"Even I know your personality—you’d rather be a broken jade than a whole tile."

"That dog of a man deserves to taste what it’s like to lose you forever! He doesn't know about the new university, does he? I swear, when he can't find you, he’ll be heartbroken and full of regret!"

As soon as she finished, she passed out on the bar, leaving Jolene in a daze.

Would Xavier really react that way?

Eventually, her friend’s boyfriend came to pick her up, and Jolene settled the bill.

As she turned to leave, she bumped into one of Xavier’s childhood friends.

His eyes lit up as he rashly grabbed Jolene’s arm. "Sister-in-law! Come quickly and talk some sense into Xavier. He’s drunk!"

Amidst her struggle, Jolene was dragged into a private lounge.

The crowd inside was laughing. "Chloe lost again! This time the penalty is to kiss a random member of the opposite sex. Who’s the lucky guy?"

Chloe’s eyes were shimmering like ripples as she leaned toward Xavier with a look that was half-helpless and half-coquettish. Her voice was soft and tender: "Director, help me, okay?"

Xavier’s collar was slightly open, and the corners of his eyes were flushed from the alcohol. The spirits made his thoughts sluggish. "What?"

By the time he reacted, he wanted to shake his head and tell his friends to stop joking.

But the girl’s pink-tinged face was already inches away, and her soft palm brushed against his lower abdomen.

Xavier’s eyes darkened instantly. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he leaned in for a heavy kiss.

His back was to the door, so he didn't see the world collapsing in Jolene’s eyes.

Chloe, however, glanced at Jolene after catching her breath. She flashed a triumphant smile and mouthed three words with pure provocation: "You old woman."

Jolene’s eyes went cold. She sharply told the friend to let her go.

The friend spent time apologizing and making excuses for Xavier, dragging out the moment long enough for Chloe to quietly walk over.

Chloe’s eyes were curved like crescents. "The Director kissed me so hard... he even used his tongue. You aren't jealous, are you, Sister?"

"Jealous that you’re a shameless home-wrecker at such a young age?" Jolene sneered.

Chloe’s expression changed instantly. She snapped back in a fit of pique, "The one who isn't loved is the home-wrecker!"

"You’re nearly thirty. What right do you have to compare yourself to me?"

She tugged at her thin shoulder strap, then glanced at Jolene’s plain clothing with a smirk. "No wonder the Director looks down on you. Not only are you old, but you don't have a lick of femininity."

"I heard you’re actually going abroad for further studies? I bet you got that opportunity by stripping for your professors and letting every foreigner have a turn with you."

The moment the words left her mouth, Jolene raised her hand and slapped Chloe across the face.

Slap!

The crisp sound of the strike rang out.

Chloe’s head was whipped to the side. She slowly turned back in disbelief, screaming hysterically, "How dare you hit me?!"

"Why wouldn't I?" Jolene’s gaze was freezing. "Shut that mouth of yours; it's filthier than a latrine."

The argument grew louder, and Xavier, reeking of alcohol, finally noticed the commotion in the dim corner.

He froze for a moment when his eyes met Jolene’s, but then they fell on Chloe’s reddened, swollen cheek, and rage surged within him.

Under the gaze of everyone present, he stepped forward quickly to shield Chloe behind him. Without asking for an explanation, he demanded angrily, "Jolene, have you lost your mind?!"

"What did Chloe ever do to you that you’d act so out of line?!"

The man who had once promised with bloodshot eyes to love her for a lifetime was now giving all his protection and trust to another woman.

Jolene gave a small smile. "She’s a shameless little mistress. Isn't that reason enough?"

She tilted her head up, pressing him aggressively. "Xavier, Chloe is so clearly infatuated with you. What about you? What is your stance? Do you love her, too?"

"What kind of nonsense are you talking about?" Xavier’s gaze flickered for a split second, his imposing aura beginning to recede. "Enough. Don't say these things here."

"You can kiss Chloe here as if your lives depended on it, but I can't tell the truth?"

Jolene let out a short laugh, but only she knew how much desolation was packed into that sound.

