!”
Her voice trembled as she shouted, forcing Franklin into stunned silence.
“And now here you are, acting all wounded and romantic, like I’m still that naïve girl you could fool with a few sweet words. I didn’t humiliate you in front of everyone tonight–that’s me being generous. Stay out of my life, or I won’t be so kind next time.”
They were in the darkest corner outside the estate, where Chloe had made sure no one would wander.
When her voice faded, the surrounding silence grew louder–every breeze, every leaf rustle became sharp
as a blade
Chloe was delicate, never one for confrontation. But anger had pushed her past fear.
Now that Franklin had gone quiet, dread crept in again.
“Are you scared now? ”
Franklin’s voice slithered through the dark, ceric and low.
Chloe stepped back again, half her figure now visible in the pale security light.
“Chloe, you’re afraid of me now? Afraid I’ll ruin your precious new life? Guess the title of Mrs. Lane is just too sweet to let go of, huh?”
Her voice trembled.
“You were the one who was wrong. I only followed my heart. I owe you nothing–and don’t even think about dragging me down with you.”
Franklin closed his eyes, struggling to contain the chaos inside.
“Is that really what you think of me? After all those years… you never trusted me?“.
Chloe thought of every lie he’d ever told her, every time he’d made her feel like a fool. She laughed bitterly.
“You were never worth trusting.”
“Fine!” Franklin’s voice boomed again.
“You’re the noble lady now, and I’m nothing. But don’t forget–Rebecca is your daughter! She’s rotting in prison! You can hate me all you want, but you’ve never done a damn thing for her. Can you really live with that? Do you not owe her anything?”
Chloe’s fury had been burning hot–but the mention of Rebecca sent a cold jolt through her chest.
That daughter …