Hearing this, Xavier froze completely.

He never expected that Jolene had actually seen it!

The hazy intoxication finally cleared. He took a step forward to grab Jolene’s hand, wanting to explain that it was a moment of impulse, but the sight of Chloe’s total reliance on him made him hesitate.

"...Let’s go home and talk about this, okay?"

"There is nothing left to talk about."

Jolene slammed the man’s hand away with such force that her own palm burned with a stinging pain.

She strode outward, hearing the hurried footsteps of the man behind her and Chloe’s aggrieved, sobbing whisper: "Director..."

Ultimately, Jolene walked out of the bar alone, the moonlight stretching her lonely shadow very long.

Jolene returned home as quickly as possible.

Her luggage had been packed long ago; she was moving out right now.

But Xavier had also sped all the way back.

He burst through the door right behind her, his breath still ragged. He pulled out a dazzling ring and tried to slide it onto Jolene’s finger.

"Babe, I promised you—we’d get married as soon as you returned home."

"A lot has happened lately... but I never changed my mind about this. Let’s live our lives well together from now on, alright?"

The diamond shimmered with a crystal-clear light, and the inner band was engraved with the initials of their names.

The expression on the man’s face was so earnest that it momentarily made Jolene feel as if they were back at the moment they made their lifelong vows.

But the coldness on her ring finger snapped her back to reality. She took two steps back and heartlessly stripped the ring off, throwing it away with force.

"Xavier, you still haven't answered my question."

"What exactly does Chloe mean to you?"

The meticulously designed ring hit the floor, and several cracks actually appeared on it.

Xavier was stunned for a moment, and then a surge of uncontrollable rage ignited within him. "Jolene, how long are you going to keep making this scene?!"

His jaw tightened abruptly, his face turning terrifyingly grim. "Why are you being so stubborn? Why do you have to fixate on Chloe?"

"I’ll tell you the truth! Chloe isn't just an intern at my hospital. Once her internship ends, I’m going to make her a permanent employee!"

"Your unreasonable meddling won't change anything." Xavier’s voice was as cold as ice, every word heavy with finality. "Jolene, you need to understand that in this relationship, you’re the one who can’t leave me."

"Are you sure about that?"

Jolene interrupted Xavier coldly.

Watching the man’s brow furrow further, she curled her lips into a smirk. "You have indeed been the most important person in my life for the past ten years. But at the same time, I have my own studies and my own career. I am not a parasitic vine clinging to you!"

"Xavier, why on earth would I be unable to leave you?"

Xavier’s breathing grew involuntarily heavier.

How could Jolene possibly leave him? That was simply impossible; she was just putting up a front!

As he continued to deny it in his mind, Jolene’s phone, sitting on the entryway table, lit up.

It was a flight departure reminder!

Xavier narrowed his eyes, reaching out his long arm to grab it—

"...Director, are you there?"

Chloe’s tiny, cat-like voice suddenly rang out.

Jolene looked over in shock.

She saw Chloe enter the house naturally after punching in the passcode.

Her movements were practiced and familiar; she had clearly been here more than once.

How absurd. Jolene nearly laughed out of sheer anger.

This was the home that belonged exclusively to her and Xavier!

"Why are you here all of a sudden?"

Xavier was slightly dazed, his attention drawn toward Chloe.

Chloe sniffled and gave a deep bow, sobbing as she said, "I came to apologize. Sister Jolene, I’m so sorry!"

"Earlier, it was just a game of Truth or Dare. Everyone had too much to drink. I thought it was just a kiss and that it was no big deal. I didn't expect you to care so much..."

She held out a pair of cute clay dolls and bit her lip. "I made this gift with my own hands. They’re a pair. I wish you and Director Xavier a hundred years of harmony!"

These words struck a chord with Xavier.

Chloe was obedient and sensible. Compared to Jolene, the displeasure in Xavier’s expression deepened.

Chloe scurried over to Jolene, repeatedly saying, "Sister Jolene, please forgive me," while pestering Jolene to accept the gift.